Water-absorbent resin self-decomposition for recyclable resource recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The decomposition of used water-absorbent resins in existing methods requires a polymer decomposer, making the recovery of recyclable resources cumbersome and requiring a constant stock of the decomposer.
Innovation Solution
A water-absorbent resin with self-decomposing properties after absorption, achieved by crosslinking a polymer formed from water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomers using a post-crosslinking agent, allowing for easy separation from recyclable resources without external decomposers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a polymer decomposer is used to decompose used water-absorbent resin, then the recyclable resource can be recovered, but the recovery operation becomes cumbersome and requires constant stock of the decomposer
Solution Approach 1:
The water-absorbent resin is designed to automatically decompose into water-soluble oligomers and monomers after absorbing water, without requiring external decomposers. This self-decomposing property enables simple separation of recyclable resources through water washing alone, eliminating the need for polymer decomposers and complex recovery operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of the water-absorbent resin by controlling the crosslinking density and using specific crosslinking agents to create bonds that are stable during use but break down under aqueous conditions. This parameter change enables the resin to transform from a stable gel state to decomposable oligomers, facilitating easy recovery
2Ease of operation
If the water-absorbent resin is made to decompose easily, then separation from recyclable resource becomes simple, but the resin may decompose during its service life
Solution Approach 1:
The resin is pre-engineered with specific crosslinking structures using agents like glycidyl azide or epichlorohydrin that remain stable during service but are designed to hydrolyze under controlled conditions. This preliminary structural design ensures the resin maintains integrity during use while enabling easy decomposition for recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the resin's stability is conditional - stable under dry or non-aqueous conditions during service, but decomposes when exposed to water for extended periods. This dynamic behavior allows the resin to fulfill its functional life while enabling simple separation through water washing
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
Enables simple and efficient separation of recyclable resources from used water-absorbent resins, facilitating easy recovery and improving eco-friendliness by eliminating the need for polymer decomposers.
Implementation Method 1
a water-absorbent resin that has absorbed water and turned into a gel
Implementation Method 2
a polymer formed from a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer is crosslinked
Implementation Method 3
the recyclable resource and the water-absorbent resin can be easily separated; thus, the recyclable resource can be recovered in a simple manner
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Provided are a water-absorbent resin easily separable from a recyclable resource in recovering the recyclable resource, and an absorbent article containing an absorbent material containing the water-absorbent resin. The water-absorbent resin according to the present invention has such a structure that a polymer formed from a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer is crosslinked by using a post-crosslinking agent. The water-absorbent resin has (1) a water-retention capacity for physiological saline of 35 g/g or more, (2) a water-absorption capacity for physiological saline under a load of 4.14 kPa of 10 mL/g or more, (3) an initial gel viscosity of 3000 mPa·s or more, and (4) a gel decomposition index of 0.60 or less: gel decomposition index = B/A wherein A represents an initial gel viscosity (mPa·s), and B represents a gel viscosity after one day (mPa·s).