Polymer composition

Abstract

The present specification discloses: a polymer composition; a polymer material; and a use thereof. The present specification discloses a polymer composition in which the number of hydrogen bonds formed between polysaccharide components is controlled by adjusting the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide components, the dipole moment of a solvent, and / or the ratio of the solvent and the polysaccharide components. The present specification discloses a polymer material in which the ratio of hydrogen bonds formed between polysaccharide components in a specific solvent is controlled to achieve a desired crosslinked structure, and which thus exhibits excellent absorption properties. The present specification discloses a polymer material exhibiting excellent absorption properties while having a high content of polysaccharide components, and a method for producing same.

Description

Polymer composition

[0001] This specification discloses polymer compositions, polymer materials, and uses thereof.

[0002] 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.

[0003] The most widely used hydrogel polymer for use as SAP is a polymer made of vinyl-based materials such as cross-linked polyacrylic acid.

[0004] These materials are relatively inexpensive and have excellent water absorption capabilities, but they cause various problems because they remain semi-permanently even after disposal.

[0005] To address these issues, various attempts have been made to manufacture SAP using so-called biodegradable materials. However, materials known to date fail to form SAPs with balanced physical properties. For example, the most representative property required for SAP is water absorption; however, SAPs made from currently known biodegradable materials either fail to satisfactorily secure at least one of the properties—water absorption and biodegradability—or, in some cases, fail to secure both properties at an appropriate level.

[0006] There have been attempts to manufacture SAP using natural polysaccharides as the aforementioned biodegradable materials. In these attempts, SAP is manufactured by hydrating natural polysaccharides in a solvent and then crosslinking them to form a gel. However, to increase the productivity of the SAP, it is necessary to increase the Total Solid Content (TSC) of the polysaccharide components. Nevertheless, SAP manufactured by simply increasing only the TSC of the polysaccharide components does not secure the desired absorption properties. Therefore, it is a difficult problem to obtain a material that secures absorption characteristics above a certain level while increasing the TSC content of the polysaccharide components of the SAP.

[0007] This specification discloses polymer compositions, polymer materials, and uses thereof.

[0008] The present specification discloses a polymer composition in which the number of hydrogen bonds formed between polysaccharide components is controlled by adjusting the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide components, the dipole moment of the solvent, and / or the ratio of the solvent to the polysaccharide components.

[0009] The present specification discloses a polymer material exhibiting excellent absorption characteristics by implementing a desired cross-linked structure through controlling the ratio of hydrogen bonds formed between polysaccharide components in a specific solvent.

[0010] This specification discloses a polymer material that contains a high content of polysaccharide components while exhibiting excellent absorption characteristics, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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, about 740 mmHg to 780 mmHg.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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%.

[0017] In this specification, the term alkyl or alkyl group means an alkyl or 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, unless specifically otherwise defined. Such alkyl or alkyl groups may be straight-chain, branched-chain, or cyclic. Such alkyl or alkyl groups may optionally be substituted by one or more substituents.

[0018] In this specification, the term alkylene or alkylene group refers to a functional group in which two hydrogen atoms have detached from an alkane and are connected to another object, wherein the two hydrogen atoms are detached from another carbon atom of the alkane. Such alkylene or alkylene group may be an alkylene or alkylene group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, 2 to 16 carbon atoms, 2 to 12 carbon atoms, 2 to 8 carbon atoms, or 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Such alkylene or alkylene group may be straight-chain, branched-chain, or cyclic. Such alkylene or alkylene group may optionally be substituted by one or more substituents.

[0019] In this specification, the term alkylidene or alkylidene group refers to a functional group in which two hydrogen atoms detach from an alkane and are connected to another object, wherein the two hydrogen atoms detach from one carbon atom of the alkane. Such alkylidene or alkylidene group may be an alkylidene or alkylidene 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. Such alkylidene or alkylidene group may be straight-chain, branched-chain, or cyclic. Such alkylidene or alkylidene group may optionally be substituted by one or more substituents.

[0020] This specification discloses a polymer composition.

[0021] The polymer composition may be a mixture of two or more different polymers. In the polymer composition, the two or more polymers may be simply mixed, or all or at least part of them may be physically or chemically bonded.

[0022] The above polymer may refer to a relatively high molecular weight compound formed by connecting two or more monomers by covalent bonds.

[0023] The above polymer composition may include a polysaccharide component and a solvent.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] In order to secure the desired absorption characteristics, the degree of hydrogen bonding between polysaccharide components in the polymer composition must be controlled. For example, in the polymer composition, H of Formula 1 below may be in the range of 26% to 40%.

[0028] [Equation 1]

[0029] H = 100 × A / B

[0030] In Formula 1, A is the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components within the polymer composition, and B is the sum of the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components within the polymer composition and the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components and the solvent.

[0031] For example, the lower limit of H in Formula 1 above may be approximately 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, or 31%, and the upper limit may be approximately 40%, 29%, 38%, 37%, 36%, 35%, 34%, 33%, or 32%. H in Formula 1 above 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. H in Formula 1 above may be a value measured in the manner described in “6. Evaluation of Hydrogen Bond Ratios Between Polysaccharide Molecules” of the Examples section of this specification.

[0032] In order to obtain H of Equation 1 at a desired level, characteristics such as the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide component, the dipole moment of the solvent, the ratio of the solvent to the polysaccharide component, and / or the viscosity of the polysaccharide component need to be controlled. If one or more of the above characteristics are satisfied, it may be advantageous to obtain H of Equation 1 within the aforementioned range.

[0033] The above polysaccharide component may be a so-called acidic polysaccharide. The above acidic polysaccharide is a polysaccharide having an acidic group as is known, and examples of acidic groups include a carboxylic group, a phosphate group, a phosphite group and / or a sulfuric ester group or salts thereof.

[0034] For example, the degree of substitution of the acidic polysaccharide or acidic polysaccharide component can be controlled to obtain the desired level of H of Formula 1. The degree of substitution is an indicator of how much of the acidic group is present in the acidic polysaccharide or polysaccharide component.

