Polymer material

Abstract

Disclosed in the present specification are a polymer material and a use thereof. Disclosed in the present specification is a polymer material in which a polysaccharide component forms appropriate chemical and physical bonds to exhibit at least a certain level of torque even after being treated with an enzyme that reacts with the polysaccharide component and exhibit a high absorption rate while exhibiting excellent absorption capacity. Further disclosed in the present specification is a method for manufacturing the polymer material.

Description

Polymer materials

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0136318 filed October 8, 2024 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0160474 filed November 12, 2024, and all contents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] This specification discloses polymer materials and their uses.

[0005] Materials known as so-called superabsorbent polymers (hereinafter "SAP") are capable of absorbing tens to thousands of times their own weight in moisture. SAPs are used for a wide variety of applications, including hygiene products such as sanitary products and diapers, medical supplies, household materials, agricultural materials, horticultural materials, transportation materials, civil engineering and construction materials, materials related to electrical and electronic equipment, and water treatment agents.

[0006] The most widely used hydrogel polymer for use as SAP is a polymer made of vinyl-based materials such as cross-linked polyacrylic acid.

[0007] These materials are relatively inexpensive and have excellent water absorption capabilities, but they cause various problems because they remain semi-permanently even after disposal.

[0008] To address these issues, various attempts have been made to manufacture SAP using polysaccharide-based natural polymers as the main raw material.

[0009] However, since polysaccharide-based natural polymers are too diverse in type, and even when a specific type of polysaccharide is selected, inherent characteristics such as molecular weight or viscosity vary greatly, it is not an easy task to select raw materials capable of ensuring excellent absorption capacity.

[0010] Furthermore, since polysaccharide-based natural polymers, which are biodegradable materials, have low crosslinking efficiency, it is difficult to obtain polymers with desired absorption characteristics. Although a method using internal crosslinking agents to perform crosslinking is known to secure high absorption characteristics, polymers produced by this method suffer from excessively slow absorption rates even if they exhibit absorption capacity above a certain level, as well as reduced biodegradability. Therefore, it is a challenging task to simultaneously secure excellent absorption capacity and absorption rate by effectively forming self-crosslinked structures of polysaccharides or polysaccharide components without using internal crosslinking agents.

[0011] This specification discloses polymer materials and their uses.

[0012] The present specification discloses a polymer material in which a polysaccharide component forms appropriate chemical and physical bonds, exhibiting a torque of a certain level or higher even after treatment with an enzyme that reacts with the polysaccharide component, and thereby exhibiting excellent absorption capacity and a fast absorption rate.

[0013] This specification also discloses a method for manufacturing a polymer material as described above.

[0014] Among the physical properties mentioned in this specification, if the measurement temperature affects the value of the physical property, the property is the one measured at room temperature unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0015] In this specification, the term room temperature refers to a natural temperature that has not been heated or cooled, and may mean, for example, any temperature within the range of about 10°C to 30°C, or a temperature of about 23°C or 25°C.

[0016] Among the physical properties mentioned in this specification, if the measured pressure affects the value of the physical property, the property refers to the property measured at atmospheric pressure unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0017] In this specification, the term atmospheric pressure refers to pressure that is not specifically pressurized or depressurized, and may mean pressure of the level of atmospheric pressure, for example, pressure of about 740 mmHg to 780 mmHg.

[0018] Among the physical properties mentioned in this specification, if the measured humidity affects the result, said physical property is the property measured at standard humidity unless specifically otherwise specified.

[0019] Humidity in standard conditions means any relative humidity within the range of 40% to 60%, for example, a relative humidity of about 55% or 60%.

[0020] This specification discloses polymer materials.

[0021] The above polymer material may refer to an absorbent material further comprising a cross-linked polymer and a compound reacting therewith. The above polymer may refer to a relatively high molecular weight compound formed by connecting two or more monomers by covalent bonds.

[0022] The above-mentioned cross-linked polymer may mean a polymer in which all and / or at least a portion of the polymer is physically and / or chemically bonded. In the polymer material, at least a portion of the polymer may simply be mixed. The polymer may be a mixture of two or more different polymers.

[0023] In the above, absorbency means that the cross-linked polymer exhibits centrifugal retention capacity (CRC), absorption capacity under pressure (AUP), and / or vortex absorption characteristics as described below.

[0024] The polymer material may contain a polymer in an amount greater than a certain amount. For example, the lower limit of the polymer content in the polymer material may be approximately 70 wt%, 75 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt%, 90 wt%, or 95 wt%, and the upper limit may be approximately 100 wt%, 98 wt%, 96 wt%, 94 wt%, 92 wt%, or 90 wt%. The content may be within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above; or within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above, while being less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0025] The above polymer material may include a polysaccharide component.

[0026] The term polysaccharide component means a polysaccharide or a mixture of polysaccharides. When the polysaccharide component is a mixture of polysaccharides, the mixture may be a mixture of one type of polysaccharide (i.e., two or more molecules of the same type of polysaccharide are present) or a mixture of two or more types of polysaccharides. In the above, two or more types of polysaccharides may refer to different types of polysaccharides, or may include polysaccharides of the same type but with different physical properties such as molecular weight.

[0027] The term polysaccharide has the meaning known in the industry. Generally, polysaccharide refers to a polymer molecule in which two or more monomers are connected by covalent bonds. The covalent bond connecting the monomers is typically a glycosidic bond.

[0028] The monomers forming the above polysaccharides may be biomolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, or composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. In this specification, the term "biomolecule" is interpreted to have the meaning generally applied in the industry. Examples of biomolecules commonly known in the industry include monosaccharides such as glucose, galactose, fructose, or xylose; disaccharides such as sucrose, lactose, maltose, or trehalose; polyols such as sorbitol or mannitol; oligosaccharides such as maltodextrin, dextrin, raffinose, stachyose, or fructooligosaccharides; and / or amino sugars such as glucosamine or N-acetalglucosamine, but the types of biomolecules in this specification are not limited to the above.

[0029] The above polymer material may contain a polysaccharide component in an amount greater than a certain amount based on the total weight of the polymer material. For example, the lower limit of the ratio of the polysaccharide component in the above polymer material may be approximately 70 wt%, 75 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt%, 90 wt%, or 95 wt%, and the upper limit may be approximately 100 wt%, 95 wt%, 90 wt%, 85 wt%, or 80 wt%. The ratio may be within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above; or within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above, while being less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. There is no particular limitation on the ratio of the polysaccharide component in the above polymer material, but the higher the ratio, the greater the biodegradability of the polymer material. However, in the case of conventional absorbent materials incorporating polysaccharide components, if the proportion of the polysaccharide component is excessively high in consideration of biodegradability, there is a problem of reduced absorption capacity and absorption rate. Nevertheless, the present specification makes it possible to stably achieve the desired absorption capacity and absorption rate while maintaining a high proportion of the polysaccharide component.

[0030] In the above polymer material, the polysaccharide component may be in a cross-linked state. In the above, cross-linking may mean a state in which two or more molecules of polysaccharides are connected by one or more chemical bonds, or a state in which two or more molecules of polysaccharides are connected by one or more chemical bonds, and polysaccharides are connected by physical bonds.

[0031] For example, the state of being connected by the above chemical bond may include a case where the polysaccharide component forms an ester bond with a polysaccharide having an acidic group and a hydroxyl group included in one of the polysaccharide molecules. Additionally, for example, it may include a case where hydrogen bonds are formed between the polysaccharide molecules. Furthermore, for example, when a metal is included in the functional group of the polysaccharide, it may include a case where an ionic bond is formed due to electrostatic attraction between the metal and a non-metal atom and / or multiple atoms included in one of the polysaccharide molecules.

[0032] For example, the state in which the above polysaccharides are connected by physical bonding may include cases in which a twist or entanglement is formed between the chains contained in the above polysaccharides.

[0033] Typically, crosslinking can be formed by chemical substances other than the polysaccharide, called so-called crosslinking agents, or by the reaction between functional groups included in the polysaccharide.

[0034] In this specification, the polymer material may include a self-crosslinked polysaccharide component among the crosslinked polysaccharides of the above type.

[0035] The above-mentioned self-crosslinked polysaccharide component may refer to a crosslinked polysaccharide in which the crosslinking of the polysaccharide is performed by the reaction between functional groups contained in the polysaccharide without applying another crosslinking agent.

[0036] Polysaccharides or polysaccharide components, which are generally known biodegradable materials, have low crosslinking efficiency, making it difficult to obtain polymers that exhibit desired absorption characteristics. A method is known to crosslink polysaccharides or polysaccharide components using an internal crosslinking agent and then react them with a surface treatment agent described below in order to secure excellent absorption characteristics. However, in this case, the crosslinking density becomes excessively high, which leads to a problem where the absorption capacity and / or vortex absorption rate actually decrease.

[0037] The present specification discloses a polymer material that performs crosslinking without using an internal crosslinking agent to form a self-crosslinked structure in which the polysaccharide component has an appropriate crosslinking density, and exhibits excellent vortex absorption rate and absorption capacity even after reacting with a surface treatment agent described later, while maximizing the utilization of the biodegradability of the material itself.

