Preparation of a monolithic and macroporous superabsorbent polymer via a high internal phase Pickering emulsion template

ABSTRACT A superabsorbent polymer (SAP) possesses an ability to absorb an aqueous solution up to several hundred times its own weight. To utilize a SAP effectively, a high absorption rate is also essential in addition to a high absorption capability. Herein, using a template based on a high internal phase Pickering emulsion (HIPPE) stabilized by aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles, we synthesize a SAP with a high absorption rate by forming macropores. In particular, by adjusting three different parameters, the concentration of the crosslinker, the internal volume fraction of the emulsion, and the particle concentration, we successfully formed a HIPPE‐templated SAP with a high absorption rate for a saline solution, which was 51.6 g g−1 of the absorbency within 10 s. We confirm that the swelling kinetics is mainly determined by the interconnectivity between the internal macro‐pores. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48133. An extraordinarily high absorbency of water within 10 s can be achieved using macroporous super absorbent polymers, synthesized by a high internal phase Pickering emulsion templating method. This high absorbency with the fast rate is available due to the presence of pore throats between macropores, and this interconnectivity can be also controlled by adjusting an internal volume fraction and amount of a crosslinker, respectively.