[0035] For example, the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide component may be in the range greater than 0.5 and less than or equal to 1.2. For example, the lower limit of the degree of substitution may be approximately 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.82, 0.84, or 0.85, and the upper limit may be approximately 1.2, 1.1, 1, 0.9, or 0.85. The degree of substitution 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. The degree of substitution may be a value obtained in the manner described in "4. Evaluation of Degree of Substitution" of the Examples section of this specification. If the polysaccharide components have a degree of substitution within the above range, it may be advantageous to form hydrogen bonds between the polysaccharide components to a desired level.

[0036] When the degree of substitution of polysaccharides or their components is excessively high, the dissociation of acidic groups increases, reducing the number of hydrogen donors and consequently decreasing the number of hydrogen bonds between the components. Furthermore, the increased repulsion caused by equal charges leads to a more spread-out structure of the polysaccharides, making it difficult to form appropriate hydrogen bonds.

[0037] If the degree of substitution of a polysaccharide or its components is excessively low, the number of hydrogen donors decreases, and consequently, the number of hydrogen bonds between the polysaccharide components decreases. Therefore, the aforementioned degree of substitution is significant in order to secure the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components at a desired level. Accordingly, an appropriate degree of substitution can be selected by taking these factors into consideration.

[0038] For example, a polysaccharide having a carboxyl group may be used as the above polysaccharide component. There are no particular restrictions on the polysaccharide having a carboxyl group. For example, a polysaccharide having a carboxyl group itself, such as the so-called CMC (carboxylmethyl cellulose) corresponding to a lignocellulosic polysaccharide, or a polysaccharide in which a carboxyl group is introduced through processes such as maleation or carboxyalkylation may be used.

[0039] In one example, the above polysaccharide component may include a unit represented by the following chemical formula 1.

[0040] [Chemical Formula 1]

[0041]

[0042] In Chemical Formula 1, R1 is a hydroxyl group, an amino group, -O-L5-C(=O)-OH, -O-L5-C(=O)-O - or is a functional group of the following chemical formula 2, where R3 is a hydroxyl group, -O-L5-C(=O)-OH, -O-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, -O-L5-C(=O)-OH, -O-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.

[0043] [Chemical Formula 2]

[0044]

[0045] In Chemical Formula 2, M1 is hydrogen or a metal, and if M1 is the metal, the O-M1 bond is an ionic bond.

[0046] 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.

[0047] -O-L5-C(=O)-OH or -O-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.

[0048] These functional groups are introduced to participate in the cross-linking reaction described later and to form cross-links, but not all introduced functional groups may participate in the cross-linking reaction, and in such cases, some functional groups may remain.

[0049] 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 3 are directly connected, and if L4 is absent, the carbon atoms connected to the left and right of L4 in Chemical Formula 3 are directly connected.

[0050] 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.

[0051] For example, the viscosity of the above polysaccharide or polysaccharide component can be controlled. For example, the lower limit of the viscosity measured at 25°C at a speed of 30 rpm for the above polysaccharide component may be approximately 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 50,000 cP, 40,000 cP, 30,000 cP, 20,000 cP, 15,000 cP, 13,000 cP, 12,000 cP, 11,000 cP, 10,000 cP, 9,000 cP, 8,000 cP, 7,000 cP, 6,000 The viscosity may be cP or approximately 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, and less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. The viscosity may be a value measured in the manner described in "5. Measurement of Viscosity" of the Examples section of this specification. When the viscosity of the polysaccharide component is within the above range, it may be advantageous to form hydrogen bonds between the polysaccharide components to a desired level.

[0052] The above polymer composition includes a solvent.

[0053] To obtain the desired level of H in Equation 1 above, a specific type of solvent may be used. For example, a polar protic solvent may be used as the solvent.

[0054] For example, the above solvent may be a solvent having a dielectric constant above a certain level. For example, the lower limit of the dielectric constant of the above solvent at 20°C may be approximately 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, or 80, and the upper limit may be approximately 120, 110, 100, 95, 90, 85, or 80. The above dielectric constant 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. The above dielectric constant may be a value measured by a known method. When using a solvent having the above dielectric constant, it may be advantageous to secure the desired level of H of Equation 1.

[0055] 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.

[0056] It may be appropriate to substantially use only an aqueous solvent (e.g., water) as the above solvent. Accordingly, the above composition may substantially not contain any other solvent other than the above aqueous solvent (e.g., water) as a solvent. In this case, substantially not containing any other solvent may mean that the upper limit of the content of a solvent other than the above 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 above ratio is 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.

[0057] For example, the ratio of the polysaccharide component and the solvent in the composition may be adjusted to obtain a desired level of H of Formula 1. For example, the polymer composition may have C of Formula 2 below in the range of 5% to 40%.

[0058] [Equation 2]

[0059] C = 100 × P / (P+S)

[0060] In Equation 2, P is the weight of the polysaccharide component in the polymer composition, and S is the weight of the solvent in the polymer composition. The units of the weight of the polysaccharide component and the weight of the solvent are the same.

[0061] For example, the lower limit of C in Equation 2 above may be approximately 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, or 15%, and the upper limit may be approximately 40%, 35%, 30%, 29%, 28%, 27%, 26%, 25%, 24%, 23%, 22%, 21%, 20%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, or 15%. The above C may be within a range greater than or equal to any of the lower limits described above or exceeding; 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. If C in Formula 2 is below the lower limit, the ratio of solvent to weight of the polysaccharide component in the composition is high, so even if heat treatment is performed, the composition is not completely dried and remains in a slurry state. As a result, the crosslinking of the polysaccharide component is not carried out smoothly, and no crosslinks are formed. The polymer composition of the present specification allows the physical bonds formed by the polysaccharide chains in the solvent to be appropriately loosened while the acidic groups of the polysaccharides can be dissociated to an appropriate degree by controlling C in Formula 2 to within the above range. Accordingly, by achieving a hydrogen bonding ratio at a desired level, it may be advantageous to realize a crosslinked structure capable of securing excellent absorption characteristics.

[0062] The above polymer composition may additionally include a crosslinking agent.

[0063] For example, one or more selected from the group consisting of epoxy compounds, metal compounds, iron compounds, organic acids, amide compounds, and aldehyde compounds may be used as the crosslinking agent.

[0064] For example, a metal compound can be used as the crosslinking agent.

[0065] In the above, the metal compound may exist as a metal salt within the composition, or the metal salt may decompose and exist in the state of a metal ion, or the metal may be in a state where it is bonded to a solvent molecule, or they may exist together.