[0038] Accordingly, the proportion of the internal crosslinking agent in this specification may be limited to a certain content or less. The term "internal crosslinking agent" refers to a crosslinking agent that crosslinks the polysaccharide components within the polymer material, and is a substance that forms chemical bonds connecting the polysaccharide components, and refers to a substance other than a polysaccharide.

[0039] For example, the upper limit of the ratio of the internal crosslinking agent in the polymer material may be approximately 0.01 wt%, 0.005 wt%, or 0.001 wt%, and the lower limit may be approximately 0 wt%. The ratio may be within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above; or greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, while being less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0040] Specific polysaccharide components may be used to secure the desired absorption characteristics. For example, self-crosslinking of the polysaccharide may be performed using so-called acidic polysaccharides. The acidic polysaccharide is a polysaccharide having acidic groups as is known, and examples of acidic groups include carboxylic groups, phosphate groups, phosphite groups and / or sulfuric ester groups or their salts.

[0041] For example, the process can be performed using a polysaccharide component having a carboxyl group or a salt of a carboxyl group as the acidic group. Since polysaccharides inherently contain hydroxyl groups, the self-crosslinking can be performed by esterifying the hydroxyl group contained in a single molecule of polysaccharide with the carboxyl group or the salt of a carboxyl group contained in the acidic polysaccharide.

[0042] There are no specific restrictions on the type of polysaccharide having the above-mentioned carboxyl group or the salt of the carboxyl group. For example, the above-mentioned self-crosslinking can be performed by applying a polysaccharide that has a carboxyl group itself, such as the so-called CMC (carboxylmethyl cellulose), or a polysaccharide into which a carboxyl group or its salt has been introduced through processes such as maleation or carboxyalkylation.

[0043] For example, the above polysaccharide component may include a unit represented by the following chemical formula 1.

[0044] [Chemical Formula 1]

[0045]

[0046] In Chemical Formula 1, R1 is a hydroxyl group, an amino group, -L5-C(=O)-OH, -L5-C(=O)-O -or is a functional group of the following chemical formula 2, where R3 is a hydroxyl group, -L5-C(=O)-OH, -L5-C(=O)-O - Or a functional group of the following chemical formula 2, wherein either L3 or L4 is a single bond and the other is CHR2, and R2 is a hydroxyl group, -L5-C(=O)-OH, -L5-C(=O)-O - Or it is a functional group of the following chemical formula 2, and L5 is an alkylene group or an alkylidene group.

[0047] [Chemical Formula 2]

[0048]

[0049] In Chemical Formula 2, M1 is hydrogen or a metal, and if M1 is the metal, the O-M1 bond is an ionic bond.

[0050] In Chemical Formula 1, when R1 is an amino group, the unit is a glucosamine unit or an N-acetylglucosamine unit. In this case, the amino group may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents. Examples of such substituents may include alkyl groups or alkyl carbonyl groups. In this case, the alkyl group may be an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, 1 to 16 carbon atoms, 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a methyl group, and such alkyl groups may be straight-chain, branched-chain, or cyclic, and may optionally be substituted by one or more substituents.

[0051] -L5-C(=O)-OH or -L5-C(=O)-O of Chemical Formula 1 - The functional group of may be, for example, a carboxyl group introduced by carboxyalkylation or a functional group in which the carboxyl group is ionized, and Chemical Formula 2 is a functional group introduced by malation.

[0052] These functional groups are introduced to participate in the aforementioned self-crosslinking reaction to form crosslinks, but not all of the introduced functional groups may participate in the crosslinking reaction, in which case some of the functional groups may remain.

[0053] In the above, the statement that either L3 or L4 is a single bond means that either L3 or L4 is absent. For example, if L3 is absent, the carbon atoms connected to the left and right of L3 in Chemical Formula 1 are directly connected, and if L4 is absent, the carbon atoms connected to the left and right of L4 in Chemical Formula 1 are directly connected.

[0054] The fact that the other of L3 and L4 is CHR2 means that in Chemical Formula 1, either L3 or L4 is a carbon atom, and that carbon atom is substituted with a substituent R2.

[0055] As described above, the self-crosslinked structure can be realized by esterifying acidic polysaccharides, particularly polysaccharides having carboxyl groups.

[0056] There are no specific limitations on the method of introducing a carboxyl group or its salt into a polysaccharide. For example, to introduce a functional group such as that of Formula 2, a so-called maleation process may be performed. This process involves reacting the polysaccharide with an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or its anhydride to substitute a hydroxyl group present in the monomer of the polymer with the functional group. Examples of the dicarboxylic acid or its anhydride may include maleic acid or maleic anhydride, but are not limited thereto, and salts of maleic acid may also be applied. Methods for performing the maleation process are known.

[0057] The above carboxyalkylation process can be carried out by reacting the polysaccharide component with an alkanoic acid or a haloalkanoic acid, or with a salt of said alkanoic acid or haloalkanoic acid. For example, after protonating the hydroxyl group of the polysaccharide component using an additive such as NaOH, a carboxyl group or its salt can be introduced into the polysaccharide component through a reaction with said alkanoic acid, etc.

[0058] The above self-crosslinked polysaccharide component forms appropriate chemical and physical bonds, so it can exhibit a torque value above a certain level even after treatment with an enzyme that reacts with the polysaccharide component.

[0059] As the above enzyme, one type may be used, or two or more different types of enzymes may be mixed and used. For example, the above enzyme may include cellulase.

[0060] As is known, cellulose is a homopolymer in which glucose units are linked by β(1→4) glycosidic bonds, and cellulase is known as an enzyme that degrades said cellulose. To completely degrade cellulose, three types of enzymes are required: endo-β-1,4-glucanase, exo-β-1,4-glucanase, and β-glucosidase. Accordingly, the cellulase of this specification may be an enzyme comprising said endo-β-1,4-glucanase, exo-β-1,4-glucanase, and β-glucosidase.

[0061] The exo-β-1,4-glucanase above acts from the end of the cellulose chain to continuously produce cellobiose, a disaccharide unit.

[0062] The above endo-β-1,4-glucanase acts randomly on cellulose chains to produce glucose, cellobiose, and oligomers.

[0063] The above-mentioned beta-glucosidase acts as an enzyme that breaks down cellobiose into glucose.

[0064] The above endo-β-1,4-glucanase cleaves the cellulose chain at random locations to open it up for the exo-β-1,4-glucanase to attack, and the exo-β-1,4-glucanase approaches and cleaves the ends of the cellulose chains to release cellobiose, and the β-glucosidase acts to break down the cellobiose into glucose.

[0065] As the cellulase, one or more types of cellulose derived from different strains may be used. For example, the cellulase may include a first cellulase derived from Trichoderma reesei and a second cellulase derived from Aspergillus sp.

[0066] For example, the enzyme may be a mixed enzyme comprising alpha-amylase (α-amylase) together with the cellulase. As the alpha-amylase, one or more types of amylase derived from different strains may be used. For example, the alpha-amylase may include a first alpha-amylase derived from Aspergillus oryzae and a second alpha-amylase derived from Bacillus sp.

[0067] As is known, alpha-amylase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes α(1→4) glycosidic bonds in polysaccharides. Although the reason is not clear, when a mixed enzyme of cellulase and alpha-amylase is used on cellulose containing acidic groups, the degradation efficiency of the cellulose containing acidic groups is superior compared to when cellulase is used as a single enzyme.

[0068] The polymer material of the present specification may have a large torque required to maintain the rotational speed set in the rheometer even after treatment with a mixed enzyme that has excellent decomposition efficiency of the cellulose, and the rate of reduction of the torque after treatment with the enzyme relative to the torque before treatment with the enzyme may be small. This is because the polysaccharide chains of the polymer material are appropriately connected by chemical bonds and form a cross-linked structure that is physically twisted and entangled, so it is not easy for the mixed enzyme to approach the polysaccharide chains and hydrolyze the β(1→4) glycosidic bonds inside the chains, and it is also not easy to release cellobiose, which is a β(1→4) glucose dimer, by cutting the ends of the polysaccharide chains.

[0069] For example, the above mixed enzyme may be a mixed enzyme solution prepared by mixing the cellulase and the alpha-amylase in a buffer solution. For example, the above mixed enzyme solution may be an enzyme solution prepared by mixing α-amylase derived from Aspergillus oryzae, α-amylase derived from Bacillus sp., cellulase derived from Trichoderma reesei, and cellulase derived from Aspergillus sp. in a buffer solution.

[0070] For example, the above buffer solution may include physiological saline buffer, Tris-HCl, Potassium phosphate Buffer, Sodium phosphate Buffer, Tris-Acetate-EDTA, Tris-Boric Acid-EDTA, etc. For example, the above buffer solution may include physiological saline buffer, and in one example, one or more selected from the group consisting of 1X Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS), 10X Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS), D-PBS (Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline), EBSS (Earle's balanced salt solution), and HBSS (Hanks' balanced salt solution) may be used.

