Itaconic-acid-based superabsorbent polymer with high gel strength and biocompatibility

Abstract

An elaborate surface-crosslinking method was introduced to enhance the low absorbency under load (AUL) and liquid permeability of itaconic-acid-based superabsorbent polymer (SAP). The effects of the surface-crosslinking reaction parameters of the absorption properties of the SAP were investigated. An increase in the content of distilled water and 1,4-butanediol used as the surface-crosslinking solution improved the AUL and liquid permeability of the SAP, whereas an increase in the distilled water content resulted in a sharp decrease in the centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of the SAP. Therefore, controlling the content of 1,4-butanediol is an effective strategy to improve the AUL while maintaining the CRC of the SAP to some extent. Increasing the surface-crosslinking temperature tends to decrease the CRC of the SAP. The AUL of the SAP is the highest at a reaction temperature of 160 degrees C. As a result, the SAP prepared under optimal surface-crosslinking conditions showed a CRC, AUL and liquid permeability of 36.0, 27.2 g g(-1) and 80 s, respectively. The cell viability and cytotoxicity of the SAP on human dermal fibroblasts were confirmed using a live/dead assay and the adapted method from the ISO 10993-5 protocol. These investigations suggested that itaconic-acid-based SAPs could be potential materials for diaper products. (c) 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.