MODIFYING ACRYLIC-BASED SUPERABSORBENT .1. MODIFICATION OF CROSS-LINKER AND COMONOMER NATURE

This article is devoted to the synthesis, characterization, and modifi cation of acrylic-based superabsorbents which are synthesized by carry ing out the well-known process of inverse suspension polymerization. T he dispersion is stabilized by using a mixture of micromolecular and m acromolecular stabilizers. High swelling and appropriate absorption ki netics are obtained, provided that parameters (including initial monom er and crosslinker concentration, range of neutralization degree, init iating and stabilizing system, monomer addition rate, temperature and nature of the organic phase) are being considered. Modifications of cr oss-linker and comonomer nature and their effects on absorbency charac teristics (capacity and rate) of the above-mentioned superabsorbents a re graphically presented. Finally, diffusion behavior of superabsorben ts is briefly discussed. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.