Properties and Applications of Superabsorbent Polymers: Smart Applications with Smart Polymers

Description

This book discusses fundamental aspects of super absorbent polymers (SAPs), insight into the synthesis and modification of SAPs as well as their potential applications in different domains. SAPs are bio-based material that has attracted much interest due to their unique structural properties, biodegradability, biocompatibility, etc. The book exhibits a unique combination of SAP designing, synthetic strategies, properties and chemistry along with SAP’s application in the field of drug delivery, firefighting and biosensors, agriculture, etc. Various approaches to make these products a cost-effective and sustainable are discussed precisely in this book. Additionally, the approaches from the perspective of academic organization and research laboratories, many readers are able to learn the insights of the connection between super absorbent polymers in the agriculture field by reducing seedling mortality owing to their water storage capacity in soil.  This book written by eminent researchers can be a useful reference for graduate, post-graduate students and researchers working in the file of super absorbent polymers, polymer technology, hygiene industry, etc. Preface Contents Contributors Abbreviations 1 Introduction of Superabsorbent Polymers 1.1 History of the Development of Superabsorbent Polymers 1.2 Methodologies and the Fundamentals of SAPs Conception 1.2.1 Chemical and Structural Specifications 1.2.2 Effect of the Cross-Linking Process 1.2.3 Absorption and Retention of Liquids Principle 1.3 Classification of Superabsorbent Polymers 1.4 Interests, Specificities, and Implications of Synthetic and Polysaccharide-Based SAPs 1.5 Biodegradability of Superabsorbent Polymers 1.6 Highlights of SAP Application Areas 1.7 Conclusions References 2 Synthesis Methods of Superabsorbent Polymers and Factors Affecting Their Preparation 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Methods of the SAP Cross-Linking 2.2.1 Chemical Cross-Linking 2.2.2 Physical Cross-Linking Methods 2.3 Strategies to Improve the Swelling Ratio of the Semi-Synthetic SAPs References 3 Experimental Methods of Superabsorbent Polymers: Characterization 3.1 Introduction 3.2 General Characterization (Regular Tests) 3.2.1 Solubility of the SAP Sample or Sol–Gel Fraction 3.2.2 Structural Characterization and Morphological Studies 3.2.3 Swelling and De-Swelling Studies 3.2.4 Network Parameters 3.2.5 Swelling Kinetics 3.2.6 Mechanical Characterization (Quantitative Analysis of Free and Bound Water) 3.2.7 Other Tests 3.3 Application Specific Characterization 3.3.1 For Removing Pollutant/Contaminant Like Heavy Metal Ion or Dye from Waste Water 3.3.2 For Personal Care Products 3.3.3 As Drug Delivery Devices References 4 Superabsorbent Polymers for Heat Resistance and Treatment of Industrial Effluents 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Application of SAPs in Heat Resistance 4.3 Application of SAPs in Treatment of Industrial Effluents 4.3.1 Factors Influencing the Adsorption of Heavy Metal Pollutant Ions on SAHs 4.4 Conclusion References 5 Superabsorbent Polymers Application in Agriculture Sector 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Classifications 5.2.1 Natural SAPs 5.2.2 Synthetic SAPs 5.3 Preparation Techniques of SAPs 5.3.1 Bulk Polymerization 5.3.2 Solution Polymerization 5.3.3 Inverse Suspension Polymerization 5.3.4 Radiation Polymerization 5.4 Evaluation of Performance of SAPs 5.4.1 Water Absorbency Performance 5.4.2 Water Retaining Potential 5.4.3 Loading and Release Kinetics of Agrochemical 5.5 Application of SAPs in Agriculture Sector 5.5.1 Controlled/ Slow Release (C/SRs) Devices 5.5.2 Soil–Water Dynamics 5.5.3 Effects on Soil Properties 5.6 Conclusion References 6 Recent Advancements in Superabsorbent Polymers for Drug Delivery 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Synthetic Superabsorbent Polymers for Drug Delivery 6.2.1 Poly(Acrylic Acid) (PAA) and Poly(Methacrylic Acid) (PMA) 6.2.2 Poly(Ethylene Glycol) (PEG) 6.2.3 