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Synthesis of Hydrogels with Antifouling Properties As Membranes for Water Purification
Published on: April 7, 2017
Synthesis and Effect of Structure on Swelling Properties of Hydrogels Based on High Methylated Pectin and Acrylic
Grzegorz Kowalski1, Karolina Kijowska2, Mariusz Witczak3
1University of Agriculture in Krakow, Faculty of Food Technology, ul. Balicka 122, 30-149 Kraków, Poland. grzegorz.kowalski@urk.edu.pl.
Abstract:
The aim of the research was to develop new pectin-based hydrogels with excellent swelling properties. Superabsorbent hydrogels composed of high methylated pectin and partially neutralized poly(acrylic acid) was obtained by free radical polymerization in aqueous solution in the presence of crosslinking agent-N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide. The effect of crosslinker content and pectin to acrylic acid ratio on the swelling properties of hydrogels was investigated. In addition, the thermodynamic characteristic of hydrogels was obtained by DSC. Furthermore, the structure of pectin-based hydrogels was characterized by FTIR and GPC. It was also proved that poly(acrylic acid) is grafted on pectin particles. The results showed that introduction of small amount of pectin (up to 6.7 wt %) to poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel increase the swelling capacity, while further increasing of pectin ratio cause decrease of swelling.
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