[0071] The concentration of the enzymes in the above mixed enzyme solution can be controlled. For example, the above mixed enzyme solution may contain at least a certain unit of α-amylase derived from Aspergillus oryzae relative to the volume of the buffer solution. For example, the lower limit of the concentration of α-amylase derived from Aspergillus oryzae in the above mixed enzyme solution may be approximately 0.01 unit / mL, 0.015 unit / mL, 0.02 unit / mL, 0.025 unit / mL, 0.03 unit / mL, or 0.032 unit / mL, and the upper limit may be approximately 0.5 unit / mL, 0.1 unit / mL, 0.09 unit / mL, 0.08 unit / mL, 0.07 unit / mL, 0.06 unit / mL, 0.05 unit / mL, 0.040 unit / mL, 0.035 unit / mL, or 0.032 unit / mL. The concentration is within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above; or within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. Or it may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0072] For example, the above mixed enzyme solution may contain at least a certain unit of α-amylase derived from Bacillus sp. relative to the volume of the buffer solution. For example, the lower limit of the concentration of α-amylase derived from Bacillus sp. in the above mixed enzyme solution may be approximately 0.015 unit / mL, 0.02 unit / mL, 0.025 unit / mL, 0.03 unit / mL, 0.035 unit / mL, or 0.04 unit / mL, and the upper limit may be approximately 0.5 unit / mL, 0.1 unit / mL, 0.09 unit / mL, 0.08 unit / mL, 0.07 unit / mL, 0.06 unit / mL, 0.05 unit / mL, or 0.04 unit / mL. The concentration is within a range greater than or equal to any one of the lower limits described above; Or within a range lower than or less than any of the upper limits described above; or within a range greater than or greater than any of the lower limits described above, and lower than or less than any of the upper limits described above.

[0073] For example, the above mixed enzyme solution may contain at least a certain unit of cellulase derived from Trichoderma reesei relative to the volume of the buffer solution. For example, the lower limit of the concentration of cellulase derived from Trichoderma reesei in the above mixed enzyme solution may be approximately 0.005 unit / mL, 0.01 unit / mL, 0.015 unit / mL, 0.02 unit / mL, 0.025 unit / mL, or 0.028 unit / mL, and the upper limit may be approximately 0.1 unit / mL, 0.08 unit / mL, 0.07 unit / mL, 0.06 unit / mL, 0.05 unit / mL, 0.04 unit / mL, 0.03 unit / mL, or 0.028 unit / mL. The concentration is within a range greater than or equal to any one of the lower limits described above; Or within a range lower than or less than any of the upper limits described above; or within a range greater than or greater than any of the lower limits described above, and lower than or less than any of the upper limits described above.

[0074] For example, the above mixed enzyme solution may contain at least a certain unit of cellulase derived from Aspergillus sp. relative to the volume of the buffer solution. For example, the lower limit of the concentration of cellulase derived from Aspergillus sp. in the above mixed enzyme solution may be approximately 0.015 unit / mL, 0.02 unit / mL, 0.025 unit / mL, 0.03 unit / mL, 0.035 unit / mL, or 0.04 unit / mL, and the upper limit may be approximately 0.5 unit / mL, 0.1 unit / mL, 0.09 unit / mL, 0.08 unit / mL, 0.07 unit / mL, 0.06 unit / mL, 0.05 unit / mL, or 0.04 unit / mL. The ratio is within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above; or within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. Or it may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0075] As an example, the meaning of preparing a mixed enzyme solution such that the above buffer solution contains α-amylase derived from Aspergillus oryzae at a unit / mL, α-amylase derived from Bacillus sp. at b unit / mL, cellulase derived from Trichoderma reesei at c unit / mL, and cellulase derived from Aspergillus sp. at d unit / mL is that, per mL of the above buffer solution, α-amylase derived from Aspergillus oryzae is included at a unit, α-amylase derived from Bacillus sp. is included at b unit, cellulase derived from Trichoderma reesei is included at c unit, and cellulase derived from Aspergillus sp. is included at d unit.

[0076] The above self-crosslinked polysaccharide component can satisfy Formula 1 below.

[0077] [Equation 1]

[0078] Ta ≥ 10 %

[0079] Ta is the torque measured at 24°C and 30 rpm after treating 80 mg of the above-mentioned self-crosslinked polysaccharide component with 6 mL of a mixed enzyme of cellulase and alpha-amylase.

[0080] Ta in Formula 1 above is a torque value measured after treating the polysaccharide component with the mixed enzyme after implementing a self-crosslinked structure, and is a value measured in the manner described in "8. Evaluation of torque" of the Examples section of this specification, and the unit is %.

[0081] For example, the upper limit of the Ta value of Equation 1 above may be approximately 150%, 130%, 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 53%, 50%, 47%, 45%, 43%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 23%, or 20%, and the lower limit may be approximately 10%, 12%, 15%, 18%, 20%, 22%, 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40%. The Ta value of Equation 1 above is within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above; Or it may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0082] The method of treating the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component with the mixed enzyme is not limited. For example, it can be performed by introducing an enzyme solution containing the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component and the mixed enzyme into a reactor and stirring for a certain period of time.

[0083] The amount of the mixed enzyme solution used can be adjusted in consideration of the weight of the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component. For example, the lower limit of the amount of the mixed enzyme solution used relative to 80 mg of the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component may be approximately 1 mL, 2 mL, 3 mL, 4 mL, 5 mL, or 6 mL, and the upper limit may be approximately 50 mL, 40 mL, 30 mL, 20 mL, 10 mL, 8 mL, or 6 mL. The amount used may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above; or within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above; or within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0084] The temperature and time of the step of reacting the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component with the mixed enzyme solution may be controlled. For example, the step of reacting the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component with the mixed enzyme solution may include: a first step of introducing the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component and the enzyme solution into a reactor and stirring for S1 at T1°C; a second step of maintaining for S2 at T2°C; and a third step of maintaining for S3 at T3°C.

[0085] For example, the lower limit of the temperature T1 of the first step described above may be approximately 20°C, 23°C, or 25°C, and the upper limit may be approximately 35°C, 30°C, 28°C, or 25°C. The temperature may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above or greater than or equal to any of the upper limits described above or less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above or greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0086] For example, the lower limit of S1 of the first step described above may be approximately 30 seconds, 1 minute, 90 seconds, or 2 minutes, and the upper limit may be approximately 30 minutes, 20 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 3 minutes, or 2 minutes. The time may be within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above; or within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above; or within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0087] For example, the lower limit of the temperature T2 of the second step described above may be approximately 40°C, 50°C, 60°C, 70°C, 80°C, 90°C, 100°C, 110°C, or 120°C, and the upper limit may be approximately 200°C, 180°C, 160°C, 140°C, or 120°C. The temperature may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above or greater than or equal to any of the upper limits described above or less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0088] For example, the lower limit of S2 of the second step described above may be approximately 1 minute, 2 minutes, 4 minutes, 6 minutes, 8 minutes, or 10 minutes, and the upper limit may be approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes, 20 minutes, or 10 minutes. The time may be within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above; or within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above; or within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0089] For example, the lower limit of the temperature T3 of the third step described above may be approximately 20°C, 23°C, or 25°C, and the upper limit may be approximately 35°C, 30°C, 28°C, or 25°C. The temperature may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above or greater than or equal to any of the upper limits described above or less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above or greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0090] For example, the lower limit of S3 of the third step described above may be 1 minute, 2 minutes, 4 minutes, 6 minutes, 8 minutes, or 10 minutes, and the upper limit may be 1 hour, 30 minutes, 20 minutes, or 10 minutes. The time may be within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above; or within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above; or within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0091] The viscosity of the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component can be calculated from the torque value of the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component. For example, the viscosity can be calculated using the following Equation 4.

[0092] [Equation 4]

[0093]

[0094] In Equation 4 above, TK is the Spring Torque Constant of the rheometer, SMC is the Spindle Multipiler Constant of the spindle, rpm is the rotational speed, and torque is the torque (%) at the measured rotational speed (rpm).

[0095] For example, the TK of the rheometer (Brookfield, DV2TLV) used in the example is 0.09373, the SMC of the spindle V-74 is 543, the rotational speed before enzyme treatment is 10 rpm, and the rotational speed after enzyme treatment is 30 rpm. Therefore, the torque before enzyme treatment and the torque after enzyme treatment can be substituted into the above formula to calculate the viscosity after enzyme treatment and the viscosity after enzyme treatment.

[0096] To obtain a self-crosslinked polysaccharide component satisfying the above Equation 1, the weight-average molecular weight and polydispersity index of the polysaccharide component can be controlled simultaneously, and a polysaccharide component satisfying the following Equation 2 can be used as the polysaccharide component.

