Irradiation Synthesis of

Biopolymer-Based
Superabsorbent Hydrogel:
Optimization Using the Taguchi
Method and Investigation of Its
Swelling Behavior
GHASEM R. BARDAJEE
Department of Chemistry, Payame Noor University, Qazvin Branch, P.O. Box 878, Qazvin, Iran;
Polymer Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Sharif University of Technology,
P.O. Box 11365-9516, Tehran, Iran

ALI POURJAVADI
Polymer Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Sharif University of Technology,
P.O. Box 11365-9516, Tehran, Iran

ROUHOLLAH SOLEYMAN
Polymer Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Sharif University of Technology,
P.O. Box 11365-9516, Tehran, Iran
Received: October 27, 2008
Accepted: August 10, 2009

ABSTRACT: In this report, the synthesis of a novel superabsorbent hydrogel

via γ-irradiation graft copolymerization of acrylamide onto sodium alginate and
kappa-carrageenan hybrid backbones in a homogeneous solution is described.

Correspondence to: Ali Pourjavadi; e-mail: purjavad@

sharif.edu.

Advances in Polymer Technology, Vol. 28, No. 2, 131–140 (2009)


C 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
IRRADIATION SYNTHESIS OF BIOPOLYMER-BASED SUPERABSORBENT HYDROGEL

The Taguchi method was used as a powerful experimental design tool for
synthesis optimization. A series of superabsorbent hydrogels was synthesized by
proposed conditions of Qualitek-4 software. Considering the results of nine trials
according to analysis of variance, optimum conditions were proposed. The
swelling behavior of optimum superabsorbent hydrogels was studied in various
solutions, with pH values ranging from 1 to 13. In addition, swelling kinetics,
swelling in various organic solvents, the absorbency under load, and on–off
switching behavior were investigated. Also, hydrogel formation was confirmed
by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Surface morphology of the
synthesized hydrogels was assessed by scanning electron microscopy.  C 2009

Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 28: 131–140, 2009; Published online in
Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20154

KEY WORDS: Biodegradable, Hydrogels, Irradiation, Swelling

red seaweeds by extraction with hot water under

Introduction alkaline conditions. The three commercially avail-
able types of carrageenans are designated—lambda,

S uperabsorbent hydrogels are slightly cross-

linked networks that are able to absorb
a large amount of water and aqueous fluids
in a short time and keep them when external
pressure is applied. They are widely used in
many fields, such as medicine for drug delivery
systems,1−3 agriculture and horticulture,4,5 sealing
composites,6 biosensors,7,8 artificial snow,9 drilling
fluid additives,10 and so on. The hydrogels based
on synthetic polymers such as polyacrylamide
[poly(AAm)] and poly(sodium acrylate) have large
swelling capacity, but natural hydrogels have a
greater demand in industry due to their low cost,
low toxicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility
of the large amount of natural polymers incorpo-
rated in their networks. Many works have been re-
ported for the preparation of hydrogels based on
polysaccharides such as chitosan,11−13 starch,14,15
carboxymethylcellulose,16,17 sodium alginate,18,19
and carrageenan.20−22 In our previous works,
we have reported the graft copolymerization of
poly(AAm) onto the mixture of sodium alginate (Na-
Alg) and kappa-carrageenan (κC) via thermal clas-
sic initiation system.23 In the current work, we syn-
thesized the same hydrogel via γ-irradiation as a
clean energy source instead of using toxic reagents
such as methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) and KPS. In
comparison with previous work, our results indicate
that water absorbency properties improved in this
method.
Carrageenans are a group of linear, sulfate-
containing polysaccharides obtained from certain
kappa, and iota. Because of their exceptional proper-
ties, they are broadly used as ingredients in a variety
of applications.24
Alginates are linear anionic polysaccharides of
(1–4) linked α-L-guluronate (G units) and β-D-
mannuronic acid (M units) residues. One important
and useful property of alginates is their ability to
form gels by ionic cross-linking with calcium cations.
However, ionic cross-linked alginate gels show low
absorbency due to their high cross-linking density.
So, in this study, we attempted to synthesize chemi-
cally cross-linked hydrogels using γ-rays as a cross-
linker and an initiator.25,26
The radiation technique seems to be an excel-
lent method for the preparation of hydrogels be-
cause a polymer in an aqueous solution and a
monomer dissolved in it undergo cross-linking and
graft copolymerization on irradiation to yield a
gel-like material. Simple procedure control, no ini-
tiators or cross-linkers, no waste products, and rel-
atively low operating costs make the irradiation
technique a suitable choice for the synthesis of
hydrogels.27
The Taguchi method is a powerful experimental
design tool. It provides a simple, efficient, and sys-
tematic approach to optimize the designs for perfor-
mance, quality, and cost. Parameter design is the key
step in the Taguchi method to achieve high quality
without increasing cost, and the same is adopted in
this article. The evaluation of results has been stan-
dardized by this method, which can easily be applied
by researchers.28−32

