Preparation of konjac glucomannan-based superabsorbent polymers by frontal polymerization

Frontal polymerization was used to prepare two kinds of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) called konjac glucomannan–acrylic acid–acrylamide (KGM–AA–AM) polymers and konjac glucomannan–acrylic acid–kaolin (KGM–AA–Kaolin) polymers. As preparation of KGM–AA–AM, it was found that features of front propagation including front velocity and maximum temperature (Tmax) were dependent on the amount of acrylamide, initiator (potassium persulfate) and water, which influenced characterization of final products in the former. However, in the other polymer system, when Kaolin/AA ratio reached 0.30, the highest water absorbency was obtained, 1941 g/g in distilled water and 93 g/g in physiological saline. That indicates kaolin is a potential material to enhance water absorbency of FP products.