| Abstrakt: |
Abstract: The application of superabsorbent polymer hydrogels is gaining much research attention. Industrial applications include agriculture, environmental engineering, biomedical and tissue engineering, oilfield, construction and electrical products, personal care products, and wastewater treatment. In this study, the swelling performance and adsorption kinetics of two commercial superabsorbent polymer hydrogels were evaluated based upon their stimuli response to pH and salinity at varying temperature and reaction time periods. Characterisation and evaluation of the materials were performed using analytical techniques—optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and the gravimetric method. Experimental results show that reaction conditions strongly influence the swelling performance of the superabsorbent polymer hydrogels considered in this study. Generally, increasing pH and salinity concentration led to a significant decline in the swelling performance of both superabsorbent polymer hydrogels. An optimal temperature range between 50 and 75 °C was considered appropriate based on swell tests performed between 25 c to 100 °C over 2-, 4- and 6-h time periods. These findings serve as a guideline for material technologist and field engineers in the use of superabsorbent polymer hydrogels for a wide range of applications. The study results provide evidence that the two superabsorbent polymer hydrogels can be used for petroleum fraction-saline water emulsions separation, among other applications. Graphic abstract: ![]() Highlights: The swelling performance of the two superabsorbent polymer hydrogels experimentally studied showed a maximum absorbency in the range of 270 to 300g/g. Thermal gravimetric analysis curves show that both superabsorbent polymer hydrogels are stable at high temperatures. Commercially available superabsorbent polymer hydrogels can be used in industrial water absorption applications. |
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