Superabsorbent Polymer Composition for Fast Low-Conductivity Water Uptake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing super absorbent polymers used in hygiene products face challenges in achieving quick initial absorption speed and high absorption capacity without the use of foaming agents, which can degrade physical properties and increase fine powder generation.
Innovation Solution
A polyacrylic acid (salt)-based super absorbent polymer is developed, with a Se/r value of 3.0 g/g/sec or more, modeled using Equation 1, to enhance initial absorption speed and maximum absorption capacity in water with low ion concentration and conductivity, improving properties like centrifuge retention capacity and absorbency under pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a foaming agent is included in monomer composition to form porous structure and widen surface area, then absorption capacity is improved, but physical properties such as surface tension, permeability, and volume density are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the foaming agent from the monomer composition, extracting the harmful element that caused physical property degradation while maintaining the porous structure formation through alternative means (controlled polymerization conditions and cross-linking agents), thus resolving the contradiction between absorption capacity and physical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the polymerization parameters and cross-linking degree to achieve porous structure formation without foaming agents, adjusting conditions such as polymerization temperature, initiator concentration, and cross-linking agent amount to optimize both absorption capacity and physical properties simultaneously
2Quantity of substance
If foaming agent is used to increase surface area, then absorption performance is improved, but fine powder generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the foaming agent that causes excessive fine powder generation, replacing it with controlled polymerization methods that form porous structures without creating harmful fine particles, thus maintaining absorption performance while reducing fine powder loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of fine powder generation into a benefit by using controlled polymerization to create uniformly distributed porous structures that enhance absorption without producing excessive fine powder, turning a negative effect into a positive outcome
3Quantity of substance
If super absorbent polymer is used in high ratio in multiple layers to replace pulp, then pulp content is reduced, but quick initial absorption speed requirement becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polymerization parameters and cross-linking degree to optimize the polymer's absorption kinetics, adjusting conditions such as initiator concentration, monomer ratio, and cross-linking agent amount to achieve rapid initial absorption even when used in high ratios across multiple layers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local porous structures within the polymer particles to enhance local absorption capacity and speed, ensuring that each particle can quickly absorb liquid even when distributed across multiple layers, thus maintaining overall quick absorption performance
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 polymer exhibits excellent initial absorption speed and maximum absorption capacity in water with electrical conductivity of 100 μS/cm to 130 μS/cm, maintaining a balanced physical property profile and reducing fine powder content.
Implementation Method 1
A super absorbent polymer (SAP) is a synthetic polymer material which has the ability to absorb moisture 500 times to 1,000 times its own weight
Implementation Method 2
the super absorbent polymer is required to exhibit not only high absorption performance but also quick absorption speed
Implementation Method 3
a method for forming a porous structure inside base polymer powder by including a foaming agent in a monomer composition and performing cross-linking polymerization
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure herein relates to a super absorbent polymer, and more particularly, to a super absorbent polymer exhibiting excellent absorption behavior with respect to water having a low ion concentration and a low electrical conductivity, and particularly, having quick initial absorption speed, and a large maximum absorption capacity.