Development of a superabsorbent polymer using iodine transfer polymerization

We succeeded in developing a novel class of acrylic acid (AA)-based superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) with remarkably improved absorption performance by applying iodine transfer polymerization (ITP). A specific organoiodine chain transfer agent was newly developed and found to provide moderate to good control over the polymerization of AA in aqueous solution. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements revealed that the polymer network prepared using our ITP technology is relatively homogeneous. Our new SAP exhibits a good balance between absorption capacity and gel strength, and it enables a quick response to diversified customer needs in the diaper industry. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first case in which reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) has been practically applied to commodity polymer products. This review focuses on how we connected the old but highly practical ITP and SAP production.