Acetylated Cellulose Ether Membranes for Water Treatment Anti-Fouling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water-treatment membranes face challenges with fouling due to low mechanical strength and chlorine resistance, and high contamination risk due to trade-offs between hydrophilic and mechanical properties in existing materials like cellulose acetate and polyvinylidene fluoride.
Innovation Solution
A method involving cross-linking and acetylating a cellulose ether to introduce additional hydrophilic groups, using cross-linking agents like glyoxal and glutaraldehyde, and acetylating the cross-linked cellulose ether to enhance anti-fouling properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cellulose acetate is used to achieve high hydrophilic properties, then contamination risk is reduced, but mechanical strength and chlorine resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining cellulose ether (providing mechanical strength and chlorine resistance) with acetyl groups (providing hydrophilic properties). The cross-linked cellulose ether backbone maintains structural integrity while acetyl groups on the polymer chain provide water affinity, creating a material that simultaneously achieves both mechanical strength and anti-fouling properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by introducing acetyl groups only at specific positions on the cellulose ether polymer chain. The cross-linked backbone structure provides mechanical strength in one region, while the acetyl-substituted side chains provide hydrophilic properties in another region, allowing different parts of the molecule to fulfill different functions.
2Strength
If polyvinylidene fluoride is used to achieve high mechanical strength and chlorine resistance, then durability is improved, but hydrophilic properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by introducing acetyl groups onto the cellulose ether backbone. This chemical modification alters the surface properties and hydrophilicity of the material without compromising the underlying mechanical structure, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining durability.
3Strength
If cross-linking is applied to improve mechanical strength, then tensile strength increases, but hydrophilic properties may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first establishing the cross-linked cellulose ether backbone structure to ensure mechanical strength, and then subsequently introducing acetyl groups to restore and enhance hydrophilic properties. This sequential approach ensures that both mechanical strength and hydrophilicity are achieved in the final material.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting acetylated cellulose ether exhibits improved hydrophilic properties and anti-fouling performance, maintaining high tensile strength and chlorine resistance, reducing membrane contamination and durability issues.
Implementation Method 1
cross-linking a cellulose ether
Implementation Method 2
acetylating the cross-linked cellulose ether to introduce additional hydrophilic groups
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for preparing acetylated cellulose ethers having improved anti-fouling properties and to acetylated cellulose ethers prepared by same. The method for preparing acetylated cellulose ethers having improved anti-fouling properties comprises the steps of: cross-linking cellulose ethers; and acetylating the cross-linked cellulose ethers. The acetylated cellulose ethers prepared by the method may activate the hydroxyl group which is made into blocks by the agglomeration between polymers performed by the materials for cross-linking the cellulose ethers, and may introduce thereto an additional hydrophilic group so as to increase hydrophilic properties, and thus may improve anti-fouling properties when applied to water-treatment membranes.