Liquid Absorption and Degradation Study of Superabsorbent Polymers (SAP)

Abstract

Absorption behaviors of varied masses of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were studied. 1.4g of SAP was in 40ml of SAP and was found to increase in weight to 41.5g after absorption in distilled water. Effect of saline solutions on absorption behavior of SAP was also studied. Decrease in absorption was observed with increase in saline concentration. The effect of temperature on the absorption behavior of the SAP was also investigated. It was observed that there was rapid increase in absorption with increase in temperature from 20^oC – 100^oC. The effect of pH investigated recorded maximum absorption at a pH 8. Staphylococcus aurous was found to degrade 0.1g of the SAP to 0.0017g.