Superabsorbent Materials Comprising Peroxide

Abstract

This invention pertains to a polymeric composition and an antimicrobial composition, each comprising a superabsorbent polymer (SAP), such as used in diapers and sanitary napkins, and peroxide. The superabsorbent material can be made by the process of treating a preformed SAP, such as a crosslinked polyacrylate salt, with a treatment solution comprising hydrogen peroxide dissolved in water, followed by drying. The resulting superabsorbent material has strong antimicrobial activity. Optionally, the treatment solution may also contain a metal salt, including those of zinc, zirconium, and magnesium.

1 . A polymeric composition comprising sequestered peroxide, produced by treating a superabsorbent polymer with at least 0.005 grams of hydrogen peroxide per gram of superabsorbent polymer, wherein said treatment comprises swelling the superabsorbent polymer with an aqueous treatment solution comprising aqueous hydrogen peroxide, followed by drying. 
     
     
         2 . The polymeric composition of  claim 1  wherein said superabsorbent polymer was treated with 0.01 to 0.15 grams of hydrogen peroxide per gram of superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The polymeric composition of  claim 2  wherein said superabsorbent polymer was treated with 0.02 to 0.15 grams of hydrogen peroxide per gram of superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         4 . The polymeric composition of  claim 1 , wherein said aqueous treatment solution further comprises a metal salt in an amount suitable to treat said superabsorbent polymer with at least 0.02 grams of the metal salt per gram of superabsorbent polymer, and wherein said metal salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium, silver, copper, and zirconium salts. 
     
     
         5 . The polymeric composition of  claim 4 , wherein said metal salt in said aqueous treatment solution is an acetate salt selected from the group of zinc acetate, magnesium acetate, and zirconium acetate. 
     
     
         6 . The polymeric composition of  claim 5 , wherein said metal salt is zinc acetate or magnesium acetate. 
     
     
         7 . The polymeric composition of  claim 1 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is a carboxylate-containing polymer, a cellulose derivative, a polyacrylamide, or a polydiallyldialkylammonium salt. 
     
     
         8 . The polymeric composition of  claim 1 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is an acrylic acid-based polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The polymeric composition of  claim 8 , wherein said acrylic acid-based polymer is a cross-linked hydrophilic sodium salt form of a partially neutralized acrylic acid polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The polymeric composition of  claim 4 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is a carboxylate-containing polymer, a cellulose derivative, a polyacrylamide, or a polydiallyldialkylammonium salt. 
     
     
         11 . The polymeric composition of  claim 6 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is a carboxylate-containing polymer, a cellulose derivative, a polyacrylamide, or a polydiallyldialkylammonium salt. 
     
     
         12 . The polymeric composition of  claim 11 , wherein said carboxylate-containing polymer is a cross-linked hydrophilic sodium salt form of a partially neutralized acrylic acid polymer. 
     
     
         13 . The polymeric composition of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric composition is superabsorbent. 
     
     
         14 . An antimicrobial composition produced by treating a superabsorbent polymer with at least 0.005 grams of hydrogen peroxide per gram of superabsorbent polymer, wherein said treatment comprises swelling the superabsorbent polymer with an aqueous treatment solution of hydrogen peroxide, followed by drying of the treated superabsorbent polymer, whereby addition of 0.2 grams of the antimicrobial composition to approximately 1,000,000 viable bacteria in an aqueous liquid produces a 3-log reduction of viable bacteria in said aqueous liquid. 
     
     
         15 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 14 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is treated with 0.01 to 0.15 grams of hydrogen peroxide per gram of superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 15 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is treated with 0.02 to 0.15 grams of hydrogen peroxide per gram of superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         17 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 14 , wherein said aqueous treatment solution further comprises a metal salt, in an amount suitable to treat said superabsorbent polymer with at least 0.02 grams of the metal salt per gram of superabsorbent polymer, and wherein said metal salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium, silver, copper, and zirconium salts. 
     
     
         18 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 17 , wherein said metal salt in said aqueous treatment solution is an acetate salt selected from the group of zinc acetate, magnesium acetate, and zirconium acetate. 
     
     
         19 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 18 , wherein said metal salt is zinc acetate or magnesium acetate. 
     
     
         20 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 14 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is a carboxylate-containing polymer, a cellulose derivative, a polyacrylamide, or a polydiallyldialkylammonium salt. 
     
     
         21 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 14 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is an acrylic acid-based polymer. 
     
     
         22 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 21 , wherein said acrylic acid-based polymer is a cross-linked hydrophilic sodium salt form of a partially neutralized acrylic acid polymer. 
     
     
         23 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 17 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is a carboxylate-containing polymer, a cellulose derivative, a polyacrylamide, or a polydiallyldialkylammonium salt. 
     
     
         24 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 19 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is a carboxylate-containing polymer, a cellulose derivative, a polyacrylamide, or a polydiallyldialkylammonium salt. 
     
