Super absorbent hydrogel foams
First Claim
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1. An absorbent hydrogel foam comprisinga solid phase comprising a surfactant and a polymer or copolymer of a free radical polymerizable hydrophilic olefin monomer crosslinked with about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of a crosslinking agent having at least two alkenyl groups;
- anda gas phase, wherein the ratio of the volume of the gas phase to the volume of the solid phase is at least one.
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Abstract
A water swellable foam matrix formed as a macroporous solid comprising a foam stabilizing agent and a polymer or copolymer of a free radical polymerizable hydrophilic olefin monomer crosslinked with about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of a multiolefin-functional crosslinking agent is described. The foam matrix is characterized by rapid swelling and high water swelling ratios.
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12 Claims
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1. An absorbent hydrogel foam comprising
a solid phase comprising a surfactant and a polymer or copolymer of a free radical polymerizable hydrophilic olefin monomer crosslinked with about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of a crosslinking agent having at least two alkenyl groups; - and
a gas phase, wherein the ratio of the volume of the gas phase to the volume of the solid phase is at least one. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for producing a water absorbent hydrogel foam matrix, said method comprising the steps of
polymerizing at least one hydrophilic olefin monomer compound in an aqueous solution, said aqueous solution comprising about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of a crosslinking agent having at least two alkenyl groups and a surfactant; -
introducing gas into the monomer solution during said polymerization step to form a foamed polymer matrix hydrogel foam; contacting the hydrogel foam with a volatile water miscible solvent; and drying said hydrogel foam. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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- 9. A water swellable hydrogel foam formed as a macroporous solid comprising a foam stabilizing agent and a polymer or copolymer of a free radical polymerizable hydrophilic olefin monomer crosslinked with about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of a crosslinking agent having at least two alkenyl groups, wherein a volume of said hydrogel foam, having a size greater than 2 mm in its smallest dimension, exhibits a water swelling ratio of at least 15 within one hour of contact with an aqueous solution.
- 11. A water swellable hydrogel foam formed as a macroporous solid comprising a surfactant and polymer or copolymer of a free radical polymerizable hydrophilic olefin monomer crosslinked with about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of a crosslinking agent having at least two alkenyl groups, wherein a volume of said hydrogel foam, having a size greater than 1 mm in its smallest dimension, exhibits greater than 50% of its maximum swelling ratio within one hour of contact with an aqueous solution.
Specification