JP2020121090A - Water absorption resin particle, absorber, and absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article having an excellent penetration speed, and water absorption resin particles and an absorber providing the absorbent article.SOLUTION: An absorbent article 100 includes an absorber 10. The absorber 10 contains water absorption resin particles 10a. In the water absorption resin particle 10a, a water absorption speed based on the Vortex method of 300 rpm is 10-50 seconds.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a water absorbent resin particle, an absorbent body and an absorbent article.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an absorbent body containing water-absorbent resin particles has been used for an absorbent article for absorbing a liquid containing water as a main component (for example, urine). For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below disclose water-absorbent resin particles having a predetermined water-absorption rate based on the conventional Vortex method of 600 rpm.

JP, 2013-132433, A JP, 2008-178667, A

If the liquid supplied to the absorbent article does not sufficiently penetrate into the absorbent article, the excess liquid may flow on the surface thereof and leak to the outside of the absorbent article. Therefore, the liquid is required to permeate the absorbent article at an excellent permeation rate.

An aspect of the present invention is to provide water-absorbent resin particles capable of obtaining an absorbent article having an excellent permeation rate. Another object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent body and an absorbent article using the water absorbent resin particles.

The present inventor has obtained an excellent permeation rate when the water-absorbent resin particles are used in an absorbent article, even when the water-absorbent resin particles have an excellent water-absorption rate of 600 rpm based on the conventional Vortex method. After finding that it is difficult in some cases, it is found that the water-absorbent resin particles having a suitable water absorption rate based on the slow flow Vortex method of 300 rpm are effective in obtaining an absorbent article having an excellent permeation rate. It was

One aspect of the present invention provides water absorbent resin particles having a water absorption rate of 10 to 50 seconds based on a Vortex method of 300 rpm.

According to the above water-absorbent resin particles, it is possible to obtain an absorbent article having an excellent penetration rate.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an absorber containing the above-described water-absorbent resin particles.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an absorbent article including the absorber described above.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide water-absorbent resin particles capable of obtaining an absorbent article having an excellent permeation rate. Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent body and an absorbent article using the water absorbent resin particles. According to another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide the application of the resin particles, the absorbent body, and the absorbent article to the liquid absorption.

It is sectional drawing which shows an example of an absorbent article.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and can be variously modified and implemented within the scope of the gist thereof.

In the present specification, “acrylic” and “methacrylic” are collectively referred to as “(meth)acrylic”. "Acrylate" and "methacrylate" are also referred to as "(meth)acrylate". In the numerical ranges described stepwise in the present specification, the upper limit value or the lower limit value of the numerical range of a certain stage can be arbitrarily combined with the upper limit value or the lower limit value of the numerical range of another stage. In the numerical range described in this specification, the upper limit value or the lower limit value of the numerical range may be replaced with the value shown in the examples. “Water-soluble” means exhibiting a solubility of 5% by mass or more in water at 25° C. The materials exemplified in this specification may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. The content of each component in the composition means the total amount of the plurality of substances present in the composition, unless a plurality of substances corresponding to each component are present in the composition, unless otherwise specified. The “physiological saline” refers to a 0.9 mass% sodium chloride aqueous solution.

In the water absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment, the water absorption rate based on the Vortex method (slow-flow Vortex method) at a rotation speed of 300 rpm (rpm=min ⁻¹ ) is 10 to 50 seconds. With such water absorbent resin particles, it is possible to obtain an absorbent article having an excellent permeation rate. Further, according to the water absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment, when the absorbent member is brought into contact with the liquid supply position of the absorbent article in a state where the liquid has penetrated into the absorbent article, the absorbent article penetrates into the absorbent article. Liquid is difficult to be absorbed by the absorbent member (that is, excellent quick drying property is obtained).

The water absorption rate based on the conventional Vortex method of 600 rpm established by JIS in 1996 is useful as a simple index that allows easy comparison of resins made by various manufacturing methods in the water absorbent resin industry whose technological development has been diverse. Met. However, as the manufacturing method further evolves and water-absorbing properties are given by various modifiers, there are cases in which the index is not sufficient for applications such as absorbent articles (eg, diapers). There is.

On the other hand, the present inventors have found that the Vortex method not only measures the speed of contact and uptake of the liquid with the resin, but also that the vortex generated by the flow of the liquid is converged so that the absorption capacity of the resin is It is presumed that it is required to have a certain value or more, and that the characteristics such as ease of block formation due to shape and gel strength (ease of swelling) are comprehensively evaluated. In addition, in the recent water-absorbent resin, it was hypothesized that the degree of dynamic load could be improved as an index for absorbent articles, and the 300 rpm low-speed flow Vortex method was found.

The water absorption rate based on the low-speed flow Vortex method of 300 rpm is the same as Japanese Industrial Standard JIS K 7224 (1996), which is also disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above, except that the rotation speed 600 rpm of the conventional Vortex method is changed to 300 rpm. It can be obtained based on the compliant Vortex method. The water absorption rate at 25° C. can be used as the water absorption rate based on the slow flow Vortex method of 300 rpm. Specifically, 2.0±0.002 g of the water-absorbent resin particles were added to 50±0.1 g of physiological saline stirred at 300 rpm, and after the addition of the water-absorbent resin particles, the vortex disappeared and the liquid surface The water absorption speed can be obtained as the time [sec] until the surface becomes flat.

The water absorption rate based on the low-speed Vortex method of 300 rpm is preferably 48 seconds or less, 45 seconds or less, 42 seconds or less, or 41 seconds or less from the viewpoint of easily obtaining an excellent permeation rate and quick drying property. The water absorption rate based on the slow flow Vortex method is 40 seconds or less, 39 seconds or less, 38 seconds or less, 37 seconds or less, 36 seconds or less, 35 seconds or less, 34 seconds or less, 33 seconds or less, or 32 seconds or less, Good. The water absorption rate based on the slow flow Vortex method is preferably 15 seconds or more, 20 seconds or more, 25 seconds or more, or 30 seconds or more from the viewpoint of easily avoiding gel blocking due to excessively fast absorption. The water absorption rate based on the slow flow Vortex method may be 32 seconds or longer, 34 seconds or longer, 35 seconds or longer, or 37 seconds or longer.

In the water absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment, the water absorption rate based on the conventional Vortex method of 600 rpm may be in the following range. The water absorption rate based on the conventional Vortex method may be 60 seconds or less, 55 seconds or less, 50 seconds or less, 48 seconds or less, 47 seconds or less, 46 seconds or less, or 45 seconds or less. The water absorption rate based on the conventional Vortex method may be 10 seconds or more, 15 seconds or more, 20 seconds or more, 25 seconds or more, 30 seconds or more, 32 seconds or more, or 34 seconds or more. From these viewpoints, the water absorption rate based on the conventional Vortex method may be 10 to 60 seconds. The water absorption rate based on the conventional Vortex method can be obtained based on the Vortex method based on Japanese Industrial Standard JIS K 7224 (1996). As the water absorption rate based on the conventional Vortex method, the water absorption rate at 25° C. can be used.

The ratio R _sf /R _c of the water absorption rate R _{slow fluid} (R _sf ) based on the slow flow rate Vortex method to the water absorption rate R _conventional (R _c ) based on the conventional Vortex method is such that it is easy to obtain an excellent permeation rate and quick drying property. Therefore, 1.30 or less, 1.29 or less, 1.25 or less, 1.20 or less, 1.15 or less, 1.10 or less, or 1.09 or less is preferable. The ratio R _sf /R _c is preferably 0.50 or more, 0.60 or more, 0.70 or more, or 0.75 or more from the viewpoint of easily avoiding gel blocking due to excessively fast absorption. From these viewpoints, the ratio R _sf /R _c is preferably 0.50 to 1.30. The ratio R _sf /R _c may be 1.08 or less, 1.05 or less, 1.00 or less, 0.95 or less, 0.93 or less, or 0.92 or less. The ratio R _sf /R _c may be 0.80 or higher, 0.85 or higher, or 0.90 or higher.

