Biobased additives for use with fibers

Abstract

A fiber additive comprising a sugar oxidation product; a solvent; and a plasticizer. A composition comprising (1) a fibrous material; and (2) an additive comprising a sugar oxidation product. A method of preparing an improved fiber composition, comprising solubilizing a fibrous material in a suitable solvent to form a solubilized fibrous material; introducing an additive comprising a sugar oxidation product to the solubilized fibrous material to form a mixture; and wet-spinning the fibrous material to form fibers.

Description

BIOBASED ADDITIVES FOR USE WITH FIBERSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 511 ,723 filed July 3, 2023 and entitled “BIOBASED ADDITIVES FOR USE WITH FIBERS,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to biobased additives. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to biobased additives for improving fiber properties.BACKGROUND

[0003] The circular economy (CE) is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. CE represents a paradigm shift away from a linear consumption model where economic growth is decoupled from scarce resource use. The CE allows for economic development within natural resource constraints and encourages sustainable resource use. Sustainability refers to meeting human needs without overwhelming nature or society. Improvements in sustainability can be addressed by using raw materials derived from renewable resources. Fiber production is one industry that can be significantly impacted by the replacement of at least a portion of the traditional additives used in modifying fiber properties with additives derived from sustainable resources.

[0004] For example, petroleum-derived plasticizers that are routinely utilized in fiber manufacture are derived from fossil fuels using environmentally unfriendly processes. Notably, there exists a need for fiber property-improving additives not derived from petroleum materials.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0005] The following figures form part of the present specification and is included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present disclosure. The subject matter of the present disclosure may be better understood by reference to the figure in combination with the detailed description of specific aspects presented herein.

[0006] Figure 1 A depicts the chemical structure of gluconic acid.

[0007] Figure 1 B depicts the chemical structure of glucaric acid.

[0008] Figure 1 C depicts the chemical structure of glucodialdose.

[0009] Figure 1 D depicts the chemical structure of 2-ketoglucose.

[0010] Figure 1 E depicts the chemical structure of glucamine.SUMMARY

[0011] Disclosed herein is a fiber additive comprising a sugar oxidation product; a solvent; and a plasticizer.

[0012] Also disclosed herein is a composition comprising (1 ) a fibrous material; and (2) an additive comprising a sugar oxidation product.

[0013] Also disclosed herein is a method of preparing an improved fiber composition, comprising solubilizing a fibrous material in a suitable solvent to form a solubilized fibrous material; introducing an additive comprising a sugar oxidation product to the solubilized fibrous material to form a mixture; and wet-spinning the fibrous material to form fibers.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Disclosed herein are additives comprising a biobased compound that function to modify one or more properties of a fiber or fibrous material. Herein a biobased compound is one that is derived from a renewable biological resource. In one or more aspects, the additives disclosed herein can be used to replace at least a portion of the conventional additives used to modify one or more properties of a fiber. Conventional additives are characteristically not biobased compounds such as those derived from petroleum. Hereinafter, biobased additives for use in fiber property improvement are termed FIBs.

[0015] In some aspects, the FIB comprises one or more sugar-derived molecules. For example, the FIB can comprise one or more sugar oxidation products. In some aspects, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise aldonic acid, uronic acid, aldaric acid, or a combination thereof, and / or be present with a counter cation. For example, the one or more sugar oxidation products may be a mixture of aldaric, uronic acids.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, in one or more aspects, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise glucaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glucose oxidation products, gluconic acid oxidation products or combinations thereof.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, in one or more aspects, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise galactonic acid, galactaric acid, an oxidation productcomprising predominantly (e.g., greater than about 50 weight percent) galactonic acid and / or galactaric acid with minor component species of n-keto-acids, C2 to C6 diacids or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, in one or more aspects, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise glutamic acid.

[0018] In an aspect, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise a glucose oxidation product, a gluconic acid oxidation product, glucaric acid, an oxidized glucuronolactone, a uronic acid oxidation product or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprises a buffered glucose oxidation product, a buffered gluconic acid oxidation product or combinations thereof. In some such aspects, the buffered glucose oxidation product, the buffered gluconic acid oxidation product, or combinations thereof.

[0019] In an aspect, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise glucaric acid, lactones of glucaric acid, gluconic acid, lactones of gluconic acid, galactonic acid, lactones of galactonic acid, galactaric acid, lactones of galactaric acid, galactonic acid, glucoheptonic acid, lactones of glucoheptonic acid, or combinations thereof. The chemical structures of exemplary sugar oxidation products are depicted in Figures 1 A- 1 E.

[0020] In some aspects, the one or more sugar oxidation products comprise gluconate, glucarate or combinations thereof.

[0021] In aspects, any of the one or more sugar oxidation products further comprises a cation counterpart such as a Group 1 alkali metal, a Group 2 alkaline earth metal, a Group 8 metal, Group 11 metal, Group 12 metal or a combination thereof. Nonlimiting exemplary cation counterparts include silicates, borates, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, sodium, potassium, cesium, strontium, zinc, copper, ferric iron orferrous iron, and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the cation counterpart is sodium, potassium, calcium or ammonium. In one or more aspects, the one or more sugar oxidation products can be partially or fully salt-free (e.g., partially or fully acidified).

[0022] In aspects, the FIB has one or more sugar oxidation products (e.g., a mixture of glucaric acid and gluconic acid) present in an amount of about 0.1 wt.%, or about 0.25 wt.%, or about 0.5 wt.%, or about 0.75 wt.%, or about 1 wt.%, or about 1.25 wt.%, or about 1 .5 wt.%, or about 1 .75 wt.%, or about 2 wt.%, or about 2.25 wt.%, or about 2.5 wt.%, or about 2.75 wt.%, or about 3 wt.%, or about 3.25 wt.%, or about 3.5 wt.%, or about 3.75 wt.%, or about 4 wt.%, or about 4.25 wt.%, or about 4.5 wt.%, or about 4.75 wt.%, orabout 5 wt.%, or about 10 wt.%, or about 12.5 wt.%, or about 15 wt.%, or about17.5 wt.%, or about 20 wt.%, or about 22.5 wt.%, or about 25 wt.%, or about 27.5 wt.%, or about 30 wt.%, or about 32.5 wt.%, or about 35 wt.%, or about 37.5 wt.%, or about 40 wt.%, or about 42.5 wt.%, or about 45 wt.%, or about 47.5 wt.%, or about 50 wt.%, or about 52.5 wt.%, or about 55 wt.%, or about 57.5 wt.%, or about 60 wt.%, or about 62.5 wt.%, or about 65 wt.%, or about 67.5 wt.%, or about 70 wt.%, or about 72.5 wt.%, or about 75 wt.%, or about 77.5 wt.%, or about 80 wt.%, or about 82.5 wt.%, or about 85 wt.%, or about 87.5 wt.%, or about 90 wt.%, or about 92.5 wt.%, or about 95 wt.%, or about 97.5 wt.%, or about 100, or about 0.1 wt.% to about 100 wt.%, or about 1 wt.% to about 95 wt.%, or about 5 wt.% to about 90 wt.%, or about 10 wt.% to about 90 wt.%, or about 15 wt.% to about 85 wt.%, or about 20 wt.% to about 80 wt.%, or about 25 wt.% to about 75 wt.%, or about 40 wt.% to about 60 wt.%, or about 50 wt.%, or about 0.1 wt.% to about 10 wt.%, or about 1 wt.% to about 20 wt.%, or about 5 wt.% to about 50 wt.% based on the total weight of the FIB.

[0023] In some aspects, the FIB further comprises a solvent. In such aspects, the FIB includes a solvent in amounts sufficient to provide one or more user and / or process desired characteristics. For example, the solvent can comprise water and is present in an amount that comprises the remainder of the FIB when all other components are accounted for.

[0024] In one or more aspects, the FIB comprises a plasticizer that is not biobased or a plasticizer derived from a petroleum source material. Nonlimiting examples of such plasticizers include phthalates, poly(vinyl acetate), glycerol, sorbitol, citrates, fumarates and combinations thereof. In one or more aspects, the plasticizer is included in the FIB in amounts of from about 0.01 wt.% to about 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the FIB, alternatively from about 0.1 wt.% to about 18 wt.%, alternatively from about 0.5 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, alternatively from about 2 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, alternatively from about 5 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, or alternatively from about 7.5 wt.% to about 15 wt.%