[0066] For example, aluminum compounds may be used as the metal compounds mentioned above. As such aluminum compounds, one or more selected from the group consisting of aluminum acetate, aluminum sulfate, aluminum hydrochloride, and aluminum lactate may be used.

[0067] For example, an epoxy compound can be used as the crosslinking agent. For example, the above epoxy compounds include butanediol diglycidyl ether (1,4-butandiol diglycidyl ether: BDDE), ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether: EGDGE), hexanediol diglycidyl ether (1,6-hexanediol diglycidyl ether), propylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polytetramethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, neopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether, polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether, diglycerol polyglycidyl ether, and glycerol polyglycidyl ether. One or more selected from the group consisting of polyglycidyl ether, trimethylpropane polyglycidyl ether, bis(2,3-epoxypropoxy)ethylene, pentaerythritol polyglycidyl ether, and sorbitol polyglycidyl ether may be used.

[0068] The ratio of the crosslinking agent in the above polymer composition may be adjusted. For example, the lower limit of the weight ratio of the crosslinking agent relative to 100 parts by weight of the polysaccharide component may be approximately 0.01 parts by weight, 0.03 parts by weight, 0.05 parts by weight, 0.07 parts by weight, 0.09 parts by weight, or 0.1 parts by weight, and the upper limit may be approximately 20 parts by weight, 10 parts by weight, 8 parts by weight, 6 parts by weight, 4 parts by weight, 2 parts by weight, 1 part by weight, 0.5 parts by weight, 0.4 parts by weight, 0.3 parts by weight, 0.2 parts by weight, 0.1 parts by weight, or 0.05 parts by weight. 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.

[0069] The above polymer composition may include a catalyst as needed. For example, it may include an ester catalyst that promotes the reaction between a carboxyl group and the like with a hydroxyl group. 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 included in a catalyst amount, for example, in a ratio within the range of 0.1 mole to 5 moles relative to 1 mole of polysaccharide. 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 is 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.

[0070] The above polymer composition may include a heat stabilizer as needed. As applicable heat stabilizers, 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.

[0071] The above polymer composition may include additives such as thickeners, plasticizers, preservation stabilizers, and / or antioxidants as needed.

[0072] This specification discloses polymer materials.

[0073] The term polymer material may mean an absorbent material further comprising a compound reacting with the polymer component of the polymer composition.

[0074] The above polymer material can be obtained by crosslinking the above polymer composition and then reacting it with the above compound. Therefore, the polymer in the above polymer material may be a crosslinked polymer. In the above, absorbency means that the crosslinked polymer exhibits the centrifugal retention capacity (CRC) and / or pressure absorption capacity (AUL) described below.

[0075] In one 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 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.

[0076] The above polymer material may include polysaccharide components.

[0077] The polymer material may contain the polysaccharide component in an amount greater than a certain amount based on the total weight of the polymer material. In one example, the lower limit of the ratio of the polysaccharide component 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%, 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 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. Nevertheless, the present specification makes it possible to stably achieve the desired absorption capacity while maintaining a high proportion of the polysaccharide component.

[0078] For example, the polysaccharide component in the above polymer material may be in a cross-linked state. In the above, cross-linking means a state in which two or more molecules of polysaccharides are connected by one or more chemical bonds.

[0079] In order to secure the desired absorption characteristics, the polysaccharide component may have a hydrogen bond-forming ability such that the H of Formula 3 below is within the range of 26% to 40% in a polar protic solvent.

[0080] [Equation 3]

[0081] H = 100 × A / B

[0082] In Equation 3, A is the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components in the mixture of the polysaccharide components and the polar protic solvent, and B is the sum of the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components in the mixture and the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components and the solvent.

[0083] The lower limit of H in Equation 3 above may be approximately 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, or 31%, and the upper limit may be approximately 40%, 29%, 38%, 37%, 36%, 35%, 34%, 33%, or 32%. H in Equation 3 above 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, while being less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. When H in Equation 3 satisfies the above range, a cross-linked structure capable of securing excellent absorption capacity can be implemented. H in Equation 3 above may be a value measured in the manner described in "6. Evaluation of the ratio of hydrogen bonds between polysaccharide molecules" of the Examples section of this specification.

[0084] In order to secure H of Formula 3 above within the range of 26% to 40%, the contents regarding the polysaccharide component and solvent in the aforementioned polymer composition can be applied in the same way.

[0085] For example, the degree of substitution of the acidic polysaccharide or acidic polysaccharide component may be adjusted to obtain a desired level of H in Formula 3. For example, the degree of substitution of the acidic polysaccharide component may be within a range greater than 0.5 and less than or equal to 1.2. For example, the lower limit of the degree of substitution may be approximately 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.82, 0.84, or 0.85, and the upper limit may be approximately 1.2, 1.1, 1, 0.9, or 0.85. The degree of substitution 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. 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 degree of substitution may be a value obtained in the manner described in "4. Evaluation of Degree of Substitution" of the Examples section of this specification. When a polysaccharide component has a degree of substitution within the above range, it may be advantageous to form hydrogen bonds between the polysaccharide components to a desired level, and as a result, a cross-linked structure can be effectively implemented to secure the desired absorption characteristics.

[0086] As described above, the polysaccharide component may include a unit represented by the following chemical formula 1.

[0087] [Chemical Formula 1]

[0088]

[0089] In Chemical Formula 1, R1 is a hydroxyl group, an amino group, -O-L5-C(=O)-OH, -O-L5-C(=O)-O - or is a functional group of the following chemical formula 2, where R3 is a hydroxyl group, -O-L5-C(=O)-OH, -O-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, -O-L5-C(=O)-OH, -O-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.

[0090] [Chemical Formula 2]

[0091]

[0092] In Chemical Formula 2, M1 is hydrogen or a metal, and if M1 is the metal, the O-M1 bond is an ionic bond.

[0093] 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.

[0094] -O-L5-C(=O)-OH or -O-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.

[0095] These functional groups are introduced to participate in the cross-linking reaction described later and to form cross-links, but not all introduced functional groups may participate in the cross-linking reaction, and in such cases, some functional groups may remain.

