The present disclosure relates to an absorbent structure for use in a diaper for babies and infants, a feminine hygiene article and/or an incontinence article, said absorbent structure comprising a water-absorbing material, the water-absorbing material being obtainable by a process comprising the steps of A) treating a particulate, non-surface-crosslinked, water-absorbing polymer with a mixture comprising an aqueous solvent and at least one salt of a transition metal and B) irradiating the polymer treated according to A) with UV radiation, and to a process for its production.