How to extract bubbles gas from gel(Super Absorbent Polymer)

[kevin_tee]

I have been thinking to extract gases from SAP (the gel is super absorbent polymer(sodium polyacrylate)). The gases are trapped inside the gel in form of bubbles gas. I am thinking of using salt to turn it back to liquid or using vacuum pump to extract gas out. Using salt might be the best way but it contaminated the SAP. Do anybody have any suggestion? Thank very much.

 

[dauto]

Have you tried the vacuum pump on the unsalted gel? what happened?

 

[Chestermiller]

I have been thinking to extract gases from SAP (the gel is super absorbent polymer(sodium polyacrylate)). The gases are trapped inside the gel in form of bubbles gas. I am thinking of using salt to turn it back to liquid or using vacuum pump to extract gas out. Using salt might be the best way but it contaminated the SAP. Do anybody have any suggestion? Thank very much.

How sure are you that the gel is saturated by the gas throughout? If it isn't, then perhaps you can pressurize the gel and allow enough time for the gas to dissolve and diffuse into unsatruated regions of the gel.

 

[kevin_tee]

Thanks for answering, but I don't need to saturate the gel, I just need to extract the gas, so I think liquefy it would be the best way.

 

[LudusRex]

I would suggest exploring alternative methods for extracting the bubbles gas from the gel. Using salt may indeed be effective, but as you mentioned, it can contaminate the SAP and potentially affect the accuracy and reliability of your results. Instead, you could try using a vacuum pump to extract the gas. This method may be more time-consuming, but it is likely to be more precise and less likely to introduce contaminants. Additionally, you could experiment with different levels of vacuum pressure to optimize the extraction process.

Another potential solution could be to use a chemical reaction to release the gas from the gel. For example, you could try mixing the SAP with an acid or base that would react with the gas and cause it to be released. This method may require some experimentation to determine the most effective reactant and concentration.

It may also be helpful to consider the purpose of your experiment and the specific properties of the gas you are trying to extract. This could potentially lead to other innovative methods for extraction.

Overall, I would recommend carefully considering the potential drawbacks and limitations of each method before proceeding with your experiment. It may also be beneficial to consult with other scientists or experts in the field for their insights and suggestions.