[0025] In one or more aspects, a FIB is utilized as a fiber additive in any amount sufficient to modify one or more user and / process desired properties. For example, the FIB may be added to a fiber during any stage of a fiber production process to provide a final amount of the FIB in an amount ranging from about 0.01 wt.% to about 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the fiber, alternatively from about 0.1 wt.% to about 18 wt.%, alternatively from about 0.5 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, alternatively from about 2 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, alternatively from about 5 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, alternatively from about7.5 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, alternatively from about 10 wt.% to about 12 wt.%, or alternatively about 0.01 wt.%, about 0.25 wt.%, about 0.5 wt.%, about 0.75 wt.%, about 1 wt.%, about 1 .25 wt.%, about 1 .5 wt.%, about 1 .75 wt.%, about 2 wt.%, about 2.25 wt.%, about 2.5 wt.%, about 2.75 wt.%, about 3 wt.%, about 3.25 wt.%, about 3.5 wt.%, about 3.75 wt.%, about 4 wt.%, about 4.25 wt.%, about 4.5 wt.%, about 4.7 wt.%, about 4.9 wt.%, about 5.1 wt.%, about 5.3 wt.%, about 5.5 wt.%, about 5.7 wt.%, about 5.9 wt.%, about 6.1 wt.%, about 6.3 wt.%, about 6.5 wt.%, about 6.7 wt.%, about 6.9 wt.%, about 7.1 wt.%, about 7.3 wt.%, about 7.5 wt.%, about 7.7 wt.%, about 7.9 wt.%, about 8.1 wt.%, about 8.3 wt.%, about 8.5 wt.%, about 8.7 wt.%, about 8.9 wt.%, about 9.1 wt.%, about 9.3 wt.%, about 9.8 wt.%, about 10.3 wt.%, about 10.9 wt.%, about 11.5 wt.%, about 12.1 wt.%, about 12.7 wt.%, about 13.3 wt.%, about 13.9 wt.%, about 14.5 wt.%, about 15.1 wt.%, about 15.7 wt.%, about 16.3 wt.%, about 16.9 wt.%, about 17.5 wt.%, about 18.1 wt.%, about 18.7 wt.%, about 19.3 wt.% or about 20 wt.%.In some aspects, the FIB can be present between any of the individual amounts listed herein. In some aspects, the FIB is added to the fiber during the fiber spinning process.

[0026] In one or more aspects, a method of the present disclosure comprises preparing a fiber by wet spinning. In such aspects, the method comprises dissolving or digesting a fibrous material in a suitable solvent to prepare a fiber solution. Nonlimiting examples of suitable solvents for preparation of the fiber solution include aqueous fluids, sodium thiocyanate, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone, sulfuric acid, dimethyl formamide and combinations thereof. In one or more aspects, the fibrous material is a natural fiber. In some aspects, the fibrous material is a synthetic fiber

[0027] Natural fibers include those produced by plants, animals, and geological processes. Nonlimiting examples of natural fibers include vegetable fibers that are generally based on arrangements of cellulose, biomass fibers (e.g., wood fiber, plant fiber, etc.), animal fibers, and mineral fibers. Artificial or chemical fibers are fibers whose chemical composition, structure, and properties are significantly modified during the manufacturing process. Artificial fibers consist of regenerated fibers and synthetic fibers. Semi-synthetic fibers are made from raw materials with naturally long-chain polymer structure and are only modified and partially degraded by chemical processes, in contrast to completely synthetic fibers such as polyamide, polyester phenolformaldehyde (PF), polyvinyl chloride fiber (PVC), polyolefins (PP and PE), acrylic polyesters, polyurethane fibers, and polyacrylonitrile fibers. The fibrous material may comprise cellulose acetate, regenerated cellulose, standard cellulose, cotton, polyvinylalcohol, sodium alginate, polyamide, polyester phenol-formaldehyde, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins, acrylic polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile or combinations thereof.

[0028] The method may further comprise forming a mixture by the addition of a FIB to the fiber solution. In one or more aspects, the mixture is combined (e.g., extruded, injected, mixed, etc.) into a solvent extraction bath, and the as-spun fibers after solvent extraction are collected using any suitable methodology such as a rotating winder. In one or more aspects, the method further comprises passing the collected fibers through another solvent extraction bath. The collected fibers may be dried with hot air to further remove solvent or moisture and form a finished fiber. In an aspect, the finished fibers are then subjected to thermal drawing to control the fiber diameter.

