Thermally reversible superabsorbent polymers

摘要

The invention provides a thermally reversible superabsorbent polymer adapted for use in melt processes, the polymer having a thermally reversible bond which is adapted to evanesce at an elevated temperature and revert to a thermally reversible bond upon cooling to ambient temperature so that the polymer is adapted, upon being heated to that elevated temperature, to dissociate into melt processable polymer fragments and, upon being cooled from that elevated temperature to ambient temperature, to re-associate. Also disclosed are superabsorbent polymer fibers and sheets formed from the thermally reversible superabsorbent polymer. The polymer fibers may be meltblown fibers which may be formed into a coherent nonwoven web. The meltblown fibers may include microfibers. The meltblown web may also include at least one type of secondary fiber, particulates or a mixture of fibers and particulates.