The water-absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment only need to be able to retain water, and the liquid to be absorbed can contain water. The water-absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment have excellent absorbability of body fluids such as urine, sweat, blood (for example, menstrual blood). The water absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment can be used as a constituent component of the absorber according to the present embodiment.

The water retention capacity of the physiological saline of the water absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment is preferably within the following range. The water retention amount is preferably 10 g/g or more, 15 g/g or more, 20 g/g or more, 25 g/g or more, or 30 g/g or more from the viewpoint of easily obtaining an excellent permeation rate and quick drying property. The water retention amount is 80 g/g or less, 75 g/g or less, 70 g/g or less, 65 g/g or less, 60 g/g or less, 55 g/g or less, 50 g/g, from the viewpoint of easily obtaining an excellent penetration rate and quick drying property. Hereafter, it is preferably 48 g/g or less, or 45 g/g or less. From these viewpoints, the water retention amount is preferably 10 to 80 g/g. The water retention capacity may be 32 g/g or more or 34 g/g or more. The water retention amount may be 43 g/g or less, 42 g/g or less, 40 g/g or less, or 39 g/g or less. The water retention capacity may be 30-40 g/g. As the water retention amount, the water retention amount at room temperature (25±2° C.) can be used. The water retention amount can be measured by the method described in Examples below.

Examples of the shape of the water absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment include a substantially spherical shape, a crushed shape, and a granular shape. The median particle diameter of the water absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment may be 250 to 850 μm, 300 to 700 μm, or 300 to 600 μm. The water-absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment may have a desired particle size distribution at the time of being obtained by the production method described later, but the particle size distribution by performing an operation such as particle size adjustment using classification with a sieve. May be adjusted.

The water-absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment can include, as polymer particles, for example, a cross-linked polymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer containing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer. That is, the water absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment can have a structural unit derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer. A water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer can be used as the ethylenically unsaturated monomer. Examples of the polymerization method include a reverse phase suspension polymerization method, an aqueous solution polymerization method, a bulk polymerization method and a precipitation polymerization method. Among these, the reverse phase suspension polymerization method or the aqueous solution polymerization method is preferable from the viewpoints of ensuring good water absorption properties (water absorption rate, etc.) of the water-absorbent resin particles obtained and controlling the polymerization reaction easily. In the following, the reverse phase suspension polymerization method will be described as an example of the method for polymerizing the ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

The ethylenically unsaturated monomer is preferably water-soluble, and examples thereof include (meth)acrylic acid and salts thereof, 2-(meth)acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and salts thereof, (meth)acrylamide, N. , N-dimethyl(meth)acrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, N-methylol(meth)acrylamide, polyethylene glycol mono(meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylamino Examples include propyl (meth)acrylate and diethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylamide. When the ethylenically unsaturated monomer has an amino group, the amino group may be quaternized. The ethylenically unsaturated monomer may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. A functional group such as a carboxyl group and an amino group of the above-mentioned monomer can function as a functional group capable of being crosslinked in the surface crosslinking step described later.

Among these, the ethylenically unsaturated monomer is selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid and its salts, acrylamide, methacrylamide, and N,N-dimethylacrylamide from the viewpoint of being industrially easily available. It is preferable to contain at least one compound selected, and it is more preferable to contain at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid and salts thereof, and acrylamide. From the viewpoint of further improving the water absorption characteristics (water absorption rate, water retention capacity, etc.), the ethylenically unsaturated monomer more preferably contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid and salts thereof. That is, the water absorbent resin particles preferably have a structural unit derived from at least one selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid and salts thereof.

As the monomer for obtaining the water absorbent resin particles, a monomer other than the above-mentioned ethylenically unsaturated monomer may be used. Such a monomer can be used by being mixed with an aqueous solution containing the above-mentioned ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The amount of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer used is preferably 70 to 100 mol% based on the total amount of the monomers. Above all, the proportion of (meth)acrylic acid and its salt is more preferably 70 to 100 mol% with respect to the total amount of the monomers.

Usually, the ethylenically unsaturated monomer is preferably used as an aqueous solution. The concentration of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer in the aqueous solution containing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer (hereinafter, simply referred to as “monomer aqueous solution”) is preferably 20% by mass or more and a saturated concentration or less, and 25 to 70% by mass. More preferably, 30-55 mass% is still more preferable. Examples of water used in the aqueous solution include tap water, distilled water, ion-exchanged water and the like.

When the ethylenically unsaturated monomer has an acid group, the aqueous monomer solution may be used after neutralizing the acid group with an alkaline neutralizing agent. In the ethylenically unsaturated monomer, the degree of neutralization with an alkaline neutralizing agent is from the viewpoint of increasing the osmotic pressure of the resulting water-absorbent resin particles and further enhancing the water absorption characteristics (water retention capacity, water absorption speed, etc.). It is preferably 10 to 100 mol% of the acidic groups in the unsaturated monomer, more preferably 50 to 90 mol%, and further preferably 60 to 80 mol%. Examples of the alkaline neutralizing agent include alkali metal salts such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydroxide and potassium carbonate; ammonia and the like. The alkaline neutralizing agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. The alkaline neutralizing agent may be used in the form of an aqueous solution in order to simplify the neutralizing operation. The acid group of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer can be neutralized by, for example, dropping an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or the like into the above-mentioned aqueous monomer solution and mixing them.

In the reverse phase suspension polymerization method, an aqueous monomer solution is dispersed in a hydrocarbon dispersion medium in the presence of a surfactant, and the ethylenically unsaturated monomer is polymerized using a radical polymerization initiator or the like. You can A water-soluble radical polymerization initiator can be used as the radical polymerization initiator.

Examples of the surfactant include nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants. As nonionic surfactants, sorbitan fatty acid ester and (poly)glycerin fatty acid ester (“(poly)” means both with and without the prefix “poly”. The same applies hereinafter. ), sucrose fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid ester, sorbitol fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene castor Oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, alkylallyl formaldehyde condensed polyoxyethylene ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymer, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropyl alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester and the like can be mentioned. Examples of anionic surfactants include fatty acid salts, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylmethyl taurates, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfonates, and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates. , Polyoxyethylene alkyl allyl ether phosphate, and the like. The surfactant may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

The surfactant is a sorbitan fatty acid ester, from the viewpoint that the W/O type reverse phase suspension is in a good state, water-absorbent resin particles having a suitable particle size are easily obtained, and industrially easily available. It is preferable to contain at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polyglycerin fatty acid ester and sucrose fatty acid ester. From the viewpoint that an appropriate particle size distribution of the water-absorbent resin particles can be easily obtained, and from the viewpoint that the water-absorbing characteristics of the water-absorbent resin particles (such as the water-absorption rate) and the performance of the absorbent article using the same are easily improved, the surfactant is , Sucrose fatty acid ester is preferable, and sucrose stearate ester is more preferable.

The amount of the surfactant used is preferably 0.05 to 10 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the aqueous monomer solution, from the viewpoint that the effect on the amount used is sufficiently obtained and from the economical viewpoint. 0.08 to 5 parts by mass is more preferable, and 0.1 to 3 parts by mass is still more preferable.

