Chemistry 11 ISP (Diaper-Sodium Polyacrylate)
Introduction
The diaper, known as a superabsorbent underwear or every parent's most prized possession during their child's first few months, is unlike any other highly absorbent material there is. In fact, even the Shamwow™ towels, which can absorb up to 12 times its weight in liquids is not as absorbent as a diaper. Now with that said, you must be wondering how is the diaper so absorbent? What makes it soak up so much water? And the most important question, what is the chemistry behind a diaper?
Topic's History The diaper is not absorbent because of the material used, but because of a compound within the nappy called sodium polyacrylate (C3H3NaO2). Interestingly, this compound was not …show more content…
The reason why sodium polyacrylate can absorb so much water is because when you introduce water to this compound, the sodium ions leave the polymer as a result of osmosis, creating empty spaces with a negative charge. While the sodium ions are leaving, osmosis also causes water molecules to move to create an equilibrium and form bonds with the sodium polyacrylate. However that being said, how could a water molecule still form bonds when the hydrogen and oxygen atoms are sharing electrons with each other?
2. This is because of a special type of bond called the hydrogen bond which occurs when the element, hydrogen shares its electrons with another highly electronegative atom and a nearby molecule. Since the hydrogen atom contains a positive charge and produces high electronegativity with other atoms, it is capable of strongly attracting two things; a highly electronegative atom and the negative pole of another molecule. In this case, the water is being absorbed by C3H3NaO2 due to hydrogen bonding, where the positive hydrogen atom attracts the negative space on the sodium polyacrylate compound after the departure of the sodium …show more content…
This is because sodium polyacrylate absorbs low electrolyte concentrations better.
Uses in Society The word "sodium polyacrylate" is not common to society but it is a compound that you most likely came across since birth. Sodium polyacrylate (C3H3NaO2) is used in many types of hygienic equipment such as baby diapers, female sanitary products, and adult protective wear. Other uses of this compound could also be found in toys to make them "grow", water beads to retain moisture for plants, fake snow, as well as the coating of certain wires to prevent liquids from getting into the wire.
Effects to Modern Society (Disposable Diapers Vs. Cloth Diapers) In today's society, there are two common types of diapers which are known as the disposable diaper and the cloth diaper. Though many Canadians use the disposable diaper over the cloth diaper, does that actually mean that the disposable nappy is better to modern society? A comparison is made between the two types of diapers, comparing their advantages and
Introduction
The diaper, known as a superabsorbent underwear or every parent's most prized possession during their child's first few months, is unlike any other highly absorbent material there is. In fact, even the Shamwow™ towels, which can absorb up to 12 times its weight in liquids is not as absorbent as a diaper. Now with that said, you must be wondering how is the diaper so absorbent? What makes it soak up so much water? And the most important question, what is the chemistry behind a diaper?
Topic's History The diaper is not absorbent because of the material used, but because of a compound within the nappy called sodium polyacrylate (C3H3NaO2). Interestingly, this compound was not …show more content…
The reason why sodium polyacrylate can absorb so much water is because when you introduce water to this compound, the sodium ions leave the polymer as a result of osmosis, creating empty spaces with a negative charge. While the sodium ions are leaving, osmosis also causes water molecules to move to create an equilibrium and form bonds with the sodium polyacrylate. However that being said, how could a water molecule still form bonds when the hydrogen and oxygen atoms are sharing electrons with each other?
2. This is because of a special type of bond called the hydrogen bond which occurs when the element, hydrogen shares its electrons with another highly electronegative atom and a nearby molecule. Since the hydrogen atom contains a positive charge and produces high electronegativity with other atoms, it is capable of strongly attracting two things; a highly electronegative atom and the negative pole of another molecule. In this case, the water is being absorbed by C3H3NaO2 due to hydrogen bonding, where the positive hydrogen atom attracts the negative space on the sodium polyacrylate compound after the departure of the sodium …show more content…
This is because sodium polyacrylate absorbs low electrolyte concentrations better.
Uses in Society The word "sodium polyacrylate" is not common to society but it is a compound that you most likely came across since birth. Sodium polyacrylate (C3H3NaO2) is used in many types of hygienic equipment such as baby diapers, female sanitary products, and adult protective wear. Other uses of this compound could also be found in toys to make them "grow", water beads to retain moisture for plants, fake snow, as well as the coating of certain wires to prevent liquids from getting into the wire.
Effects to Modern Society (Disposable Diapers Vs. Cloth Diapers) In today's society, there are two common types of diapers which are known as the disposable diaper and the cloth diaper. Though many Canadians use the disposable diaper over the cloth diaper, does that actually mean that the disposable nappy is better to modern society? A comparison is made between the two types of diapers, comparing their advantages and