The novel hydrogel were synthesized using the microwave induced method. The cross linked network of gum xanthan acrylamide is synthesized using N, N-methylene-bis-acrylamide as crosslinkers and KPS as initiator. Synthesized cross linked polymer was than characterized by using various methods like TGA, DTA, DSC, FTIR and SEM. Synthesized polymer has application in various field. This polymer was used to study the water absorption capacity from different water crude oil emulsion at various temperature, time and pH.The candidate polymer has been found to show specific water absorption in all different petroleum fraction-saline emulsions as it failed to swell in petrol, diesel, kerosene and petroleum ether and makes it suitable for oil-industry,The polymer behaved as a smart polymer as it showed temperature and pH dependent selective absorptions. The functionalized polymer is thus very important from technological view point