[0097] [Equation 2]

[0098] B / P ≥ 700

[0099] In Equation 2, B is the viscosity (cP) measured for the polysaccharide component under conditions of 23°C and 30 rpm, and P is the polydispersity index of the polysaccharide component. The viscosity and polydispersity index of the polysaccharide component may be values ​​obtained before the polysaccharide component forms a cross-linked structure. The viscosity in Equation 2 may be a value measured in the manner described in "6. Measurement of Viscosity" of the Examples section of this specification, and the unit may be cP. The polydispersity index in Equation 2 may be a value calculated in the manner described in "3. GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatograph)" of the Examples section of this specification.

[0100] For example, the lower limit of the value of Equation 2 above may be approximately 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 980, 1,000, 1,200, 1,400, 1,600, 1,800, 2,000, 2,200, 2,400, 2,600, 2,800, 3,000, 3,200, 3,400, 3,600, 3,800, 4,000, 4,200, or 4,400, and the upper limit may be approximately 10,000, 9,000, 8,000, 7,000, 6,000, 5,500, 5,000, 4,500, It may be approximately 4,000, 3,500, 3,000, 2,500, 2,000, 1,500, 1,200, or 1,000. The value of Formula 1 above may be within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above; or within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. When a polysaccharide component satisfying Formula 2 above is used, an appropriate cross-linking structure is formed, so that a torque value above a certain level can be exhibited even after treatment with an enzyme that reacts with the polysaccharide component, and accordingly, it may be advantageous to secure the desired absorption characteristics.

[0101] To obtain a self-crosslinked polysaccharide component satisfying the above Equation 1, the weight-average molecular weight and polydispersity index of the polysaccharide component can be controlled simultaneously, and a polysaccharide component satisfying the following Equation 3 can be used as the polysaccharide component.

[0102] [Equation 3]

[0103] N / D ≥ 250,000

[0104] In Equation 3, N is the number average molecular weight (g / mol) of the polysaccharide component, and D is the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide component. The number average molecular weight and the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide component may be values ​​obtained before the polysaccharide component forms a cross-linked structure. The number average molecular weight of the polysaccharide component in Equation 3 may be a value measured in the manner described in "3. GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatograph)" of the Examples section of this specification, with the unit being g / mol, and the degree of substitution may be a value obtained in the manner described in "5. Evaluation of Degree of Substitution" of the Examples section of this specification.

[0105] For example, the lower limit of the value in Equation 3 above may be approximately 250,000, 270,000, 300,000, 320,000, 340,000, 350,000, 360,000, 380,000, 400,000, 450,000, 500,000, 550,000, 1,000,000, 1,500,000, 2,000,000, 2,300,000, or 2,500,000, and the upper limit may be approximately 10,000,000, 9,000,000, 8,000,000, 7,000,000, 6,000,000, It may be approximately 5,000,000, 4,000,000, 3,000,000, 2,800,000, 2,600,000, 2,000,000, 1,000,000, 800,000, 600,000, 500,000, 400,000, 380,000, or 360,000. The value of Equation 3 above may be within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above; or within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above, while being less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. When using a polysaccharide component satisfying the above Equation 3, an appropriate cross-linking structure is formed, so that a torque value above a certain level can be exhibited even after treatment with an enzyme that reacts with the polysaccharide component, and accordingly, it may be advantageous to secure the desired absorption characteristics.

[0106] The weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the above polysaccharide component can be controlled. For example, the lower limit of the weight-average molecular weight of the above polysaccharide component may be approximately 1 million, 1.5 million, 2 million, 2.5 million, 3 million, 3.5 million, 4 million, 4.5 million, 5 million, 5.5 million, or 6 million, and the upper limit may be approximately 50 million, 40 million, 30 million, 20 million, 10 million, 9 million, 8 million, 7 million, 6 million, 5.5 million, 5 million, 4.5 million, 4 million, 3.5 million, 3 million, 2.5 million, 2 million, or 1.5 million. The weight-average molecular weight may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above; or within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. The unit of the weight-average molecular weight may be g / mol. This weight-average molecular weight may be a value obtained before the polysaccharide or polysaccharide component forms a cross-linked structure. The weight-average molecular weight may be a value measured in the manner described in "3. GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatograph)" of the Examples section of this specification.

[0107] The Poly Dipersity Index (PDI) of the above polysaccharide component can be controlled. The above polypersity index is the value obtained by dividing the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) by the number-average molecular weight (Mn) (Mw / Mn), and represents the distribution of the molecular weight of the polymer. The above number-average molecular weight (Mn) may also be a value measured in the manner described in "3. GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatograph)" of the Examples section of this specification. For example, the upper limit of the above polyvariance index may be approximately 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, 8, 7.5, 7, 6.5, 6, 5.5, 5, 4.5, 4, 3.5, or 3, and the lower limit may be approximately 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, or 8.5. The above polyvariance index may be within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above; or greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, while being less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. This polydispersity index may be a value obtained before the polysaccharide or polysaccharide component implements a cross-linked structure.

[0108] The viscosity of the above polysaccharide component can be controlled. For example, the lower limit of viscosity B of Formula 2 (viscosity measured for the polysaccharide component under conditions of 23°C and 30 rpm) may be approximately 2,000 cP, 3,000 cP, 4,000 cP, 5,000 cP, 6,000 cP, 7,000 cP, 8,000 cP, 9,000 cP, 10,000 cP, 11,000 cP, or 12,000 cP, and the upper limit may be approximately 100,000 cP, 90,000 cP, 80,000 cP, 70,000 cP, 60,000 cP, 50,000 cP, 40,000 cP, 30,000 cP, 20,000 cP, 10,000 The viscosity may be approximately cP, 9,000 cP, 8,000 cP, 7,000 cP, 6,000 cP, or 5,000 cP. The viscosity may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above; or within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above; or within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, while being less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. Such viscosity may be a value obtained before the polysaccharide or polysaccharide component forms a cross-linked structure. The viscosity may be a value measured in the manner described in "6. Measurement of Viscosity" of the Examples section of this specification.

[0109] The degree of substitution of the above polysaccharide component can be controlled. The degree of substitution is an indicator of the extent to which acidic groups exist within the polysaccharide or polysaccharide component, and is a value indicating, for example, the extent to which functional groups such as hydroxyl groups present in each monomer included in the polysaccharide or polysaccharide component are substituted with a predetermined acidic group (for example, the above carboxyl group), and is an average value for each monomer present in the polysaccharide. For example, if the monomer is a glucose unit, and there are three hydroxyl groups in the corresponding unit before denaturation, and therefore all of those hydroxyl groups are substituted with the functional groups of Chemical Formula 2, the degree of substitution for the corresponding unit is 3. However, since the degree of substitution of a polysaccharide is the average value of the degree of substitution of each unit present in the polysaccharide, for example, if the degrees of substitution of each unit in a polysaccharide containing five glucose units are 1, 0, 2, 3, and 1, the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide becomes the average value of 1.4. This degree of substitution for the polysaccharide 1 This can be confirmed through H NMR analysis. That is, the above 1 Since hydroxyl groups and substituted functional groups present in polysaccharides can be quantified through 1H NMR analysis, the degree of substitution can be confirmed, and if necessary, the polysaccharide before modification 1 The above degree of substitution can be calculated by taking into account the H NMR analysis results. In this way 1 A method for quantifying functional groups through H NMR analysis is known. Such degree of substitution may be, for example, a value obtained before the polysaccharide or polysaccharide component implements the cross-linked structure.

[0110] For example, the lower limit of the degree of substitution of the acidic polysaccharide component may be approximately 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.81, 0.82, 0.8, or 0.84, and the upper limit may be approximately 2, 1.9, 1.8, 1.7, 1.6, 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, 1.1, 1, 0.9, 0.85, 0.84, 0.83, or 0.82. The degree of substitution is within a range greater than or equal to any one of the lower limits described above; Or within a range less than or equal to any upper limit among the lower limits described above; or within a range greater than or equal to or greater than any lower limit among the lower limits described above, and less than or equal to any upper limit among the upper limits described above. The degree of substitution may be a value obtained in the manner described in "5. Evaluation of Degree of Substitution" of the Examples section of this specification. When the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide component is within the above range, effective self-crosslinking can be achieved to secure the desired absorption characteristics.

[0111] The above polymer material can be manufactured using a polymer composition.

[0112] For example, the polymer composition may include the aforementioned polysaccharide component and solvent.

[0113] For example, the above solvent may be an aqueous solvent, for example, water, and the above water may be tap water, distilled water, deionized water, or purified water.

[0114] The polymer composition may substantially not contain any solvent other than an aqueous solvent (e.g., water). In this case, "substantially not containing any other solvent" may mean that the upper limit of the content of a solvent other than the aqueous solvent (e.g., water) within the solvent is approximately 10 wt%, 9 wt%, 8 wt%, 7 wt%, 6 wt%, 5 wt%, 4 wt%, 3 wt%, 2 wt%, 1 wt%, 0.5 wt%, 0.1 wt%, 0.05 wt%, 0.01 wt%, 0.005 wt%, or 0.001 wt%, and the lower limit is approximately 0 wt%. The ratio may be within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above; or greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, while being less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0115] The ratio of the solvent and the polysaccharide component in the above polymer composition can be controlled. For example, the polymer composition may have an R value of Formula 5 below in the range of 1 to 30%.