In the reverse phase suspension polymerization, a polymeric dispersant may be used together with the above-mentioned surfactant. As the polymeric dispersant, maleic anhydride-modified polyethylene, maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene, maleic anhydride-modified ethylene/propylene copolymer, maleic anhydride-modified EPDM (ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer), maleic anhydride Modified polybutadiene, maleic anhydride/ethylene copolymer, maleic anhydride/propylene copolymer, maleic anhydride/ethylene/propylene copolymer, maleic anhydride/butadiene copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene/propylene copolymer Examples thereof include coalesce, oxidized polyethylene, oxidized polypropylene, oxidized ethylene/propylene copolymer, ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, ethyl cellulose and ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose. The polymer dispersants may be used alone or in combination of two or more. As the polymer dispersant, from the viewpoint of excellent dispersion stability of the monomer, maleic anhydride-modified polyethylene, maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene, maleic anhydride-modified ethylene/propylene copolymer, maleic anhydride/ethylene copolymer Combined, maleic anhydride/propylene copolymer, maleic anhydride/ethylene/propylene copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene/propylene copolymer, oxidized polyethylene, oxidized polypropylene, and oxidized ethylene/propylene copolymer At least one selected from the group consisting of coalescence is preferable.

The amount of the polymeric dispersant used is preferably 0.05 to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the aqueous monomer solution, from the viewpoint that the effect on the amount used can be sufficiently obtained, and from the economical viewpoint. , 0.08 to 5 parts by mass is more preferable, and 0.1 to 3 parts by mass is further preferable.

The hydrocarbon dispersion medium may contain at least one compound selected from the group consisting of chain aliphatic hydrocarbons having 6 to 8 carbon atoms and alicyclic hydrocarbons having 6 to 8 carbon atoms. As the hydrocarbon dispersion medium, chain aliphatic hydrocarbons such as n-hexane, n-heptane, 2-methylhexane, 3-methylhexane, 2,3-dimethylpentane, 3-ethylpentane and n-octane; cyclohexane Alicyclic hydrocarbons such as methylcyclohexane, cyclopentane, methylcyclopentane, trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopentane, cis-1,3-dimethylcyclopentane, trans-1,3-dimethylcyclopentane; benzene; Examples thereof include aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene. The hydrocarbon dispersion medium may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

The hydrocarbon dispersion medium may contain at least one selected from the group consisting of n-heptane and cyclohexane from the viewpoint of industrial availability and stable quality. From the same viewpoint, as the mixture of the above-mentioned hydrocarbon dispersion media, for example, commercially available exol heptane (manufactured by Exxon Mobil: n-heptane and isomer hydrocarbons 75 to 85% content) is used. May be.

The amount of the hydrocarbon dispersion medium used is preferably 30 to 1000 parts by mass, and 40 to 500 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the aqueous monomer solution, from the viewpoint of appropriately removing the heat of polymerization and controlling the polymerization temperature. Is more preferable and 50 to 400 parts by mass is further preferable. When the amount of the hydrocarbon dispersion medium used is 30 parts by mass or more, control of the polymerization temperature tends to be easy. When the amount of the hydrocarbon dispersion medium used is 1000 parts by mass or less, the productivity of polymerization tends to be improved, which is economical.

The radical polymerization initiator is preferably water-soluble, and examples thereof include persulfates such as potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, and sodium persulfate; methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, methyl isobutyl ketone peroxide, di-t-butyl peroxide, t. -Butyl cumyl peroxide, t-butyl peroxyacetate, t-butyl peroxyisobutyrate, t-butyl peroxypivalate, hydrogen peroxide and other peroxides; 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane ) Dihydrochloride, 2,2'-azobis[2-(N-phenylamidino)propane] dihydrochloride, 2,2'-azobis[2-(N-allylamidino)propane] dihydrochloride, 2,2 '-Azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane] dihydrochloride, 2,2'-azobis{2-[1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazolin-2-yl]propane} Dihydrochloride, 2,2'-azobis{2-methyl-N-[1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]propionamide}, 2,2'-azobis[2-methyl-N- (2-hydroxyethyl)-propionamide], 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid), and other azo compounds. The radical polymerization initiator may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. As the radical polymerization initiator, potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate, 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazoline-2- And at least one selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-azobis{2-[1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazolin-2-yl]propane}dihydrochloride. Is preferred.

The amount of the radical polymerization initiator used may be 0.05 to 10 mmol relative to 1 mol of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer. When the amount of the radical polymerization initiator used is 0.05 mmol or more, the polymerization reaction does not require a long time and is efficient. When the amount of the radical polymerization initiator used is 10 mmol or less, it is easy to prevent a rapid polymerization reaction from occurring.

The above radical polymerization initiator can be used as a redox polymerization initiator in combination with a reducing agent such as sodium sulfite, sodium hydrogen sulfite, ferrous sulfate, and L-ascorbic acid.

During the polymerization reaction, the aqueous monomer solution used for the polymerization may contain a chain transfer agent. Examples of the chain transfer agent include hypophosphites, thiols, thiolic acids, secondary alcohols, amines and the like.

The aqueous monomer solution used for polymerization may contain a thickening agent in order to control the particle size of the water absorbent resin particles. Examples of the thickener include hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyacrylamide, polyethyleneimine, dextrin, sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide and the like. If the stirring speed during polymerization is the same, the higher the viscosity of the aqueous monomer solution, the larger the median particle size of the particles obtained.

Although cross-linking by self-crosslinking occurs during polymerization, the cross-linking may be performed by using an internal cross-linking agent. When the internal cross-linking agent is used, it is easy to control the water absorption characteristics (water absorption rate, water retention amount, etc.) of the water absorbent resin particles. The internal cross-linking agent is usually added to the reaction solution during the polymerization reaction. Examples of the internal cross-linking agent include di- or tri(meth)acrylic acid esters of polyols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylolpropane, glycerin, polyoxyethylene glycol, polyoxypropylene glycol and polyglycerin; Unsaturated polyesters obtained by reacting polyols with unsaturated acids (maleic acid, fumaric acid, etc.); bis(meth)acrylamides such as N,N'-methylenebis(meth)acrylamide; polyepoxides and (meth) Di or tri(meth)acrylic acid esters obtained by reacting with acrylic acid; di(meth) obtained by reacting polyisocyanate (tolylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, etc.) with hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate ) Acrylic acid carbamyl esters; compounds having two or more polymerizable unsaturated groups such as allylated starch, allylated cellulose, diallyl phthalate, N,N′,N″-triallyl isocyanurate, and divinylbenzene; Poly) such as poly) ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, (poly) propylene glycol diglycidyl ether, (poly) glycerin diglycidyl ether, (poly) glycerin triglycidyl ether, (poly) propylene glycol polyglycidyl ether, polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether Glycidyl compounds; haloepoxy compounds such as epichlorohydrin, epibromhydrin, α-methylepichlorohydrin; isocyanate compounds (2,4-tolylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, etc.) The internal cross-linking agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more. As the internal cross-linking agent, a polyglycidyl compound is preferable, and a diglycidyl ether compound. Is more preferable, and at least one selected from the group consisting of (poly)ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, (poly)propylene glycol diglycidyl ether, and (poly)glycerin diglycidyl ether is more preferable.

The amount of the internal cross-linking agent used is such that it is easy to obtain an excellent permeation rate and quick drying property, and the water-soluble property is suppressed by the resulting polymer being appropriately cross-linked, and a sufficient water absorption amount is easily obtained. From the viewpoint, it is preferably 30 mmol or less, more preferably 0.01 to 10 mmol, still more preferably 0.012 to 5 mmol, particularly preferably 0.015 to 1 mmol, per 1 mol of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer. Highly preferred is 0.02-0.1 mmol, with 0.025-0.06 mmol highly preferred.

An ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a radical polymerization initiator, a surfactant, a polymer-based dispersant, a hydrocarbon dispersion medium, etc. (if necessary, further an internal cross-linking agent) are mixed under heating in a mixed state, and oil is added. Reverse phase suspension polymerization can be performed in a medium water system.

When carrying out reverse phase suspension polymerization, an aqueous monomer solution containing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer is used as a hydrocarbon dispersion medium in the presence of a surfactant (and a polymer dispersant if necessary). Disperse. At this time, the surfactant, the polymeric dispersant, etc. may be added before or after the polymerization reaction is started, either before or after the addition of the aqueous monomer solution.

