Water absorbent is a chemical material with strong water absorption ability, widely used in multiple fields. The following is a detailed introduction about water absorbing agents:
1、 Definition and Principle
Water absorbent is a kind of macromolecular compound, which can absorb and store a large amount of water, thus forming a gel like state. They typically achieve adsorption and retention of water through their unique molecular structure and chemical properties, such as the presence of hydrophilic groups.
2、 Types
Common water absorbents include silica gel, calcium chloride, hydrogel water absorbents, etc.
Silicone: a highly active adsorbent material, mainly composed of silicon dioxide, with stable chemical properties and no combustion. Silicone has the appearance of transparent or milky white granular solids, and its moisture absorption can reach 30-40% of its own weight, even up to 300%. Silicone is commonly used in gas drying, liquid dehydration, chromatographic analysis, and can also be used in catalysts and dehumidifiers.
Calcium chloride: a salt composed of chlorine and calcium elements, white, hard fragments or particles, slightly bitter, odorless. Calcium chloride is prone to moisture absorption and deliquescence, and has important application value in various fields such as food manufacturing, building materials, medicine, and biology.
Hydrogel water absorbent: also known as super water absorbent, its main component is cross-linked polymer, and its water absorption capacity is extremely strong, which can absorb hundreds of times of its own weight. Hydrogel water absorbents can not only absorb water, but also release water to keep things relatively dry. They are widely used in agriculture, horticulture, household and other fields.
3、 Characteristics
Water absorbing agents typically have the following properties:
High water absorption: It can absorb a lot of water and form gel.
Stability: chemically stable, not easily decomposed or deteriorated.
Safety: Most water absorbing agents are non-toxic, odorless, non corrosive, and friendly to human health and the environment.
Renewable: Some water absorbing agents such as silicone can be reused repeatedly.
4、 Application Fields
Water absorbing agents have a wide range of applications in multiple fields, including:
In the field of healthcare: used to eliminate pollutants and liquid immersion, such as in physiological laxatives, diapers, and sanitary wipes, to help absorb liquids such as urine and keep them dry.
In the field of agriculture, as a water retention agent, it is used to prevent land drought and protect the growth of crops. At the same time, water absorbing agents can also be used to protect seeds, improve germination rate and seedling growth rate.
In the fields of packaging, transportation, and warehousing, silicone water absorbing agents are widely used to prevent goods from rotting due to moisture during transportation and warehousing.
5、 Precautions for use
When using water absorbing agents, the following points should be noted:
Choose the appropriate type of water absorbent to meet specific application requirements.
Use according to the recommended dosage to avoid excessive use that may result in decreased performance or increased costs.
Pay attention to the storage conditions of water absorbing agents, avoid direct sunlight and high temperature environments, and maintain dryness and ventilation.
Before use, stir or mix thoroughly to ensure that the water absorbent can be evenly dispersed in the liquid or solid.
In summary, water absorbing agents are powerful chemical materials with extensive applications in multiple fields. By selecting the appropriate type and usage method of water absorbent, its water absorption performance can be fully utilized to meet various application needs.
