Bio-based and bio-degradable superabsorbent polymer and methods for preparing the same

A method for preparing a bio-based and biodegradable superabsorbent polymer, comprising:

• dissolving sodium alginate and modified cellulose with weight ratio of 1:0.3-6 in DI water to form the polysaccharide solution;
• core crosslinking of the polysaccharide solution to form a core-crosslinked gel;
• drying the core-crosslinked gel at 50° C. to 110° C. to form a core superabsorbent polymer;
• milling and sieving the core superabsorbent polymer to form one or more core superabsorbent polymer granules with a mesh size smaller than 100 mesh;
• surface crosslinking of the one or more core superabsorbent polymer granules to form the one or more superabsorbent polymer granules;
• and
• drying the one or more superabsorbent polymer granules to form the bio-based and biodegradable superabsorbent polymer,
• wherein the bio-based and biodegradable superabsorbent polymer exhibits a bio-based content greater than 80%, a free swell capacity of at least 36 g/g saline solution, and undergoes at least 90% degradation within 180 days in accordance with the EN 13432 standard or at least 60% degradation within 28 days in accordance with the OECD 301B standard.