     
         25 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 24 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is a cross-linked hydrophilic sodium salt form of a partially neutralized acrylic acid polymer. 
     
     
         26 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 14 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is in the form of a powder or granular material. 
     
     
         27 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 14 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is superabsorbent after treatment. 
     
     
         28 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 14 , wherein the antimicrobial activity of the composition is non-leachable. 
     
     
         29 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 17 , wherein the antimicrobial activity of the composition is non-leachable. 
     
     
         30 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 22 , wherein the antimicrobial activity of the composition is non-leachable. 
     
     
         31 . A bandage, wound dressing, tampon, sanitary napkin, diaper, wipe, incontinence device or garment, food packaging, or medical device, comprising the polymeric composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         32 . A bandage, wound dressing, tampon, sanitary napkin, diaper, wipe, incontinence device or garment, food packaging, or medical device, comprising the antimicrobial composition of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         33 . A bandage, wound dressing, tampon, sanitary napkin, diaper, wipe, incontinence device or garment, food packaging, or medical device, comprising the antimicrobial composition of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         34 . A bandage, wound dressing, tampon, sanitary napkin, diaper, wipe, incontinence device or garment, food packaging, or medical device, comprising the antimicrobial composition of  claim 17 . 
     
     
         35 . A method of making a polymeric composition comprising the steps:
 a. swelling a superabsorbent polymer with an aqueous treatment solution comprising at least 0.005 grams of hydrogen peroxide per gram of superabsorbent polymer, and   b. drying the polymer,   
       whereby hydrogen peroxide is sequestered within or on the surface of said superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said aqueous treatment solution comprises 0.02 to 0.15 grams of hydrogen peroxide per gram of superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said aqueous treatment solution further comprises an amount of a metal salt suitable to treat said superabsorbent polymer with at least 0.02 grams of said metal salt per gram of said superabsorbent polymer, wherein said metal salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium, silver, copper, and zirconium salts. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said metal salt in said aqueous treatment solution is an acetate salt selected from the group of zinc acetate, magnesium acetate, and zirconium acetate. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said metal salt is zinc acetate or magnesium acetate. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is a carboxylate-containing polymer, a cellulose derivative, a polyacrylamide, or a polydiallyldialkylammonium salt. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is an acrylic acid-based polymer. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said acrylic acid-based polymer is a cross-linked hydrophilic sodium salt form of a partially neutralized acrylic acid polymer. 
     
     
         43 . A method of making a superabsorbent antimicrobial composition comprising the steps:
 a. swelling a superabsorbent polymer with an aqueous treatment solution comprising at least 0.005 grams of hydrogen peroxide per gram of superabsorbent polymer, and   b. drying the polymer,   
       whereby said superabsorbent antimicrobial composition having non-leachable antimicrobial activity is produced and whereby contact with said superabsorbent antimicrobial composition provides at least a 3 log reduction in viable bacteria. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein said aqueous treatment solution comprises 0.02 to 0.15 grams of hydrogen peroxide per gram of superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein said aqueous treatment solution further comprises an amount of a metal salt suitable to treat said superabsorbent polymer with at least 0.02 grams of said metal salt per gram of said superabsorbent polymer, wherein said metal salt is selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium, silver, copper, and zirconium salts. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said metal salt in said aqueous treatment solution is an acetate salt selected from the group of zinc acetate, magnesium acetate, and zirconium acetate. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said metal salt is zinc acetate or magnesium acetate. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is a carboxylate-containing polymer, a cellulose derivative, a polyacrylamide, or a polydiallyldialkylammonium salt. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein said superabsorbent polymer is an acrylic acid-based polymer. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said acrylic acid-based polymer is a cross-linked hydrophilic sodium salt form of a partially neutralized acrylic acid polymer. 
     
     
         51 . A method of disinfecting an infected liquid to produce a 3-log reduction in viable bacteria therein, which comprises contacting the liquid with an antimicrobial composition of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         52 . A method of disinfecting an infected liquid to produce a 3-log reduction in viable bacteria therein, which comprises contacting the liquid with an antimicrobial composition of  claim 17 . 
     
     
         53 . A method of disinfecting an infected liquid to produce a 3-log reduction in viable bacteria therein, which comprises contacting the liquid with an antimicrobial composition of  claim 20 . 
     
     
         54 . A method of controlling diaper rash by using a diaper or incontinence garment of  claim 31 . 
     
     
         55 . A method of controlling diaper rash by using a diaper or incontinence garment of  claim 32 . 
     
     
         56 . A method of controlling diaper rash by using a diaper or incontinence garment of  claim 33 . 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said method reduces or controls odor, infection, microbial rashes, or allergies. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said method reduces or controls odor, infection, microbial rashes, or allergies 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the aqueous treatment solution is at least 5 times the weight of the superabsorbent polymer. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the aqueous treatment solution is at least 5 times the weight of the superabsorbent polymer.