[0116] [Equation 5]

[0117] R = 100×Wp / Ws

[0118] In Equation 5, Wp is the weight of the polysaccharide component in the polymer composition, and Ws is the weight of the solvent in the polymer composition.

[0119] The lower limit of R may be approximately 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.3%, 2.4%, or 2.5%, and the upper limit may be approximately 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 3%, or 2.5%. R may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above or greater than or equal to any of the upper limits described above or less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above or greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above and within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0120] The pH of the polymer composition may be adjusted so that the polysaccharide component forms an appropriate self-crosslinking structure to secure the desired absorption characteristics. For example, the pH of the polymer composition may be less than 9. For example, the lower limit of the pH may be approximately 6, 6.5, 6.8, 6.9, 7, 7.2, 7.4, 7.6, 7.8, or 7.9, and the upper limit may be approximately 8.9, 8.7, 8.5, 8, 7.8, 7.6, 7.4, 7.2, or 7.1. The pH may be within a range less than or equal to any upper limit among the lower limits described above; or greater than or equal to any lower limit among the lower limits described above, while being less than or equal to any upper limit among the upper limits described above. The above pH may be the pH of a polysaccharide component mixed in a solvent without adding a separate acid or base under the condition where R of Equation 5 is 2.5%.

[0121] A self-crosslinked polysaccharide component can be prepared using the above polymer composition, and if necessary, additional processes such as a stirring process may be performed. The stirring process may be performed while maintaining the pH of the composition at a certain level. For example, the lower limit of the maintained pH may be approximately 6, 6.5, 7, 7.2, 7.4, 7.6, 7.8, or 7.9, and the upper limit may be approximately 8.9, 8.7, 8.5, 8, 7.9, 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, 7.3, 7.2, or 7.1. The pH may be within a range below or less than any of the upper limits described above; or above or greater than any of the lower limits described above, while being within a range below or less than any of the upper limits described above. Using a polymer composition prepared while maintaining this pH range may be advantageous for securing the desired absorption characteristics. The method of maintaining the pH within the above range is not particularly limited; if the pH within the above range is achieved spontaneously by the addition of an acidic polysaccharide, the polymer composition can be prepared in that state and the self-crosslinking described later can be carried out. If the desired pH is not achieved, the pH may be adjusted by adding an appropriate acid or base considering the target pH. In this case, for example, the hydroxide applied in the above carboxyalkylation may be used as the base, and hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid may be used as the acid, but is not limited thereto.

[0122] If necessary, a catalyst may be added to the polymer composition. For example, an ester catalyst that promotes the reaction between a carboxyl group and a hydroxyl group may be added. Examples of such catalysts include, but are not limited to, 4-methylaminopyridine, magnesium acetate, tetra-n-butyl titanate, lead acetate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, antimony trioxide, and / or N-methylimidazole. The catalyst may be added in a catalytic amount, for example, in a ratio within the range of 0.1 to 5 moles relative to 1 mole of the polysaccharide applied to the reaction. The lower limit of the ratio of the catalyst may be approximately 0.1 mole, 0.5 mole, 1 mole, or 2 moles, and the upper limit may be approximately 5 mole, 4.5 mole, 4 mole, or 3.5 moles. The ratio may be within a range less than or equal to any one of the upper limits described above; Or it may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0123] If necessary, a heat stabilizer may be added to the polymer composition. As a heat stabilizer, organic or inorganic phosphorus compounds such as phosphoric acid, organic esters of phosphoric acid, phosphoric acid, or organic esters of phosphoric acid may be used, and for example, phosphoric acid, alkyl phosphate, or aryl phosphate, which are commercially known as heat stabilizers, may be used.

[0124] If necessary, thickeners, plasticizers, preservation stabilizers, and / or antioxidants may be added to the polymer composition.

[0125] The polysaccharide component can be self-crosslinked through the steps of maintaining the polymer composition at a first temperature and maintaining it at a second temperature. The first temperature and the second temperature may be the same or different from each other. For example, the second temperature may be higher than the first temperature.

[0126] For example, the first temperature may be controlled. For example, the lower limit of the first temperature may be approximately 30°C, 35°C, or 40°C, and the upper limit may be approximately 100°C, 90°C, 80°C, 70°C, 60°C, 50°C, 45°C, or 40°C. The temperature may be within a range that is greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. The step of maintaining at the first temperature may be performed, for example, by supplying hot air, infrared irradiation, microwave irradiation, or ultraviolet irradiation.

[0127] The time maintained at the first temperature described above can be adjusted. For example, the lower limit of the time may be approximately 1 hour, 3 hours, 5 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, 18 hours, 20 hours, or 24 hours, and the upper limit may be approximately 48 hours, 40 hours, 35 hours, 30 hours, 26 hours, or 24 hours. The time may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0128] The second temperature may be controlled. For example, the lower limit of the second temperature may be approximately 80°C, 85°C, 90°C, 95°C, 100°C, 105°C, 110°C, 115°C, or 120°C, and the upper limit may be approximately 300°C, 280°C, 260°C, 240°C, 220°C, 200°C, 180°C, 160°C, 140°C, 130°C, 125°C, or 120°C. The temperature may be within a range that is greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. The step of maintaining at the second temperature may be performed, for example, by supplying hot air, infrared irradiation, microwave irradiation, or ultraviolet irradiation.

[0129] The time maintained at the second temperature described above can be adjusted. For example, the lower limit of the time may be approximately 20 minutes, 40 minutes, or 60 minutes, and the upper limit may be approximately 500 minutes, 400 minutes, 300 minutes, 200 minutes, 100 minutes, or 60 minutes. The time may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0130] The desired self-crosslinked polysaccharide component can be obtained using the above method.

[0131] The polymer material may additionally include a compound reacting with the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component together with the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component. Such a compound may be introduced by reacting the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component with the compound. That is, the polymer material of the present specification may be provided in a state in which two or more molecules of polysaccharides are crosslinked by self-crosslinking and then additionally crosslinked by applying the compound.

[0132] The additional compound mentioned above may be a surface treatment agent for the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component. For example, the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component may be powdered by applying a process such as grinding, and the compound may be introduced by reacting the surface of the powder with the compound. In this case, the polymer material may comprise the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component in particle form and the compound bonded to the surface of the material. In such a case, there are no specific limitations on the particle size, and it can be controlled to an appropriate size depending on the application.

[0133] As such a compound, a substance having two or more functional groups capable of reacting with the functional groups (hydroxyl groups, amino groups, or carboxyl groups, etc.) of the polysaccharide component may be used. The compound may have 2 to 10, 2 to 9, 2 to 8, 2 to 7, 2 to 6, 2 to 5, 2 to 4, or 2 to 3 functional groups capable of reacting with the functional groups (hydroxyl groups, amino groups, or carboxyl groups, etc.) of the polysaccharide component, or may have 2 or 3 functional groups.

[0134] The types of compounds that can be applied include one or more selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional epoxy compounds, epoxysilane compounds, aminosilane compounds, epichlorohydrin, aldehyde compounds such as formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde, acyl chlorides, carbonates, diamines, diols, carbon disulfides, phosphoryl chlorides, divinylbenzene, organic acids, and organic acid anhydrides.

[0135] To perform effective crosslinking and secure desired physical properties, it may be advantageous to use a specific type of compound.

[0136] In one example, the above compound may be an organic acid having two or more carboxyl groups or an anhydride of the organic acid. The organic acid and the anhydride of the organic acid may be composed of only carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen.

[0137] There are no special restrictions on the type of organic acid that can be used as the above compound, but an organic acid having a molecular weight of about 90 g / mol to 300 g / mol or about 100 g / mol to 250 g / mol may be used. The above organic acid may have 2 to 10, 2 to 9, 2 to 8, 2 to 7, 2 to 6, 2 to 5, 2 to 4, or 2 to 3 carboxyl groups, or may have 2 or 3.

[0138] Examples of such organic acids include, but are not limited to, citric acid, succinic acid, pimelic acid, or adipic acid.

[0139] The lower limit of the weight ratio of the compound relative to 100 parts by weight of the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component in the polymer material may be approximately 0.01 parts by weight, 0.05 parts by weight, 0.1 parts by weight, 0.5 parts by weight, or 1 part by weight, and the upper limit may be approximately 20 parts by weight, 18 parts by weight, 16 parts by weight, 14 parts by weight, 12 parts by weight, 10 parts by weight, 8 parts by weight, 6 parts by weight, 4 parts by weight, 2 parts by weight, or 1 part by weight. The ratio may be within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above; or within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above; or within a range greater than or exceeding any of the lower limits described above, while being less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above.

[0140] A polymer material in which a self-crosslinked polysaccharide component is treated with the above-mentioned compound can exhibit excellent absorption capacity while also exhibiting a fast absorption rate.

