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Development of a superabsorbent polymer using iodine transfer polymerization

Polymer Journal volume 52, pages 365–373 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

We succeeded in developing a novel class of acrylic acid (AA)-based superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) with remarkably improved absorption performance by applying iodine transfer polymerization (ITP). A specific organoiodine chain transfer agent was newly developed and found to provide moderate to good control over the polymerization of AA in aqueous solution. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements revealed that the polymer network prepared using our ITP technology is relatively homogeneous. Our new SAP exhibits a good balance between absorption capacity and gel strength, and it enables a quick response to diversified customer needs in the diaper industry. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first case in which reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) has been practically applied to commodity polymer products. This review focuses on how we connected the old but highly practical ITP and SAP production.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Prof. A. Goto from Nanyang Technological University for helpful discussions and insightful suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SAP Research Department, Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd, Kyoto, Japan

    Toru Miyajima, Yusuke Matsubara & Kazumitsu Suzuki

  2. Techno Research Center, Godo Shigen Co., Ltd, Chiba, Japan

    Hiroto Komatsu & Michihiko Miyamoto

Authors
  1. Toru Miyajima
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  2. Yusuke Matsubara
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  3. Hiroto Komatsu
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  4. Michihiko Miyamoto
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  5. Kazumitsu Suzuki
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Correspondence to Toru Miyajima.

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Miyajima, T., Matsubara, Y., Komatsu, H. et al. Development of a superabsorbent polymer using iodine transfer polymerization. Polym J 52, 365–373 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-019-0292-2

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