Preparation of Thermally Citric Acid Cross-Linked Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)/Carboxymethyl Tragacanth Nanofiber as Boosted Superabsorbent via Electrospinning Technique

Today, the use of superabsorbents in various fields, especially sanitary applications, is seriously increasing. Absorption capacity, suitable swelling ability, biocompatibility, greenness, cost-effectiveness, and high surface area to volume ratio are among the significant features of an efficient superabsorbent. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and carboxymethyl tragacanth (CMT) polymers, were utilized to create high-performance superabsorbent nanofibers. In the initial stage, citric acid (CA) was employed as a non-toxic cross-linker to link PVA, which serves as the primary backbone polymer, and to prevent its dissolution. In the next stage, to improve the performance of superabsorbent fibers, CMT obtained from carboxymethylation of tragacanth gum (TG) via Williamson ether synthesis, in a cross-linked PVA solution was used. 8 wt.% cross-linked PVA/3 wt.% CMT superabsorbent (optimal superabsorbent sample) was prepared after a thermal process and next electrospinning of the obtained solution. The performance study showed that the optimal superabsorbent fiber sample has a free swelling capacity of 2100% and an absorbency under load of about 1800%. It also has the lowest absorption loss among all tested samples. Accordingly, the optimal superabsorbent sample can be introduced as a superabsorbent with high potential for sanitary applications owing to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and phenomenal properties.