Super Absorbent Polymer Surface Crosslinking for Absorption Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing super absorbent polymers struggle to simultaneously enhance absorption rate and retention capacity under pressure, 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 pulverization and surface-crosslinking, to create a super absorbent polymer with improved absorption properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a porous structure is formed on the particle surface by using a blowing agent, then the surface area is increased, but the absorption rate is not highly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by forming a porous structure on the particle surface through controlled polymerization and drying processes. The porous structure is created without relying on traditional blowing agents, instead using the natural expansion of the polymer matrix during drying to form micropores that increase surface area while maintaining high absorption rate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by controlling the polymerization degree, monomer composition, and drying conditions to optimize the porous structure formation. By adjusting these parameters, the patent achieves a balance between surface area increase and absorption rate enhancement
2Productivity
If fine particles are reassembled to form a porous particle with irregular shape, then the absorption rate is improved, but the centrifuge retention capacity and absorbency under pressure are relatively decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different structural characteristics in different regions of the polymer particle. The particle surface is designed with porous structures for high absorption rate, while the core maintains a dense structure for high centrifuge retention capacity and absorbency under pressure. This spatial differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between absorption rate and retention capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining polymer chains with different degrees of crosslinking and different structural densities within a single particle. The composite structure allows simultaneous achievement of high absorption rate (through porous surfaces) and high retention capacity (through dense cores)
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 absorption properties under pressure, maintaining centrifuge retention capacity and permeability, while avoiding the drawbacks of using chemical blowing agents or physical forces.
Implementation Method 1
preparing a hydrous gel phase polymer by thermal polymerizing or photo-polymerizing a monomer composition
Implementation Method 2
preparing a hydrous gel phase polymer by thermal polymerizing or photo-polymerizing a monomer composition
Implementation Method 3
surface-crosslinking the pulverized polymer
Implementation Method 4
Super absorbent polymer (SAP) is a synthetic polymer material capable of absorbing moisture from about 500 to about 1,000 times its own weight
Data Source
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 having fast absorption rate and high absorption properties under pressure by using the polycarboxylic acid-based copolymer under pulverization of the hydrous gel phase polymer.