Polyacrylic acid (PAA) is a polymer obtained by polymerization of acrylic acid monomers. It belongs to a colorless to light yellow homopolymer, and several common forms include solid powder, viscous liquid, and solution.
Due to its excellent water solubility, polyacrylic acid plays an important role in many fields, with the following characteristics and applications:
Superabsorbent: polyacrylic acid can absorb a large amount of water to form hydrogel. This makes it widely used in the preparation of super absorbent materials, sanitary products (such as diapers), and wipes.
Chelating agent: The carboxyl group (- COOH) in polyacrylic acid molecules has good chelating performance and can form complexes with metal ions. Therefore, it is often used as a chelating agent in processes such as water treatment, metal cleaning, and mineral flotation.
Polymer additives: Polyacrylic acid, as a polymer additive, can be used for thickening, dispersion, emulsification, anti-static, and other aspects. It is widely used in industries such as cosmetics, coatings, paints, detergents, pulp, and paper.
Medicine and Biotechnology: Polyacrylic acid is used as a raw material for medical tapes, bandages, and controlled release systems. It is also used to prepare sustained-release agents for bioactive substances, such as calcium ion chelating agents.
It should be noted that the properties and applications of polyacrylic acid can be regulated by adjusting its molecular weight, crosslinking degree, and chemical modification. These regulatory measures enable polyacrylic acid to adapt to the needs of different fields and possess more functions.