Poly(Acrylamide) (PAM) 6.2.4 Sodium Polyacrylate (SPA) 6.2.5 Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) 6.3 Natural Superabsorbent Polymers for Drug Delivery 6.3.1 Chitosan 6.3.2 Alginate 6.3.3 Starch 6.3.4 Natural Gums 6.3.5 Cellulose 6.3.6 Carrageenan 6.3.7 Other Natural Polymers 6.4 Semi-synthetic Superabsorbent Polymers for Drug Delivery 6.4.1 Semi-synthetic SAPs Prepared with Cellulose 6.4.2 Semi-synthetic SAPs Prepared with Chitosan 6.4.3 Semi-synthetic SAPs Prepared with Collagen 6.4.4 Semi-synthetic SAPs Prepared with Starch 6.4.5 Semi-synthetic SAPs Prepared with Natural Gums 6.4.6 Other Semi-synthetic SAPs in Biomedical Applications 6.4.7 Conclusions and Future Perspectives of SAPs References 7 Superabsorbent Polymers for the Development of Nanofiltration 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Brief History of Water Absorbing Polymers 7.3 Synthesis of Superabsorbent Polymers 7.3.1 Gel Polymerization 7.3.2 Solution Polymerization 7.3.3 Suspension Polymerization 7.4 Application of Superabsorbent Polymers in Nanofiltration 7.5 Unique Properties of SAPs that Make Them Useful in Nanofiltration 7.6 Other Related Areas of Application of SAP 7.7 Environmental Impacts of SAP 7.8 Conclusion and Future Trend References 8 Progressive Approach of SAPs in Disposable Hygiene Industry 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Polymeric Compositions in Hygiene Products 8.2.1 Classification of Hydrogels 8.2.2 Synthesis Methods of Hydrogel 8.3 Expectations from a Sanitary Napkin 8.4 Baby Diaper and Its Requirements 8.5 Chemistry Involved in Fluid Absorption 8.5.1 Effect of Diaper on Environment 8.6 Hydrogels in Hygiene Products 8.7 Health Risk of Disposable Hygiene Products and Its Impact on Nature References 9 Utility of Super-Absorbent Polymers in Biomedical Applications 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Classification Based on Raw Material Source 9.2.1 Classification Based on the Hydrophilization Technique 9.2.2 Classification Based on the Cross-Linking Method 9.2.3 Other Classifications 9.3 Super-Absorbent Polymer Biodegradability 9.4 Preparation Procedures 9.4.1 Bulk Polymerization 9.4.2 Solution Polymerization 9.4.3 Suspension Polymerization 9.4.4 Radiation Polymerization 9.5 Applications 9.5.1 SAPs for Biosensors 9.5.2 SAPs for Controlled Drug Delivery Systems 9.5.3 SAPs for Drug Delivery System 9.5.4 SAPs for Hygiene and Bio-Related Areas 9.5.5 SAPs for Anti-Bacterial Applications 9.5.6 SAPs for Wound Healing 9.5.7 SAPs for Tissue Engineering 9.6 Conclusions and Future Prospectives References 10 Superabsorbent Polymer's Role in Nanomedicines 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Classification and Physical–Chemical and Biological Properties of Superabsorbent Polymers 10.2.1 Physical–Chemical and Biological Properties of SAPs 10.3 Superabsorbent Polymers: Functionalization Strategies 10.3.1 Cross-Linking in Superabsorbent Polymers 10.3.2 Surface Cross-Linking of Superabsorbent Polymers 10.3.3 Chemical Organics Reactions on Natural SAPs Based Polysaccharides 10.4 Superabsorbent Polymers: Applications in Nanomedicine 10.4.1 As a Carrier for Drug Delivery 10.4.2 As a Material for Embolotherapy 10.4.3 As a Material for Use in Regenerative Medicine 10.4.4 As Wound Dressing 10.4.5 As Contact Lenses 10.4.6 As a Material for Cell Culture 10.5 Superabsorbent Polymers: Future Perspectives 10.6 Conclusions References 11 Future Challenges and Opportunities in the Field of Superabsorbent Polymers 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Smart SAPs 11.2.1 Characteristics and Application of Thermo-Responsive SAPs 11.2.2 Characteristics and Applications of PH-Sensitive SAPs 11.2.3 Characteristics and Applications of Photo- And Electro-Sensitive SAPs 11.3 Synthetic Versus Polysaccharide-Based Natural SAPs 11.4 Polysaccharide-Based SAHs 11.4.1 Cellulose-Based SAHs 11.4.2 Chitosan-Based SAHs 11.4.3 Gum Arabic-Based SAHs 11.4.4 Guar Gum-Based SAHs 11.4.5 Carrageenan-Based SAHs 11.5 The Challenges and the Prospects in the Fields of Construction, Agriculture, and Biomedical 11.6 Conclusions References