Poly-Sorb Dissection

What does an astronaut do if they are in the middle of a space walk when they need to go to the bathroom? Diapers, that's right they wear an adult size diaper with a super absorbent chemical called poly-sorb. Poly-sorb or Sodium Polyacrylate is an amazing polymer that absorbs 100-500 times its weight in water.

Space is not the only place that poly-sorb is being used. You can find poly-sorb in disposable diapers. It is spread throughout the cotton lining. Poly-sorb is also being used in environmental clean-ups. It is effective in removing the following toxins from waste streams: arsenic, jet fuel, paints, gasoline, diesel fuel, lead, mercury and many others. It is listed on the EPA National Contingency Plan for use in emergency response situations.

In this lab students dissected a disposable diaper.

1. First they took apart the plastic lining to get to the absorbent cotton layer.

2. Then they pulled apart the cotton and put it into a plastic container.

3. Next they put a lid on the plastic container and shook it vigorously.

4. The shaking separates the poly-sorb crystals from the cotton.

5. They then tested the poly-sorb to see how much water it could absorb.

6. The water-poly-sorb reaction creates a gel or slush-like material.

7. Simply add table salt to reverse the reaction.

Check Out the Experiment In the Pictures Below

Opening up the Diaper

The diaper's cotton liner is torn apart.

Students taking apart the diapers. (ewwww)

The small white Poly-sorb crystals are shaken loose from the cotton liner.

Crystals being poured into a small cup.

Water is then put on the crystals.

Students taking a close look at the reaction

Student feeling the slush-like gel material

Back to Morrison Labs

Back to the Main Menu