Hidayati N. M. Sholehah 

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember  

Tanti Haryati

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember

Novita Andarini

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember

Suwardiyanto 

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember

Yudi A. Sulistiyo 

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Jember

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19184/ICL.v3i1.798

ABSTRACT 

Bentonite/poly(acrylic acid) (BTAA) hybrid material commonly applied as superabsorbent was prepared via intercalation method coupled with in situ polymerisation of partially neutralised acrylic acid monomers. The structural characteristics of various BTAA ratios and their constituents were scrutinised using XRF, XRD, and FTIR. Basal spacing of BTAA hybrid materials decreased as a result of intercalation with polyacrylic acid. Interaction between bentonite and polyacrylic acid was also observed in the shifting and reduced intensity of O–H, C=O, and Si–O–Al absorption bands. Catalytic activity of BTAA was investigated through its ability to facilitate the esterification reaction of glycerol with acetic acid. The result suggests that catalytic activity is present in BTAA hybrid materials, as evidenced by the production of monoacetin and triacetin. 

Keywords: bentonite/poly(acrylic acid), catalytic activity, hybrid material, structural characteristics.