Superabsorbent materials comprising peroxide
Inventors
Toreki, William • Leander, Susan • Olderman, Gerald M.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9873751-B2
Publication Date
2018-01-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
This invention pertains to a polymeric composition and an antimicrobial composition, each comprising a superabsorbent polymer (SAP), such as used in diapers and sanitary napkins, and peroxide. The superabsorbent material can be made by the process of treating a preformed SAP, such as a crosslinked polyacrylate salt, with a treatment solution comprising hydrogen peroxide dissolved in water, followed by drying. The resulting superabsorbent material has strong antimicrobial activity. Optionally, the treatment solution may also contain a metal salt, including those of zinc, zirconium, and magnesium.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an antimicrobial superabsorbent polymer in the form of a dried powder or granular material. The polymer includes an acrylic acid-based superabsorbent polymer and hydrogen peroxide, with the peroxide sequestered or bound in a non-volatile manner within or on the surface of the dried antimicrobial superabsorbent polymer so that it provides sustained release of hydrogen peroxide.
A method of making the antimicrobial superabsorbent polymer comprises swelling a cross-linked fully- or partially-neutralized salt of an acrylic acid-based superabsorbent polymer with an aqueous treatment solution comprising hydrogen peroxide, followed by thoroughly drying the swelled polymer. The swelling step uniformly wets the cross-linked salt, and the thorough drying forms the dried powder or granular material in which peroxide is sequestered or bound in a non-volatile manner.
The dried antimicrobial superabsorbent polymer retains non-leaching, physically trapped or sequestered peroxide that is available on demand for oxidative antimicrobial action, described as sustained or controlled release. The formulation can optionally include a metal salt to enhance or augment antimicrobial properties while maintaining peroxide availability after drying and storage.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers a method that produces an antimicrobial superabsorbent polymer as a dried powder or granular material, with peroxide sequestered or bound non-volatilely to enable sustained hydrogen peroxide release. The independent claim includes two main inventive elements: the hydrogen peroxide swelling treatment of a cross-linked acrylic acid-based SAP salt, and thorough drying to produce non-volatilely sequestered peroxide providing sustained release.
Swelling cross-linked acrylic acid-based SAP salt with hydrogen peroxide
Swelling to uniformly wet a cross-linked fully- or partially-neutralized salt of an acrylic acid-based superabsorbent polymer with an aqueous treatment solution comprising hydrogen peroxide, followed by thorough drying.
Sequestering non-volatile peroxide during thorough drying to form dried antimicrobial SAP
Thoroughly drying the swelled acrylic acid-based superabsorbent polymer to form the antimicrobial superabsorbent polymer, wherein peroxide is sequestered or bound in a non-volatile manner within or on the surface of the dried antimicrobial superabsorbent polymer and provides sustained release of hydrogen peroxide.
Overall, the claim scope is directed to producing a dried antimicrobial superabsorbent polymer by hydrogen peroxide swelling of a cross-linked acrylic acid-based SAP salt, followed by thorough drying so that peroxide remains sequestered or bound non-volatilely and is released in a sustained manner.
Stated Advantages
Non-leaching antimicrobial activity via oxidative antimicrobial action from sequestered hydrogen peroxide.
Sustained release of hydrogen peroxide from the dried antimicrobial superabsorbent polymer.
Peroxide is sequestered or bound in a non-volatile manner within or on the surface of the dried product.
Heat-stable antimicrobial SAP compositions.
Provides odor control and helps control diaper rash in connection with diaper or incontinence uses.
Documented Applications
Diapers and incontinence articles, to reduce odor and control diaper rash.
Other medical or sanitary articles, as described in the document.
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