SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND SWELLING BEHAVIOR STUDIES OF GUAR GUM-GRAFTED-ACRYLAMIDE-CO-HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE HYDROGEL

Abstract

A novel high water absorbent and environment friendly guar gum-grafted-acrylamide-co-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (GG-AAM-co-HEMA) hybrid hydrogel was synthesized through free radical copolymerization method using ammonium persulphate, N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide and glutaraldehyde as initiator and cross-linking agents respectively in distilled water solvent medium. The structural and morphological characterization of synthesized hydrogel was carried out using FT-IR, and SEM techniques respectively. The water absorption capacity test was also conducted for the obtained hydrogel. The FT-IR data confirmed the incorporation of hydroxyethyl methacrylate and acrylamide in the gaur gum polymeric chain while SEM confirmed the formation of uniform porous structure in the hydrogel. The high water swelling capacity up to 75% confirmed the highly water-absorbent nature of the hydrogel which makes it useful for soil conditioning and nourishing applications in agriculture.