[0096] 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 3 are directly connected, and if L4 is absent, the carbon atoms connected to the left and right of L4 in Chemical Formula 3 are directly connected.

[0097] 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.

[0098] The crosslinking of the above polysaccharide component may be formed by a chemical substance other than the above polysaccharide called a so-called crosslinking agent, or it may be formed by a reaction between functional groups included in the above polysaccharide.

[0099] In this specification, the polymer material may include a polysaccharide component cross-linked by a chemical other than the polysaccharide among the types of cross-linked polysaccharides. For example, the polysaccharide component may include a polysaccharide component cross-linked by a crosslinking agent. For example, the crosslinking agent described above in the polymer composition may be used as the crosslinking agent.

[0100] The polymer material of this specification can provide a polymer material having excellent absorption capacity by applying a metal compound as a crosslinking agent to carry out the crosslinking reaction of a polysaccharide. As the metal compound, the metal compound described above in the polymer composition may be used.

[0101] Accordingly, the polymer material of the present specification may include a polymer in which the polysaccharide component is cross-linked with a metal compound, and the polymer may include a metal component bonded to the polysaccharide component.

[0102] In this specification, the term "metal component" refers to a material in which the metal component exists in a state of being bonded to a polysaccharide component within a polymer material.

[0103] For example, if the metal component and the polysaccharide component exist in a state where they are bonded to each other in the polymer material, the bond may be a coordinate bond. In such a case, the bond may be formed with the metal ion by providing an electron pair from an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom included in the functional group of the polysaccharide component.

[0104] In one example, the metal component may form a bond with an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom included in a functional group within one unit, or the metal component may form a bond with an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom included in a functional group within one unit while also forming a bond with an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom included in a functional group within another unit. For example, any one of the oxygen or nitrogen atoms R1 to R3 of the unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 may form a bond with the metal component.

[0105] The polymer material of this specification can provide a polymer material having excellent absorption capacity by applying an epoxy compound as a crosslinking agent to carry out the crosslinking reaction of a polysaccharide. As the epoxy compound, the epoxy compound described above in the polymer composition may be used.

[0106] The above polymer material may include a polymer in which a polysaccharide component is cross-linked with an epoxy compound, and such a polymer may include a polysaccharide component connected via one or more of the following chemical formulas 3 to 6.

[0107] For example, the following chemical formulas 3 to 6 may each independently form a bond with an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom contained in a functional group within one polysaccharide monomer, and form a bond with an oxygen atom or a nitrogen atom contained in a functional group within another monomer.

[0108] For example, the polysaccharide component may include a unit represented by the above chemical formula 1, and an oxygen or nitrogen atom included in a functional group within one unit may each independently form a bond with an oxygen or nitrogen atom included in a functional group within another unit through any one of chemical formulas 3 to 6. For example, one or more oxygen or nitrogen atoms among R1 to R3 of the unit represented by the above chemical formula 1 may form a bond with one or more oxygen or nitrogen atoms among R1 to R3 of a unit represented by the above chemical formula 1 other than the unit through one or more of the following chemical formulas 3 to 6.

[0109] [Chemical Formula 3]

[0110]

[0111] In Chemical Formula 3, L6, L7, and L8 are each independently an alkylene group or an alkylidene group, and * is a site that bonds to any one of the oxygen or nitrogen atoms of R1 to R3 of the unit of Chemical Formula 1.

[0112] [Chemical Formula 4]

[0113]

[0114] In Chemical Formula 4, L9, L 10 and L 11 Each is independently an alkylene group or an alkylidene group, and * is a site bonded to any one of the oxygen or nitrogen atoms of R1 to R3 of the unit of Chemical Formula 1.

[0115] [Chemical Formula 5]

[0116]

[0117] In chemical formula 5, L 12 , L 13 and L 14 Each is independently an alkylene group or an alkylidene group, and * is a site bonded to any one of the oxygen or nitrogen atoms of R1 to R3 of the unit of Chemical Formula 1.

[0118] [Chemical Formula 6]

[0119]

[0120] In chemical formula 6, L 15 , L 16 and L 17 Each is independently an alkylene group or an alkylidene group, and * is a site bonded to any one of the oxygen or nitrogen atoms of R1 to R3 of the unit of Chemical Formula 1.

[0121] The polymer material may additionally include a compound that is bonded to the cross-linked polysaccharide component together with the cross-linked polysaccharide component. Such a compound may be introduced by reacting the cross-linked 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 cross-linked by a cross-linking reaction, and then the compound is applied to further cross-link them. Such additional cross-linking is introduced to improve absorption capacity under pressure, etc.

[0122] The above compound may be a surface treatment agent for the cross-linked polysaccharide component. For example, the cross-linked polysaccharide component may be powdered by applying a treatment 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 include the cross-linked polysaccharide component in particle form and the compound bonded to the surface of the particles. In such a case, there is no particular limitation on the size of the particles, and they may be controlled to an appropriate size depending on the application. Typically, the size of the particles may be within the range of approximately 100 μm to 1,000 μm.

[0123] As the above compound, a substance having two or more functional groups capable of reacting with the functional groups (hydroxyl group, amino group, or carboxyl group, etc.) of the above polysaccharide component may be used. The above 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 group, amino group, or carboxyl group, etc.) of the above polysaccharide component, or may have 2 or 3.

[0124] The types of compounds that can be applied include one or more selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional epoxy compounds, epoxysilane compounds, aluminum compounds, aminosilane compounds, epichlorohydrin, acyl chloride, carbonate, dialdehyde, diamine, diol, carbon disulfide, phosphoryl chloride, divinyl benzene, organic acids, and organic acid anhydrides.

[0125] In order to perform effective crosslinking and secure desired physical properties, it may be advantageous to use a specific type of compound as the compound. For example, as the compound, an organic acid having two or more carboxyl groups or an anhydride of the organic acid may be applied. The organic acid or the anhydride of the organic acid may be composed of only carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen.

[0126] 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.

[0127] Examples of such organic acids include, but are not limited to, citric acid, succinic acid, pimelic acid, or adipic acid. A polymer material in which a polymer composition containing cross-linked polysaccharide components is treated with the above-mentioned treatment agent can satisfy the desired absorption characteristics and biodegradability.

