In recent years, there has been a veritable explosion of research and development in consumer-oriented fields that utilize polymeric materials which absorb large amounts of water. These fields encompass the preparation, characterization and commercialization of separation systems, pharmaceutical and personal care products such as infant diapers, feminine products, incontinence products and many other related areas. The polymeric materials utilized in these applications are known as absorbent or superabsorbent materials because of their ability to swell rapidly and to retain large volumes of water, urine and other biological fluids.The aim of this book is to introduce the fundamentals of polymer structure and swelling as related to polymers used for these superabsorbent materials. In the field of absorbence, particular attention is given to crosslinked structures which swell to more than fifty times their initial weight in water or electrolytic solutions. The book also provides descriptions of novel applications of superabsorbent materials as well as a detailed analysis of water transport in crosslinked polymers.Absorbent Polymer Technology should be of interest to chemists, polymer scientists, chemical engineers, and industrial scientists working with swellable polymeric systems in personal care, pharmaceutical, agricultural waste treatment and separation industries.

A thorough, up-to-date examination of the science and practical application of superabsorbent polymers. Modern Superabsorbent Polymer Technology takes a comprehensive look at the structure, properties, and uses of superabsorbent polymers. Prepared by editors with over 20 years of experience in the field, it offers a unified approach to polymer science technologies and examines the key interrelationships between structure, properties, behavior, and applications. This book draws on the best and most relevant scientific papers from academia and industry, as well as numerous patents and patent applications. The result is a compact, centralized source of information on superabsorbent polymers that no polymer or chemical engineer will want to be without. Discusses synthetic chemistry and the effects of synthesis on the structure of superabsorbent polymers * Describes and compares industrial practices of the major manufacturers of superabsorbent polymers * Features analytical methods for evaluation of the properties and behavior of superabsorbent polymers * Explores structural and property relationships of crosslinked super-absorbent polymers * Surveys new superabsorbent polymer forms and types-including fibers, foams, and biodegradable superabsorbents * Covers current and emerging applications in personal care products, horticulture, construction, and other areas.

Discusses the fundamental aspects of structure-property relationships in superabsorbent polymers, including network modeling and compressibility of ionic gels. Describes methods of preparation and specification of superabsorbents. Presents novel methods of preparation resulting in absorbent polymers with advanced properties. Examines emerging applications of superabsorbent polymers in the construction, agriculture, food, leisure, and communications industries.

This book discusses fundamental aspects of super absorbent polymers (SAPs), insight into the synthesis and modification of SAPs as well as their potential applications in different domains. SAPs are bio-based material that has attracted much interest due to their unique structural properties, biodegradability, biocompatibility, etc. The book exhibits a unique combination of SAP designing, synthetic strategies, properties and chemistry along with SAP’s application in the field of drug delivery, firefighting and biosensors, agriculture, etc. Various approaches to make these products a cost-effective and sustainable are discussed precisely in this book. Additionally, the approaches from the perspective of academic organization and research laboratories, many readers are able to learn the insights of the connection between super absorbent polymers in the agriculture field by reducing seedling mortality owing to their water storage capacity in soil. This book written by eminent researchers can be a useful reference for graduate, post-graduate students and researchers working in the file of super absorbent polymers, polymer technology, hygiene industry, etc.

The book defines the differences between synthetic and natural superabsorbent polymers. It describes polymerization techniques, processing strategies and the use and importance of smart SAPs. It also includes SAP design to aid in selection of the best SAP for a specific application. The book is an indispensible resource for any academics and industrials interested in SAPs.

This publication discusses the theoretical aspects of absorbency as well as the structure, properties and performance of materials. The chapters are arranged in an approach for the reader to advance progressively through fundamental theories of absorbency to more practical aspects of the technology. Topics covered include scientific principles of absorbency and structure property relationships; material technology including super absorbents, non-woven, natural and synthetic fibres and surfactants; absorbency measurement techniques and technology perspective. The reader is provided with current status information on technology and is also informed on important developments within the field.

This is the state-of-the-art report prepared by the RILEM TC “Application of Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) in concrete construction”. It gives a comprehensive overview of the properties of SAP, specific water absorption and desorption behaviour of SAP in fresh and hardening concrete, effects of the SAP addition on rheological properties of fresh concrete, changes of cement paste microstructure and mechanical properties of concrete. Furthermore, the key advantages of using SAP are described in detail: the ability of this material to act as an internal curing agent to mitigate autogenous shrinkage of high-performance concrete, the possibility to use SAP as an alternative to air-entrainment agents in order to increase the frost resistance of concrete, and finally, the benefit of steering the rheology of fresh cement-based materials. The final chapter describes the first existing and numerous prospective applications for this new concrete additive.