What is the Difference Between Sodium Polyacrylate and Potassium Polyacrylate

The key difference between sodium polyacrylate and potassium polyacrylate is that sodium polyacrylate contains sodium and is useful as the absorbent material in diapers, sanitary napkins, and similar materials, whereas potassium polyacrylate contains potassium and it is important as a water-retaining agent for plants.

Sodium polyacrylate and potassium polyacrylate are important polymers that are named superabsorbent polymers due to their ability to absorb liquids such as water.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Sodium Polyacrylate
3. What is Potassium Polyacrylate
4. Sodium Polyacrylate vs Potassium Polyacrylate in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Sodium Polyacrylate vs Potassium Polyacrylate 

What is Sodium Polyacrylate?

Sodium polyacrylate is an inorganic polymer having the chemical formula [−CH₂−CH(CO₂Na)−]_n. It is also named as waterlock, and it has many different applications in consumer products. It is a type of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) with the ability to absorb 100 to 1000 times its mass in water. Moreover, this material is an anionic polyelectrolyte. This is because it has negatively charged carboxylic groups in the main chain.

The sodium polyacrylate polymer is made of chains of acrylate compounds. In this material, there are sodium atoms that can give it the ability to absorb large amounts of water. Upon dissolving in water, this substance can form a thick and transparent solution due to the ionic interactions between molecules. Moreover, there are many favorable mechanical properties of this substance, including mechanical stability, high heat resistance, and strong hydration. It is also useful as an additive for some food items such as bread, juice, and ice cream.

There are many applications for water-soluble polymers such as polyacrylates. The most important applications include using them as thickeners, flocculants, dispersants, and drag-reducing agents. We can use them as environmentally friendly adhesives or coatings. Additionally, this material is important in agriculture, where it is helpful for plants to retain moisture in the soil.

What is Potassium Polyacrylate?

Potassium polyacrylate is an inorganic polymer having the chemical formula [−CH₂−CH(CO₂K)−]_n. It is the potassium salt of polyacrylic acid and is useful as a type of superabsorbent polymer. It can usually absorb hundreds of times its mass in purified water.

The most important application of potassium polyacrylate is its use as a water-retaining agent in agriculture. It can increase the moisture content available in the soil for plants. It can mix with soil, increasing the capacity of the soil to hold water and making it available for plants. There, we can get improved soil that can readily release moisture and water-soluble nutrients to the plant roots on demand.

What is the Difference Between Sodium Polyacrylate and Potassium Polyacrylate?

The key difference between sodium polyacrylate and potassium polyacrylate is that sodium polyacrylate contains sodium, and it is useful as the absorbent material in diapers, sanitary napkins, and similar materials, whereas potassium polyacrylate contains potassium and it is important as a water-retaining agent for plants.

The below infographic presents the differences between sodium polyacrylate and potassium polyacrylate in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Sodium Polyacrylate vs Potassium Polyacrylate

Sodium polyacrylate is an inorganic polymer material having the chemical formula [−CH₂−CH(CO₂Na)−]_n. Potassium polyacrylate is an inorganic polymer material having the chemical formula [−CH₂−CH(CO₂K)−]_n. The key difference between sodium polyacrylate and potassium polyacrylate is that sodium polyacrylate contains sodium, and it is useful as the absorbent material in diapers, sanitary napkins, and similar materials, whereas potassium polyacrylate contains potassium and it is important as a water-retaining agent for plants.

Reference:

1. “Potassium Polyacrylate, Potassium Based Super Absorbent Polymer for Agriculture for Sale.” Potassium Polyacrylate.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Sodium polyacrylate skeletal” By Vectorization: OmenBreeze – Own work based on: Sodium polyacrylate skeletal.png by Edgar181 (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Potassium polyacrylate” By User:Edgar181 – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia