Basf Aktiengesellschaft

Amcol International Corporation

American Colloid Company

Anthony S Tomlin

Michael A Mitchell

Thomas W Beihoffer

Tie Lan

Mark Anderson

John A Henderson

Milan F Sojka

Guoqiang Qian

Aaron M Fay

Samantha J Evans

David M Lucas

Jerald W Darlington, Jr

Vasiliki Psihogios

David Eckert

Hannah T Cruz

Kathleen Mandell

Multicomponent superabsorbent gel particles are disclosed. The multicomponent particles comprise at least one acidic water-absorbing resin and at least one basic water-absorbing resin. Each particle contains at least one microdomain of the acidic resin in contact with, or in close proximity to, at least one microdomain of the basic resin. Blends of multicomponent superabsorbent gel particles with particles of a second water-absorbing resin also are disclosed. Improved diaper cores containing particles of the multicomponent super-absorbent gel particles also are disclosed.

Multicomponent superabsorbent gel particles

Multicomponent superabsorbent gel particles are disclosed. The multicomponent particles comprise at least one acidic water-absorbing resin and at least one basic water-absorbing resin. Each particle contains at least one microdomain of the acidic resin in contact with, or in close proximity to, at least one microdomain of the basic resin. Blends of multicomponent superabsorbent gel particles with particles of a second water-absorbing resin also are disclosed. Improved diaper cores containing particles of the multicomponent superabsorbent gel particles also are disclosed.

A nanocomposite concentrate composition comprising about 10 weight percent to about 90 weight percent of a layered silicate material and about 10 weight percent to about 90 weight percent of a matrix polymer comprising about 90-99.5% by weight of a polyolefin and about 0.5% to about 10%, preferably about 1% to about 6% by weight, of a maleic anhydride-modified polyolefin, based on the total weight of polyolefins, wherein the layered silicate material is dispersed uniformly throughout the matrix polymer. Shearing of the concentrate and later (after shear) addition of an added matrix polymer avoids thermal degradation of the added matrix polymer and optimizes the dispersion of the nanomer throughout the matrix polymer; provides increased tensile strength; and reduces degradation of the polymer by melt formation of a concentrate thereby decreasing heat degradation of added matrix polymer.

Intercalates formed with polypropylene/maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene intercalants

Intercalated layered materials prepared by reacting the layered material with a coupling agent and co-intercalating an onium ion and an oligomer or polymer between the planar layers of a swellable layered material, such as a phyllosilicate, preferably a smectite clay. The spacing of adjacent layers of the layered materials is expanded at least about 3 &angst;, preferably at least about 5 &angst;, usually preferably to a d-spacing of about 15-20 &angst;, e.g., 18 &angst; with the onium ion spacing/compatibilizing agent. The intercalation of the oligomer or polymer then increases the spacing of adjacent layers an additional at least 3 &angst;, e.g., to at least about 20 &angst;, preferably about 25 &angst; to about 30 &angst;, generally about 28 &angst;, and provides a nanocomposite having increased tensile strength, flexibility, and ductility (less brittle).

Intercalates formed via coupling agent-reaction and onium ion-intercalation pre-treatment of layered material for polymer intercalation

Improved diaper cores containing particles of multicomponent superabsorbent particles and having improved acquisition rates are disclosed.

Diapers having improved acquisition rates

Multicomponent superabsorbent fibers are disclosed. The multicomponent fibers comprise at least one acidic water-absorbing resin and at least one basic water-absorbing resin. Each fiber contains at least one microdomain of the acidic resin in contact with, or in close proximity to, at least one microdomain of the basic resin. Blends of multicomponent superabsorbent fibers with particles of a second water-absorbing resin also are disclosed. Articles containing the multicomponent superabsorbent fibers also are disclosed.

