Abstract: Water-absorbent resin based on N-methylol acrylamide/itaconic acid was prepared via aqueous solution polymerization. The synthesis conditions for the resin performance were studied on the basis of water absorption ratio. The optimum conditions for synthesis were obtained as follows: the monomer ratio was 1∶4; the neutralization degree for itaconic acid was 85%; the cross-linking agent and initiator amount was 0.08% and 0.4% of total molar equivalents of monomer, respectively; the temperature was 50 ℃. The water absorption ratio was up to 736 g/g. The morphology of the water-absorbent resin was also investigated by SEM