Among them, from the viewpoint of easily reducing the amount of the hydrocarbon dispersion medium remaining in the obtained water-absorbent resin, the surfactant is prepared by dispersing the aqueous monomer solution in the hydrocarbon dispersion medium in which the polymer dispersant is dispersed. It is preferable to carry out the polymerization after further dispersing.

The reverse phase suspension polymerization can be performed in one stage or in multiple stages of two or more stages. The reverse phase suspension polymerization is preferably carried out in 2 to 3 stages from the viewpoint of improving productivity.

When performing reverse phase suspension polymerization in multiple stages of two or more stages, after performing the first stage reverse phase suspension polymerization, the reaction mixture obtained in the first stage polymerization reaction is mixed with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The body may be added and mixed, and the reverse phase suspension polymerization of the second and subsequent stages may be carried out in the same manner as in the first stage. In the reverse phase suspension polymerization in each of the second and subsequent stages, in addition to the ethylenically unsaturated monomer, the radical polymerization initiator and/or the internal crosslinking agent described above are used in the reverse phase in each of the second and subsequent stages. Based on the amount of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer added during suspension polymerization, reverse phase suspension polymerization is carried out by adding within the range of the molar ratio of each component to the above ethylenically unsaturated monomer. It is preferable. In the reverse phase suspension polymerization in the second and subsequent stages, an internal cross-linking agent may be used if necessary. When an internal cross-linking agent is used, it is added within the range of the molar ratio of each component to the above-mentioned ethylenically unsaturated monomer based on the amount of ethylenically unsaturated monomer to be supplied to each stage, and the reverse phase suspension is added. It is preferable to carry out turbid polymerization.

The temperature of the polymerization reaction varies depending on the radical polymerization initiator used, but the polymerization is promoted rapidly and the polymerization time is shortened to improve economic efficiency, and the heat of polymerization is easily removed to smoothly carry out the reaction. From a viewpoint, 20-150 degreeC is preferable and 40-120 degreeC is more preferable. The reaction time is usually 0.5 to 4 hours. The completion of the polymerization reaction can be confirmed by, for example, stopping the temperature rise in the reaction system. Thereby, the polymer of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer is usually obtained in a hydrogel state.

After the polymerization, a cross-linking agent may be added to the obtained hydrous gel polymer after the polymerization and the mixture may be heated for cross-linking. By crosslinking after the polymerization, the degree of crosslinking of the hydrogel polymer can be increased to further improve the water absorption characteristics (water absorption rate, water retention amount, etc.).

Post-polymerization crosslinking agents include polyols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, trimethylolpropane, glycerin, polyoxyethylene glycol, polyoxypropylene glycol and polyglycerin; (poly)ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether. Compounds having two or more epoxy groups, such as (poly)propylene glycol diglycidyl ether and (poly)glycerin diglycidyl ether; haloepoxy compounds such as epichlorohydrin, epibromhydrin, α-methylepichlorohydrin; 2,4- Compounds having two or more isocyanate groups such as tolylene diisocyanate and hexamethylene diisocyanate; oxazoline compounds such as 1,2-ethylenebisoxazoline; carbonate compounds such as ethylene carbonate; bis[N,N-di(β-hydroxy Ethyl)] adipamide and other hydroxyalkylamide compounds. Among these, polyglycidyl compounds such as (poly)ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, (poly)glycerin diglycidyl ether, (poly)glycerin triglycidyl ether, (poly)propylene glycol polyglycidyl ether, and polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether are preferable. .. The crosslinking agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

The amount of the post-polymerization crosslinking agent is preferably 30 mmol or less, and more preferably 10 mmol or less, per 1 mol of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer from the viewpoint that suitable water absorption characteristics (water absorption rate, water retention amount, etc.) are easily obtained. , 0.01 to 5 mmol, more preferably 0.012 to 1 mmol, particularly preferably 0.015 to 0.1 mmol, very preferably 0.02 to 0.05 mmol.

The post-polymerization crosslinking agent may be added after the polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer used in the polymerization, and in the case of multi-stage polymerization, it is preferably added after the multi-stage polymerization. In consideration of heat generation during and after the polymerization, retention due to process delay, opening of the system at the time of adding the cross-linking agent, and fluctuation of water content due to addition of water accompanying the addition of the cross-linking agent, the cross-linking agent after the polymerization is hydrated. From the viewpoint of the rate (described later), it is preferable to add in the range of [water content immediately after polymerization ±3 mass%].

Subsequently, the obtained hydrous gel polymer is dried to remove water, whereby polymer particles (for example, polymer particles having a structural unit derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer) are obtained. As a drying method, for example, (a) the hydrogel polymer is dispersed in a hydrocarbon dispersion medium, and azeotropic distillation is performed by externally heating the mixture to reflux the hydrocarbon dispersion medium to remove water. The method, (b) the method of taking out the hydrous gel-like polymer by decantation and drying under reduced pressure, and the method of (c) separating the hydrous gel-like polymer by filtration and drying under reduced pressure. Above all, it is preferable to use the method (a) because it is easy in the manufacturing process.

The particle diameter of the water-absorbent resin particles can be adjusted by adjusting the rotation speed of the stirrer during the polymerization reaction, or by adding a coagulant into the system after the polymerization reaction or at the beginning of the drying. By adding the aggregating agent, the particle diameter of the water-absorbent resin particles obtained can be increased. An inorganic coagulant can be used as the coagulant. Examples of the inorganic coagulant (for example, powdery inorganic coagulant) include silica, zeolite, bentonite, aluminum oxide, talc, titanium dioxide, kaolin, clay, hydrotalcite and the like. From the viewpoint of excellent aggregating effect, the aggregating agent is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of silica, aluminum oxide, talc and kaolin.

In the reverse phase suspension polymerization, as a method of adding the flocculant, after preliminarily dispersing the flocculant in a hydrocarbon dispersion medium or water of the same kind as that used in the polymerization, under stirring, the hydrogel polymer The method of mixing in the hydrocarbon dispersion medium containing is preferable.

The addition amount of the aggregating agent is preferably 0.001 to 1 part by mass, more preferably 0.005 to 0.5 part by mass, and even more preferably 0.001 part by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer used for polymerization. More preferably, it is from 01 to 0.2 parts by mass. When the amount of the aggregating agent added is within the above range, water-absorbent resin particles having a desired particle size distribution can be easily obtained.

In the production of the water-absorbent resin particles, in the drying step (water removal step) or in subsequent steps, surface cross-linking of the surface portion (surface and the vicinity of the surface) of the hydrogel polymer is performed using a surface cross-linking agent. Is preferred. By carrying out surface cross-linking, it is easy to control the water absorption characteristics (water absorption rate, water retention amount, etc.) of the water absorbent resin particles. The surface cross-linking is preferably performed at a timing when the hydrogel polymer has a specific water content. The time of surface cross-linking is preferably a time when the water content of the hydrogel polymer is 5 to 50 mass %, more preferably 10 to 40 mass %, and further preferably 15 to 35 mass %. The water content (mass %) of the hydrogel polymer is calculated by the following formula.
Moisture content=[Ww/(Ww+Ws)]×100
Ww: Required when mixing the coagulant, surface cross-linking agent, etc. to the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of water discharged to the outside of the system in the drying process from the amount of water contained in the aqueous monomer solution before the polymerization in the entire polymerization process The water content of the hydrogel polymer including the water content used according to.
Ws: Solid content calculated from the charged amounts of materials such as an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a cross-linking agent, and an initiator that compose the hydrogel polymer.

