A novel semi-interpenetrating networks system as an absorbent material

A novel semi-interpenetrating networks (IPNs) system was developed in an attempt to investigate the feasibility of a polymer system as a biodegradable absorbent material. This system consisted of two chemically independent polymers. The first network consisted of sodium alginate which disintegrated by a natural erosive force. The other was a polyacrylic acid which provided a high swelling capacity to the polymer system. Swelling and DSC experiments were performed to characterize the physical properties of the model polymer system. These showed the characteristic swelling behaviors of absorbent materials. Fungi resistance tests were conducted to observe the biodegradability of the model polymer system, suggesting that the model polymer system would be attacked by a soil microorganism which would cause disintegration by a natural erosive force.