Hydrogel composites and superporous hydrogel composites having fast swelling, high mechanical strength, and superabsorbent properties
First Claim
1. A hydrogel composite comprising an interpenetrating network of a crosslinked polymer and particles of a disintegrant, wherein:
- said crosslinked polymer is formed from at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and a multi-olefinic crosslinking agent; and
said disintegrant is at least one of (i) a crosslinked natural or synthetic polyelectrolyte, (ii) a crosslinked neutral hydrophilic polymer, (iii) a non-crosslinked natural or synthetic polyelectrolyte having a particulate shape, (iv) a non-crosslinked neutral hydrophilic polymer having a particulate shape, or (v) a porous inorganic material that provides wicking by capillary forces.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A superporous hydrogel composite is formed by polymerizing one or more ethylenically-unsaturated monomers, and a multiolefinic crosslinking agent, in the presence of particles of a disintegrant and a blowing agent. The disintegrant, which rapidly absorbs water, serves to greatly increase the mechanical strength of the superporous hydrogel and significantly shorten the time required to absorb water and swell. Superporous hydrogel composites prepared by this method have an average pore size in the range of 10 μm to 3,000 μm. Preferred particles of disintegrant include natural and synthetic charged polymers, such as crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose, crosslinked sodium starch glycolate, and crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone. The blowing agent is preferably a compound that releases gas bubbles upon acidification, such as NaHCO3. Improved hydrogel composites formed without a blowing agent are also provided.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A hydrogel composite comprising an interpenetrating network of a crosslinked polymer and particles of a disintegrant, wherein:
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said crosslinked polymer is formed from at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and a multi-olefinic crosslinking agent; and
said disintegrant is at least one of (i) a crosslinked natural or synthetic polyelectrolyte, (ii) a crosslinked neutral hydrophilic polymer, (iii) a non-crosslinked natural or synthetic polyelectrolyte having a particulate shape, (iv) a non-crosslinked neutral hydrophilic polymer having a particulate shape, or (v) a porous inorganic material that provides wicking by capillary forces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A superporous hydrogel composite having a superporous pore structure comprising an interpenetrating network of a crosslinked polymer and particles of a disintegrant, wherein:
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said crosslinked polymer is formed from at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and a multi-olefinic crosslinking agent; and
said disintegrant is at least one of (i) a crosslinked natural or synthetic polyelectrolyte, (ii) a crosslinked neutral hydrophilic polymer, (iii) a non-crosslinked natural or synthetic polyelectrolyte having a particulate shape, (iv) a non-crosslinked neutral hydrophilic polymer having a particulate shape, or (v) a porous inorganic material that provides wicking by capillary forces. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A superporous hydrogel composite comprising an interpenetrating network of a crosslinked polymer and particles of a disintegrant, said composite prepared by a process comprising:
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combining at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer, a multi-olefinic crosslinking agent, particles of a disintegrant, and a blowing agent to form an admixture thereof; and
subjecting said admixture to polymerization and foaming conditions to form said superporous hydrogel composite, wherein said disintegrant is at least one of (i) a crosslinked natural or synthetic polyelectrolyte, (ii) a crosslinked neutral hydrophilic polymer, (iii) a non-crosslinked natural or synthetic polyelectrolyte having a particulate shape, (iv) a non-crosslinked neutral hydrophilic polymer having a particulate shape, or (v) a porous inorganic material that provides wicking by capillary forces. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of forming a hydrogel composite comprising:
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combining at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer, a multi-olefinic crosslinking agent, and particles of a disintegrant, to form an admixture thereof; and
subjecting the admixture to polymerization conditions to form said hydrogel composite. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. A method of forming a superporous hydrogel composite comprising:
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combining at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer, a multi-olefinic crosslinking agent, particles of a disintegrant, and a blowing agent, to form an admixture thereof; and
subjecting the admixture to polymerization and foaming conditions to form said superporous hydrogel composite. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification