Water‐superabsorbent polymers through gamma radiation‐induced graft‐copolymerization of acrylonitrile on guargum

Abstract

Abstract Superabsorbent polymers based on guargum have been prepared through a graft‐copolymerization reaction using acrylonitrile as the monomer by a gamma ray‐induced irradiation technique. Various grafting parameters have been studied. The grafted products have been characterized using infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric, and differential thermal analysis. The thermograms reveal the superior thermal stability of the grafted product over the control at all stages of its degradative cycle. The maximum absorbency obtained of the superabsorbent product was around 300 g/g.