IMPROVED METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUPERABSORBENT POLYMERS

摘要

An improved method of manufacturing surface-crosslinked superabsorbent polymer particles is disclosed. The superabsorbent polymer particles are surface crosslinked using about 20 to about 35 wt% of 1, 3-propanediol as a cosolvent in a surface-crosslinking step. The use of 1, 3-propanediol as a cosolvent reduces the amount of surface-crosslinking agent required to adequately surface crosslink the superabsorbent polymer, and reduces or eliminates the fouling of process equipment attributed to previous cosolvents used in a surface crosslinking step.