| abstract |
Water-absorbent, starch copolymerizates are prepared by copolymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated starch with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers which contain water-attractant groups or precursors of water-attractant groups. The water-absorbent starch copolymerizates may be easily prepared into the desired configuration for a particular end-use or combined with other substrates or carriers. The unpolymerized starch and monomers or precursors thereof may be applied or incorporated into a suitable carrier or substrate (e.g., cellulosic materials such as textiles, papers, etc.) and copolymerized in situ to provide a composite article of unitary construction with the water-absorbent starch copolymerizate permanently bonded or affixed thereto. |