[0029] In some aspects, the fiber material is a virgin fiber material, a recycled fiber material or combinations thereof. Virgin fiber is a fresh material that has not been used before to make a product. Recycled fibers are materials that have been obtained from reclaimed materials through a manufacturing process and then used to create a final product.

[0030] In one or more aspects, the FIB functions as a plasticizer. Plasticizers change the workability of a material by altering the material’s plasticity, decreasing its viscosity, and / or decreasing friction during material handling in manufacture. In some aspects, the FIB functions as an antiplasticizer. Antiplasticizers characteristically increase the material’s flexural modulus while decreasing the glass transition temperature of the material in which it is included. The FIB may function as an antiplasticizer at concentration x and function as a plasticizer at concentration y where y, is greater than x. In one or more aspects, x is about 0.001y, about 0.005y, about 0.015y, about 0.025y, about 0.035y, about 0.045y, about 0.055y, about 0.065y, about 0.075y, about 0.085y, about 0.095y, about 0.105y, about 0.115y, about 0.125y, about 0.135y, about 0.145y, about 0.155y, about 0.165y, about 0.175y, about 0.185y, about 0.195y, about 0.205y, about 0.305y, about 0.405y, about 0.505y, about 0.605y, about 0.705y, about 0.805y, about 0.905y, about 1.005y, about 1.105y, about 1.205y, about 1.305y, about 1.405y, about 1 ,505y, about 1 ,605y, about 1 .705y, about 1 ,805y, about 1 ,905y, about or about 2.00y.

[0031] The FIBs and methods disclosed herein advantageously improve fiber properties which may also enable the use of more recycled materials in multiple applications, including clothing.

[0032] In one or more aspects, the FIB comprising sugar oxidation products such as gluconate and glucarates functions as a plasticizer. In some aspects, the FIB is added to partially or fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol and is used to replace at least a portion of the amount of nonbiobased plasticizers. A FIB of the present disclosure functioning as a plasticizer may be included in a composition in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt.% to about 10 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

[0033] The sugar oxidation products (e.g., gluconates and glucarates) of the FIB may be used as purified compounds, mixtures of compounds, partially neutralized compounds, fully neutralized compounds or combinations thereof. FIBs may be included in fiber compositions to improve the properties thereof in any suitable amount. In an aspect, the FIB is present in the composition in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt.% to about 10 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

[0034] In an aspect, the FIB is used to improve the properties of nonwoven fibers. Herein, nonwoven fibers may be characterized as being usually flat and flexible, can assume any thickness, does not ravel or fray at the cut edges, exhibits an ease of care, may shrink in the wash, varying degrees of porosity, absorbent, stretchable, and biodegradable. Nonlimiting examples of materials prepared from nonwoven fibers include wet-laid nonwovens, spun laid nonwovens, stitch bond nonwovens, solvent bond nonwovens, thermal bond nonwovens, chemical bond nonwovens, hydro entangled nonwovens, carded nonwovens, and nonwoven composite fabrics.

[0035] Tensile properties of dry and wet fibers prepared with and without FIBs of the present disclosure will be measured (according to ASTM D3822), to determine various mechanical properties such as modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break and tenacity.

[0036] FIBs will be investigated as performance enhancers in cellulosic fibers. Specifically, the FIBs property relevant to being used as additives in cellulosic fibers will be evaluated using standard analytical techniques (e.g., differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), rheology). Experiments will be designed to evaluate FIBs as additives in cellulosic fibers by identifying the appropriate type of fibers to evaluate along with comparison to an incumbent additive (if such an additive exists) being used for similar reasons. FIBs will be used as additives to improve the properties of recycled cellulosic fibers and increase the recycled content in cellulosic fibers

[0037] The basic properties of FIBs relevant to being used as additives in cellulosic or cotton fibers will be analyzed using the appropriate analytical techniques (e.g., DSC, TGA, rheology FIBs will be used as additives in recycled cellulosic fibers, in mixtures of virgin and recycled.