[0128] The ratio of the above compound may be adjusted. For example, the lower limit of the weight ratio of the above compound relative to 100 parts by weight of the cross-linked polysaccharide component in the polymer material may be approximately 0.01 parts by weight, 0.05 parts by weight, 0.1 parts by weight, 0.2 parts by weight, 0.3 parts by weight, 0.4 parts by weight, or 0.5 parts by weight, and the upper limit may be approximately 10 parts by weight, 9 parts by weight, 8 parts by weight, 7 parts by weight, 6 parts by weight, 5 parts by weight, 4 parts by weight, 3 parts by weight, 2 parts by weight, 1 part by weight, or 0.5 parts 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. Under the above ratio, the polymer material can satisfy the desired absorption characteristics and biodegradability.

[0129] The above polymer material comprises a polysaccharide component as described above (a polysaccharide component that is cross-linked through a cross-linking agent and is bonded to the compound), and may additionally include other components if necessary.

[0130] The above polymer material can simultaneously exhibit excellent absorbency and biodegradability. 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 20 g / g, 21 g / g, 22 g / g, 23 g / g, 24 g / g, 25 g / g, or 26 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 centrifuge retention capacity may be a value measured in the manner described in "1. Centrifuge Retention Capacity (CRC)" of the Examples section of this specification.

[0131] For example, the lower limit of the absorbency under load (AUL) of the above polymer material at 0.9 psi according to the EDANA (European Disposables and Nonwovens Association) method WSP 242.3 may be approximately 10 g / g, 11 g / g, 12 g / g, 13 g / g, 14 g / g, 15 g / g, 16 g / g, or 17 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, 17 g / g, 16 g / g, 15 g / g, 14 g / g, or 13.5 g / g. The above-mentioned absorbency under load (AUL) 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 lower limits described above, and within a range less than or equal to any of the upper limits described above. The above-mentioned absorbency under load may be a value measured in the manner described in "2. Absorbency under Load (AUL)" of the Examples section of this specification.

[0132] The polymer material disclosed in this specification is manufactured as a biodegradable material and exhibits balanced absorbency, so it can be used for various applications.

[0133] For example, the polymer material may 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.

[0134] 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.

[0135] This specification discloses polymer compositions, polymer materials, and uses thereof.

[0136] The present specification discloses a polymer composition in which the number of hydrogen bonds formed between polysaccharide components is controlled by adjusting the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide components, the dipole moment of the solvent, and / or the ratio of the solvent to the polysaccharide components.

[0137] The present specification discloses a polymer material exhibiting excellent absorption characteristics by implementing a desired cross-linked structure through controlling the ratio of hydrogen bonds formed between polysaccharide components in a specific solvent.

[0138] The present specification discloses a polymer material that contains a high content of polysaccharide components while exhibiting excellent absorption characteristics, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0139] The polymer composition and polymer materials, etc. are described in detail below through examples or comparative examples, but the scope of the polymer composition and polymer materials, etc. is not limited by the following examples.

[0140]

[0141] 1. Centrifuge Retention Capacity (CRC)

[0142] Centrifugal retention capacity (CRC) was measured according to EDANA (European Disposables and Nonwovens Association) WSP 241.3. Approximately 0.2 g (W0) of the obtained polymer material was placed in a nonwoven bag, sealed, and then immersed in physiological saline. An aqueous NaCl solution with a concentration of 0.9 wt% was used as the physiological saline. After maintaining the condition for about 30 minutes, the moisture was removed from the bag using a centrifuge at 250 G for 3 minutes, and then the mass (g, W2) of the bag was measured. The same procedure was performed on an identical nonwoven bag that did not contain the polymer material, and the mass (g, W1) was measured. The measurement results were substituted into the following Equation A to calculate the CRC (g / g). The evaluation was conducted under constant temperature and humidity conditions (23±1℃, relative humidity: 50±10%).

[0143] [Equation A]

[0144] CRC (g / g) = {[W2(g) - W1(g)] / W0(g)} - 1

[0145]

[0146] 2. Absorbency under Load (AUL)

[0147] The pressure absorption capacity (AUL, 0.9 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 25 mm. A measuring device was manufactured by uniformly spreading approximately 0.17 g (W0) of polymer material onto the wire mesh under conditions of a temperature of 23 ± 2°C and a relative humidity of 50%, and then installing a piston capable of uniformly applying a load of approximately 0.9 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 150 mm and a thickness of approximately 5 mm was placed inside a Petri dish with a diameter of approximately 150 mm, and physiological saline solution (a 0.9 wt% aqueous solution of NaCl) was applied to the same level as the top surface of the glass filter. A sheet of filter paper with a diameter of approximately 120 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 0.9 psi. After 1 hour, the measuring device was lifted, and its weight W4 (g) was measured. The measured weights were substituted into the following formula C to calculate the absorption capacity (AUL) (g / g) under pressure.

[0148] [Equation C]

[0149] AUL (g / g) = [W4(g) - W3(g)] / W0(g)

[0150]

[0151] 3. Measurement of NMR

[0152] 1 Using an H NMR analysis instrument (Bruker, Avance Neo instrument) 11H NMR analysis was performed. 50 mg of the sample was dissolved in a mixed solvent of 750 mg of D2O solution (Sigma-Aldrich, Deuterium oxide 99.9 atom % D) and 250 mg of D2SO4, which were used as the measurement solvents. The mixture was then mixed at room temperature (approx. 25°C) for 1 minute at a speed of 2,000 rpm using a Vortex mixer (Scientific Industries, Vortex Mixer Genie 2) and then stirred at 90°C for 1 hour to prepare the sample.

[0153] As the sample above, the polysaccharide component (CMC, Carboxymethyl cellulose) of the example or comparative example was used.

[0154] The above 1 1H NMR analysis was performed on the sample at room temperature (approx. 25°C) using the above analysis equipment and a Varian Unity Inova (500 MHz) spectrometer equipped with a triple resonance 5 mm probe. Chemical shifts were expressed in ppm.

[0155]

[0156] 4. Evaluation of Degree of Substitution

[0157] The degree of substitution of the polysaccharide component is the degree of substitution of the carboxyl group present in the polysaccharide component, and was evaluated in the following manner. First, regarding 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 "3. Measurement of NMR" above, was set so that 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 was 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 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.

