The Effect of Monomer Types and Loading on the Characterization and Absorption of Superabsorbent Polymer Based on Waste Polystyrene Foam.

Acrylic acid, polyacrylamide and poly(methyl acrylate)) and waste polystyrene foam via chain growth polymerization technique in the presence of Potassium Persulphate as redox initiator, N,N'-Methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker and Sorbitane Monooleate (Span 80) as nonionic surfactant were utilized. In this project, hydrogels based on acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AAm) and methyl acrylate (MA) were grafted with waste polystyrene foam (WPSF). The effect of monomer types and ratios of absorption and swelling equilibrium in distilled water was investigated. This is followed by an analysis of hydrogels absorption in saline water and urea solution as well as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) characterization. In swelling studies, hydrogel based on WPSF-graft-acrylic acid showed an ultimate absorption at 6:1 mass ratio of acrylic acid to waste polystyrene foam. Meanwhile, hydrogel based on WPSF- graft-acrylamide and WPSF-graft-methyl acrylate, both showed continuous increased in water uptake with increasing monomer content. Upon characterization with FTIR, a significant hydrophilic functional groups exist in the spectrum that corresponds to the acrylate monomer, WPSF and crosslinker unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]