[0038] The basic properties of FIBs as performance enhancers in polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) fibers will be evaluated using analytical techniques (e.g., DSC, TGA, rheology); along with comparison to an incumbent additive (if such an additive exists) being used for similar reasons.ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE

[0039] A first aspect which is a fiber additive comprising a sugar oxidation product; a solvent; and a plasticizer.

[0040] A second aspect which is the additive of the first aspect wherein the sugar oxidation product comprises aldaric acid, uronic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glucose oxidation products, gluconic acid oxidation products, disaccharides, oxidized disaccharides, n-keto-acids, C2-C6 diacids, galactonic acid, galactaric acid, glutamic acid, glucodialdose, 2-ketoglucose, glucodiamine, glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, salts thereof, lactones thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0041] A third aspect which is the additive of any of the first through second aspects wherein the sugar oxidation product comprises gluconate, glucarate, or combinations thereof.

[0042] A fourth aspect which is the additive of any of the first through third aspects wherein the sugar oxidation product comprises a cation counterpart.

[0043] A fifth aspect which is the additive of the fourth aspect wherein the cation counterpart comprises a Group 1 alkali metal, a Group 2 alkaline earth metal, a Group 8 metal, Group 11 metal, Group 12 metal, or combinations thereof.

[0044] A sixth aspect which is the additive of any of the fourth through fifth aspects wherein the cation counterpart is sodium, potassium, calcium, or ammonium.

[0045] A seventh aspect which is the additive of any of the first through sixth aspects wherein the sugar oxidation product is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt.% to about 99 wt.%.

[0046] An eighth aspect which is the additive of any of the first through seventh aspects wherein the solvent comprises an aqueous fluid.

[0047] A ninth aspect which is the additive of any of the first through eighth aspects wherein the plasticizer is present in an amount of from about 0.01 wt.% to about 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the additive.

[0048] A tenth aspect which is the additive of any of the first through ninth aspects wherein the plasticizer comprises phthalates, poly(vinyl acetate), glycerol, sorbitol, citrates, fumarates, or combinations thereof.

[0049] An eleventh aspect which is a composition comprising (1 ) a fibrous material; and (2) an additive comprising a sugar oxidation product.

[0050] A twelfth aspect which is the composition of the eleventh aspect wherein the sugar oxidation product comprises aldaric acid, uronic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glucose oxidation products, gluconic acid oxidation products, disaccharides, oxidized disaccharides, n-keto-acids, C2-C6 diacids, galactonic acid, galactaric acid, glutamic acid, glucodialdose, 2-ketoglucose, glucodiamine, glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, salts thereof, lactones thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0051] A thirteenth aspect which is the composition of any of the eleventh through twelfth aspects wherein the sugar oxidation product is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt.% to about 99 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

[0052] A fourteenth aspect which is the composition of any of the eleventh through thirteenth aspects wherein the additive further comprises a solvent, and wherein the solvent comprises an aqueous fluid.

[0053] A fifteenth aspect which is the composition of any of the eleventh through fourteenth aspects wherein the additive further comprises a plasticizer, and wherein the plasticizer comprises phthalates, poly(vinyl acetate), glycerol, sorbitol, citrates, fumarates, or combinations thereof.

[0054] A sixteenth aspect which is the composition of any of the eleventh through fifteenth aspects wherein the fibrous material comprises cellulose acetate, regenerated cellulose, standard cellulose, cotton, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, polyamide, polyester phenol-formaldehyde, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins, acrylic polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, or combinations thereof.

[0055] A seventeenth aspect which is the composition of any of the eleventh through sixteenth aspects wherein the fibrous material comprises a recycled material, a virgin material, or combinations thereof.

[0056] An eighteenth aspect which is a method of preparing an improved fiber composition, comprising solubilizing a fibrous material in a suitable solvent to form asolubilized fibrous material; introducing an additive comprising a sugar oxidation product to the solubilized fibrous material to form a mixture; and wet-spinning the fibrous material to form fibers.

[0057] A nineteenth aspect which is the method of the eighteenth aspect wherein the fibrous material comprises cellulose acetate, regenerated cellulose, standard cellulose, cotton, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, polyamide, polyester phenol-fomnaldehyde, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins, acrylic polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, or combinations thereof.