[0158]

[0159] 5. Measurement of viscosity

[0160] The viscosity of the polysaccharide component was measured using a viscometer (Brookfield LV) and spindle 74 or 75. After zeroing the viscometer, spindle 74 or 75 was mounted on the spindle connection of the viscometer. After adding 30 mL of distilled water to a 500 mL beaker, approximately 0.3 g of the sample was dissolved, and the viscosity of the polymer solution was measured using the spindle at a rotation speed of 30 rpm at approximately 25°C. The polysaccharide component (CMC, Carboxymethyl cellulose) of the example or comparative example was used as the sample.

[0161]

[0162] 6. Evaluation of the ratio of hydrogen bonds between polysaccharide molecules

[0163] The ratio of hydrogen bonds formed between polysaccharide molecules was analyzed using molecular dynamics simulations.

[0164] Using Material Studio software (BIOVIA), modeling was performed on the polysaccharide component (CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) for the examples and comparative examples) and the solvent (water for the examples and comparative examples) as a rotational isomeric state (RIS).

[0165] A cellulose chain was designed to contain 2,000 glucose units, wherein the carbon (C-1) and carbon (C-4) of the glucose unit are connected via a β(1→4) glycosidic bond, and hydrogen bonds are formed between the hydroxyl groups of the carbon (C-3) and carbon (C-6). Using the above cellulose chain, a molecular model of a polysaccharide component (CMC, Carboxymethyl cellulose) having a predetermined degree of substitution was implemented. The degree of substitution of the polysaccharide component was set to the degree of substitution of the CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) used in each example or comparative example, and the weight-average molecular weight of the polysaccharide component was set to 360,000 g / mol. The reason for setting the weight-average molecular weight of the polysaccharide component used in the examples or comparative examples to the same 360,000 g / mol is that the effect of the above molecular weight on the hydrogen bond ratio is not significant.

[0166] Structural optimization design was performed on the molecular model of the above polysaccharide component. Relative potential energy E according to the twist angle per molecule of polysaccharide component (one molecule of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) (one CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) chain))cmc A graph of rotational potential energy (kcal / mol) was derived. The chain molecules of the polysaccharide component were modeled so that the allowed torsion angles are determined according to the conformation of the minimal positions in the graph.

[0167] Next, a molecular model of the solvent (water) molecules was constructed.

[0168] Molecular modeling was performed on the polymer composition containing the designed polysaccharide component (CMC) and solvent (water). In the case of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, the polymer composition was designed so that the concentration of the polysaccharide component was 15%. In the case of Comparative Example 5, the composition was designed so that the concentration of the polysaccharide component was 2.5%. The concentration is calculated using the formula 100×P / (P+S), where P is the weight of the polysaccharide component and S is the weight of the water. The units of weight are the same in the above.

[0169] In the molecular model of the above polymer composition, the arrangement of the polysaccharide component and the solvent (water) was not restricted and was allowed to be arranged arbitrarily.

[0170] In the above-modeled molecular model, the bond distance and bond angle were measured, and the type of hydrogen bond was evaluated accordingly. Specifically, in the above-modeled molecular model, if the bond distance between the hydrogen donor and the hydrogen acceptor is 3.5 Å or less and the bond angle between the hydrogen acceptor and the hydrogen donor hydrogen atom and the hydrogen donor is 30 degrees or less, it was evaluated as hydrogen bonding between polysaccharide components. If the bond distance exceeds 3.5 Å or the bond angle exceeds 30 degrees, it was evaluated as hydrogen bonding between the polysaccharide components and the solvent (water).

[0171] Based on the above evaluation results, the hydrogen bonding ratio H was calculated according to Equation 1 below.

[0172] [Equation 1]

[0173] H = 100 × A / B

[0174] In Equation 1, A is the number of hydrogen bonds formed between polysaccharide components (hydrogen bonds in which the bond distance between the hydrogen donor and the hydrogen acceptor is 3.5 Å or less, and the bond angle between the hydrogen acceptor, the hydrogen atom of the hydrogen donor, and the hydrogen donor is 30 degrees or less), and B is the sum of the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components and the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components and the solvent (hydrogen bonds in which the bond distance between the hydrogen donor and the hydrogen acceptor is greater than 3.5 Å or the bond angle between the hydrogen acceptor, the hydrogen atom of the hydrogen donor, and the hydrogen donor is greater than 30 degrees).

[0175]

[0176] Example 1.

[0177] Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was used as a polysaccharide component. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with a viscosity of approximately 10,060 cP and a degree of substitution of approximately 0.81 was used.

[0178] About 300 g of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) was dissolved in 1,700 g of distilled water.

[0179] Considering the degree of substitution of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and the concentration of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in the distilled water, the intermolecular hydrogen bond ratio (H in Equation 1) evaluated by the method of "6. Evaluation of the hydrogen bond ratio between polysaccharide molecules" was about 31.2%.

[0180] A polymer composition was prepared by additionally mixing a crosslinking agent into the mixture of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and distilled water. As the crosslinking agent, about 0.3 g of 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether was used.

[0181] The above polymer composition was ground into particles having a size of less than 1 cm using a mixer. The ground particles were spread thinly on a tray, and a crosslinking process was performed. The crosslinking process was performed by maintaining the particles on the tray in an oven at 130°C for about 3 hours. The crosslinked material was stored in a desiccator so that the loss on drying (LOD) was maintained at about 8%.

[0182] The above-mentioned crosslinked material was crushed and classified to obtain polymer particles having a particle size of approximately 150 μm to 850 μm. Surface treatment was performed on the obtained polymer particles. The surface treatment was carried out using a surface treatment solution in which succinic acid (S), water (W), and methanol (M) were mixed in a weight ratio of 0.5:2.5:7.5 (S:W:M).

[0183] The polymer particles were placed on an aluminum dish, and the surface treatment solution was uniformly sprayed onto the polymer particles. The spraying was performed such that the amount of succinic acid applied by the spraying of the surface treatment solution was approximately 0.5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the polymer particles.

[0184] After the above spraying, the solution was evenly mixed with the polymer particles and reacted in a convection oven at 130°C for 30 minutes to obtain a surface-treated polymer material. The polymer material had a CRC of about 26 g / g and an AUL of about 16.3 g / g.

