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2026 Vol.58, Issue 1 Preview Page

Original Paper

Effect of Drying Temperature on Network Structural and Absorption-Retention Properties of CMC/Starch-Based Superabsorbent Polymers

건조 온도가 CMC/전분-기반 고흡수성 소재의 네트워크 구조 및 흡수·보수 특성에 미치는 영향

Ha-Neul Kim1
,
Byoung-Uk Cho2†
김 하늘1
,
조 병욱2†
1Department of Paper Science & Engineering, College of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University
2Program of Paper Material Science & Engineering, College of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University
1강원대학교 산림환경과학대학 제지공학과, 대학원생
2강원대학교 산림환경과학대학 종이소재과학전공, 교수
†Corresponding Author: E-mail: bucho@kangwon.ac.kr (Address: Program of Paper Material Science & Engineering, College of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24345, Republic of Korea)
28 February 2026. pp. 93-101
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Abstract

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were synthesized from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and cationic starch via a mold-drying process, and the effect of drying temperature on their microstructure and hydrogel properties was systematically investigated. Aqueous CMC/starch solutions (1.5 wt%) were dried at temperatures ranging from 60 to 105°C and subsequently ground into powders. Increasing the drying temperatures significantly accelerated moisture removal, resulting in a marked reduction in drying time. SEM observations revealed dense polymer matrices without distinct open pores, while lower drying temperatures promoted layered structures due to gradual solvent evaporation. SAPs dried at lower temperatures exhibited higher free swelling capacity in both distilled and saline water. In contrast, higher drying temperatures led to reduced swelling but enhanced gel fraction, centrifuge retention capacity, and elastic-dominated viscoelastic behavior. These results demonstrate a clear trade-off between free swelling and gel stability governed by drying temperature, highlighting it as a key processing parameter for tailoring CMC/starch-based SAPs for specific applications.

Keywords
Carboxymethyl cellulose
starch
superabsorbent polymer
drying temperature
water absorption
gel stability
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Information
  • Publisher :Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국펄프종이공학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Korea TAPPI
  • Journal Title(Ko) :펄프종이기술
  • Volume : 58
  • No :1
  • Pages :93-101
  • Received Date : 2026-01-30
  • Revised Date : 2026-02-13
  • Accepted Date : 2026-02-13
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7584/JKTAPPI.2026.2.58.1.93
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