Microcrystalline Cellulose Shell for Fast-Absorbing Superabsorbent Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies have not effectively addressed the challenge of improving the absorption properties and permeability of superabsorbent polymers, leading to issues such as gel blocking and reduced absorption capacity in thinner hygiene products.
Innovation Solution
A superabsorbent polymer with a cross-linking core structure and a shell layer made from microcrystalline cellulose, formed through a free radical polymerization and surface-treating process, enhancing absorption rate and permeability without adding harmful materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the usage amount of superabsorbent polymer is increased to reduce hydrophilic fibers, then absorption capacity is improved, but gel blocking occurs and absorption rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a shell layer with different properties than the core. The shell layer has lower crosslinking density and different composition (including gelatin and plasticizer) compared to the highly crosslinked core, allowing the surface to maintain permeability while the core provides high absorption capacity. This resolves the contradiction by making different parts of the particle serve different functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining superabsorbent polymer with gelatin and plasticizer in the shell layer. This composite structure allows the material to exhibit both high absorption capacity (from the SAP core) and good permeability (from the gelatin-plasticizer shell), resolving the gel blocking issue while maintaining high absorption capacity.
2Productivity
If conventional surface-treating methods are used to prevent gel blocking, then absorption rate is improved, but harmful materials are added and other physical properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses gelatin as a biodegradable, naturally occurring material in the shell layer that provides the necessary surface properties without requiring permanent synthetic additives. The gelatin shell can be naturally decomposed, avoiding long-term environmental persistence and reducing concerns about harmful materials in the final product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the shell layer by controlling crosslinking density, incorporating plasticizers to adjust flexibility and permeability, and optimizing the ratio of gelatin to SAP. These parameter adjustments allow the surface to prevent gel blocking while maintaining safety and other physical properties.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The superabsorbent polymer maintains excellent absorption properties and permeability, effectively preventing gel blocking and improving performance in thinner hygiene products.
Implementation Method 1
a free radical polymerization step is performed on an aqueous solution of acid group-containing monomers, a crosslinking agent, and a polymerization initiator so as to form a cross-linking core structure
Implementation Method 2
A superabsorbent polymer is a polymer material that can absorb and retain 50 times to 500 times or more its original mass in a liquid
Implementation Method 3
a superabsorbent polymer is obtained by performing a surface-treating step with a surface-treating agent including microcrystalline cellulose
Implementation Method 4
the shell layer includes microcrystalline cellulose... increasing the absorption rate and permeability
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a superabsorbent polymer and a method of making the same. The superabsorbent polymer includes a cross-linking core structure and a shell layer. The shell layer encloses the cross-linking core structure completely, and the shell layer includes microcrystalline cellulose. The superabsorbent polymer has not only good absorption properties but also excellent absorption rate as well as permeability, and can be applied to thinner hygiene products.