Preparation of Hydrogels Based on Carboxymethyl Cellulose with Electron Beam Irradiation

Cellulose-based hydrogels possess excellent water absorption capabilities, non-toxicity, and biocompatibility, making them widely applicable across various fields.Using high-energy electron beam irradiation for crosslinking offers a simpler process than traditional thermal polymerization-based chemical crosslinking methods.It also provides sterilization benefits, resulting in time and cost efficiency.In this study, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was mixed with citric acid (CA) and crosslinked using a low electron beam irradiation dose at 7 kGy to fabricate hydrogels.The effects of CMC concentration and CA on hydrogel properties were analyzed.Results showed that increasing the CMC concentration improved crosslinking efficiency, enhancing the 3-dimensional network structure.The addition of CA facilitated chemical crosslinking, leading to hydrogels with superior performance.Notably, the CMC10/ CA sample exhibited a high gel fraction (68%), superior water absorption capacity (170 g/g), and excellent mechanical strength.These findings provide foundational data for the future development of green superabsorbent materials.