In this work, superabsorbent was synthesized by graft copolymerization reaction of maize bran (MB), acrylamide (AM) using N.N-methylene-bisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulphate (APS) as solution initiator. The effect of different MB/AAm ratios on adsorption capacity was investigated. Adsorbent composites were identified using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). An MB-based hydrogel composite porous structure was prepared. Water absorbencies were determined for the superabsorbent composite in water and saline solution (NaCl), and the swelling kinetics of the samples were carried out. The results showed that water absorption of superabsorbent composite synthesized under optimal synthesis condition with MB/AAm ratio at 0.5 exhibited absorption of 584 g/g and 92.6 g/g in distilled water and 0.4 wt.% NaCl solution, respectively. Distilled water and water in 0.4 wt.% NaCl solution were initially adsorbed rapidly and swelling was obtained equilibrium at ~60 and ~10 min, respectively.