[0185]

[0186] Example 2.

[0187] About 300 g of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) with a viscosity of about 12,830 cP and a degree of substitution of about 0.84 was dissolved in 1,700 g of distilled water.

[0188] Considering the degree of substitution of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and the concentration of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in distilled water, the intermolecular hydrogen bond ratio (H in Equation 1) evaluated by the method of "6. Evaluation of the hydrogen bond ratio between polysaccharide molecules" was approximately 31.3%.

[0189] A polymer composition and a polymer material were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 using the above mixture of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and distilled water. The CRC of the polymer material was approximately 26.8 g / g, and the AUL was approximately 15.3 g / g.

[0190]

[0191] Example 3.

[0192] About 300 g of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) with a viscosity of about 4,599 cP and a degree of substitution of about 0.85 was dissolved in 1,700 g of distilled water.

[0193] Considering the degree of substitution of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and the concentration of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in distilled water, the intermolecular hydrogen bond ratio (H in Equation 1) evaluated by the method of "6. Evaluation of the hydrogen bond ratio between polysaccharide molecules" was approximately 31.3%.

[0194] A polymer composition and a polymer material were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 using the above mixture of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and distilled water. The CRC of the polymer material was approximately 23.7 g / g, and the AUL was approximately 13.5 g / g.

[0195]

[0196] Example 4.

[0197] About 300 g of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose), which has a viscosity of about 10,060 cP and a degree of substitution of about 0.81, was dissolved in 1,700 g of distilled water.

[0198] Considering the degree of substitution of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and the concentration of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in the distilled water, the intermolecular hydrogen bond ratio (H in Equation 1) evaluated by the method of "6. Evaluation of the hydrogen bond ratio between polysaccharide molecules" was about 31.2%.

[0199] A polymer composition was prepared by adding a crosslinking agent to the mixture of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and distilled water. 0.15 g of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) was used as the crosslinking agent.

[0200] A polymer material was prepared using the above polymer composition in the same manner as in Example 1. The CRC of the polymer material was approximately 26.3 g / g, and the AUL was approximately 17.5 g / g.

[0201]

[0202] Example 5.

[0203] About 300 g of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) with a viscosity of about 12,830 cP and a degree of substitution of about 0.84 was dissolved in 1,700 g of distilled water.

[0204] Considering the degree of substitution of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and the concentration of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in the distilled water, the intermolecular hydrogen bond ratio (H in Equation 1) evaluated by the method of "6. Evaluation of the hydrogen bond ratio between polysaccharide molecules" was about 31.3%.

[0205] A polymer composition was prepared by adding a crosslinking agent to the mixture of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and distilled water. 0.15 g of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) was used as the crosslinking agent.

[0206] A polymer material was prepared using the above polymer composition in the same manner as in Example 1. The CRC of the polymer material was approximately 25.7 g / g, and the AUL was approximately 15.7 g / g.

[0207]

[0208] Example 6.

[0209] About 300 g of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) with a viscosity of about 4,599 cP and a degree of substitution of about 0.85 was dissolved in 1,700 g of distilled water.

[0210] Considering the degree of substitution of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and the concentration of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in the distilled water, the intermolecular hydrogen bond ratio (H in Equation 1) evaluated by the method of "6. Evaluation of the hydrogen bond ratio between polysaccharide molecules" was about 31.3%.

[0211] A polymer composition was prepared by adding a crosslinking agent to the mixture of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and distilled water. 0.15 g of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) was used as the crosslinking agent.

[0212] A polymer material was prepared using the above polymer composition in the same manner as in Example 1. The CRC of the polymer material was approximately 24.7 g / g, and the AUL was approximately 13 g / g.

[0213]

[0214] Comparative Example 1.

[0215] About 300 g of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) with a viscosity of about 2,223 cP and a degree of substitution of about 1.27 was dissolved in 1,700 g of distilled water.

[0216] Considering the degree of substitution of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and the concentration of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in distilled water, the intermolecular hydrogen bond ratio (H in Equation 1) evaluated by the method of "6. Evaluation of the hydrogen bond ratio between polysaccharide molecules" was approximately 25.9%.

[0217] A polymer composition and a polymer material were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 using the above mixture of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and distilled water. The CRC of the polymer material was approximately 22.2 g / g, and the AUL was approximately 6.4 g / g.

[0218]

[0219] Comparative Example 2.

[0220] About 300 g of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) with a viscosity of about 2,155 cP and a degree of substitution of about 0.5 was dissolved in 1,700 g of distilled water.

[0221] Considering the degree of substitution of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and the concentration of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in distilled water, the intermolecular hydrogen bond ratio (H in Equation 1) evaluated by the method of "6. Evaluation of the hydrogen bond ratio between polysaccharide molecules" was about 40.7%.

[0222] A polymer composition and a polymer material were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 using the above mixture of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and distilled water. The CRC of the polymer material was approximately 19.7 g / g, and the AUL was approximately 6.6 g / g.

[0223]

[0224] Comparative Example 3.

[0225] About 300 g of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) with a viscosity of about 2,223 cP and a degree of substitution of about 1.27 was dissolved in 1,700 g of distilled water.

[0226] Considering the degree of substitution of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and the concentration of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in distilled water, the intermolecular hydrogen bond ratio (H in Equation 1) evaluated by the method of "6. Evaluation of the hydrogen bond ratio between polysaccharide molecules" was approximately 25.9%.

[0227] A polymer composition was prepared by adding a crosslinking agent to the mixture of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and distilled water. 0.15 g of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) was used as the crosslinking agent.

[0228] A polymer material was prepared using the above polymer composition in the same manner as in Example 1. The CRC of the polymer material was approximately 21 g / g, and the AUL was approximately 8.2 g / g.

[0229]

[0230] Comparative Example 4.

[0231] About 300 g of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) with a viscosity of about 2,155 cP and a degree of substitution of about 0.5 was dissolved in 1,700 g of distilled water.

[0232] Considering the degree of substitution of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and the concentration of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in distilled water, the intermolecular hydrogen bond ratio (H in Equation 1) evaluated by the method of "6. Evaluation of the hydrogen bond ratio between polysaccharide molecules" was about 40.7%.

