The development of open-cell foaming technologies opens a new avenue in the search for less expensive alternatives to conventional absorbent materials used in personal care and hygienic products. This paper presents a systematic study conducted on the development of low-density, open-celled thermoplastic foam for aqueous-based fluid absorption. Open-celled polystyrene foam structures were fabricated using extrusion foaming techniques with n-butane as blowing agent. Sulfonated polystyrene was introduced to the polymer system to improve the hydrophilicity of the polymer system. The effect of the addition of such surfactant on the cellular morphology and water absorption ability was examined.
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