Superabsorbent polymer containing clay particulate, and method of making same

US8962910B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Evonik Corporation · US

Inventors

• Michael M. Azad · Reidsville, US
• Scott J. Smith · Greensboro, US
• Mark Joy · Greensboro, US
• Geoffrey Wyatt Blake · Kernersville, US
• Michael S. Jarman · High Point, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 6, 2012
• Grant date: Feb 24, 2015
• Expiry date: Oct 12, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2982
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A process for the preparation of superabsorbent polymer containing clay, the process including the steps of (I) polymerizing a polymerization mixture comprising: (a) one or more ethylenically unsaturated carboxyl-containing monomers, (b) one or more crosslinking agents, (c) optionally one or more comonomers copolymerizable with the carboxyl-containing monomer, (d) neutralizing agent to partially neutralize the polymer to from about 50% to about 99%, by weight, and (e) a polymerization medium, to form a crosslinked partially neutralized hydrogel, (II) admixing a clay with the crosslinked partially neutralized hydrogel to form partially neutralized superabsorbent polymer-clay hydrogel; (III) drying the crosslinked partially neutralized hydrogel at a temperature from about 190° C. to about 210° C. and for a time period of from about 15 minutes to about 120 minutes, and (IV) comminuting the dried partially neutralized superabsorbent polymer-clay hydrogel to particles.