[0233] A polymer composition was prepared by adding a crosslinking agent to the mixture of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and distilled water. 0.15 g of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) was used as the crosslinking agent.

[0234] A polymer material was prepared using the above polymer composition in the same manner as in Example 1. The CRC of the polymer material was approximately 19.1 g / g, and the AUL was approximately 6.7 g / g.

[0235]

[0236] Comparative Example 5.

[0237] About 50 g of CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose), which has a viscosity of about 10,060 cP and a degree of substitution of about 0.81, was dissolved in 1,950 g of distilled water.

[0238] Considering the degree of substitution of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and the concentration of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) in the distilled water, the intermolecular hydrogen bond ratio (H in Equation 1) evaluated by the method of "6. Evaluation of the hydrogen bond ratio between polysaccharide molecules" was about 18.7%.

[0239] A polymer composition was prepared by adding a crosslinking agent to the mixture of the above CMC (Carboxymethyl cellulose) and distilled water. Approximately 0.3 g of 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether was used as the crosslinking agent. The crosslinking process was performed on the composition in the same manner as in Example 1, but because the ratio of solvent to weight of the polysaccharide component in the composition was high, the composition did not dry completely and remained in a slurry state. As a result, the crosslinking of the polysaccharide component did not proceed smoothly, and no crosslinked product was formed.

[0240] The intermolecular hydrogen bonding ratios (H in Table 1 below) and CRC and AUL of the examples and comparative examples are summarized and listed in Table 1 below.

[0241] H(%) CRC (g / g) AUL (g / g) Example 1 31.2 26 16.3 Example 2 31.3 26.8 15.3 Example 3 31.3 23.7 13.5 Example 4 31.2 26.3 17.5 Example 5 31.3 25.7 15.7 Example 6 31.3 24.7 13 Comparative Example 1 25.9 22.2 6.4 Comparative Example 2 40.7 19.7 6.6 Comparative Example 3 25.9 218.2 Comparative Example 4 40.7 19.1 6.7 Comparative Example 5 18.7 Measurement of CRC and AUL is impossible as no crosslinks were formed

Claims

1. Contains polysaccharide components and a solvent, A polymer composition in which H of Formula 1 below is in the range of 26% to 40%: [Equation 1] H = 100 × A / B In Formula 1, A is the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components within the polymer composition, and B is the sum of the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components within the polymer composition and the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components and the solvent.

2. The polysaccharide component of claim 1 is a polymer composition having a viscosity in the range of 4,000 to 50,000 cP under conditions of 25°C and 30 rpm.

3. A polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein the polysaccharide component is an acidic polysaccharide component having a degree of substitution within the range of greater than 0.5 and less than or equal to 1.

2.

4. A polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein the solvent is a polar protic solvent.

5. A polymer composition according to claim 1, wherein C of the following formula 2 is in the range of 5% to 40%: [Equation 2] C = 100 × P / (P+S) In Equation 2, P is the weight of the polysaccharide component in the polymer composition, and S is the weight of the solvent in the polymer composition.

6. A polymer composition according to claim 1, further comprising a crosslinking agent.

7. A polymer composition according to claim 6, wherein the crosslinking agent is one or more selected from the group consisting of epoxy compounds, metal compounds, sulfur compounds, organic acids, amide compounds, and aldehyde compounds.

8. Contains cross-linked polysaccharide components, and The above polysaccharide component is a polymer material having hydrogen bond-forming ability such that the H of Formula 3 below is in the range of 26% to 40% in a polar protic solvent: [Equation 3] H = 100 × A / B In Equation 3, A is the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components in the mixture of the polysaccharide components and the polar protic solvent, and B is the sum of the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components in the mixture and the number of hydrogen bonds formed between the polysaccharide components and the solvent.

9. In claim 8, 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, -O-L5-C(=O)-OH, -O-L5-C(=O)-O - or is a functional group of the following chemical formula 2, where R3 is a hydroxyl group, -O-L5-C(=O)-OH, -O-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, -O-L5-C(=O)-OH, -O-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.

10. A polymer material according to claim 9, further comprising a metal component, wherein the metal component forms a bond with one or more oxygen or nitrogen atoms among R1 to R3 of a unit represented by Chemical Formula 1.

11. A polymer material according to claim 9, wherein one or more oxygen or nitrogen atoms among R1 to R3 of the unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 form a bond with one or more oxygen or nitrogen atoms among R1 to R3 of a unit represented by Chemical Formula 1 other than the unit, via one or more of the following Chemical Formulas 3 to 6: [Chemical Formula 3] In Chemical Formula 3, L6, L7, and L8 are each independently an alkylene group or an alkylidene group, and * is a site bonded to any one of the oxygen or nitrogen atoms of R1 to R3 of the unit of Chemical Formula 1: [Chemical Formula 4] In Chemical Formula 4, L9, L 10 and L 11 Each is independently an alkylene group or an alkylidene group, and * is a site bonded to any one of the oxygen or nitrogen atoms of R1 to R3 of the unit of Chemical Formula 1: [Chemical Formula 5] In chemical formula 5, L 12 , L 13 and L 14 Each is independently an alkylene group or an alkylidene group, and * is a site bonded to any one of the oxygen or nitrogen atoms of R1 to R3 of the unit of Chemical Formula 1: [Chemical Formula 6] In chemical formula 6, L 15 , L 16 and L 17 Each is independently an alkylene group or an alkylidene group, and * is a site bonded to any one of the oxygen or nitrogen atoms of R1 to R3 of the unit of Chemical Formula 1.

12. A polymer material according to claim 8, wherein the polysaccharide component is in the form of particles, and further comprises a compound combined with said particulate polysaccharide component.

13. In claim 12, the compound is a polymer material selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional epoxy compounds, epoxy silane compounds, aluminum compounds, amino silane compounds, epichlorohydrin, acyl chloride, carbonates, dialdehydes, diamines, diols, carbon disulfides, phosphoryl chlorides, divinyl benzene, organic acids, and organic acid anhydrides.

14. A polymer material according to claim 8 having an absorbency under load (AUL) of 10 g / g or more at 0.9 psi in accordance with EDANA (European Disposables and Nonwovens Association) method WSP 242.

3.

15. An absorbent material comprising the polymer material of any one of claims 8 to 14.

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