Effect of surfactant concentration on the synthesis of hydrogel microbeads using the emulsion polymerization process for acrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers

¹ Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Science, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Wong Sawang, Bang Sue, 10800 Bangkok, Thailand
² Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Lat Yao, Chatuchak, 10900 Bangkok, Thailand

^* Corresponding author: samitthichai.s@sci.kmutnb.ac.th

Abstract

Personal care and cosmetic goods frequently contain microplastic particles, specifically microbeads with an average diameter of 250 mm, which make up about 5% of the product weight. Pollution may result from these microbeads’ persistence in the environment. The goal of this study is to use emulsion polymerization to synthesize hydrogel microbeads from copolymers based on acrylamide. The study focuses into the surfactant concentrations affects swelling behavior and particle size. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to assess particle size and determine the swelling ratio, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is used for chemical analysis. The results show that while swelling capacity decreases with increasing surfactant concentration, smaller and more homogeneous particles are produced. The result provides a systematic method to creating microbeads with adjustable characteristics. Additionally, the chosen synthesis materials have the potential to sustainably minimize water contamination and lessen the accumulation of hazardous residues.