SEMINAR REPORT

SUPER ABSORBENT POLYMER

Prepared By: Darji Nikhil R.

Guide : Dr. Naina Tahilramani

 Content
Introduction about Super Absorbent Polymer
What is Super Absorbent Polymer
Manufacturing Processes
Properties
Mechanisms of Swelling In SAPs
Application
Case Study

 Introduction
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are materials that have the ability to absorb and
retain large volumes of water and aqueous solutions therefore earning the term
super absorbent.
This makes them ideal for use in water absorbing applications such as baby
nappies and adults incontinence pads to absorbent medical dressings and controlled
release medium.
Early super absorbents were made from chemically modified starch and cellulose
and other polymers like poly(vinyl alcohol) PVA, poly(ethylene oxide) PEO all of
which are hydrophilic and have a high affinity for water.
Todays superabsorbent polymers are made from partially neutralised, lightly
cross-linked poly(acrylic acid), poly(acrylo nitrile), which has been proven to give
the best performance versus cost ratio.
In water they swell to a rubbery gel that in some cases can be up to 99wt% water.

Elliott M.. Super absorbent polymer, BASF Aktiengesellschaft

 Manufacturing Processes
Super absorbent polymers are
manufactured by four different ways:
1.

Bulk Polymerization

2.

Solution Polymerization

3.

Suspension Polymerization

4.

Emulsion Polymerization

Block diagram of SAPs manufacturing

Polymerization of SAPs
Ahmed E. M, Hydrogel: Preparation, characterization, and applications: A review, Journal of Advanced Research (2015) 6, 105121.

 Properties of Super Absorbent polymer

1. Swelling capacity
2. Granules
3. Cross linkers
4. Surface tension
5. Temperature change
6. Ionic strength
7. pH
8. Absorption capacity
9. Pressure

Response of SAPs

Bucholz, F.L. "Superabsorbent Polymers", J. Chem. Ed., 1996, 73, 512.

 Swelling mechanisms and capacity:

Centrifuge retention capacity CRC
which is the amount of 0.9 wt% saline
solution that a SAP can retain under free
swelling conditions when surface water has
been removed in a centrifuge.
It swells because it contains water loving
carboxylic acid groups (COOH). When
water is added to SAP there is a
polymer/solvent interaction; hydration and
the formation of hydrogen bonds are two of
these interactions.
As pressure increases, swelling capacity
of SAPs is decreasing, water will start
leaking.
Elliott M.. Super absorbent polymer, BASF Aktiengesellschaft

Diagram represent swelling of dry SAP particle

 On average, fluffed cellulose pulp fibers will absorb about 12 g of water per gram
of dry fiber, whereas superabsorbent polymers will absorb up to 1,000 g of water
per gram of polymer.
Core cross-linking: Lower internal cross-linking gives good swelling capacity but
poor absorption against pressure therefore Improving the absorption against
pressure and the swelling rate of a SAP can be achieved by cross-linking the surface
of the particles.
Ionic strength: absorption capacity decrease with increasing ionic strength because
ions present in solution will replace absorb water molecules.
(All figures expressed on a gram/gram basis)
In 1% AICl3.

24

Free Swell In 1% NaCI. 48

Free Swell In 2% NaCI. 37
Free Swell In 10% NaCI...21

Bucholz, F.L. "Superabsorbent Polymers", J. Chem. Ed., 1996, 73, 512.

 Application
Farms & garden soil additive: to retain moisture in soil for longer periods.
Enhance fertilizer efficiency
Water blocking taps: to keep moisture from degrading delicate fiber-optic and power
cables, especially underwater cables.
Oil /Water separation: removes water from fuel tanks & filters of tractors,trucks,
boats etc.
Fire fighting gels: keeps water on the fire surface-forest fires, structure coatings etc.
Medical waste solidification, controlled drugs diffusion.
Pesticide gels: makes liquid pesticides manageable and remains effective for a much
long period of time.
Fragrance gels: reduces evaporation of perfumes and deodorizers.
Supermarket meat and fish: lining to keep the packing dry.
Hair gel
Commercial poly (aspartic acid) and Its Uses; Low, K. C., Wheeler, A.P., Koskan, L.P. Advances in Chemistry Series 248; American Chemiscal
Society: Washington, D.C., 1996.

 Case study
1.

Absorbing capacity: Effect of pH of

solution on absorbing capacity

Where, = absorbing capacity , W1= weight of dry SAP, W2= weight

Volume
of swollen
SAP.

Dry
Absorbi
of
weight swollen
ng
solution(
weight( capacity
ml)
(gm)
gm)
(%)

No

pH

230

0.9

1.37

52.22

4.5

230

0.9

10.81

1101.11

230

0.9

10.45

1061.11

11.5

230

0.9

2.61

190.00

pH V/S Absorbing capacity

1200.00
1000.00

Time provided 24 hour

800.00
Absorbing capacity

pH V/S Absorbing
capacity

600.00
400.00
200.00
0.00
0

10
20

pH

Absorbing capacity is maximum at 7pH and decreasing

continuously.
Minimum at 1pH and 14pH nearly around zero because higher

Effect of SAPs on Plant growth & water conservation in agricultural land:

Root zone development of

the plant with SAP

After 5 day

Plantation

After 15 day

After 3 day

after 20 day

Da
water
ys added(ml)

Without
SAPs

With 1gm With 2gm

SAPs
SAPs

100

50

10

25

17

19.5

18

15

22

25

23

20

23.5

28.5

27

Taken same amount of seed, 1Kg soil, same volume of water added in each day.
Results: from this three different 0%, 0.01%, & 0.02% of SAP. 0.01% of SAP
gives higher plant growth rate.
The area where water supply is insufficient for agricultural land. This method is
very efficient because below ground level, layer of super absorbent polymers
absorb water from soil.
Roots are penetrated inside the SAPs. When water supply is less, water is supplied
from SAPs.
Balaji Green Gold Associates Pvt Ltd, 2014. Agri Gel (Super Absorbent Polymer). [Online] Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lxRqPBYlh0 [Accessed 15 August 2015].

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Reduce watering

Higher cost

Increasing yield

Evolve some toxic residual

Increasing fertilizer efficiency

Fast drugs effect at particular area

Non toxic

Improving survival rate

byproduct during manufacturing

Some polymers are nonbiodegradable

Reducing corrosion problem

Anon., 2010. QUORA. [Online] Available at: https://

www.quora.com/What-are-the-drawbacks-associated-with-superabsorbent-polymers-when-used-in-diapers-sanitary-napkins-and-agriculture [Accessed
15 SEPTEMBER 2015].
TryECO, 2010. SUPER ABSORBENT POLYMERS. [Online] Available at: http://tryecoinc.com/services/ [Accessed 15 SEPTEMBER 2015].

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