Absorbent material and production thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for production of paper, wherein cellulosic fibres in an aqueous suspension are treated with a carrier carrying an oil, wherein the carrier has a hydrophobic and porous surface. The invention can impart improved sorptive capacity to the produced paper. The invention also relates to paper obtainable by the method. The invention further relates to a method for producing an absorbent and an absorbent obtainable from the method, and the use of a carrier and an oil carried by the carrier for imparting an increased sorptive capacity to an absorbent comprising cellulosic fibres.

1 . Method for producing paper comprising adding to an aqueous suspension of cellulosic fibers a carrier having a porous and hydrophobic surface, wherein said carrier carries an oil.  
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is a macroporous polymer.  
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein the macroporous polymer has an average pore diameter in the range from about 0.1 to about 50 μm.  
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein the macroporous polymer is a thermoplastic polymer.  
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the oil is triisooctylmellitate oil, soybean oil, or castor oil.  
     
     
         6 . Method for producing paper comprising adding to an aqueous suspension of cellulosic fibers a carrier carrying an oil, said carrier having a hydrophobic surface and pores having an average pore diameter in the range from about 0.1 to about 50 μm.  
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 6 , wherein said carrier carrying said oil is added to the aqueous suspension of cellulosic fibers in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10 kg/metric tonne of cellulosic fibers.  
     
     
         8 . Paper obtained by a method comprising adding to an aqueous suspension of cellulosic fibers a carrier having a porous and hydrophobic surface, wherein said carrier carries an oil.  
     
     
         9 . Paper according to  claim 8 , wherein the carrier is a macroporous polymer.  
     
     
         10 . Paper according to  claim 8 , wherein the carrier has pores having an average pore diameter in the range from about 0.1 to about 50 μm.  
     
     
         11 . Paper comprising a carrier having a porous and a hydrophobic surface, wherein said carrier carries an oil.  
     
     
         12 . Paper according to  claim 11 , wherein the carrier is a macroporous polymer.  
     
     
         13 . Paper according to  claim 11 , wherein the carrier has pores having an average pore diameter in the range from about 0.1 to about 50 μm.  
     
     
         14 . Paper according to  claim 13 , wherein at least 15 volume % of the pores are filled with oil.  
     
     
         15 . Paper according to  claim 11 , wherein the carrier has a specific surface area from about 10 to about 40 m 2 /g.  
     
     
         16 . Paper according to  claim 11 , wherein the oil is triisooctylmellitate oil, soybean oil, or castor oil.  
     
     
         17 . Process for treating cellulosic fibers comprising treating said cellulosic fibers in an aqueous suspension with a carrier having a porous and hydrophobic surface, wherein said carrier carries an oil.