The present invention relates to a process for the production of a water-absorbing polymer structure, comprising the process steps: i) providing an untreated water-absorbing polymer structure having a degree of neutralization of at most 70 mol % ii) bringing the untreated water-absorbing polymer structure into contact with an acidic component. The invention also relates to the water-absorbing polymer structures obtainable by this process, water-absorbing polymer structures, a composite, a process for the production of a composite, the composite obtainable by this process, foams, shaped articles, fibers, foils, films, cables, sealing materials, liquid-absorbing hygiene articles, carriers for plant and fungal growth-regulating agents, packaging materials, soil additives or building materials, and the use of a water-absorbing polymer structure.
