Superabsorbent Polymer

CCA! Volume 5

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Superabsorbent Polymer

A superabsorbent polymer absorbs many times its weight in water, forming a gel. Sodium chloride disrupts the gel, and the mixture becomes a liquid again.


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Voiceover
Water is added to a few grams of superabsorbent sodium acrylate polymer. The polymer absorbs the water, forming a gel. The addition of an electrolyte such as sodium chloride collapses the gel. The positively charged metal ions are attracted to the negative charges on the polymer, shielding them from the surrounding water. This changes the interaction between the polymer and water, and the mixture becomes fluid again.

Design, Text, and Demonstration:
	Kristin Johnson	University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706

Video production, editing, and voice:
	Jerrold J. Jacobsen	University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
	Greg Minix	University of Wisconsin - Madison, College of Engineering, Madison, WI 53706
	Michael Killips	University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Nursing, Madison, WI 53706