Polysaccharide-based superabsorbent hydrogels (SAH) as sustainable material alternatives for personal hygiene products

Superabsorbent hydrogels (SAHs) derived from biodegradable polysaccharides—sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), and cellulose—crosslinked with epichlorohydrin (ECH) were synthesized and comprehensively characterized. Developed as environmentally friendly alternatives for absorbent hygiene products (AHPs), these hydrogels address ecological concerns associated with conventional petroleum-based materials such as sodium polyacrylate. The synthesized hydrogels were characterized using spectroscopic, analytical, and rheological techniques to confirm successful crosslinking and to assess their morphology, structural features, and viscoelastic behavior. Swelling studies in deionized water and saline solutions demonstrated high water absorption (>350 g/g hydrogel) and retention capacities (>98 % water content), with performance that met or exceeded that of commercial sodium polyacrylate-based superabsorbent polymers under specific conditions. Notably, ECH-crosslinked Na-CMC hydrogels exhibited enhanced absorption performance in saline environments. The demonstrated safety, environmental compatibility, and scalability of these polysaccharide-based hydrogels underscore their potential for widespread application in personal hygiene products.