Extraction of cellulose from waste papers for the preparation of cellulose graft-poly (acrylamide) for superabsorbent

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Adamson University, 900 San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines
² Center for Research and Development, Adamson University, 900 San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines

Corresponding author: erison.roque@adamson.edu.ph

Abstract

This article reports the use of wastepaper pulp as a direct source of cellulose for producing superabsorbent polymer. The white papers obtained from the offices in Adamson University were cut into 1 inch square pieces and drenched with distilled water and borax. This procedure was done couple of times to achieve a pH of 8 and consistency of 1%-2%. Commercial cotton was used as control to compare and differentiate the properties and structures with the superabsorbent polymer (SAP). Various trials have shown the value of 60 acrylamide beads to produce SAP with optimum performance. FTIR analysis shows properties that are characteristics of cellulose-based SAP. In the present investigation, the influence of temperature, effect in varying salt concentrations, swelling rate and water retention at constant temperature were evaluated. The SAP’s maximum swelling capacity ranges from 0.6561 g to 1.0638 g regardless of the amount of NaCl used. The swelling rate of the SAP proves that it gets heavier with time. Hence, it can be implied that the ability of the SAP to retain water is good. The temperature dependence data revealed the sorption process was favorable at higher temperature. The SAP will absorb the highest amount of solution at 500C given that the solution is pure.