Water Absorbing Agent Surface Modification for Gel Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water absorbing agents for sanitary materials face challenges in achieving a balance between centrifugal retention capacity (CRC) and saline flow conductivity (SFC), with existing techniques not adequately addressing this balance to enhance the absorption and permeability properties.
Innovation Solution
A water absorbing agent comprising water absorbent resin particles, an organic acid or its salt with a carbon number of 10 to 30, and a water-soluble polyvalent cation, where the organic acid and/or salt, and the polyvalent cation are present on the surface of the resin particles, improving the balance between CRC and SFC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the ratio of water absorbing agent is increased to make the sanitary material thinner, then the water absorption amount is maintained, but the liquid diffusion property decreases due to gel blocking phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface properties of water absorbent resin particles through treatment with silane coupling agents and/or metal salts. This treatment alters the surface chemistry and morphology, preventing excessive gel formation while maintaining high water absorption capacity, thus resolving the contradiction between thin material structure and liquid diffusion property
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining water absorbent resin particles with silane coupling agents and/or metal salts on the particle surface. This composite structure creates a hybrid surface that controls gel blocking while preserving absorption capacity, enabling both thin material design and good liquid diffusion
2Quantity of substance
If the centrifugal retention capacity is increased to improve absorption capacity, then the water absorption amount increases, but the saline flow conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes physical and chemical parameters of the water absorbent resin particles by treating them with silane coupling agents and/or metal salts. This treatment modifies surface cross-linking density and pore structure, achieving a balance where high centrifugal retention capacity coexists with adequate saline flow conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials by creating a controlled porous surface structure on water absorbent resin particles through silane coupling agent and/or metal salt treatment. This porous surface structure facilitates liquid permeability while the internal structure maintains high absorption capacity, resolving the contradiction between CRC and SFC
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 solution provides a water absorbing agent with enhanced centrifugal retention capacity and saline flow conductivity, enabling efficient liquid absorption and permeability, thus addressing the limitations of existing agents.
Implementation Method 1
a water absorbing agent comprising water absorbent resin particles; an organic acid and/or salt thereof having carbon number of 10 or more and not more than 30 in its molecule; and a water-soluble polyvalent cation, wherein the organic acid and/or salt, and the water-soluble polyvalent cation exist on a surface of each of the water absorbent resin particles
Implementation Method 2
Water absorbing agent that is suitable for use in a sanitary material such as a disposable diaper
Implementation Method 3
a water absorbing material made of a hydrophilic fiber such as pulp, and a water absorbing agent has been in widespread use in sanitary materials
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention provides a water absorbing agent, and a method for producing the water absorbing agent. The water absorbing agent includes water absorbent resin particles, an organic acid and/or salt thereof having carbon number of 10 or more and not more than 30 in its molecule, and a water-soluble polyvalent cation. The method includes the step (i) of mixing the water absorbent resin particles, the organic acid and/or salt thereof having carbon number of 10 or more and not more than 30 in its molecule, and the water-soluble polyvalent cation with one another.