Effects on the absorbency of graft copolymer prepared by acrylic acid with starch

Superabsorbent was prepared by graft co-polymerization using acrylic acid onto corn starch. The molecular structure was characterized by FTIR method. Many factors such as ratios of acrylic acid to starch, neutralization ratio of acrylic acid by NaOH, reaction temperature, gelation time, and drying temperature of product et al were studied systemically. Herein, K₂S₂O₈ -Na₂S₂O₃ was used as initiator, through a series of experiments, an optimum rout of preparing graft copolymer was obtained, and the absorbency of copolymer increased violently using this method. The copolymer prepared by corn starch and acrylic acid can absorb de-ionized water about 1000 g/g.