| abstract |
Particulates of a superabsorbent polymer, e.g., an acrylic polymer such as polyacrylic acid, well suited for a variety of hygienic applications, are prepared by (i) suspending an aqueous solution of a water-soluble monomer charge I in a hydrocarbon medium by means of a polymerizable surfactant having the general formula: n n R.sub.1 --O--(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O).sub.n --R.sub.2 n n wherein R 1 is a hydrocarbon having at least 9 carbon atoms, R 2 is an acryloyl, methacryloyl or maleoyl radical, and the degree of condensation n in respect of the ethylene oxide ranges from 30 to 70, (ii) polymerizing the suspension thus formed, producing a suspension of polymer gel particles and converting the surfactant to effectively remove same from the medium of polymerization, (iii) next absorbing a second monomer charge II into such gel particles, and (iv) polymerizing in the gel particles the second monomer charge II. |