Production of Superabsorbent Biopolymer from Modified Cellulose-Based Polivinyl Alcohol with Variation of the Number of Initiator and Crosslink Agent

The problems that are often encountered in the results of the development of material modification of super absorbent polymers include water absorption ability and ability swelling which is low, limited solubility in water and organic compounds, in addition to the condition of the material that is hard and brittle and not environmentally friendly, also being difficult to decompose. These conditions can be minimized and improved through modification of monomer compounds, crosslinker, and initiator in the polymerization process. The polymerization process is carried out by the method of chemical crosslinker with crosslink agent i.e. formaldehyde in the main chain (backbone), namely polyvinyl alcohol, and daughter chains, i.e. bagasse cellulose, with the help of an initiator in the form of potassium persulfate. The results of the study showed that formation of a new functional group (C-OH stretch) at 1143.30 cm-1; (-OH) at 3461.03 cm-1; (C-O-C) at 1200.55 cm-1; (C=O) at 1529.86 cm-1. The highest absorption capacity reached 746.49% in the sample with 0.8 gram of initiator and crosslink 0.8 mL. Mark Swelling the highest was obtained under acidic conditions, namely pH 6 with a value of 358.30. The surface morphology of the superabsorbent, which is a dense, strong and elastic surface, is formed with pores ±11.75 nm. The surface change proves that the grafting process and interfacial interactions of two materials are going well.