Super Absorbent Resin Inner Crosslinking for Rapid Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current super absorbent resins used in hygiene products face challenges with slow liquid absorption rates, high reverse osmosis of absorbed liquids, and poor dry touch sensation due to inadequate particle size and cross-linking, leading to suboptimal performance in applications like diapers.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of an inner-crosslinking agent, active promoter, and initiator in a solution of unsaturated monomers, followed by neutralization, granulation, drying, and surface crosslinking to create a microporous super absorbent resin with improved water absorption and retention capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional polymerization methods are used to produce super absorbent resin, then production cost is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but liquid absorption rate becomes slow and reverse osmosis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting inner crosslinking during the polymerization process before the resin is formed into final particles. The inner-crosslinking agent is incorporated into the polymer network during synthesis, creating a pre-established three-dimensional structure that enables rapid liquid absorption from the start, eliminating the need for post-polymerization crosslinking steps while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials by creating a microporous structure within the super absorbent resin particles through controlled inner crosslinking. This porous network provides numerous channels for rapid liquid penetration and absorption, significantly increasing the liquid absorption rate while maintaining structural integrity and reducing reverse osmosis
2Speed
If particle size is reduced to increase specific surface area, then liquid absorption rate improves, but manufacturing precision and particle uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically optimizing the molecular weight of the polymer, the concentration and type of inner-crosslinking agent, and the polymerization conditions to achieve the desired particle size distribution and uniformity. By controlling these parameters during synthesis, the patent produces resin particles with consistent sizes and uniform internal structures that enable rapid absorption without sacrificing manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the polyacrylate polymer matrix with an inner-crosslinking agent to create a composite structure with both macroscopic particle uniformity and microscopic porous network. This composite approach allows the resin to maintain uniform particle characteristics while possessing internal porosity that enhances liquid absorption rate
3Strength
If cross-linking degree is increased to improve water retention, then pressure resistance improves, but liquid absorption speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing crosslinking at the molecular level within the polymer network (inner crosslinking) rather than as a surface treatment. This creates localized crosslinked regions distributed throughout the particle interior that provide structural strength and pressure resistance while maintaining overall particle porosity and accessibility for rapid liquid absorption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by establishing the crosslinked network structure during the polymerization process itself, before particle formation and application. This pre-formed crosslinked structure provides immediate pressure resistance capability while the porous architecture established during this stage ensures rapid liquid uptake occurs from the beginning of the absorption process
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional resin structures are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but dry touch sensation and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by creating a controlled microporous structure within the super absorbent resin particles through inner crosslinking during polymerization. This porous network rapidly captures and transports liquid into the particle interior, minimizing the liquid remaining on the surface that causes reverse osmosis and poor dry touch sensation, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-establishing the porous crosslinked network structure during polymerization, enabling the resin to immediately exhibit low reverse osmosis and good dry touch characteristics upon contact with liquid, without requiring additional post-processing steps that would complicate manufacturing
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 resulting super absorbent resin exhibits high liquid absorption speed, low reverse osmosis, high pressure resistance, and enhanced dry touch sensation, addressing the limitations of existing products by increasing the specific surface area and creating a porous structure for better water absorption and retention.
Implementation Method 1
adding an inner-crosslinking agent, an active promoter, and an initiator to a solution of an unsaturated monomer in water, deoxygenating by bubbling nitrogen therethrough, and then undergoing free radical polymerization, to obtain a gel
Implementation Method 2
reacting the gel obtained in Step 1) with a neutralizing agent, extruding, and granulating
Implementation Method 3
adding a surface crosslinking agent to the powdered raw particles obtained in Step 3) and performing surface crosslinking by heating, to obtained crosslinked particles
Implementation Method 4
creating a microporous super absorbent resin with improved water absorption and retention capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for preparing a super absorbent resin including the following steps: 1) adding an inner-crosslinking agent, an active promoter, and an initiator to a solution of an unsaturated monomer in water, deoxygenating by bubbling nitrogen therethrough, and then undergoing free radical polymerization to obtain a gel; 2) reacting the gel with a neutralizing agent, extruding, and granulating to obtain a product; 3) drying, pulverizing, sieving, and fixing the particle size combination of the product to obtain powdered raw particles; 4) adding a surface crosslinking agent to the powdered raw particles and performing surface crosslinking by heating to obtained crosslinked particles; and 5) subjecting the crosslinked particles to anti-caking treatment to obtain a super absorbent resin.