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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1996  > June  >
Secondary School Chemistry
Products of Chemistry
Superabsorbent Polymers: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
Fredric L. Buchholz
The Dow Chemical Company, 1603 Building, Midland, MI 48674
Cover
June 1996
Vol. 73 No. 6
p. 512

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.
More Information
*  Citation
Buchholz, Fredric L. J. Chem. Educ. 1996 73 512.
*  Keywords
*  History
Created:
Last Updated:
9/23/1999
5/22/2006
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1996 > June > Page 512


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