Superabsorbent Polymer Microporosity for Dry-Condition Liquid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional superabsorbent polymers face challenges with poor liquid diffusibility and conductivity in dry conditions, leading to potential leakage issues due to reduced absorption rate and permeability, especially when the content of hydrophilic fibers is decreased for thinner diapers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating calcined shell powders with a core-shell structure into a free radical polymerization reaction to create superabsorbent polymers with enhanced microporosity, improving liquid diffusibility and conductivity while maintaining high absorption rate and permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the content of hydrophilic fibers is decreased to achieve thinness of diapers, then the thickness is reduced, but the liquid storage space and permeation rate decrease causing liquid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces calcined shell powders as porogenic agents during polymerization to create microporous structures within the superabsorbent polymer particles. These micropores provide liquid pathways that maintain high permeation rates even when hydrophilic fiber content is reduced, thus preventing liquid leakage while achieving thinner diaper structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by incorporating calcined shell powders (calcium carbonate) into the superabsorbent polymer matrix. This composite approach enhances the polymer's liquid permeability and diffusibility properties, allowing the system to maintain reliable liquid storage and transport functions with reduced overall thickness.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional superabsorbent polymers are used in dry conditions, then they can absorb liquid, but the liquid diffusibility and conductivity are poor leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The calcined shell powders serve as porogenic agents that create interconnected micropores throughout the superabsorbent polymer structure. These pores facilitate rapid liquid diffusion and conductivity even in dry conditions, eliminating the need for pre-wetting and preventing leakage while maintaining high absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the internal structure of the superabsorbent polymer by controlling the porosity parameter through calcined shell powder incorporation. This structural parameter change enhances liquid diffusibility and conductivity without compromising absorption capacity, allowing the material to function effectively in dry conditions.
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 superabsorbent polymers exhibit superior liquid diffusibility and conductivity, reducing leakage and enhancing absorption performance even in dry conditions, with improved saline flow conductivity and free swell rate.
Implementation Method 1
adding specific amount of the calcined shell powders into the free radical polymerization reaction results in a generation of gas during the reaction, and the gas induces an increasing of micropores in the superabsorbent polymers
Implementation Method 2
the gas induces an increasing of micropores in the superabsorbent polymers. Therefore, the dry superabsorbent polymer can have superior liquid diffusibility and conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
A superabsorbent polymers and a method of forming the same are provided. The method is processed by adding calcined shell powders to a free radical polymerization. The superabsorbent polymers with more micropores can be obtained. Therefore, absorptivity and permeability for the liquid of the superabsorbent polymers are increased, and diffusibility and liquid conductivity of the superabsorbent polymers are also improved.