[0141] For example, the lower limit of the centrifugal retention capacity (CRC) of the above polymer material according to the EDANA (European Disposables and Nonwovens Association) method WSP 241.3 may be approximately 18 g / g, 19 g / g, 20 g / g, 21 g / g, 22 g / g, 23 g / g, 24 g / g, 25 g / g, 26 g / g, 27 g / g, or 28 g / g, and the upper limit may be approximately 90 g / g, 70 g / g, 50 g / g, 40 g / g, 35 g / g, 30 g / g, 28 g / g, 26 g / g, 25 g / g, or 24 g / g. The above centrifugal retention capacity (CRC) is within a range greater than or equal to, or exceeding, any one of the lower limits described above; Alternatively, it may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. The centrifugal retention capacity may be a value measured in the manner described in "1. Centrifugal retention capacity" of the Examples section of this specification.

[0142] For example, the lower limit of the pressure absorption capacity (AUP) of the above polymer material according to the EDANA (European Disposables and Nonwovens Association) method WSP 242.3 at 0.7 psi may be approximately 15 g / g, 16.5 g / g, 16 g / g, 16.5 g / g, 17 g / g, 17.5 g / g, or 18 g / g, and the upper limit may be approximately 80 g / g, 60 g / g, 40 g / g, 30 g / g, 25 g / g, 20 g / g, 19 g / g, 18 g / g, or 17 g / g. The pressure absorption capacity (AUP) is within a range greater than or equal to any one of the lower limits described above; Alternatively, it may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. The above-mentioned absorption capacity may be a value measured in the manner described in "2. Absorption Capacity under Pressure" of the Examples section of this specification.

[0143] For example, the polymer material may have a vortex absorption time for a 0.9 wt% aqueous NaCl solution within a predetermined range. The upper limit of the vortex absorption time of the polymer material may be approximately 100 seconds, 95 seconds, 90 seconds, 85 seconds, 80 seconds, 78 seconds, 76 seconds, 74 seconds, 72 seconds, 70 seconds, or 68 seconds. Since a shorter absorption time implies a faster absorption rate, the lower limit is not specifically limited; for example, the lower limit of the absorption time may be approximately 0 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 40 seconds, 50 seconds, 60 seconds, or 65 seconds. The absorption time may be within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above; or greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above, while being less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. The above vortex absorption time refers to the rate of absorption of a 0.9 wt% aqueous NaCl solution measured in the manner described in “7. Evaluation of Vortex Absorption Time” of the Examples section of this specification.

[0144] The polymer material disclosed in this specification is manufactured as a biodegradable material and can be used for various applications as it exhibits excellent absorption capacity and a fast absorption rate.

[0145] For example, the above polymer material can be used as an absorbent material for hygiene products such as diapers or sanitary pads, or for other applications requiring absorption. If necessary, additional crosslinking, surface treatment, or physical grinding processes may be performed on the polymer material to increase its efficiency in use as a hygiene product or absorbent material.

[0146] Accordingly, this specification relates to absorbent materials or sanitary products (e.g., diapers or sanitary pads, etc.) comprising the polymer material. There are no specific limitations on the method of forming the absorbent material or sanitary product by applying the polymer material; for example, the same method used to form the absorbent material or sanitary product by applying conventional SAP may be used.

[0147] This specification discloses polymer materials and their uses.

[0148] The present specification discloses a polymer material in which a polysaccharide component forms appropriate chemical and physical bonds, exhibiting a torque of a certain level or higher even after treatment with an enzyme that reacts with the polysaccharide component, and thereby exhibiting excellent absorption capacity and a fast absorption rate.

[0149] This specification also discloses a method for manufacturing a polymer material as described above.

[0150] The above polymer materials, etc. will be specifically described through the following examples and comparative examples, but the scope of the above polymer materials, etc. is not limited by the following examples.

[0151]

[0152] 1. Centrifuge Retention Capacity (CRC)

[0153] Centrifugal retention capacity (CRC) was measured according to EDANA (European Disposables and Nonwovens Association) WSP 241.3. Approximately 0.2 g (W0) of the polymer material prepared in the example or comparative example was placed in a nonwoven bag, sealed, and then immersed in physiological saline. An aqueous solution of NaCl with a concentration of 0.9 wt% was used as the physiological saline. The condition was maintained for about 30 minutes, and after removing moisture from the bag for 3 minutes at 250 G using a centrifuge, the mass (g, W2) of the bag was measured. The same procedure was performed on the same nonwoven bag that did not contain the polymer material, and the mass (g, W1) was measured.

[0154] The CRC (g / g) of the polymer material was calculated by substituting the measurement results into Equation A below.

[0155] The above evaluation was conducted under constant temperature and humidity conditions (23±1℃, relative humidity: 50±10%). The CRC (g / g) of the particles prepared in the examples or comparative examples was also calculated in the same manner.

[0156] [Essence A]

[0157] CRC (g / g) = {[W2(g) - W1(g)] / W0(g)} - 1

[0158]

[0159] 2. Absorbency under Pressure (AUP)

[0160] The pressure absorption capacity (AUP, 0.7 psi) was measured according to the EDANA (European Disposables and Nonwovens Association) WSP 242.3 standard. A stainless steel 400 mesh wire mesh was mounted on the bottom of a plastic cylinder with an inner diameter of approximately 60 mm. Under conditions of a temperature of 23 ± 2°C and a relative humidity of 50%, approximately 0.90 g (W0) of the polymer material prepared in the example or comparative example was uniformly spread onto the wire mesh, and a measuring device was manufactured by installing a piston capable of uniformly applying a load of approximately 0.7 psi thereon. The piston used had an outer diameter slightly smaller than 60 mm and was installed to allow for vertical movement without forming a gap with the inner wall of the cylinder. The weight (unit: g) (W3) of the measuring device was measured. A glass filter with a diameter of approximately 90 mm and a thickness of approximately 5 mm was placed on the inside of a petroleum dish with a diameter of approximately 150 mm, and physiological saline solution (aqueous NaCl solution with a concentration of 0.9 wt%) was applied so that it was level with the top surface of the glass filter. A sheet of filter paper with a diameter of approximately 90 mm was placed on top of it. The measuring device was placed on the filter paper, and the physiological saline solution was absorbed for 1 hour under a load of 0.7 psi. After 1 hour, the measuring device was lifted, and its weight W4 (g) was measured.

[0161] The pressure absorption capacity (AUP) (g / g) was calculated by substituting each of the above-measured weights into the following Equation B.

[0162] [Equation B]

[0163] AUP (g / g) = [W4(g) - W3(g)] / W0(g)

[0164]

[0165] 3. GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatograph)

[0166] The molecular weight characteristics of the polysaccharide component were measured using GPC (Gel permeation chromatography). The sample used for analysis was prepared by adding 5 mg of the polysaccharide component (CMC, carboxymethyl cellulose) to 5 mL of distilled water and mixing at a speed of 400 rpm for 24 hours.

[0167] The sample was placed in a 2 mL vial and diluted in a solvent to a concentration of approximately 1 mg / mL. Subsequently, the standard sample for calibration and the sample to be analyzed were filtered through a syringe filter (pore size: 0.45 μm) and measured. Agilent's GPC / SEC software was used for analysis; the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and number-average molecular weight (Mn) were determined by comparing the sample's elution time with the calibration curve, and the polydispersity index (PDI) was calculated using the ratio (Mw / Mn). The GPC measurement conditions are as follows.

[0168] <GPC 측정 조건>

[0169] Device: Agilent 1260 Infinity II GPC / SEC System

[0170] Columns: Shodex SB-804 (7.8 mm × 30 cm) and SB-806 (7.8 mm × 30 cm)

[0171] Solvents: 0.2 M NaNO3, 0.01 M NaH2PO4

[0172] Column temperature: 40℃

[0173] Sample concentration: 1 mg / mL, 100 μL injection (Cellulose membrane filtered)

[0174] Calibration method: Universal Calibration

[0175] Standard Sample: PEG / PEO EasiVial (Molecular weight: 106, 194, 610, 1470, 3880, 15190, 29370, 71050, 141700, 427500, 1149000, 1250000 Da)

[0176]

[0177] 4. Measurement of NMR

[0178] The degree of substitution of the polysaccharide components was evaluated by performing NMR analysis on the polysaccharide components. The sample for NMR analysis was prepared by dissolving approximately 50 mg of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in a mixed solvent of 0.75 mL of D2O and 0.25 mL of D2SO4, and stirring for about 1 hour in a convection oven maintained at 90°C. Regarding the obtained sample 1 1H NMR analysis was performed at room temperature (approx. 25°C) using a Varian Unity Inova (500 MHz) spectrometer equipped with a triple resonance 5 mm probe. 1 1H NMR analysis was performed using the Avance Neo instrument from Bruker.

