Optimization of synthetic conditions of a novel collagen‐based superabsorbent hydrogel by Taguchi method and investigation of its metal ions adsorption

Abstract

A novel biopolymer-based superabsorbent hydrogel was synthesized through chemical crosslinking by graft copolymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid onto the hydrolyzed collagen, in the presence of a crosslinking agent and a free radical initiator. The Taguchi method, a robust experimental design, was employed for the optimization of the synthesis reaction based on the swelling capacity of the hydrogels. This method was applied for the experiments and standard L 16 orthogonal array with three factors and four levels were chosen. The critical parameters that have been selected for this study are crosslinker (N,N 0 -methylene bisacrylamide), initiator (potassium persulfate), and monomer (acrylic acid) concentration. From the analysis of variance of the test results, the most effective factor to control equilibrium swelling capacity was obtained and maximum water absorbency of the optimized final product was found to be 500 g/g. The surface morphology of the gel was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the sorption capacity of the hydrogel toward bivalent metal ions was evaluated. Therefore, the hydrogel may be considered as a candidate to develop as an efficient biopolymer-based chelating hydrogel for water treatment.

Optimized synthesis of carrageenan‐ graft‐poly(sodium acrylate) superabsorbent hydrogel using the Taguchi method and investigation of its metal ion absorption

“…The results showed that the higher the porosity the higher the water absorbency. This indicated how effective factors influence the porosity 27…”

Magnetic hydrogel for better adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous solutions

“…31 Nanosized magnetic materials are recently developed and it has 32 applications in many fields including separation, drug delivery, 33 tissue engineering [11][12][13] etc. The magnetic materials with 34 modified surface functionalities are recently been developed for 35 removal of heavy metals and dyes from aqueous solution [14][15][16]. 36 Hydrogels, a three dimensional polymeric materials can be used as 37 a template for the synthesis of magnetic nano particles and 38 structures.…”

Hydrolyzed collagen‐grafted‐poly[(acrylic acid)‐co‐(methacrylic acid)] hydrogel for drug delivery

“…Hydrogels have been researched for use in many applications, such as disposable diapers, agriculture, wastewater treatment, and drug delivery systems, because of their high absorption level of water and aqueous fluids including biological fluids. Due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, renewability, and nontoxicity, natural compound‐based hydrogels have recently been synthesized with the emphasis on the use of natural polymers as a starting material, such as starch, gelatine, chitosan, protein, and collagen . Natural compound based hydrogels can be synthesized by grafting vinylic monomers onto the backbone of natural polymers in the presence of a crosslinking agent.…”