Preparation and Characterization of Superabsorbents Based on Durian Seed Starch (Durio zibethinus) and Carboxymethyl Cellulose Using Citric Acid Crosslinking

Darwin Yunus Nasution (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia)
Siska Pondang (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia)

JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL NATURAL RESOURCES (JCNaR)
Vol. 6 No. 2 (2024): Journal of Chemical Natural Resources

Superabsorbents are materials that can absorb a liquid beyond its initial volume. Natural polymer-based superabsorbents can be obtained by combining CMC and durian seed starch. The combination of these two materials was cross-linked using varying amounts of citric acid: 0.0 grams, 0.2 grams, 0.4 grams, and 0.6 grams. The resulting superabsorbent has a cross-linking degree of about 41%, shows the presence of OH and CH groups, has a rough and dense surface, and a maximum water absorption capacity of 4130% with a water absorption rate of 41.3 g/g. Durian seed starch has potential as a superabsorbent material.