132 Advances in Polymer Technology DOI 10.1002/adv

 IRRADIATION SYNTHESIS OF BIOPOLYMER-BASED SUPERABSORBENT HYDROGEL

TABLE II
Experimental Experimental Layouts of an L9 Orthogonal Array
According to Taguchi’s Suggestion

MATERIALS Control Factor

The polysaccharides, sodium alginate (Na-Alg; Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Merck Co., Darmstadt, Germany) and kappa-
Radiation dose (kGy) 1.5 6 11
carrageenan (κC; Condinson Co., Copenhagen, Sodium alginate (g) 0.4 0.6 0.8
Denmark) were used without further purification. κ-Carrageenan (g) 0.4 0.6 0.8
Acrylamide (AAm; Fluka, Saint Louis, MO) was Acrylamide (g) 1 2 3
used as received. All other chemicals were also an-
alytical grade. Double-distilled water was used for
hydrogel preparation and swelling measurements. Selection of Orthogonal Array and
Assignment of Factors
An orthogonal array (OA) with three levels
INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS and four factors is shown in Table II. This OA is
Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra (on particularly designed with the symbol of L9 . The
KBr pellets) were recorded on an ABB Bomem results have been standardized by this method,
MB-100 FT-IR spectrophotometer. Irradiation was which can be easily applied by other researchers.
carried out using γ-rays from a Co-60 source Software package Qualitek-4 (Nutek, Detroit, MI)
from a Gammacell-220 irradiator (Nordion, Ottawa, (Version 6.3) was used for the selection of orthogo-
Canada), with 1.5 kGy/h dose rate. The morphol- nal array, optimum conditions, and contribution of
ogy of the dried samples was examined with a scan- each factor.27
ning electron microscope (Philips, XL30) operated at
20 kV after coating the samples with gold.
HYDROGEL PREPARATION
In general, specific amounts of κC (0.4–0.8 g) and
Na-Alg (0.4–0.8 g) were added to a 30-mL three-
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
necked reactor, equipped with a mechanical stirrer,
Selection of Factors and Their Levels with stirring (200 rpm). The reactor was immersed
in a thermostated water bath preset at 80◦ C. After
The important factors in the synthesis of super-
homogenizing the mixture, AAm (1–3 g in 10 mL of
absorbent hydrogels include γ-irradiation time and
H2 O) was added to the reaction mixture and was
AAm, κC, and Na-Alg concentrations. As well, three
stirred for further 20 min. The cold mixture was
levels for each factor were chosen, as shown in
transferred into a 250-mL tube, the inner wall of
Table I.
which was covered with an aluminum foil. The tube
was closed tightly with the foil and paraffin film and
then irradiated with γ-rays according to the desired
total doses. The reaction product was kept in ethanol
(200 mL) for 24 h to dewater. The completely hard-
TABLE I
Experimental Control Factors and Their Levels ened gel particles were filtered, washed with fresh
ethanol (2 × 50 mL), and dried in an oven at 50◦ C for
Trial A B C D 10 h. The final powdered superabsorbent hydrogel
1 1 1 1 1 was stored away from moisture, heat, and light for
2 1 2 2 2 further experiments.
3 1 3 3 3
4 2 1 2 3
5 2 2 3 1 WATER ABSORBENCY MEASUREMENT
6 2 3 1 2 The degree of swelling was determined by gravi-
7 3 1 3 2
metric method. The “tea bag” (i.e., a 100-mesh ny-
8 3 2 1 3
lon screen) containing the powdered sample (0.5 ±
9 3 3 2 1
0.01 g) with average particle sizes between 40 and

