Synthesis and characterization of hydrogel nanocomposite based on functional CNTs–copper sulfate-polymethyl methacrylate

This work reports the preparation of hydrogel nanocomposites based on copolymerization of methyl methacrylate using ammonium persulfate as the initiator, methylene bisacrylic amide as the crosslinker & various amounts of functionalized CNT for inter-hydrogel binding. Functionalization of CNTs was performed by its oxidation at room temperature using nitric acid as the oxidizing agent, then acylation of carboxylic acid agent in CNTs by SOCl2 addition and finally esterification of CNTs by the addition of ethylene glycol to acylchloride. The swelling rate of the obtained composites was checked in deionized water where the composite containing more CNTs percent in the hydrogel structure showed a higher swelling rate (>50%).Then, for increase of chemical activity, the obtained hydrogel nanocomposites were impregnated by solution of CuSO4 with different concentrations and the resultant hydrogels as the activity filler were analyzed by FTIR, XRD and SEM.