Super Absorbent Polymer Porous Surface via Blowing Agent

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing super absorbent polymers struggle to simultaneously enhance absorption rate, centrifuge retention capacity, absorbency under pressure, and saline flow conductivity, often resulting in a trade-off between these properties.

Innovation Solution

A method involving thermal or photo-polymerization of a monomer composition with a water-soluble ethylene-based unsaturated monomer and a polycarboxylic acid-based copolymer, followed by drying, pulverization, and surface-crosslinking, to create a hydrous gel phase polymer with a uniform network structure and wide surface area, thereby improving absorption properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the surface area of the super absorbent polymer is widened to improve absorption rate, then the absorption rate increases, but the centrifuge retention capacity and absorbency under pressure decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies porous materials by forming a porous structure on the particle surface of the super absorbent polymer using a blowing agent during polymerization. This creates controlled pores that increase surface area for faster absorption while the internal gel structure maintains centrifuge retention capacity and absorbency under pressure, resolving the trade-off between absorption rate and retention properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a differentiated structure where the surface of the polymer particles has a porous morphology for fast absorption, while the interior maintains a dense gel network for high retention capacity. This spatial differentiation of properties allows simultaneous optimization of both absorption rate and retention characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If a blowing agent is used to form porous structure on particle surface, then the absorption rate increases, but a sufficient amount of porous structure cannot be formed

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the type and amount of blowing agent used, controlling polymerization temperature and time parameters to achieve sufficient porous structure formation on the particle surface. These parameter adjustments enable adequate pore formation that significantly increases absorption rate while maintaining other performance properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If fine particles are reassembled to form porous particle with irregular shape, then the absorption rate increases, but the centrifuge retention capacity and absorbency under pressure are relatively decreased

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the polymer structure into surface pores and internal gel network, where fine particles are reassembled to create surface porosity for fast absorption, while the internal gel phase maintains the structural integrity needed for high centrifuge retention capacity and absorbency under pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 method achieves a super absorbent polymer with a fast absorption rate and high saline flow conductivity while maintaining excellent centrifuge retention capacity and absorbency under pressure, outperforming comparative examples.

Implementation Method 1

carrying out thermal polymerization or photo-polymerization of a monomer composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoto-polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

carrying out thermal polymerization or photo-polymerization of a monomer composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal polymerization: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 3

drying the hydrous gel phase polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

surface-crosslinking the pulverized polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 5

Super absorbent polymer (SAP) is a synthetic polymer material capable of absorbing moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 6

capable of absorbing moisture from about 500 to about 1,000 times its own weight

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsmosis: Osmosis

Data Source

PatentUS9976003B2Method for preparing super absorbent polymer and super absorbent polymer prepared therefrom

Publication Date: 2018.05.22

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a super absorbent polymer. The method for preparing a super absorbent polymer according to the present invention can provide a super absorbent resin exhibiting fast absorption rate and high saline flow conductivity while having excellent absorption properties such as a centrifuge retention capacity and an absorbency under pressure, by using the polycarboxylic acid-based copolymer under pulverization of the hydrous gel phase polymer.