Networked polymer/clay alloy

#The present invention relates to an absorbent polymer and a process for making an absorbent polymer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a networked polymer/clay alloy useful for example, without limitation, in containment applications as landfill liners or covers, reservoir liners, underground storage tank liners, secondary containment liners, and man-made bodies of water, or personal care absorbent articles, including diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products such as sanitary napkins, incontinence devices and the like.

#Super absorbent polymers (“SAPs”) have been produced since the 1970s for use in a variety of products including, amongst others, hygiene products, such as disposable diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products and incontinence devices, agricultural and horticultural products and industrial and environmental absorbents. SAPs are primarily utilized to increase or enhance the product's water-absorbency.

#SAPs are produced from a variety of components by a variety of processes. For example, SAPs are often made from monomers such as acrylamide, acrylic acid and acrylate, which are particularly suitable for application in hygiene products.

#The networked polymer/clay alloy and the process for producing the networked polymer/clay alloy of the present invention will be better understood by referring to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the drawings referenced therein, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph of a top plan perspective of the reinforcing agent used in Example 3, at a magnification of 140×;

#FIG. 2 is an SEM micrograph of a hydrated polymer used for comparison in Example 3, at a magnification of 7000×;

#Definitions

#“Monomer” is an organic molecule that can combine with a number of the same or different molecules to form a large molecule having repeating monomeric units, wherein the repeating monomeric units have a similar chemical architecture and atom composition as the monomeric units.

#“Polymer” is a large molecule built from the same or different repeating monomeric units and typically has a molecular weight in a range from about 10,000 to about 20,000,000. Polymer, as used herein, also includes any polymer made from two or more different repeating units, such as copolymers (i.e., comprising two different monomeric units), terpolymers (i.e., comprising three different monomeric units), tetrapolymers (i.e., comprising four different monomeric units) and so on. Moreover, the repeating monomeric units can alternate in a sequential pattern (e.g., A-B-A-B), block pattern (e.g., A-A-B-B), random pattern (A-B-B-A-B-A) or combinations thereof.