Study on the swelling kinetics of superabsorbent using open circuit potential measurement

Open circuit potential measurement was used to trace the swelling kinetics of superabsorbent. The calibration curve and its fitting result showed the validity of the method in determining the concentration of chloride ion in aqueous solution. According to the regression analysis and theoretical derivation, the relationship between the open circuit potential change and the swelling ratio was obtained. Comparing with tea bag method, it was verified that open circuit potential measurement could be employed to trace the swelling kinetics of superabsorbent. The hysteresis effect of solute entering into superabsorbent and the overflow of soluble parts of hydrogel were also observed. Besides, we found that the entrance of solute and water were almost synchronal, and the concentration of solution absorbed by superabsorbent was lower than that of swelling medium. Moreover, the swelling model of superabsorbent in salting liquid was slightly modified.