The Procter & Gamble Company
Agglomerated superabsorbent polymer particles comprising clay platelets with edge modification and/or surface modification

Abstract:

Agglomerated superabsorbent polymer particles are provided and obtained by a method including the steps of: (a) providing precursor superabsorbent polymer particles having a first mass average particle size .sup.1mAvPS, (b) mixing the precursor superabsorbent polymer particles with a solution, and (c) polymerizing the mixed solution if the solution includes polymerizable monomers and/or oligomers or crosslinking the mixed solution if the solution includes crosslinkable polymers. The solution includes (i) homogeneously dispersed therein, clay platelets with opposing basal platelet surfaces and platelet edges; (ii) one or more surface modification compound(s) and/or edge modification compound(s); and (iii) polymerizable monomers and/or oligomers, or (iv) crosslinkable polymers. The agglomerated superabsorbent polymer particles have a second mass average particle size .sup.2mAvPS which is at least 25% greater than the first mass average particle size .sup.1mAvPS.