Irradiation mediated synthesis of a superabsorbent hydrogel network based on polyacrylamide grafted onto salep

The synthesis and swelling behavior of a new superabsorbent hydrogel based on natural salep grafted with polyacrylamide is described. The new biopolymer was synthesized via simultaneous crosslinking and graft copolymerization of acrylamide monomer onto a salep backbone using radiochemical methods. Various parameters such as relative contents of salep and acrylamide, as well as total dose of γ-rays were examined. The best synthesis condition is reported and a mechanism for superabsorbent hydrogel formation suggested. Factors affecting the swelling behavior of hydrogel were also studied.