[0058] A twentieth aspect which is the method of any of the eighteenth through nineteenth aspects wherein the sugar oxidation product comprises aldaric acid, uronic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glucose oxidation products, gluconic acid oxidation products, disaccharides, oxidized disaccharides, n-keto-acids, C2-C6 diacids, galactonic acid, galactaric acid, glutamic acid, glucodialdose, 2-ketoglucose, glucodiamine, glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, salts thereof, lactones thereof, or combinations thereof.

[0059] While aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the subject matter. The aspects described herein are exemplary only and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the subject matter disclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11 , 0.12, 0.13, etc.). Use of the term "optionally" with respect to any element of a claim is intended to mean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Both alternatives are intended to be within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, etc.

[0060] Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated into the specification as an aspect of the present disclosure. Thus, the claims are a further description andare an addition to the aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter. The discussion of a reference herein is not an admission that it is prior art to the presently disclosed subject matter, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that they provide exemplary, procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . A fiber additive comprising: a sugar oxidation product; a solvent; and a plasticizer.

2. The additive of claim 1 , wherein the sugar oxidation product comprises aldaric acid, uronic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glucose oxidation products, gluconic acid oxidation products, disaccharides, oxidized disaccharides, n- keto-acids, C2-C6 diacids, galactonicacid, galactaric acid, glutamic acid, glucodialdose, 2-ketoglucose, glucodiamine, glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, salts thereof, lactones thereof, or a combination thereof.

3. The additive of claim 1 , wherein the sugar oxidation product comprises gluconate, glucarate, or a combination thereof.

4. The additive of claim 1 , wherein the sugar oxidation product comprises a cation counterpart.

5. The additive of claim 4, wherein the cation counterpart comprises a Group 1 alkali metal, a Group 2 alkaline earth metal, a Group 8 metal, Group 11 metal, Group 12 metal, or combinations thereof.

6. The additive of claim 4, wherein the cation counterpart is sodium, potassium, calcium, or ammonium.

7. The additive of claim 1 , wherein the sugar oxidation product is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt.% to about 99 wt.%.

8. The additive of claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises an aqueous fluid.

9. The additive of claim 1 , wherein the plasticizer is present in an amount of from about 0.01 wt.% to about 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the additive.

10. The additive of claim 1 , wherein the plasticizer comprises phthalates, poly(vinyl acetate), glycerol, sorbitol, citrates, fumarates, or a combination thereof.

11. A composition comprising: a fibrous material; and an additive comprising a sugar oxidation product.

12. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the sugar oxidation product comprises aldaric acid, uronic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glucose oxidation products, gluconic acid oxidation products, disaccharides, oxidized disaccharides, n- keto-acids, C2-C6 diacids, galactonicacid, galactaric acid, glutamic acid, glucodialdose, 2-ketoglucose, glucodiamine, glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, salts thereof, lactones thereof, or a combination thereof.

13. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the sugar oxidation product is present in an amount of from about 0.1 wt.% to about 99 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

14. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the additive further comprises a solvent, and wherein the solvent comprises an aqueous fluid.

15. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the additive further comprises a plasticizer, and wherein the plasticizer comprises phthalates, poly(vinyl acetate), glycerol, sorbitol, citrates, fumarates, or combinations thereof.

16. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the fibrous material comprises cellulose acetate, regenerated cellulose, standard cellulose, cotton, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, polyamide, polyester phenol-formaldehyde, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins, acrylic polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, or a combination thereof.

17. The composition of claim 11 , wherein the fibrous material comprises a recycled material, a virgin material, or a combination thereof.

18. A method of preparing an improved fiber composition, comprising: solubilizing a fibrous material in a suitable solvent to form a solubilized fibrous material; introducing an additive comprising a sugar oxidation product to the solubilized fibrous material to form a mixture; and wet-spinning the fibrous material to form fibers.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the fibrous material comprises cellulose acetate, regenerated cellulose, standard cellulose, cotton, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, polyamide, polyester phenol-formaldehyde, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins, acrylic polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, or a combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the sugar oxidation product comprises aldaric acid, uranic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, glucose oxidation products, gluconic acid oxidation products, disaccharides, oxidized disaccharides, n- keto-acids, C2-C6 diacids, galactonicacid, galactaric acid, glutamic acid, glucodialdose, 2-ketoglucose, glucodiamine, glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, salts thereof, lactones thereof, or a combination thereof.

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