Swelling behavior and characterization of alcohol-specific superabsorbing gels based on acrylic acid and allyl tetrasodium thiacalix[4]arene tetrasulfonate

Allyl tetrasodium thiacalix[4]arene tetrasulfonate (ASTCA) was synthesized via functionalization of tetrasodium thiacalix[4]arene tetrasulfonate (STCA). Alcohol-specific superabsorbing gels (superalcogels) based on acrylic acid (AA, 60–90 mol%) and allyl tetrasodium thiacalix[4]arene tetrasulfonate (ASTCA, 10–30 mol%) were prepared by solution copolymerization in water. Methylene bisacrylamide and ammonium persulfate were used as crosslinker and initiator, respectively. Then, the synthesized copolymers were treated with HCl to produce allyl thiacalix[4]arene tetrasulfonic acid(ASTCAH) based alcogels. The obtained gels exhibited high ability for absorbing and retaining a variety of monohydric and polyhydric alcohols. Alcohol absorbency was improved with increase of ASTCA content in feeding of the gel. Characterization of sulfonated monomer (ASTCA) was performed using FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopies and the synthesized gels characterized by FTIR. Thermal and mechanical properties of these copolymers were also studied using TGA and DMTA. Glass transition temperature and storage modulus of the copolymer were increased with an increase of the ASTCA in the gel. Thermal stability was improved with an increase of ASTCA content in the copolymer.