Superabsorbent hydrogel composite made of cellulose nanofibrils and chitosan-graft-poly(acrylic acid)

► Cellulose nanofibrils were used as filler in a chitosan-graft-poly(acrylic acid) matrix. ► The hydrogel morphology is affected by the cellulose nanofibrils. ► The cellulose nanofibrils improved the swelling capacity and handling of hydrogel. ► The composites showed responsive behavior in relation to pH and salt solution.