Absorbing agents for water and aqueous liquids and process for their production and use

The present invention relates to water-insoluble, water-swellable polymers having a high absorption capacity for water and aqueous liquids, which are based on cross-linked, hydrophilic homopolymers and copolymers, as well as on graft polymers of ethylenically unsaturated, acid groups-containing, polymerizable monomers. The present invention further relates to the production method and the use of these polymers The present invention relates to a powdery, cross-linked polymer absorbing water and aqueous liquids formed of polymerized, unsaturated, acid groups-containing monomers that are present as salts neutralized to the extent of at least 50 mol-% and which optionally comprise further monomers which are copolymerizable with the acid groups-containing monomers as well as water-soluble polymers, the polymer being formed of acidic, polymerized monomers partially neutralized to the extent of 5-30 mol-%, relative to the acid groups-containing monomer portion. The polymer has a high retention, high liquid absorption under pressure, high swelling pressure, and a low content of soluble components. The present invention further relates to a process for the production of said polymer and to its use as a component in sanitary articles which absorb body fluids and in wound dressings, in current-conducting and light-transmitting cables, as soil conditioners, as a component in packaging materials and in depot materials for the controlled release of active substances.