Examples of the surface cross-linking agent include compounds having two or more reactive functional groups. As the surface cross-linking agent, polyols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, trimethylolpropane, glycerin, polyoxyethylene glycol, polyoxypropylene glycol and polyglycerin; (poly)ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether Polyglycidyl compounds such as (poly)glycerin diglycidyl ether, (poly)glycerin triglycidyl ether, trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether (poly)propylene glycol polyglycidyl ether, (poly)glycerol polyglycidyl ether; epichlorohydrin, Haloepoxy compounds such as epibromhydrin and α-methylepichlorohydrin; isocyanate compounds such as 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate and hexamethylene diisocyanate; 3-methyl-3-oxetanemethanol, 3-ethyl-3-oxetanemethanol , 3-butyl-3-oxetanemethanol, 3-methyl-3-oxetaneethanol, 3-ethyl-3-oxetaneethanol, 3-butyl-3-oxetaneethanol and other oxetane compounds; 1,2-ethylenebisoxazoline and the like. Oxazoline compounds; carbonate compounds such as ethylene carbonate; hydroxyalkylamide compounds such as bis[N,N-di(β-hydroxyethyl)]adipamide. The surface cross-linking agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. As the surface cross-linking agent, a polyglycidyl compound is preferable, and (poly)ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, (poly)glycerin diglycidyl ether, (poly)glycerin triglycidyl ether, (poly)propylene glycol polyglycidyl ether, and polyglycerol At least one selected from the group consisting of polyglycidyl ether is more preferable.

The amount of the surface cross-linking agent used is 0.01 to 20 mmol relative to 1 mol of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer used for the polymerization, from the viewpoint that suitable water absorption characteristics (water absorption rate, water retention amount, etc.) are easily obtained. Is preferred, 0.05-10 mmol is more preferred, 0.1-5 mmol is even more preferred, 0.15-1 mmol is particularly preferred, and 0.2-0.5 mmol is extremely preferred.

After the surface cross-linking, the water and the hydrocarbon dispersion medium are distilled off by a known method, the polymer particles are dried by heating under reduced pressure to obtain polymer particles which are surface cross-linked dry products.

As described above, the polymer particles contained in the water-absorbent resin particles can be obtained by using the internal cross-linking agent used during the polymerization of the monomer, and the internal cross-linking agent and the monomer are used after the polymerization of the monomer. An external cross-linking agent (a post-polymerization cross-linking agent used after the polymerization of the monomer, and a surface cross-linking agent used in the drying step after the polymerization of the monomer or the subsequent steps) can be used. The ratio of the amount of the external cross-linking agent used to the internal cross-linking agent (external cross-linking agent/internal cross-linking agent) is preferably 5 to 100, and 6 to 6 from the viewpoint of easily obtaining suitable water absorption characteristics (water absorption rate, water retention amount, etc.). 80 is more preferable, 8 to 60 is further preferable, 10 to 40 is particularly preferable, and 10 to 30 is extremely preferable. The water absorbent resin particles may include polymer particles that are a reaction product using an internal crosslinking agent, and may include polymer particles that are a reaction product using an internal crosslinking agent and an external crosslinking agent. The ratio of the amount of the external crosslinking agent to the internal crosslinking agent used in the polymer particles is preferably within the above range.

The water-absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment include, for example, a gel stabilizer, a metal chelating agent (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and its salt, diethylenetriamine-5-acetic acid and its salt, such as diethylenetriamine-5-acetic acid 5 sodium salt) in addition to the polymer particles. , An additional component such as a fluidity improver (lubricant) and the like. The additional components can be located within the polymer particles, on the surface of the polymer particles, or both.

The water absorbent resin particles may include a plurality of inorganic particles arranged on the surface of the polymer particles. For example, the inorganic particles can be arranged on the surface of the polymer particles by mixing the polymer particles and the inorganic particles. The inorganic particles may be silica particles such as amorphous silica.

When the water absorbent resin particles include the inorganic particles arranged on the surface of the polymer particles, the content of the inorganic particles may be in the following range based on the total mass of the polymer particles. The content of the inorganic particles may be 0.05% by mass or more, 0.1% by mass or more, 0.15% by mass or more, or 0.2% by mass or more. The content of the inorganic particles may be 5.0% by mass or less, 3.0% by mass or less, 1.0% by mass or less, or 0.5% by mass or less.

The inorganic particles here usually have a minute size as compared with the size of the polymer particles. For example, the average particle size of the inorganic particles may be 0.1 to 50 μm, 0.5 to 30 μm, or 1 to 20 μm. The average particle diameter can be measured by the pore electrical resistance method or the laser diffraction/scattering method depending on the characteristics of the particles.

The absorber according to the present embodiment contains the water absorbent resin particles according to the present embodiment. The absorber according to the present embodiment may contain a fibrous substance, and is, for example, a mixture containing water-absorbent resin particles and a fibrous substance. The structure of the absorbent body may be, for example, a structure in which the water-absorbent resin particles and the fibrous substance are uniformly mixed, and the water-absorbent resin particles are sandwiched between the fibrous substances formed into a sheet or layer. It may be a configuration or another configuration.

Examples of the fibrous material include finely pulverized wood pulp; cotton; cotton linters; rayon; cellulosic fibers such as cellulose acetate; synthetic fibers such as polyamide, polyester and polyolefin; and a mixture of these fibers. The fibrous material may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. Hydrophilic fibers can be used as the fibrous material.

The fibers may be bonded to each other by adding an adhesive binder to the fibrous material in order to improve shape retention before and during use of the absorbent body. Examples of the adhesive binder include heat-fusible synthetic fibers, hot melt adhesives and adhesive emulsions. The adhesive binder may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

Examples of the heat-fusible synthetic fiber include a total fusion type binder such as polyethylene, polypropylene and an ethylene-propylene copolymer; and a non-total fusion type binder having a side-by-side or core-sheath structure of polypropylene and polyethylene. In the above-mentioned non-total melting type binder, only the polyethylene part can be heat-sealed.

Examples of hot melt adhesives include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer. , A mixture of a base polymer such as amorphous polypropylene and a tackifier, a plasticizer, an antioxidant and the like.

Examples of the adhesive emulsion include a polymer of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, styrene, acrylonitrile, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, butadiene, ethylene, and vinyl acetate.

The absorber according to the present embodiment may contain an inorganic powder (for example, amorphous silica), a deodorant, an antibacterial agent, a pigment, a dye, a fragrance, an adhesive, and the like. When the water-absorbent resin particles contain inorganic particles, the absorber may contain an inorganic powder in addition to the inorganic particles in the water-absorbent resin particles.

The shape of the absorber according to this embodiment may be, for example, a sheet shape. The thickness of the absorbent body (for example, the thickness of the sheet-shaped absorbent body) may be 0.1 to 20 mm or 0.3 to 15 mm.

The content of the water-absorbent resin particles in the absorber is 2 to 100% by mass, 10 to 80% by mass, or 20 to 20% by mass with respect to the total amount of the water-absorbent resin particles and the fibrous substance, from the viewpoint of easily obtaining sufficient water absorbing performance. It may be 60% by weight.

The content of the water-absorbent resin particles in the absorber is preferably 100 to 1000 g, more preferably 150 to 800 g, and further preferably 200 to 700 g per 1 m ^{2 of} the absorber from the viewpoint of easily obtaining sufficient water absorbing performance. The content of the fibrous material in the absorbent body is preferably 50 to 800 g, more preferably 100 to 600 g, still more preferably 150 to 500 g, per 1 m ^{2 of} the absorbent body, from the viewpoint of easily obtaining sufficient water absorption performance.

The absorbent article according to the present embodiment includes the absorber according to the present embodiment. The absorbent article according to the present embodiment is a core wrap that retains the shape of the absorbent body and prevents the constituent members of the absorbent body from falling off or flowing; liquid permeability that is arranged on the outermost side on the side where the liquid to be absorbed enters. Sheet: Examples include a liquid-impermeable sheet arranged on the outermost side on the side opposite to the side where the liquid to be absorbed permeates. Examples of absorbent articles include diapers (eg, paper diapers), toilet training pants, incontinence pads, sanitary materials (sanitary napkins, tampons, etc.), sweat pads, pet sheets, simple toilet parts, animal excrement disposal materials, etc. ..