Advances in Polymer Technology DOI 10.1002/adv 133

IRRADIATION SYNTHESIS OF BIOPOLYMER-BASED SUPERABSORBENT HYDROGEL
60 mesh (250–350 μm) was immersed entirely in
distilled water (400 mL) and allowed to soak for
60 min at room temperature. The equilibrium
swelling (ES) capacity was measured twice at room
temperature by the following formula:
W2 − W1
ES(g/g) = (1)
W1
where W1 and W2 are the weights of dry and swollen
gels, respectively.
SWELLING KINETICS
To investigate the rate of hydrogel absorbency, a
certain amount of sample (0.5 ± 0.01 g) with average
particle sizes between 40 and 60 mesh (250–350 μm)
was poured into a weighed tea bag and immersed in
400 mL of distilled water. At consecutive time inter-
vals, the water absorbency of the hydrogel was mea-
sured according to the above-mentioned method.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY
pH Sensitivity
The procedures for these experiments are the
same as given in the “Water Absorbency Measure-
ment” section. pH dependency of swelling was mea-
sured by the interaction of certain amounts of the hy-
drogel samples (0.5 ± 0.01 g) in solutions (400 mL)
with solutions of different pH. The swelling behav-
ior in each pH was determined at different times.
The various solutions were adjusted to the desired
pH value by the addition of dilute HCl or NaOH.
Salinity
Hydrogel absorbency was evaluated in 0.1 M
solutions of NaCl, CaCl2 , and AlCl3 according
to the above-mentioned method described for
swelling measurements in distilled water. In addi-
tion, swelling capacity of the hydrogel was mea-
sured in NaCl solutions of different concentrations.
Solvent-Induced Phase Transition
The procedures for these experiments are the
same as given in “Water Absorbency Measurement”
section, except that, instead of distilled water, a mix-
ture of solvents was used.
134
MEASUREMENT OF ABSORBENCY
UNDER LOAD
A macroporous sintered glass filter plate (porosity
=0, d = 80 mm, h = 7 mm) was placed in a Petri dish
(d = 118 mm, h = 12 mm), and weighted, dried hy-
drogel sample (0.9 ± 0.01 g) was uniformly placed
on the surface of a polyester gauze located on the
sintered glass. A cylindrical solid load (Teflon, d =
60 mm, variable height) is put on the dry hydrogel
particles while it can be freely slipped in a glass cylin-
der (d = 60 mm, h = 50 mm). Desired load (applied
pressure =0.3–0.9 psi) was placed on the hydrogel
sample. Then, 0.9% saline solution was added so
that the liquid level was equal to the height of the
sintered glass filter. The entire set was covered to pre-
vent surface evaporation and probable change in the
saline concentration. After desired time, the swollen
particles were weighed again and absorbency under
load (AUL) was calculated by Eq. (1).
Results and Discussion
SYNTHESIS AND MECHANISM ASPECTS
Cross-linking and graft copolymerization of
poly(AAm) onto backbones of κC and Na-Alg sub-
strates were carried out in aqueous medium us-
ing γ-rays as a free radical initiator and cross-
linking agent.25,26 When monomers of AAm and
(Na-Alg/κC) polysaccharides are irradiated with
ionization rays such as γ-rays, one double bond of
−C C− on AAm and one of C H or O H bonds
of (Na-Alg/κC) were broken by ionization irradi-
ation and free radicals are generated. These free
radicals react with each other and (Na-Alg/κC)-
g-polyacrylamide superabsorbent hydrogel is pro-
duced. A possible simple polymerization of enti-
tled system by γ-ray irradiation is suggested in
Scheme 1. When AAm, polysaccharides, and wa-
ter ternary mixtures were irradiated, polymerization
and cross-linking occur simultaneously.
SPECTRAL CHARACTERIZATION
Infrared spectroscopy was used to confirm the
chemical structure of the grafted products. Figure 1
shows the FT-IR spectra of pure Na-Alg (Fig. 1a)
and κC (Fig. 1b) substrates and the Na-Alg/κC-
based hydrogel (Fig. 1c). In the spectrum of Na-
Alg, two strong peaks were observed at 1616 and
Advances in Polymer Technology DOI 10.1002/adv
 IRRADIATION SYNTHESIS OF BIOPOLYMER-BASED SUPERABSORBENT HYDROGEL

