Yes, a diaper contains a polymer. The superabsorbent material found in disposable diapers is a polymer called sodium polyacrylate.
Sodium Polyacrylate: The Superabsorbent Polymer
Sodium polyacrylate is a synthetic polymer that can absorb many times its weight in water. This makes it ideal for use in diapers, where it helps to keep the baby dry and comfortable.
- Superabsorbent: Sodium polyacrylate is renowned for its remarkable ability to absorb and retain vast amounts of liquid relative to its mass.
- Polymer Structure: It's a polymer, meaning it's made up of long chains of repeating units called monomers. In this case, the monomer is acrylic acid.
- Application: It's the key component in diapers that allows them to hold significant amounts of urine.
Therefore, diapers utilize polymers to achieve their absorbent properties.
