A Review on Starch and Cellulose-Enhanced Superabsorbent Hydrogel

Superabsorbent hydrogels are hydrophilic polymer units that can absorb water and organic fluids into the three-dimensional network and mimic biological cells when swollen. Hydrogels are categorized as natural, synthetic, and hybrid, depending on their constituent polymer. The novel green synthesis includes the combination of natural polymers with synthetic ones to produce eco-friendly Hydrogels. The networks are established using crosslinkers formed chemically as covalent bonds or ionic bonds and physically if intermolecular forces are involved. Starch and cellulose are naturally occurring biopolymers that make significant applications for hydrogel production. This article reviews hydrogel, its properties, classification, synthesis mechanism, and application in various sectors using starch and cellulose as copolymers. Due to the high range of availability, nontoxic nature, and biodegradability, starch and cellulose-based hydrogels find high regard in the present research era. The biopolymers beneficiation can result in the evolution of economic and sustainable methods for transforming this natural biopolymer into utilitarian organic products.

Keywords:

Superabsorbent hydrogel , Biodegradable , Starch , Cellulose , Gelation