SCHEME 1. Proposed mechanism for irradiation synthesis of the (Na-Alg/κC)-g-poly(AAm) superabsorbent hydrogel.

1418 cm−1 because of the asymmetrical and symmet-
rical stretching vibrations of −COO− groups. Char-
acteristic absorption peak of alginate appeared at
3429 cm−1 for the hydroxyl group. In the spectrum
of κC, the bands observed at 845, 916, 1025, and 1225
cm−1 can be attributed to D-galactose-4-sulfate, 3,6-
anhydro-D-galactose, glycosidic linkage, and ester
sulfate stretching of κC, respectively. A new broad
peak in the spectrum of the hydrogel appeared at
1662 cm−1 , which may be attributed to the C O

FIGURE 1. FT-IR spectra of (a) Na-Alg, (b) κC, and (c) (Na-Alg/κC)-g-poly(AAm) superabsorbent hydrogels.

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IRRADIATION SYNTHESIS OF BIOPOLYMER-BASED SUPERABSORBENT HYDROGEL

TABLE III TABLE V

A Three-Level Orthogonal Array (L9 ) Optimum Conditions Proposed by the Taguchi Method
Radiation Sodium κ-Carrageenan Acrylamide Level Optimum
Trial Dose (kGy) Alginate (g) (g) (g) Factor Description Conditions

1 1.5 0.4 0.4 1 Radiation dose (kGy) 2 6

2 1.5 0.6 0.6 2 Sodium alginate (g) 1 0.4
3 1.5 0.8 0.8 3 κ-Carrageenan (g) 1 0.4
4 6 0.4 0.6 3 Acrylamide (g) 3 3
5 6 0.6 0.8 1
6 6 0.8 0.4 2
7 11 0.4 0.8 2
8 11 0.6 0.4 3
9 11 0.8 0.6 1
SWELLING KINETICS
Figures 2a and 2b represent the swelling capaci-
ties of the hydrogel in distilled water and salt solu-
stretching mode of amide groups. Although the tions at consecutive time intervals, respectively. Ini-
stretching band of NH group in the amide function tially, the rate of water uptake sharply increases and
overlapped with the OH stretching band of the Na- then begins to level off. The equilibrium swelling
Alg/κC portion, the shape of the OH groups around was approximately achieved after 30 min. A power
3200–3400 cm−1 and its transformation to a broad law behavior is obvious from Fig. 2. The data may
doublet (in Fig. 1c) can be explained by the presence be well fitted with a Voigt-based equation, Eq. (2)33 :
of an amide function in the biopolymer network.
St = Se (1 − e−t/τ ) (2)
OPTIMIZATION OF WATER ABSORBENCY
According to our previous works,20−23,27 the fac-
tors and corresponding levels affecting the ultimate
swelling capacity of the entitled hydrogel were se-
lected (Tables I and II). After the selection of factors
and their levels, an orthogonal array appropriate
for four factors and three levels for each factor was
applied. Software Qualitek-4 proposes the L9 OA
(Table I). Methods of performing experiments are
given in Table III. The results for the synthesis of nine
hydrogels with conditions proposed by the Taguchi
statistical method are given in Table IV (each mea-
surement was repeated twice). The optimum condi-
tions and contribution of each factor were analyzed
by ANOVA, neglecting the interaction between fac-
tors. According to the analysis performed by soft-
ware Qualitek-4, optimum conditions are shown in
Table V (AAm: 3 g; γ-irradiation dose: 6 kGy; κC: 0.4
g; and Na-Alg: 0.4 g).

