Method for producing water-absorbent resin, and water-absorbent resin obtained by same

Abstract

A method for producing a water-absorbent resin including the step of subjecting a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer to a reversed phase suspension polymerization in a petroleum hydrocarbon dispersion medium in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator and a dispersion stabilizer, wherein the method is characterized by the use of an ether-ester type nonionic surfactant as the dispersion stabilizer, and a water-absorbent resin obtained by the method, wherein the water-absorbent resin has a water-retention capacity of saline solution of 25 g/g or more, a water-absorption rate of saline solution of 50 seconds or less, and a flow index under moisture absorption of 70% or more. According to the method of the present invention, a water-absorbent resin having high water-retention capacity, excellent water-absorption rate, and further having excellent flowability under moisture absorption can be produced. The water-absorbent resin having the specified physical properties as described above can enhance properties of hygienic materials, and the resin can be suitably used in the production of the hygienic materials.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.