How Diaper Crystals Work

Most disposable diapers contain a crystalline, absorbent substance called sodium polyacrylate. Learn how this polymer helps contain messes -- and some of the controversy surrounding this substance -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to brain Stuff from house stuff works dot com
where smart happens. Hi Am Marshall Brain with today's question,
what is the crystalline substance found in disposable diapers? The
crystals come from the super absorbent layer found in most
disposable diapers. This layer consists of paper, fluff and a

(00:21):
chemical absorbent called sodium polyacrylate. Sodium polyaccrylate is an amazing
water absorber. It can absorb two hundred to three hundred
times it's weight, and tap water even more if the
water is distilled and it holds it as a gooey gel.
Sodium polyaccrylate is a polymer, meaning that it consists of
chains of identical units called monomers. The monomer for sodium

(00:46):
polyaccrylate is a little carbon chain with a couple of
oxygen and sodium adams hanging off of it. It's a
pretty cool polymer. Shake the crystals out of a new diaper,
or buy the crystals at a garden center and add
water or to them to see just how amazing they are.
There's concern in certain circles about the use of sodium
polyacculate next to a child's skin. The concern is often

(01:10):
used as an argument against disposable diapers. Obviously, most people
considered a minor issue. Just about every disposable diaper contains
the crystals. Do you have any ideas or suggestions for
this podcast? If so, please send me an email at
podcast at how stuff works dot com. For more on
this and thousands of other topics, go to how stuff

(01:31):
works dot com