How to Make Water Gel

Co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA

Last Updated: January 7, 2023 References

Gel is a state that is not quite solid or liquid, it is something in between. On its own, water has three states: solid, liquid, and vapor. With the addition of sodium polyacrylate or agar, it is possible to turn water into a fourth state: gel. The sodium polyacrylate method should be performed in a lab, but the edible method can be performed in the comforts of your kitchen.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Sodium Polyacrylate

1
Get some sodium polyacrylate. Sodium polyacrylate is an absorbent polymer that can absorb up to 400 times its weight. It is found in many absorbent products, such as diapers, and you can buy it online. It is occasionally sold as "water gel powder," "slush powder," or "instant solid powder."^{[1]
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2
Put on some safety goggles. You will be working with chemicals, so putting on a pair of safety goggles is a must.^{[2]
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Research source} Polymers absorb water, so this is not something that you want to get in your eyes.^{[3]
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3
Measure 5 to 7 grams (0.18 to 0.25 oz) of sodium polyacrylate into a glass container. This may seem like a tiny amount, but you don't need much to turn water into gel. The polymer will swell up once you add the water.^{[4]
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4
Add 300 milliliters of water. Try to pour the water quickly, and from about 12 inches (30 cm) or even higher; this will cause the water to mix into the polymer better.^{[5]
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- If you have access to it, use deionized water for best results.
5
Watch as the water turns into gel. Sodium polyacrylate has both carboxylate anion protons and sodium cation protons. Since water is attracted to sodium ions, it enters the polymer through osmosis. This causes the sodium carboxylate to ionize and the polymer to swell. Meanwhile, the anionic carboxylates repel each other, causing further swelling, which traps the water, and results in a gel.^{[6]
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6
Stir some salt into the to reverse the process. This is not a required part of the experiment, but it is an interesting follow-up. NaCL (sodium chloride, also known as table salt) increases the number of electrolytes (ions) in the water. This prevents the carboxylates from repelling each other and causes the polymer to contract and expel the water.^{[7]
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- Start with about 5 to 7 g (1 to 1.25 teaspoons) of salt, then add more as needed. Keep adding salt and stirring until the gel turns back to water.
- Use a glass stirring rod or stick for this.
7
Discard the gel. If your lab has a waste bin for chemicals, you can pour the gel in there. You can also stir salt into it, as indicated in the previous step, to return it to a liquid state, then pour it down the drain.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making Edible Water Gel

1
Measure out 3⅓ cups (80 grams) of agar powder into a large saucepan. Make sure that you are using agar powder and not agar flakes. Also, make sure that the saucepan is big enough to hold at least 2 liters (0.53 US gal) of water.^{[9]
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Gradually stir 8 cups (2 liters) of water into the saucepan. Do not add the water all at once. Instead, start with just enough water to turn the powder into a paste. Then add the rest of the water in about four increments, stirring between each one.^{[10]
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Boil the agar water. Set the saucepan on the stove, and turn the heat up to medium. Cook the agar water for 3 to 5 minutes, or until it reaches 176°F (80°C).
4
Chill the agar water in an ice bath. Fill a larger container (ie: a sink) with cold water, then add some ice. Set the saucepan into the water, then stir the agar water until it turns cold and clear.^{[11]
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- The water level in the ice bath needs to reach the agar water level in the saucepan.
5
Pour the agar into your desired mold(s). You can use silicone baking or ice cube trays, regular ice cube trays, or even candy making molds. You can even use regular jelly molds.
6
Refrigerate the agar water for 2 hours. As the agar water continues to cool down, it will solidify into a gel. It will be slightly foggy, but still clear enough to see through.^{[12]
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De-mold and serve the gel. The gel won't taste like much, so it would be a good idea to pour some sugar water or simple syrup over it before digging in. You can even use honey or a flavored simple syrup instead.^{[13]
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Community Q&A

Question

At what temperature will it return to a liquid?

Nyambura

Community Answer

It depends on what substance you are talking about. Water vapour turns to a gas at 100 degrees Celsius and it turns to a liquid below that temperature level. Some substances do not turn into liquids at all whether you heat it or cool it a good example is iodine, this is called sublimation.
Question

Does agar gel eventually change to liquid state; when it is kept in room temperature?

Hannah

Community Answer

No, it will not change to liquid state. The only way to liquefy agar is to heat it up to about 95°C (about 203° Fahrenheit).
Question

Is the water gel safe to apply to your skin?

Cros Saint

Community Answer

For the first method, no, it is not safe. For the second method, it is likely safe as it is just agar and water, unless you have skin sensitivity to agar.

Warnings

Do not pour sodium polyacrylate gel down the grain without liquefying it first, or it will clog the drain.

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Do not consume sodium polyacrylate powder.^{[14]
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U.S. National Capital Poison Center
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Do not consume gel made from sodium polyacrylate powder.^{[15]
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U.S. National Capital Poison Center
Independent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives
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