[0179]

[0180] 5. Evaluation of Degree of Substitution

[0181] The degree of substitution of the polysaccharide component was evaluated in the following manner. First, for the polysaccharide component, the sum of the integrals of the peaks at 2.57 ppm, 2.58 ppm, 2.60 ppm, 2.64 ppm, 2.66 ppm, 3.15 ppm, 3.16 ppm, 3.33 ppm, and 3.34 ppm, which are within the range of 2.5 ppm to 3.6 ppm of the spectrum measured in the manner described in "4. Measurement of NMR" above, was set to be 1. Next, the degree of substitution at carbon 2 (2-DS) was calculated as the sum of the integrals at the 3.34 ppm, 3.33 ppm (doublet, 0.23) and 2.57 ppm, 2.58 ppm (doublet, 0.20) peaks, the degree of substitution at carbon 3 (3-DS) was calculated by dividing the integral value at the 2.39 ppm, 2.41 ppm (0.20) peaks by 2, and the degree of substitution at carbon 6 (6-DS) was calculated by dividing the integral value at the 2.14 ppm, 2.15 ppm (0.19) peaks by 2. Subsequently, all the above degrees of substitution were summed to obtain the value of 2-DS + 3-DS + 6-DS as the degree of substitution.

[0182]

[0183] 6. Measurement of viscosity

[0184] The viscosity of the polysaccharide component was measured using a viscometer (manufacturer: Brookfield, model name: Brookfield LV) and a spindle V-74. After performing zero adjustment of the viscometer, the spindle V-74 was mounted on the spindle connection of the viscometer.

[0185] A polymer solution was prepared by dissolving approximately 0.3 g of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in 30 mL of distilled water. A vial containing the solution was mounted on the plate connection of the viscometer, and the adjustment lever was used to create a constant gap between the spindle and the vial. After waiting until the torque value became zero, the viscosity was measured at approximately 23°C and a rotation speed of 30 rpm.

[0186]

[0187] 7. Evaluation of Vortex Absorption Time

[0188] Approximately 50 mL of an aqueous solution of 0.9 wt% NaCl (physiological saline) was added to a beaker, and a cylindrical stirring bar (diameter: approximately 6 mm, length: approximately 30 mm) was placed in the aqueous solution. Approximately 0.1 g of a polymer material prepared in an example or comparative example was added to the beaker while rotating the stirring bar on a stirring plate at a rotational speed of approximately 600 rpm. When the above conditions are maintained, a vortex of the physiological saline is observed on the surface of the polymer material while the polymer material is absorbing the physiological saline, but the vortex is not observed once absorption by the polymer material is completed. The time from the time the polymer material is added until the time when the vortex is no longer observed was measured and recorded as the absorption time.

[0189]

[0190] 8. Evaluation of Torque

[0191] The torque value of the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component prepared in the example or preparation example was measured using a rheometer (Brookfield, DV2TLV) and a spindle V-74. After performing zero adjustment of the rheometer, the spindle V-74 was mounted on the spindle connection of the rheometer.

[0192] A polymer solution was prepared by dissolving 0.3 g of the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component of the example or comparative example in 30 mL of 1X Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 4 hours. The vial containing the solution was mounted on the plate connection of the viscometer, and the adjustment lever was used to create a constant gap between the spindle and the vial. After waiting until the torque value became zero, the torque was measured under conditions of approximately 24°C and 10 rpm. The results of the torque measurement are listed in the Tb(%) column of Table 1.

[0193] α-amylase derived from Aspergillus oryzae (Sigma-Aldrich), α-amylase derived from Bacillus sp. (Sigma-Aldrich), cellulase derived from Trichoderma reesei (Sigma-Aldrich), and cellulase derived from Aspergillus sp. (Sigma-Aldrich) are added to 1X Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and the enzyme solution is prepared by mixing at room temperature (25℃) for 3 minutes. In the above, 0.032 unit / mL of α-amylase derived from Aspergillus oryzae, 0.04 unit / mL of α-amylase derived from Bacillus sp., 0.028 unit / mL of cellulase derived from Trichoderma reesei, and Aspergillus sp. An enzyme solution was prepared so that the derived cellulase had a concentration of 0.04 unit / mL.

[0194] 80 mg of the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component of the example or comparative example and 6 mL of the enzyme solution were added to the reactor, and stirred for 2 minutes at room temperature (25°C). Afterward, the temperature of the reactor was raised by heating. When the temperature of the reactor reached approximately 120°C, it was maintained for 10 minutes. Afterward, the application of heat to the reactor was stopped, and the solution was maintained at room temperature (25°C) for 10 minutes to prepare a polymer solution.

[0195] The vial containing the above solution was mounted on the plate connection of the rheometer, and the adjustment lever was used to create a constant gap between the spindle and the vial. After waiting until the torque value became 0, the torque was measured under conditions of approximately 24°C and 30 rpm. The results of the torque measurement are listed in the Ta(%) column of Table 1.

[0196]

[0197] Example 1.

[0198] A solution was prepared by adding 50 g of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose, Weichem, 7HM) and 2,000 mL of distilled water to a 3,000 mL beaker. The degree of substitution of the CMC was approximately 0.84, the viscosity was approximately 12,830 cP, the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) was approximately 6,100,000 g / mol, the number-average molecular weight (Mn) was approximately 2,100,000 g / mol, and the polydispersity index (PDI=Mw / Mn) was approximately 2.9. The pH of the solution was approximately 7.2. A polymer composition was prepared by stirring with a mechanical stirrer for approximately 18 hours at room temperature (25℃) while maintaining the pH of the solution at approximately 7.2. The above pH is the pH of the solution in which only the CMC is mixed with distilled water without adding any separate acid or base. The polymer composition was thinly coated onto an aluminum tray on which a plasma-treated film was spread, and dried in an oven at 40°C for 24 hours. After drying, the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component was prepared by maintaining it at 120°C for about 1 hour, and the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component was ground and classified to obtain particles having a size of about 30 μm to 50 μm. The particles had a CRC of about 50 g / g.

[0199] Surface treatment was performed on the obtained particles. The surface treatment was carried out using a surface treatment solution prepared by dissolving 0.018 g of succinic acid in a mixed solvent of 0.135 g of methanol and 0.045 g of water. Approximately 1.8 g of the particles were taken, placed on an aluminum dish, and the surface treatment solution was uniformly sprayed onto it. The mixture was then maintained at 120°C for about 1 hour to obtain a polymer material.

[0200]

[0201] Example 2.

[0202] Particles and polymer materials were obtained through the same process as in Example 1, except that a solution with a pH of approximately 7.93 was prepared using a CMC (Wealthy, PC8000) having a degree of substitution of approximately 0.81, a viscosity of approximately 10,060 cP, a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of approximately 4,200,000 g / mol, a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of approximately 470,000 g / mol, and a polydispersity index (PDI) of approximately 8.94, and the polymer composition was prepared by maintaining the pH of the solution at approximately 7.93. The particles had a CRC of approximately 51 g / g.

[0203]

[0204] Example 3.

[0205] Particles and polymer materials were obtained through the same process as in Example 1, except that a solution with a pH of approximately 7.06 was prepared using a CMC (Nippon paper, F800HC) having a degree of substitution of approximately 0.85, a viscosity of approximately 4,599 cP, a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of approximately 1,300,000 g / mol, a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of approximately 310,000 g / mol, and a polydispersity index (PDI) of approximately 4.19, and the polymer composition was prepared by maintaining the pH of the solution at approximately 7.06. The particles had a CRC of approximately 45 g / g.

[0206]

[0207] Example 4.

[0208] Particles and polymer materials were obtained through the same process as in Example 1, except that a solution with a pH of approximately 7.02 was prepared using a CMC (Weichem, 7FH9) having a degree of substitution of approximately 0.82, a viscosity of approximately 6,872 cP, a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of approximately 2,000,000 g / mol, a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of approximately 290,000 g / mol, and a polydispersity index (PDI) of approximately 6.9, and the polymer composition was prepared by maintaining the pH of the solution at approximately 7.02. The particles had a CRC of approximately 47 g / g.

[0209]

[0210] Comparative Example 1.

[0211] Particles and polymer materials were obtained through the same process as in Example 1, except that a solution with a pH of approximately 7.13 was prepared using a CMC (Lamberti SpA, MA200X) having a degree of substitution of approximately 0.82, a viscosity of approximately 2,019 cP, a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of approximately 1,100,000 g / mol, a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of approximately 160,000 g / mol, and a polydispersity index (PDI) of approximately 6.88, and the polymer composition was prepared by maintaining the pH of the solution at approximately 7.13.

[0212]

[0213] Comparative Example 2.

[0214] Particles and polymer materials were obtained through the same process as in Example 1, except that a solution with a pH of approximately 7.1 was prepared using a CMC (Anqui Eagle Cellulose Co., Ltd, PC2000) having a degree of substitution of approximately 0.81, a viscosity of approximately 2,477 cP, a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of approximately 1,220,000 g / mol, a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of approximately 146,000 g / mol, and a polydispersity index (PDI) of approximately 8.4, and the polymer composition was prepared by maintaining the pH of the solution at approximately 7.1.

