TY - JOUR
T1 - Bio-degradable, fully bio-based, thermally cross-linked superabsorbent polymers from citric acid and glycerol
AU - Chen, Jingying
AU - Chan, Deelan Yen
AU - Yang, Tao Tao
AU - Parisi, Daniele
AU - Reuvers, Bart
AU - Veldhuis, Theo
AU - Picchioni, Francesco
AU - Wu, Jing
AU - Raffa, Patrizio
AU - Koning, Cor
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Royal Society of Chemistry.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - In this study, cross-linker free, fully bio-based, biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were synthesized from the multi-functional monomers citric acid (CA), monosodium citrate (MSC) and glycerol (GLY) by polycondensation and subsequent thermal self-cross-linking. All monomers (CA, MSC, GLY) used in this study were not only bio-based but also non-toxic. All of them contain more than two hydrophilic groups in one molecule, which shows great potential to be used in the production of SAPs. The structure, water absorbance capacity and biodegradability of the resulting SAPs were investigated in detail. Upon removal of the soluble fraction, the SAPs have a gel content of approximately 60% and exhibit a maximum absorption capacity of deionized water of 24 ± 2 g g−1. Moreover, the prepared SAPs show good biodegradability at 25 °C (40% biodegradability after 28 days) in an activated sludge-containing medium and are accordingly promising eco-friendly materials for potential use in our environment, not generating persistent microplastics like commercial non-biodegradable SAPs based on neutralized polyacrylic acid and polyacrylamides. Therefore, the bio-based SAPs described in this paper have promising application potential for the sustainable chemical industries including hygiene products and agricultural products, e.g. controlled-release fertilizer coatings and soil improvers.
AB - In this study, cross-linker free, fully bio-based, biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were synthesized from the multi-functional monomers citric acid (CA), monosodium citrate (MSC) and glycerol (GLY) by polycondensation and subsequent thermal self-cross-linking. All monomers (CA, MSC, GLY) used in this study were not only bio-based but also non-toxic. All of them contain more than two hydrophilic groups in one molecule, which shows great potential to be used in the production of SAPs. The structure, water absorbance capacity and biodegradability of the resulting SAPs were investigated in detail. Upon removal of the soluble fraction, the SAPs have a gel content of approximately 60% and exhibit a maximum absorption capacity of deionized water of 24 ± 2 g g−1. Moreover, the prepared SAPs show good biodegradability at 25 °C (40% biodegradability after 28 days) in an activated sludge-containing medium and are accordingly promising eco-friendly materials for potential use in our environment, not generating persistent microplastics like commercial non-biodegradable SAPs based on neutralized polyacrylic acid and polyacrylamides. Therefore, the bio-based SAPs described in this paper have promising application potential for the sustainable chemical industries including hygiene products and agricultural products, e.g. controlled-release fertilizer coatings and soil improvers.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=86000130114&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1039/d4gc06323f
DO - 10.1039/d4gc06323f
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:86000130114
SN - 1463-9262
VL - 27
SP - 3234
EP - 3247
JO - Green Chemistry
JF - Green Chemistry
ER -