Preparation and performance of poly(acrylic acid–methacrylic acid)/montmorillonite microporous superabsorbent nanocomposite

We describe a method for the synthesis of microporous superabsorbent nanocomposite (MSNC) via the rapid and high temperature-induced solution polymerization with acrylic acid (AA), methacrylic acid (MAA) and montmorillonite (MMT). X-ray diffraction (XRD), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and a precision electronic balance (PEB) were used to characterize MSNC material. The XRD indicated that MSNC material was nanostructure, and the microporous structure was clearly shown in SEM micrographs. PEB analysis showed that water absorbing capacity was 532 times of solid weight itself. The water retention capacity of MSNC material is outstanding at high temperature and its water-absorbing process followed a zero-order reaction, the reaction rate constant k=3.7943×107exp(−Ea/RT) with the apparent activation energy Ea=43.23kJ/mol. •MSNC was synthesized by rapid and high temperature-induced solution polymerization.•MSNC was nanophase material with microporous structure.•MSNC with excellent water absorbency and water retention capacity.•The water retention capacity of MSNC is outstanding at high temperature.