Multicomponent superabsorbent fibers

Surface-crosslinked superabsorbent polymer particles are obtained by treating 100 parts by weight of superabsorbent polymer particles with about 0.001 to about 10 parts by weight of an oxazolinium ion. The oxazolinium ion can be formed in situ by heating superabsorbent particles treated with an oxazolinium ion precursor, such as a hydroxyalkylamide. A stable oxazolinium ion also can be used to surface crosslink the SAP particle. Surface crosslinking the superabsorbent polymer particles with an oxazolinium ion increases both the rate of liquid absorption and the quantity of liquid absorbed and retained by the superabsorbent particles.

Surface-treated superabsorbent polymer particles

Intercalated layered materials prepared by co-intercalation of an onium ion and MXD6 nylon between the planar layers of a swellable layered material, such as a phyllosilicate, preferably a smectite clay. The spacing of adjacent layers of the layered materials is expanded at least about 3 &angst;, preferably at least about 5 &angst;, usually preferably to a d-spacing of about 15-20 &angst;, e.g., 18 &angst; with the onium ion spacing/coupling agent. The intercalation of the MXD6 nylon polymer then increases the spacing of adjacent layers an additional at least 3 &angst;, e.g., to at least about 20 &angst;, preferably about 25 &angst; to about 30 &angst;, generally about 28 &angst;.

Intercalates formed by co-intercalation of onium ion spacing/coupling agents and monomer, oligomer or polymer MXD6 nylon intercalants and nanocomposites prepared with the intercalates

An odor-controlling superabsorbent polymer and methods of manufacturing the odor-controlling superabsorbent polymer are disclosed. The odor-controlling superabsorbent polymer has an odor-controlling compound homogeneously distributed therein. The odor-controlling compound is a material selected from the group consisting of a cyclodextrin compound, an amphoteric surfactant, a water-insoluble phosphate, triclosan, and mixtures thereof.

Superabsorbent polymer containing odor controlling compounds and methods of making the same

Nanocomposite layered materials prepared by co-intercalation of an onium ion, preferably an alkoxylated onium ion and an ethylene vinyl alcohol oligomer or polymer between the planar layers of a swellable layered material, such as a phyllosilicate, preferably a smectite clay. The spacing of adjacent layers of the layered materials is expanded at least about 3 &angst;, preferably at least about 5 &angst;, usually preferably to a d-spacing of about 15-20 &angst;, e.g., 18 &angst; with the alkoxylated onium ion spacing/coupling agent. The intercalation of the ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer then increases the spacing of adjacent layers an additional at least 2 &angst;, e.g., to at least about 20 &angst;, preferably about 25 &angst; to about 30 &angst;, generally about 28 &angst;. Improved O,barrier properties are observed over a broad range of humidity conditions when intercalation is accomplished by both the solvent route and the direct compounding route. The intercalated and exfoliated layered materials are useful for barrier layers in multi-layer packaging and for coatings.

Intercalates formed by co-intercalation of onium ion spacing/coupling agents and monomer, oligomer or polymer ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) intercalants and nanocomposites prepared with the intercalates

An absorbent article including a flexible, fibrous support structure or framework in a fixed shape or configuration having particles of a superabsorbent material adhered thereto with temperature softened outer support surfaces, or with an adhesive to maintain sufficient spacing between adjacent superabsorbent particles such that liquid can more freely enter the absorbent article for contact with the superabsorbent particles.

Water-absorbent article and method

A superabsorbent foam material is made by a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion polymerization comprising the steps of (a) dissolving an organic solvent-soluble surfactant in a water-insoluble monomer to form an organic phase; (b) blending the-organic phase with an aqueous phase using high shear mixing to form an emulsion, said aqueous phase comprising a water-soluble polymer, a cross-linking agent, and water; (c) polymerizing the water-insoluble monomer in the organic phase; (d) cross-linking the water-soluble polymer in the aqueous phase; and (e) final curing and drying the resulting foam.

Growing community of inventors

Island Lake, IL, United States of America

Anthony S Tomlin