Synthesis of superabsorbent from carbohydrate waste

A mixture of acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA) monomers were grafted on germinated gelatinized wheat starch using potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator to yield superabsorbent. The effects of different parameters such as time, temperature, monomer feed (AM:AA), starch: monomers ratio and initiator concentration on graft add-on were studied, and the optimized values were found to be 2 h, 60 °C, 1:1 (w/w), 1:1(w/w) & 1% (with respect to starch powder), respectively. The product so formed was saponified with 0.1N NaOH, dried and finely powdered sample was characterized using FT-IR, TGA. Product showed maximum absorbency of 150 g/g.