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an absorbent article. The absorbent article 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an absorber 10, core wraps 20a and 20b, a liquid permeable sheet 30, and a liquid impermeable sheet 40. In the absorbent article 100, the liquid impermeable sheet 40, the core wrap 20b, the absorber 10, the core wrap 20a, and the liquid permeable sheet 30 are laminated in this order. In FIG. 1, there is a portion where there is a gap between the members, but the members may be in close contact with each other without the gap.

The absorber 10 includes the water-absorbent resin particles 10a according to the present embodiment and a fiber layer 10b containing a fibrous material. The water absorbent resin particles 10a are dispersed in the fiber layer 10b.

The core wrap 20a is arranged on one surface side of the absorbent body 10 (the upper side of the absorbent body 10 in FIG. 1) while being in contact with the absorbent body 10. The core wrap 20b is arranged on the other surface side of the absorbent body 10 (below the absorbent body 10 in FIG. 1) while being in contact with the absorbent body 10. The absorber 10 is arranged between the core wrap 20a and the core wrap 20b. Examples of the core wraps 20a and 20b include tissues, non-woven fabrics, woven fabrics, synthetic resin films having liquid permeation holes, net-like sheets having a mesh, and the like. The core wrap 20a and the core wrap 20b have, for example, a main surface having the same size as the absorber 10.

The liquid permeable sheet 30 is arranged on the outermost side on the side where the liquid to be absorbed enters. The liquid permeable sheet 30 is arranged on the core wrap 20a while being in contact with the core wrap 20a. Examples of the liquid permeable sheet 30 include a nonwoven fabric made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and polyamide, and a porous sheet. The liquid impermeable sheet 40 is arranged on the outermost side of the absorbent article 100 on the side opposite to the liquid permeable sheet 30. The liquid-impermeable sheet 40 is arranged below the core wrap 20b while being in contact with the core wrap 20b. Examples of the liquid impermeable sheet 40 include a sheet made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride, and a sheet made of a composite material of these synthetic resins and a non-woven fabric. The liquid permeable sheet 30 and the liquid impermeable sheet 40 have, for example, a main surface wider than the main surface of the absorber 10, and the outer edge portions of the liquid permeable sheet 30 and the liquid impermeable sheet 40 are It extends around the absorber 10 and the core wraps 20a, 20b.

The size relationship among the absorber 10, the core wraps 20a and 20b, the liquid permeable sheet 30, and the liquid impermeable sheet 40 is not particularly limited, and is appropriately adjusted according to the application of the absorbent article and the like. The method of retaining the shape of the absorbent core 10 using the core wraps 20a and 20b is not particularly limited, and the absorbent core may be wrapped with a plurality of core wraps as shown in FIG. 1, and the absorbent core may be wrapped with one core wrap. But it's okay.

The absorber may be adhered to the topsheet. When the absorbent body is sandwiched or covered by the core wrap, it is preferable that at least the core wrap and the top sheet are bonded together, and the core wrap and the top sheet are bonded together and the core wrap and the absorbent body are bonded together. Is more preferable. As a method for adhering the absorbent body, a hot melt adhesive is applied to the top sheet at predetermined intervals in the width direction in a stripe shape, a spiral shape, or the like to adhere it; starch, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc. Examples of the method include bonding using a water-soluble binder such as the water-soluble polymer. Further, when the absorbent body contains the heat-fusible synthetic fiber, a method of adhering the heat-fusible synthetic fiber by heat fusion may be adopted.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a liquid absorbing method using the water absorbent resin particles, the absorber or the absorbent article according to the present embodiment. The liquid absorbing method according to the present embodiment includes a step of bringing a liquid to be absorbed into contact with the water absorbent resin particles, the absorber or the absorbent article according to the present embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, there is provided a method for improving the permeation rate of an absorbent article, which uses the water absorbent resin particles, the absorbent body or the absorbent article according to the present embodiment. it can. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a method for producing water-absorbent resin particles, which includes a selection step of selecting water-absorbent resin particles based on a water-absorption rate based on the low-speed flow Vortex method (300 rpm Vortex method). In the selection step, for example, the water-absorbent resin particles are selected based on whether or not the water absorption rate based on the low-speed flow Vortex method is 10 to 50 seconds.

Hereinafter, the contents of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following Examples.

<Production of water absorbent resin particles>
(Example 1)
A round-bottomed separable flask having an inner diameter of 11 cm and an internal volume of 2 L equipped with a reflux condenser, a dropping funnel, a nitrogen gas introducing pipe, and a stirrer (stirring blade having two inclined paddle blades with a blade diameter of 5 cm in two stages). Prepared. To this flask, 293 g of n-heptane is added as a hydrocarbon dispersion medium, and 0.736 g of a maleic anhydride-modified ethylene/propylene copolymer (High Wax 1105A manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) is added as a polymer dispersant. This gave a mixture. After heating the mixture to 80° C. with stirring to dissolve the dispersant, the mixture was cooled to 50° C.

Next, 92.0 g of 80.5 mass% acrylic acid aqueous solution (acrylic acid: 1.03 mol) was added as a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer to a beaker having an internal volume of 300 mL. Subsequently, with cooling from the outside, 147.7 g of a 20.9 mass% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was dropped into the beaker to neutralize 75 mol%. Thereafter, 0.092 g of hydroxylethyl cellulose (HEC AW-15F manufactured by Sumitomo Seika Chemicals, Ltd.) as a thickener, 0.0736 g (0.272 mmol) of potassium persulfate as a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator, and ethylene as an internal cross-linking agent. A first-stage aqueous liquid was prepared by adding 0.010 g (0.057 mmol) of glycol diglycidyl ether and then dissolving it.

Then, the above first-stage aqueous liquid was added to the above separable flask while stirring at a rotation speed of the stirrer of 550 rpm, and then the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. Thereafter, 0.736 g of sucrose stearate (surfactant, manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Foods Co., Ltd., Ryoto Sugar Ester S-370, HLB value: 3) was dissolved in 6.62 g of n-heptane by heating to dissolve. The surfactant solution was added to the separable flask. Then, the system was sufficiently replaced with nitrogen while stirring at a rotation speed of the stirrer of 550 rpm. Then, the flask was immersed in a water bath at 70° C. to raise the temperature, and polymerization was carried out for 60 minutes to obtain a first stage polymerization slurry liquid.

Next, 128.8 g (acrylic acid: 1.43 mol) of an 80.5 mass% acrylic acid aqueous solution as a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer was added to another beaker having an internal volume of 500 mL. Subsequently, while cooling from the outside, 159.0 g of a 27 mass% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution was dropped into the beaker to neutralize 75 mol%. Thereafter, 0.090 g (0.334 mmol) of potassium persulfate was added as a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator and then dissolved to prepare a second-stage aqueous liquid.

Next, after the inside of the separable flask described above was cooled to 25° C. while stirring at a rotation speed of the stirrer of 1000 rpm, the total amount of the above-mentioned second-stage aqueous liquid was added to the above-mentioned first-stage polymerized slurry liquid. Was added to. Subsequently, the system was purged with nitrogen for 30 minutes, and then the flask was again immersed in a water bath at 70° C. to raise the temperature, and the polymerization reaction was carried out for 60 minutes. Thereafter, 0.580 g of a 2% by mass aqueous solution of ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether: 0.067 mmol) was added as a post-polymerization crosslinking agent to obtain a second stage hydrogel polymer. ..

