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Superabsorbent Polymers: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
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Abstract
Superabsorbent polymers are cross-linked polyelectrolytes. Because of their ionic nature and interconnected structure, they absorb large quantities of water and other aqueous solutions without dissolving. This makes them ideally suited as absorbents of body fluids in many personal care products sold today, including baby diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine napkins. Several emerging applications are also described. A simple laboratory preparation of partially neutralized, cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) is given along with test methods suitable for measuring the absorption capacity of the product. Experiments are described that demonstrate the ability of a swelling gel to perform work, and the ability of a gel to exclude macromolecular solutes from diffusing into its porous, cross-linked structure.
Keywords (Audience):
First-Year Undergraduate / GeneralKeywords (Domain):
Laboratory InstructionKeywords (Feature):
Products of ChemistryKeywords (Pedagogy):
Hands-On Learning / ManipulativesKeywords (Subject):
PolymerizationCiting Articles
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This article has been cited by 6 ACS Journal articles (5 most recent appear below).
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- Received: August 03, 2009
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