Effect of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) Concentration on Water Absorption on Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Hydrogels

Hydrogel is a polymer that can absorb water in a large volume capacity obtained by the freezing-thawing cycle method. In this study, modifications were made with the addition of CMC, which could increase the adsorption capacity of the hydrogel produced. Preparation of the hydrogel begins with the formulation of PVA with CMC in several variations of concentration, namely 0 g (control); 0.25 g; 0.5 g; 0.75 g; 1.00 g and 1.25 g, and the same added PVA, namely 5 g and 200 mL of distilled water. The chemical structure characteristics were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy. The results of the FTIR spectrum showed that PVA could react with CMC using the freezing-thawing cycle method. FTIR shows wave numbers 1598-1600 cm-1 and 1060.85 cm-1 are typical of CMC, wave numbers 1145.72 cm-1 and 1097 cm-1 are typical of PVA. As for the physical characteristics of the hydrogel, namely the water absorption test. At a ratio of 5:1.25 (PVA: CMC) it has the highest water absorption capacity of 428%.