Water-absorbent resin particles via organic main group element catalysts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water-absorbent resin particles have insufficient gel strength, which affects their absorption performance under load and liquid permeation rate, particularly in sanitary goods like disposable diapers.

Innovation Solution

A method for producing water-absorbent resin particles by polymerizing a monomer composition comprising water-soluble vinyl monomers and a crosslinking agent in the presence of organic main group element compounds like iodine, tellurium, antimony, and bismuth, which enhances gel strength and absorption performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a chain transfer agent is used to improve water retention capacity, then water absorption performance increases, but gel strength remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater retention capacityVSAvoidgel strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing organic main group element compounds (containing I, Te, Sb, or Bi) as polymerization catalysts or additives during the polymerization process. This parameter change enables the formation of a polymer structure that simultaneously achieves high water retention capacity and sufficient gel strength, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If crosslinking density is increased to improve gel strength, then gel strength increases, but water retention capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegel strengthVSAvoidwater retention capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the crosslinking density parameter within a specific range (0.01-5 mol% based on monomer total) and combines it with the addition of organic main group element compounds. This parameter optimization enables the polymer to achieve adequate gel strength while maintaining high water retention capacity, resolving the trade-off between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If gel strength is improved to increase amount of absorption under load, then absorption under load increases, but gel liquid permeation rate may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of absorption under loadVSAvoidgel liquid permeation rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adjusts the gel strength parameters through controlled crosslinking and the addition of organic main group element compounds to achieve an optimal balance. The resulting gel structure has sufficient strength to maintain absorption under load while preserving adequate liquid permeation rate, resolving the contradiction between these two performance metrics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 water-absorbent resin particles exhibit improved gel strength, absorption capacity under load, and liquid permeation rate, providing stable absorption performance in various applications and reducing skin irritation in sanitary goods.

Implementation Method 1

a step of polymerizing a monomer composition comprising a water-soluble vinyl monomer (a1) and/or a vinyl monomer (a2) that turns into a water-soluble vinyl monomer (a1) through hydrolysis and a crosslinking agent (b) in the presence of at least one organic main group element compound selected from the group consisting of organic iodine compounds, organic tellurium compounds, organic antimony compounds, and organic bismuth compounds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

a vinyl monomer (a2) that turns into a water-soluble vinyl monomer (a1) through hydrolysis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

hydrophilic crosslinked polymers called water-absorbent resins are used as a powdery absorbent having absorption performance to aqueous liquids

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11084889B2Water-absorbent resin particles and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2021.08.10 NANTONG JIANGTIAN CHEM CO LTD
  • US11084889B2 patent drawing
  • US11084889B2 patent drawing
  • US11084889B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a method for producing water-absorbent resin particles, which is capable of improving the gel strength for the purpose of achieving a good balance between the absorption under load and the rate of liquid permeation through gel. The present invention is a method for producing water-absorbent resin particles, which is characterized by comprising a step wherein a monomer composition containing a water-soluble vinyl monomer (a1) and/or a vinyl monomer (a2) that turns into a water-soluble vinyl monomer (a1) by means of hydrolysis and a crosslinking agent (b) is polymerized in the presence of at least one organic main group element compound selected from the group consisting of organic iodine compounds, organic tellurium compounds, organic antimony compounds, and organic bismuth compounds.