Alcohol elastomer based on superabsorbents

Abstract

A microporous superabsorbent of poly(acrylic acid‐g‐cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) (PAA‐g‐CTAB) is synthesized by aqueous polymerization method. With the use of the superabsorbent as a host backbone, a large amount of alcohol is absorbed inside the micropores of PAA‐g‐CTAB to form an alcohol elastomer with an alcohol absorbency of 32 g/g. As a new kind of quasi‐solid‐state fuel, the alcohol elastomer is safe, low cost, and easy to use. The alcohol absorbency of the superabsorbent and the combustion properties of the alcohol elastomer can be adjusted by tuning the polymerization reaction conditions. The flame reactions in the alcohol elastomer arouse more interest for the alcohol elastomer. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.