Preparation and characterization of absorbent materials based on glycerine and kaolin from caraí - Minas Gerais - Brasil

ABSTRACT The production of water-absorbing materials is a major challenge for several applications in the agricultural, industrial and energy sectors, among others. In the present work, materials were prepared from the reaction of glycerin, kaolin and succinic acid, with sulfuric acid as a catalyst. Three molar ratios were used for the kaolin mixture: succinic acid, 1: 0, 1: 1 and 0: 1. Materials were also prepared in a reaction with the aid of Dean-stark, where three samples were prepared. Starch films were produced to facilitate the application of the materials obtained. The FTIR confirmed the polymerization of succinic acid with glycerin, and its anchoring to kaolin. What can also be evidenced through the DRX. Absorption tests show that the material produced can be used as an absorbent material, absorbing about 50 g of water per g of sample.