[0215]

[0216] Comparative Example 3.

[0217] Particles and polymer materials were obtained through the same process as in Example 1, except that a solution with a pH of approximately 7.21 was prepared using a CMC (Weichem, 7H2) having a degree of substitution of approximately 0.86, a viscosity of approximately 1,273 cP, a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of approximately 1,100,000 g / mol, a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of approximately 94,000 g / mol, and a polydispersity index (PDI) of approximately 11.7, and the polymer composition was prepared by maintaining the pH of the solution at approximately 7.21. The particles had a CRC of approximately 66 g / g.

[0218]

[0219] Comparative Example 4.

[0220] Particles and polymer materials were obtained through the same process as in Example 1, except that a solution with a pH of approximately 6.92 was prepared using a CMC (SINO CMC, QH2000) having a degree of substitution of approximately 0.81, a viscosity of approximately 1,985 cP, a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of approximately 960,000 g / mol, a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of approximately 110,000 g / mol, and a polydispersity index (PDI) of approximately 8.73, and the polymer composition was prepared by maintaining the pH of the solution at approximately 6.92.

[0221]

[0222] Comparative Example 5.

[0223] Particles and polymer materials were obtained through the same process as in Example 1, except that a solution with a pH of approximately 6.7 was prepared using a CMC (CPKelco, CEKOL30000A) having a degree of substitution of approximately 0.84, a viscosity of approximately 1,901 cP, a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of approximately 740,000 g / mol, a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of approximately 26,000 g / mol, and a polydispersity index (PDI) of approximately 28.46, and the polymer composition was prepared by maintaining the pH of the solution at approximately 6.7. The particles had a CRC of approximately 52 g / g.

[0224]

[0225] Comparative Example 6.

[0226] A solution was prepared by adding 50 g of CMC, 0.05 g of citric acid, and 2,000 mL of distilled water to a 3,000 mL beaker. The same CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose, Weichem, 7HM) used in Example 1 was used as the CMC.

[0227] The pH of the above solution was approximately 6.5. A polymer composition was prepared by stirring with a mechanical stirrer at room temperature (25°C) for approximately 18 hours while maintaining the pH of the solution at approximately 6.5. The above pH is the pH of the solution in which only the CMC is mixed with distilled water without adding any separate acid or base. The polymer composition was thinly coated onto an aluminum tray on which a plasma-treated film was spread, and dried in an oven at 40°C for 24 hours. After drying, the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component was prepared by maintaining at 120°C for approximately 1 hour, and the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component was ground and classified to obtain particles having a size of approximately 30 μm to 50 μm.

[0228] Surface treatment was performed on the obtained particles. The surface treatment was carried out using a surface treatment solution prepared by dissolving 0.018 g of succinic acid in a mixed solvent of 0.135 g of methanol and 0.045 g of water. Approximately 1.8 g of the particles were taken, placed on an aluminum dish, and the surface treatment solution was uniformly sprayed onto it. The mixture was then maintained at 120°C for about 1 hour to obtain a polymer material.

[0229]

[0230] Comparative Example 7.

[0231] A solution was prepared by adding 50 g of CMC and 2,000 mL of distilled water to a 3,000 mL beaker. The same CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose, Weichem, 7HM) used in Example 1 was used as the CMC.

[0232] An aqueous solution of approximately 1 N NaOH was added to the above solution to adjust the pH to about 10.5. A polymer composition was prepared by stirring with a mechanical stirrer for about 18 hours at room temperature (25°C) while maintaining the pH of the solution at about 10.5. The polymer composition was thinly coated onto an aluminum tray on which a plasma-treated film was spread, and dried in an oven at 40°C for 24 hours. After drying, the mixture was held at 120°C for about 1 hour to prepare a self-crosslinked polysaccharide component, and the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component was ground and classified to obtain particles having a size of about 30 μm to 50 μm.

[0233] Surface treatment was performed on the obtained particles. The surface treatment was carried out using a surface treatment solution prepared by dissolving 0.018 g of succinic acid in a mixed solvent of 0.135 g of methanol and 0.045 g of water. Approximately 1.8 g of the particles were taken, placed on an aluminum dish, and the surface treatment solution was uniformly sprayed onto the surface. The polymer material was then maintained at 120°C for about 1 hour, but the polymer material did not maintain a gel shape.

[0234]

[0235] Tb(%)Ta(%) Example 16 1.7 4 2.3 Example 2 76.8 29.6 Example 3 30.5 22 Example 4 49.8 19.4 Comparative Example 13 8.3 8.1 Comparative Example 25 1.7 7.7 Comparative Example 3 14.5 5.8

[0236] B / P (cP)N / D (g / mol) Example 1 4,417 2,500,000 Example 21 126 580,247 Example 3 1,097 364,706 Example 4 997 353,659 Comparative Example 1 294 195,122 Comparative Example 2 296 180,247 Comparative Example 3 109 109,302 Comparative Example 4 227 135,802 Comparative Example 5 67 30,952 Comparative Example 6 4,417 2,500,000 Comparative Example 7 4,417 2,500,000

[0237] Polymer Material CRC (g / g) AUP (g / g) Vortex Absorption Time (sec) Example 1 28 1867 Example 2 23.6 1878 Example 3 26 1881 Example 4 24.6 16.190 Comparative Example 1 4 114.6 130 Comparative Example 2 7.7 8.5 133 Comparative Example 3 46.2 11.5 151 Comparative Example 4 26 14.9 141 Comparative Example 5 33.8 13.2 173 Comparative Example 6 13.8 14.5 110 Comparative Example 7 408 Gel shape not maintained

Claims

1. It includes a polysaccharide component, and the polysaccharide component is self-crosslinked, and The above self-crosslinked polysaccharide component satisfies Formula 1 below, and Polymer material having a vortex absorption time of 100 seconds or less for a 0.9 wt% aqueous NaCl solution: [Equation 1] Ta ≥ 10 % In Formula 1, Ta is the torque (%) measured at 24°C and 30 rpm after treating 80 mg of the above self-crosslinked polysaccharide component with 6 mL of a mixed enzyme of cellulase and alpha-amylase.

2. The polymer material according to claim 1, wherein the cellulase is a mixture of a first cellulase derived from Trichoderma reesei and a second cellulase derived from Aspergillus sp.

3. The polymer material according to claim 1, wherein the alpha-amylase is a mixture of a first alpha-amylase derived from Aspergillus oryzae and a second alpha-amylase derived from Bacillus sp.

4. In claim 1, the polysaccharide component is a polymer material satisfying the following formula 2: [Equation 2] B / P ≥ 700 In Equation 2, B is the viscosity (cP) measured for the polysaccharide component at 23°C and 30 rpm, and P is the polydispersity index of the polysaccharide component.

5. In claim 1, the polysaccharide component is a polymer material satisfying the following formula 3: [Equation 3] N / D ≥ 250,000 In Equation 3, N is the number average molecular weight (g / mol) of the polysaccharide component, and D is the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide component.

6. In claim 1, the polysaccharide component is a polymer material having a weight-average molecular weight (molecular weight, Mw) of 1,000,000 g / mol or more.

7. In claim 1, the polysaccharide component is a polymer material having a polydispersity index of 15 or less.

8. A polymer material according to claim 4, wherein the viscosity B of Formula 1 is within the range of 2,000 cP to 100,000 cP.

9. The polymer material according to claim 1, wherein the polymer material is prepared as a polymer composition and the pH of the polymer composition is less than 9.

10. In claim 1, the polysaccharide component is a polymer material comprising a unit represented by the following chemical formula 1: [Chemical Formula 1] In Chemical Formula 1, R1 is a hydroxyl group, an amino group, -L5-C(=O)-OH, -L5-C(=O)-O - or is a functional group of the following chemical formula 2, where R3 is a hydroxyl group, -L5-C(=O)-OH, -L5-C(=O)-O - Or a functional group of the following chemical formula 2, wherein either L3 or L4 is a single bond and the other is CHR2, and R2 is a hydroxyl group, -L5-C(=O)-OH, -L5-C(=O)-O - or is a functional group of the following chemical formula 2, wherein L5 is an alkylene group or an alkylidene group: [Chemical Formula 2] In Chemical Formula 2, M1 is hydrogen or a metal, and if M1 is the metal, the O-M1 bond is an ionic bond.

11. A polymer material according to claim 1, comprising 70 weight% or more of a polysaccharide component.

12. A polymer material according to claim 1, wherein the self-crosslinked polysaccharide component is in the form of particles, and further comprises a compound bonded to the surface of the polysaccharide component in the form of particles.

13. In claim 12, the compound bonded to the surface of the polysaccharide component is a polymer material selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional epoxy compounds, epoxy silane compounds, amino silane compounds, epichlorohydrin, acyl chloride, carbonate, dialdehyde, diamine, diol, carbon disulfide, phosphoryl chloride, divinyl benzene, organic acids, and organic acid anhydrides.

14. An absorbent material comprising a polymer material according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A sanitary article comprising the polymer material of any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images