Absorbent hydrophobic boronate galactomannan complexes and process for producing same

Abstract

Absorbent boronate-galactomannan complexes comprising a hydrophobic group are disclosed. The boronate-galactomannan complexes are solid materials capable of gel forming upon contacting with liquids. The boronate-galactomannan complexes are particularly suitable for absorbing liquids.

1 . An absorbent material comprising one or more absorbent boronate galactomannan complexes, the said boronate galactomannan complexes comprising a hydrophobic group. 
   
   
       2 . The absorbent material of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic group is selected from the group consisting of aromatic groups, aliphatic groups and cyclic aliphatic groups. 
   
   
       3 . The absorbent material of  claim 1 , wherein the galactomannan is selected from the group consisting of guar gum, locust bean gum, fenugreek gum, tara gum, mesquite gum and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The absorbent material of  claim 3 , wherein the galactomannan comprises a galactose to mannose ratio ranging from about 1:5 to about 1:1. 
   
   
       5 . The absorbent material of  claim 1 , wherein the boronate galactomannan complexes are solid materials. 
   
   
       6 . The absorbent material of  claim 5 , wherein the solid materials comprise a granular material. 
   
   
       7 . The absorbent material of  claim 6 , wherein the granular material comprises particles having a size ranging from about 80 μm to about 800 μm. 
   
   
       8 . Use of the absorbent material of  claim 1 , in products selected from the group consisting of diapers, incontinence articles, feminine hygiene products, airlaids, absorbent dressings, household articles, sealing materials, humectants, anti-condensation coatings, concrete products, litter products, soil conditioning products, mining fluids, oil drilling fluids, absorbent paper products, bandages, surgical pads, chemical absorbents, controlled release polymeric gels, artificial snow, fire-fighting gels, and food pads. 
   
   
       9 . Use of the absorbent material of  claim 1  for absorbing liquids selected from the group consisting of water, aqueous solutions, physiological solutions and saline solutions. 
   
   
       10 . An absorbent composition comprising at least one absorbent material as defined in  claim 1 , and at least one co-absorbent material. 
   
   
       11 . The absorbent composition of  claim 10 , wherein the co-absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of synthetic superabsorbent polymers, starch-based absorbents, ionic polysaccharides, fibers and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       12 . Use of the absorbent composition of  claim 10 , in products selected from the group consisting of diapers, incontinence articles, feminine hygiene products, airlaids, absorbent dressings, household articles, sealing materials, humectants, anti-condensation coatings, concrete products, litter products, soil conditioning products, mining fluids, oil drilling fluids, absorbent paper products, bandages, surgical pads, chemical absorbents, controlled release polymeric gels, artificial snow, fire-fighting gels, and food pads. 
   
   
       13 . Use of the absorbent composition of  claim 10  for absorbing liquids selected from the group consisting of water, aqueous solutions, physiological solutions and saline solutions. 
   
   
       14 . A method for absorbing liquids comprising contacting said liquids with the absorbent material of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the liquids are selected from the group consisting of water, aqueous solutions, physiological solutions and saline solutions. 
   
   
       16 . A method for absorbing liquids comprising contacting said liquids with the absorbent composition of  claim 10 . 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the liquids are selected from the group consisting of water, aqueous solutions, physiological solutions and saline solutions. 
   
   
       18 . A process for producing a boronate galactomannan complex comprising a hydrophobic group, said process comprising:
 a) dispersing a galactomannan in an aqueous solution producing an aqueous suspension;   b) reacting a hydrophobic group containing boronate with said suspension, producing said boronate galactomannan complex;   c) recovering said boronate galactomannan complex.   
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 18 , wherein the recovering comprises precipitating the boronate galactomannan complex from an organic hydrophilic solvent and drying the precipitated complex. 
   
   
       20 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein the dried precipitated complex is ground. 
   
   
       21 . The process of  claim 18 , wherein the boronate is produced by dissolving a boronic acid in a suitable solvent followed by adjusting the pH of the solvent to alkalinity. 
   
   
       22 . The absorbent material of  claim 1 , wherein the boronate galactomannan complexes are capable of forming a gel upon contacting with a liquid. 
   
   
       23 . The absorbent composition of  claim 10 , wherein the boronate galactomannan complexes are capable of forming a gel upon contacting with a liquid.