Flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition

1. A process to make a flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition comprising the steps of:

a) preparing an initiator system solution;

b) preparing a monomer solution including monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, one of which includes an alkyloxysilane functionality;

c) mixing the initiator system and the monomer solution to form a polymerization solution;

d) heating the polymerization solution to promote a reaction of the polymerization solution;

e) cooling the polymerization solution; and

f) neutralizing the polymer of step e) to at least about 25 mole %;

to form a superabsorbent polymer composition, the dry polymer of which a residual monoethylenically unsaturated monomer content has less than about 1000 ppm.

2. The process to make the flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition of claim 1 wherein the initiator system comprises an initiator selected from t-amylperoxypivalate, or 2,2′-Azobis(2,4′-dimethylvaleronitrile).

3. A process to make a flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition comprising the steps of:

a) preparing a monomer solution comprising a chain transfer agent; a plasticizer, a cross-linker monomer that contains an alkoxysilane functionality, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, one of which includes a functionality wherein the acid groups are neutralized to at least 25 mole-%;

b) initiating the monomer solution mixture of step a) to polymerize the monomer solution mixture of a) to at least 50% degree of polymerization;

c) adding a second monomer solution to the polymerization solution of step b);

d) polymerizing the solution of step c); and

e) optionally neutralizing the polymer of step d);

to form a superabsorbent polymer having an average molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 650,000 g/mole, and the superabsorbent polymer composition having a viscosity after 16 hours of less than about 10,000 cps and a residual monoethylenically unsaturated monomer content of less than about 1000 ppm.

4. The process to make the flexible superabsorbent binder polymer composition of claim 3 wherein said superabsorbent polymer has an average molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 300,000 g/mole, and the superabsorbent polymer composition has a residual monoethylenically unsaturated monomer content of less than about 500 ppm and a solids content of at least about 24%.

5. The superabsorbent polymer composition prepared by the process of claim 3 wherein the initiator system comprises an initiator selected from sodium persulfate (NAPS); or 2,2′-azobis-2-amidinopropanedihydrochloride (ABAH).