TABLE IV
Water Absorbency Results for Nine Trials
Trial

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 FIGURE 2. The swelling kinetic of optimized sample (a)

in distilled water and (b) in 0.1 M solutions of NaCl,
ES (g/g) 8 14 15 190 5 142 171 125 8
CaCl2 , and AlCl3 .

136 Advances in Polymer Technology DOI 10.1002/adv

 IRRADIATION SYNTHESIS OF BIOPOLYMER-BASED SUPERABSORBENT HYDROGEL
where St (g/g) is swelling at time t; Se the equilib-
rium swelling (power parameter, g/g); t the time
(min) of swelling; and τ (min) the rate parameter.
To calculate the rate parameter using this formula
and a little rearrangement, one can obtain a plot
ln(1 − St /Se ) versus time (t). The slope of the fitted
straight line (slope = −1/τ ) gives the rate parameter.
According to Fig. 2 and using Eq. (2), the rate parame-
ters for swelling of the hydrogel in NaCl, CaCl2 , and
AlCl3 solutions and water are 9.1, 9.8, 10.2, and 1.6
min, respectively. Since the τ value is a measure of
swelling rate (i.e., the lower the τ value, the higher
the rate of swelling), it can be used for the evalu-
ation of the rate of water absorbency of hydrogels
on the condition that the particle size of the samples
compared are the same or, at least, in the same range.
ABSORBENCY UNDER LOAD
When the superabsorbents are under load, the
swelling capacity is considerably decreased. So,
AUL is often defined and reported especially in tech-
nical data. Since AUL values are logically changed
with mechanical strength of the swollen gel pro-
portionally, AUL can be considered as a measure
of gel strength of superabsorbent hydrogels. So,
several efforts have been made to achieve super-
absorbents having higher AUL or higher strength
of the swollen gel. To determine the swollen gel
strength, we used superabsorbent hydrogel sample
under different loads in saline solution. As shown
in Fig. 3, the minimum time needed for the high-
est AUL in the case of each load is estimated to be
60 min. After this time, the AUL values remained
almost unchanged. In addition, AUL decreases with
the increase in the amount of loading. Maximum
swelling was 42 and 39 g/g for the applied pressure
FIGURE 3. The kinetics of absorbency under load.
Advances in Polymer Technology DOI 10.1002/adv
FIGURE 4. Swelling dependency of (Na-Alg/κC)-
g-poly(AAm) on pH.
0.3 and 0.9 psi, respectively. According to Fig. 3 and
using Eq. (2), the rate parameters for the applied pres-
sure 0.3 and 0.9 psi are 10.2 and 12.5 min, respec-
tively. The hydrogel swollen under load comprises
the higher rate parameter; which means the swelling
rate under load is smaller.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY
pH Sensitivity
The swelling behavior of the superabsorbent hy-
drogel was studied at room temperature at various
pH values between 1 and 13 (Fig. 4). To prepare
the pH media, standard HCl (pH 1) and NaOH (pH
13) solutions were diluted with distilled water to
reach the desired acidic and basic pH values, re-
spectively. The swelling of the hydrogel increased
with rising pH from 1 to 7, but it decreased in the
pH range between 7 and 14. The maximum water
absorbency of the hydrogel was achieved at pH 7.
At this point, all the −COOH or −SO3 H groups were
converted to −COO− or −SO− 3 , resulting in high
anion–anion repulsion and high swelling capacity.
In acidic solution, ionic strength of the medium in-
creases and the charge of the −COO− or −SO− 3 an-
ions is shielded by the counter ions so that repulsion
is effectively prevented. At the pH values greater
than 7, the sodium cations from NaOH shield the
−COO− or −SO− 3 groups and prevent the perfect