0.265 g of a 45% by mass aqueous solution of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 5 sodium salt was added to the above-mentioned second stage hydrous gel polymer under stirring. Then, the flask was immersed in an oil bath set at 125° C., and 241.9 g of water was extracted from the system while refluxing n-heptane by azeotropic distillation of n-heptane and water. Then, 4.42 g of a 2% by mass ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether aqueous solution (ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether: 0.507 mmol) was added to the flask as a surface cross-linking agent, and the mixture was kept at 83° C. for 2 hours.

Then, n-heptane was evaporated at 125° C. and dried to obtain polymer particles (dry product). After passing the polymer particles through a sieve with an opening of 850 μm, 0.5% by mass of amorphous silica (TOKUSIL NP-S, manufactured by Oriental Silicas Corporation) was added based on the total mass of the polymer particles. By mixing with the coalesced particles, 229.2 g of water-absorbent resin particles containing amorphous silica were obtained. The median particle diameter of the water absorbent resin particles was 377 μm. In Example 1, the molar ratio of the amount of the external crosslinking agent to the amount of the internal crosslinking agent used was 10.1.

(Example 2)
In the hydrogel polymer after the second stage polymerization, 231.0 g of water-absorbent resin particles was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 247.9 g of water was extracted out of the system by azeotropic distillation. Obtained. The median particle diameter of the water absorbent resin particles was 355 μm.

(Example 3)
In the preparation of the first-stage aqueous liquid, 0.092 g (0.339 mmol) of 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride as a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator and 0.018 g of potassium persulfate ( 0.068 mmol) and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether 0.0045 g (0.026 mmol) as an internal cross-linking agent, and as a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator in the preparation of the second-stage aqueous liquid. 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride 0.129 g (0.475 mmol) and potassium persulfate 0.026 g (0.095 mmol) were used, after the second stage polymerization. In the hydrogel polymer, 223.7 g of water was extracted out of the system by azeotropic distillation, and 0.2% by mass of amorphous silica was mixed with the polymer particles based on the mass of the polymer particles. 229.6 g of water-absorbent resin particles was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above. The median particle diameter of the water absorbent resin particles was 346 μm. In Example 3, the molar ratio of the amount of the external crosslinking agent to the amount of the internal crosslinking agent used was 22.1.

(Example 4)
In the hydrogel polymer after the second stage polymerization, 230.1 g of water-absorbent resin particles was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 256.1 g of water was extracted out of the system by azeotropic distillation. Obtained. The median particle diameter of the water absorbent resin particles was 364 μm.

(Example 5)
In the hydrogel polymer after the second-stage polymerization, 231.1 g of water-absorbent resin particles was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 264.3 g of water was extracted out of the system by azeotropic distillation. Obtained. The median particle diameter of the water absorbent resin particles was 361 μm.

(Example 6)
In the preparation of the first-stage aqueous liquid, 0.092 g (0.339 mmol) of 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride as a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator and 0.018 g of potassium persulfate ( 0.068 mmol) and 0.0045 g (0.026 mmol) of ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether as an internal cross-linking agent; used as a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator in the preparation of the second-stage aqueous liquid. 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride 0.129 g (0.475 mmol) and potassium persulfate 0.026 g (0.095 mmol) were used, and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether was used as an internal cross-linking agent. 0.0117 g (0.067 mmol) was used; in the preparation of the hydrogel polymer, after the polymerization reaction was carried out for 60 minutes, 45% by mass of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid 5 sodium without adding a post-polymerization crosslinking agent. 0.265 g of an aqueous solution was added; 217.8 g of water was extracted out of the system by azeotropic distillation in the hydrogel polymer after the second stage polymerization; n- Instead of evaporating heptane at 125° C., immediately after the surface cross-linking reaction, the super-water-absorbent resin hydrous product obtained by removing the n-heptane phase from the reaction solution by filtration with a 38 μm sieve was removed at 90° C. 230.5 g of water-absorbent resin particles was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the drying was performed under a reduced pressure dryer set to 0.006 MPa. The median particle diameter of the water absorbent resin particles was 367 μm. In Example 6, the molar ratio of the amount of the external crosslinking agent to the amount of the internal crosslinking agent used was 5.5.

(Example 7)
The number of revolutions of the stirrer was changed to 500 rpm in the preparation of the first-stage polymerized slurry liquid, and 256.1 g of water was removed from the system by azeotropic distillation in the hydrogel polymer after the second-stage polymerization. To the water-absorbent resin particles 230. in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 0.1% by mass of amorphous silica with respect to the mass of the polymer particles was mixed with the polymer particles. 8 g was obtained. The median particle diameter of the water absorbent resin particles was 349 μm.

(Comparative Example 1)
In the preparation of the second-stage aqueous liquid, 0.0117 g (0.067 mmol) of ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether was used as an internal cross-linking agent in addition to the water-soluble radical polymerization initiator. Preparation of a water-containing gel polymer In the above step, after the polymerization reaction was carried out for 60 minutes, 0.265 g of a 45% by mass aqueous solution of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid 5 sodium acetate was added without adding a post-polymerization crosslinking agent. In the coalescence, except that 278.9 g of water was extracted out of the system by azeotropic distillation, and 0.2% by mass of amorphous silica was mixed with the polymer particles based on the mass of the polymer particles. In the same manner as in Example 1, 230.8 g of water-absorbent resin particles were obtained. In Comparative Example 1, the molar ratio of the amount of the external crosslinking agent to the amount of the internal crosslinking agent used was 4.1.

(Comparative example 2)
In the preparation of the first-stage aqueous liquid, 0.092 g (0.339 mmol) of 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride as a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator and 0.018 g of potassium persulfate ( 0.068 mmol) and 0.0045 g (0.026 mmol) of ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether as an internal cross-linking agent; used as a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator in the preparation of the second-stage aqueous liquid. 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride 0.129 g (0.475 mmol) and potassium persulfate 0.026 g (0.095 mmol) were used, and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether was used as an internal cross-linking agent. 0.0117 g (0.067 mmol) was used; in the preparation of the hydrogel polymer, after the polymerization reaction was carried out for 60 minutes, 45% by mass of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid 5 sodium without adding a post-polymerization crosslinking agent. 0.265 g of an aqueous solution was added; 233.5 g of water was extracted from the system by azeotropic distillation in the hydrogel polymer after the second-stage polymerization; 0 based on the mass of polymer particles 229.6 g of water-absorbent resin particles was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 0.2% by mass of amorphous silica was mixed with the polymer particles. In Comparative Example 2, the molar ratio of the amount of the external crosslinking agent to the amount of the internal crosslinking agent used was 5.5.

(Comparative example 3)
229.6 g of water-absorbent resin particles were prepared in the same manner as in Comparative Example 2 except that 245.1 g of water was extracted from the system by azeotropic distillation in the hydrogel polymer after the second-stage polymerization. Obtained.

(Comparative example 4)
Inner diameter 11 cm, equipped with a reflux condenser, a dropping funnel, a nitrogen gas introduction pipe, and a stirrer (stirring blade having two inclined paddle blades with a blade diameter of 5 cm (two surface-treated with fluororesin)) A round-bottomed cylindrical separable flask (baffle width: 7 mm) equipped with four side wall baffles with a volume of 2 L was prepared. To this flask, 451.4 g of n-heptane was added as a hydrocarbon dispersion medium, and 1.288 g of sorbitan monolaurate (nonion LP-20R, HLB value: 8.6, NOF CORPORATION) was added as a surfactant. A mixture was obtained by addition. The sorbitan monolaurate was dissolved in n-heptane by heating the mixture to 50° C. while stirring the mixture at 300 rpm, and then the mixture was cooled to 40° C.

