A superabsorbent polymer (SAP) (also called slush powder) is a water-absorbing hydrophilic homopolymers or copolymers that can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of a liquid relative to its own mass
A SAP's ability to absorb water depends on the ionic concentration of the aqueous solution.
In deionized and distilled water, a SAP may absorb 300 times its weight and can become up to 99.9% liquid, and when put into a 0.9% saline solution the absorbency drops to approximately 50 times its weight.
The presence of valence cations in the solution impedes the polymer's ability to bond with the water molecule.
The largest use of SAPs is found in personal disposable hygiene products, such as baby diapers, adult diapers and sanitary napkins
The molecular structure of SAP again resembles the complicated mesh of a tree.
As soon as it comes in contact with water, water molecules flow through and sit inside.
The oxygen atoms in particular are attracted to the mesh due to the presence of an important ion in SAP called sodium
They start to hold each other and form a strong network that can no longer move, i.e. it is rigid.
The whole network swells, trapping the water molecules within, to form what is called a gel.
Thus, SAP is a magical compound that can absorb a large amount of water, at times more than its own weight.
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