anion–anion repulsion. Also, at higher pH values,
the ionic strength of the medium increases and con-
sequently the swelling decreases.
Salinity
The ionic strength of the environment affects
the swelling capacity of superabsorbents. Figure 5
137
IRRADIATION SYNTHESIS OF BIOPOLYMER-BASED SUPERABSORBENT HYDROGEL
FIGURE 5. The swelling capacity variation of
(Na-Alg/κC)-g-poly(AAm) in various concentrations of
NaCl solution.
shows the effect of various concentrations of NaCl
on the water absorbency of the superabsorbent hy-
drogel. Decreasing swelling capacity of the hydro-
gel is attributed to the osmotic pressure difference
between the hydrogels and the aqueous phase. An-
other factor that influences the swelling capacity in
salt solutions is the charge screening effect or shield-
ing effect in which perfect anion–anion repulsion is
prevented by cations.34 In addition, the swelling of
the superabsorbents depends on the type and va-
lency of the cations. As shown in the Fig. 5, multiva-
lent cations decrease the swelling capacity consid-
erably. The dramatic decrease of water absorbency
in multivalent cationic solutions could be due to
the complexing ability of the ionic groups induc-
ing the formation of intramolecular and intermolec-
ular complexes, which result in an increase in the
cross-linking density of network.15 The well-known
relationship between swelling and salt solution con-
centration is stated in Eq. (3)35 :
Swelling = k[salt]−n (3)
where k and n are constants for an individual super-
absorbent. The k value denotes swelling at a high
concentration of salt and the value of n is a measure
of the swelling dependency on salt concentration.
Solvent-Induced Phase Transition
In the present study, the swelling changes of
the optimized hydrogel were examined in various
water–solvent systems (Fig. 6). The swelling loss in
these mixtures can be explained by the change of
the solubility parameter of the solvent–water mix-
ture. Anionic groups are easily solvated by water
138
FIGURE 6. Effect of organic solvents (ethanol and
2-propanol) on the water absorbency of superabsorbent
hydrogel.
molecules. However, it is widely restricted in organic
solvent–water systems because the organic solvents,
such as ethanol and (CH3 )2 CHOH, cannot solvate
the anionic groups. As a consequence, the swelling
capacity is considerably decreased.
As one can see in Fig. 6, for a fixed ratio of solvent–
water (e.g., a 30:70 w/w solvent–water mixture),
swelling increases in the following order: ethanol >
2-propanol. This can be explained by the Hildebrand
equation, Eq. (4)36 :
Hm
= (δ1 − δ2 )2 (4)
V1 2
where Hm is the enthalpy change on mixing of
a polymer and a solvent, 1 and 2 are the vol-
ume fractions for the solvent and the polymer; V the
whole volume of the solution; and δ1 and δ2 the sol-
ubility parameters for the solvent and the polymer,
respectively. This equation clearly indicates that to
dissolve a polymer in a solvent, the δ values must
be close to each other. As a consequence, to pre-
dict the solubility of a polymer, δ values should be
calculated. As the swelling capacity of the synthe-
sized hydrogel in water is maximum, the δ value
of water [23.4 (cal/cm3 )1/2 ] can be regarded as its
solubility parameter. The solubility parameter for
solvent–water mixtures (δmix ) can be calculated by
the following equation37 :
δmix = δ1 1 + δ2 2 (5)
where 1 and 2 are the volume fraction and δ1
and δ2 the solubility parameters of the two sol-
vents. According to data summarized in Table VI, by
Advances in Polymer Technology DOI 10.1002/adv
 IRRADIATION SYNTHESIS OF BIOPOLYMER-BASED SUPERABSORBENT HYDROGEL

