Highly absorbent polyhydroxy polymer graft copolymers without saponification

摘要

Absorbent compositions comprising graft copolymers of starch are prepared by a simplified method of synthesis. By using a mixture of a nonionic acrylic monomer and an anionic sulfonic acid-substituted acrylic monomer, highly absorbent compositions are prepared without the need for an alkaline saponification step. These compositions are also characterized by their ability to absorb large amounts of aqueous fluids under highly acidic conditions.