The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer, offers a sustainable alternative to conventional, non-degradable acrylate superabsorbents. However, the fundamental understanding of structure-property relationships in all-cellulose superabsorbents remains limited. In this study, we investigate how the surface properties of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) affect the performance of the resulting hydrogels. As a case study, anionic and cationic CNFs with different charge densities were prepared and assembled into hydrogels and cryogels via freeze-induced crosslinking. Successful surface modification was confirmed by conductometric titration, FT-IR spectroscopy, and zeta potential measurements. The resulting gels were then characterized in terms of water swelling capacity, compressive strength, and structural properties. These findings provide design insights for eco-friendly absorbent materials such as water-absorbing packaging, soil and agricultural amendments, and hygiene products.