Superabsorbent polymer

Abstract

The mechanism of high water absorbency of superabsorbent polymers was explained according to thermaldynamic theory and phase transition theory. Water absorbency was interpreted in terms of the presence of ionic groups on the backbone, ionic strength in external solution, as well as crosslinking density. Factors that affect water absorbent rate were presented. The development of super water absorbents based on starch, cellulose, copolymer, composite and biodegradable polymer during the last thirty years was describled.The tendency of the research of super-absorbent polymer was predicited and the application of super water absorbents was briefly introduced.