TABLE VI
Solubility Parameters for Solvents34 and Their
Direct Relationship with Swelling Equilibrium (SE) of
Superabsorbent
Solvent δ (or δmix )a ES (g/g)

Water 23.4 210

Ethanol/water (30:70) 20.2 116
Ethanol 12.7 –
2-Propanol/water (30:70) 19.8 90
2-Propanol 11.5 –
a
Symbols δ and δmix [(cal/cm3 )1/2 ] are the solubility parameters for
the solvent and the solvent–water mixture, respectively. FIGURE 7. On–off switching behavior of the optimized
hydrogel: swelling in distilled water and deswelling in
NaCl (0.1 M).

increasing the δmix values to 23.4, the hydrogel can

become highly swollen, as in pure water. In other
words, the swelling capacity of the hydrogel in the
solvent–water mixture is close to that in pure water
if δmix is close to δwater .

ENVIRONMENTAL-RESPONSIVENESS
BEHAVIOR OF THE HYDROGEL
The swelling of the superabsorbent hydrogel
hybrids in saline solutions appreciably decreases
compared with the values measured in deionized
water.37,38 This phenomenon, commonly observed
in swelling of all ionic hydrogels, is often attributed
to a screening effect of the additional cations causing
a nonefficient anion–anion electrostatic repulsion,
leading to a decreased osmotic pressure (ionic pres-
sure) difference between the hydrogel network and
the external solution.38 Optimum sample was tested
to be swollen and deswollen alternatively in dis-
tilled water and 0.10 M of NaCl solution. As shown FIGURE 8. SEM micrographs of (a) (Na-Alg/κC) and
in Fig. 7, the sorption–desorption behavior is quite (b) (Na-Alg/κC)-g-poly(AAm) synthesized under
repeatable. optimized conditions.

SURFACE MORPHOLOGY OF HYDROGELS

The surface structure of the hydrogels was ob-
served by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The
SEM photograph of the optimized hydrogel sample
is compared with (Na-Alg/κC) as starting material
in this synthesis (Fig. 8). In spite of (Na-Alg/κC)-g-
poly(AAm) sample (Fig. 8b), the SEM micrograph of
(Na-Alg/κC) sample (Fig. 8a) does not show any sur-
face shrinkage. The SEM micrographs also indicate
a homogeneous surface structure for these samples.
Conclusions
The (Na-Alg/κC)-g-poly(AAm) hydrogel
was synthesized in an aqueous medium using
γ-irradiation as both an initiator and a cross-linking
agent at the same time. The synthesis of superab-
sorbent hydrogel was optimized by the Taguchi
method and its swelling behavior in different media
was investigated. The maximum water absorbency

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IRRADIATION SYNTHESIS OF BIOPOLYMER-BASED SUPERABSORBENT HYDROGEL
(210 g/g) was achieved under the optimum con-
ditions (κC: 0.4 g; Na-Alg: 0.4; acrylamide: 3 g;
and γ-ray total dose: 6 kGy), which is higher than
that obtained by classic thermal synthesis. The
repeatable sorption–desorption behavior of our
hydrogel in water and sodium chloride solution
could classify it as a smart material. In summary,
the use of biodegradable polysaccharide sources,
γ-rays as a clean energy source, an initiator and a
cross-linker instead of toxic reagents such as APS
and MBA, and shorter routes for the synthesis
optimization are advantages of the present work.
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