Next, 92.0 g (acrylic acid: 1.03 mol) of an 80.5 mass% aqueous solution of acrylic acid was placed in an Erlenmeyer flask having an internal volume of 500 mL. Subsequently, 147.7 g of a 20.9 mass% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution was added dropwise while cooling with ice from the outside to neutralize acrylic acid to obtain an aqueous partially neutralized acrylic acid solution. Next, an aqueous monomer solution was prepared by adding 0.1012 g (0.374 mmol) of potassium persulfate as a water-soluble radical polymerization initiator to the aqueous solution of partially neutralized acrylic acid and then dissolving it.

After the above monomer aqueous solution was added to the above separable flask, the inside of the system was sufficiently replaced with nitrogen. Then, the hydrogel polymer was obtained by immersing the flask in a water bath at 70° C. and then holding it for 60 minutes to complete the polymerization, while stirring at 700 rpm of the stirrer.

Then, while stirring at a rotation speed of a stirrer of 1000 rpm, amorphous silica (Oriental Silicas Corporation, as a powdered inorganic coagulant, was added to the polymerization solution containing the produced hydrogel polymer, n-heptane and a surfactant. Toqseal NP-S) (0.092 g) was added to a dispersion obtained by previously dispersing 100 g of n-heptane, and then mixed for 10 minutes. Then, the flask containing the reaction solution was immersed in an oil bath at 125° C., and 129.0 g of water was extracted from the system while refluxing n-heptane by azeotropic distillation of n-heptane and water. Then, 4.14 g of a 2% by mass ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether aqueous solution (ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether: 0.475 mmol) was added as a surface cross-linking agent, and the mixture was kept at an internal temperature of 83±2° C. for 2 hours.

Then, water and n-heptane were evaporated at 120° C., and dried until almost no evaporate from the system was distilled off to obtain a dried product. This dried product was passed through a sieve with an opening of 850 μm to obtain 90.1 g of water-absorbent resin particles.

<Measurement of medium particle size>
The above-mentioned median particle diameter of the water absorbent resin particles was measured by the following procedure. That is, from the top of the JIS standard sieve, a sieve with an opening of 600 μm, a sieve with an opening of 500 μm, a sieve with an opening of 425 μm, a sieve with an opening of 300 μm, a sieve with an opening of 250 μm, a sieve with an opening of 180 μm, a sieve with an opening of 150 μm , And a saucer in this order. 50 g of the water-absorbent resin particles were put into the combined uppermost sieve, and the mixture was shaken for 10 minutes using a low-tap shaker for classification. After the classification, the mass of the particles remaining on each sieve was calculated as a mass percentage with respect to the total amount to determine the particle size distribution. With respect to this particle size distribution, the relationship between the mesh opening of the sieve and the integrated value of the mass percentage of the particles remaining on the sieve was plotted on a logarithmic probability paper by accumulating on the sieve in order from the largest particle diameter. By connecting the plots on the probability paper with a straight line, a particle diameter corresponding to an integrated mass percentage of 50 mass% was obtained as a median particle diameter.

<Water absorption rate of water-absorbent resin particles>
The water absorption rate of the physiological saline solution of the water absorbent resin particles was measured by the following procedure based on the Vortex method. First, 50±0.1 g of physiological saline adjusted to a temperature of 25±0.2° C. in a constant temperature water tank was weighed into a beaker having an internal volume of 100 mL. Next, a magnetic stirrer bar (8 mmφ×30 mm, no ring) was used to generate vortices by stirring at a rotation speed of 300 rpm (low-speed flow Vortex method) or 600 rpm (conventional Vortex method). 2.0±0.002 g of water-absorbent resin particles were added at once to physiological saline. The time [seconds] from the addition of the water-absorbent resin particles to the time when the vortex on the liquid surface converges was measured, and the time was obtained as the water absorption rate of the water-absorbent resin particles. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Water retention amount of water-absorbent resin particles>
The water retention capacity of physiological saline of the water-absorbent resin particles (room temperature, 25±2° C.) was measured by the following procedure. First, a cotton bag (Membroad No. 60, width 100 mm x length 200 mm) in which 2.0 g of water-absorbent resin particles was weighed was placed in a beaker having an internal volume of 500 mL. After pouring 500 g of physiological saline solution into the cotton bag containing the water-absorbent resin particles at once so as not to allow mako, swell the water-absorbent resin particles by tying the upper part of the cotton bag with a rubber band and letting it stand for 30 minutes. Let After 30 minutes, the cotton bag was dehydrated for 1 minute using a dehydrator (manufactured by Kokusan Co., Ltd., product number: H-122) set to have a centrifugal force of 167 G, and then the swollen gel after dehydration was included. The mass Wa [g] of the cotton bag was measured. The same operation was performed without adding the water-absorbent resin particles, the empty mass Wb [g] of the cotton bag when wet was measured, and the water retention amount of the physiological saline of the water-absorbent resin particles was calculated from the following formula. The results are shown in Table 1.
Water retention [g/g]=(Wa-Wb)/2.0

<Production of absorbent article>
A sheet having a size of 40 cm×12 cm is obtained by uniformly mixing 13.3 g of water-absorbent resin particles and 12.6 g of crushed pulp by air-papermaking using an air flow type mixing device (pad former manufactured by Autech Co., Ltd.). A shaped absorber was prepared. Next, a load of 424 kPa is applied to the entire body for 30 seconds while pressing the upper and lower sides of the absorbent body with two tissue papers having the same size as the sheet-shaped absorbent body and a basis weight of 16 g/m ² and pressed. To obtain a laminated body. Further, an absorbent article was produced by disposing an air-through type porous liquid permeable sheet made of polyethylene-polypropylene having the same size as the absorber and having a basis weight of 22 g/m ^{2 on} the upper surface of the laminate.

<Measurement of penetration time>
The absorbent article was placed on a horizontal table in a room at a temperature of 25±2°C. Next, a liquid injection cylinder (cylinder with both ends open) having a capacity of 200 mL and having an injection port with an inner diameter of 3 cm was placed at the center of the main surface of the absorbent article. Subsequently, 160 mL of physiological saline, which was colored with a small amount of Blue No. 1 and adjusted to 25±1° C., was put into the cylinder at once. The time until the physiological saline completely disappeared from the cylinder was measured using a stopwatch, and the time was obtained as the penetration time [second]. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Measurement of quick drying property>
After the physiological saline was supplied to the absorbent article in the same manner as the above-mentioned measurement of the penetration time, the cylinder was removed. Then, 1 minute after the start of supplying the physiological saline, 80 sheets of filter paper (75 g in total) having a size of 10 cm×10 cm and a basis weight of 94 g/m ² were piled up near the liquid supply position of the absorbent article. .. Furthermore, a weight (bottom face: 10 cm×10 cm, mass: 2 kg) was placed on the filter paper. After loading with a weight for 1 minute, the mass of the filter paper was measured, and the amount of increase in mass was obtained as quick-drying [g]. It is preferable that the quick-drying value is small. The results are shown in Table 1.

According to Table 1, even when the water-absorbent resin particles are excellent in water absorption rate based on the conventional Vortex method at 600 rpm, when the water-absorbent resin particles are used in an absorbent article, an excellent penetration rate is obtained. It is confirmed that there are cases where it is difficult to do. Moreover, it is confirmed that adjusting the water absorption rate based on the low speed flow Vortex method of 300 rpm is effective in obtaining an absorbent article having an excellent permeation rate.

10... Absorber, 10a... Water-absorbent resin particle, 10b... Fiber layer, 20a, 20b... Core wrap, 30... Liquid permeable sheet, 40... Liquid impermeable sheet, 100... Absorbent article.

Claims (5)

Water-absorbent resin particles having a water absorption rate of 10 to 50 seconds based on a Vortex method of 300 rpm. The water-absorbent resin particles according to claim 1, which have a structural unit derived from at least one selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid and salts thereof. An absorbent body containing the water-absorbent resin particles according to claim 1. An absorbent article comprising the absorbent body according to claim 3. The absorbent article according to claim 4, which is a diaper.

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