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+ Chemical engineering
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+ Sodium
+ Chemistry
+ Polymer physics
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Michael Smith

Is there a way to completely separate sodium polyacrylate from water after the polymer absorbs it?

Andrew  Follow

There are two basic methods. One would be to acidify the solution so the sodium polyacrylate converts to poly(acrylic acid) which has radically lower water solubility. Optionally, one could also load the mixture into a dialysis bag and then apply an external osmotic agent to extract out the water but maybe difficult as sodium PAA is highly hydrophilic.

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Barbara Davis  Follow

Q: “Is there a way to completely separate sodium polyacrylate from water after the polymer absorbs it?

Yes, there is a way to dry Na-PA and all other hydrogels and superabsorbent materials.

I applied the method in my experimental work on cellulose-based hydrogels, so it could be applied on other hydrogels, such as Na-PA. The main part of water can be removed through overnight vacuum drying in an oven after rinsing with a low-boiling point alcohol (e.g., methanol) and then freeze drying on the next day.

Thanks for request to answer.

~ SD

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