This article exploits a new approach for synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose/poly 2-acrylamidoglycolic acid by graft and crosslinked copolymerization in aqueous solution by a simple one-step using -radiation. The reaction parameters affecting the equilibrium swelling, i.e., mass ratio of AG to CMC and irradiation dose were systematically optimized to achieve a superabsorbent hydrogel with a maximum swelling capacity. The structure, crystallinity, thermal stability, and surface morphology were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. FTIR proved that the grafting reaction occurred between the hydroxyl group of CMC and PAG chain. The thermal analysis data show that the prepared hydrogel is more thermally stable than pure CMC. The swelling behaviors in distilled water in various pH solutions, temperature and various ionic salt solutions (NaCl as monovalent, CaCl2 as divalent and FeCl3 as trivalent) were investigated in detail. The effect of cationic salt solutions on the swelling had the following order: Na+>Ca2+>Fe3+. In addition, the pH-reversibility was preliminarily investigated with alternating pH between 12 and 2. The equilibrium swelling of CMC/PAG was achieved in 70 min. The hydrogel was responsive to the pH and salts; it also has reversible swelling and deswelling character. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2753-2761, 2014. (c) 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers