In vacuum synthesis of psyllium and acrylic acid based hydrogels for selective water absorption from different oil–water emulsions

In order to utilize psyllium in the absorption of water from different oil–water emulsions, we have synthesized a novel green psyllium and acrylic acid (AA) based polymeric material through chemically induced polymerization processes in vacuum. Optimization of different reaction parameters was carried-out so as to get an optimal crosslinked hydrogel which was used for the removal of water from petrol–water, diesel–water, kerosene–water and petroleum ether–water emulsions. The study was carried-out at varied time, temperature, pH and NaCl concentration. It has been observed that the hydrogel could absorb the water from oil–water emulsion to the extent of 4220%.