Ammonium Formate Nanocellulose Process for Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The commercial implementation of nanocelluloses is hindered by high energy consumption, poor long-term stability, and storability, particularly for mechanically delaminated cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) and hydrolytically extracted cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs).

Innovation Solution

A process involving a mixture of ammonium formate and at least one acid with a cellulose-containing feedstock, heated to 100°C or more, which acts as both a reagent and solvent, facilitating the preparation of nanocelluloses with enhanced stability and reduced agglomeration tendencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mechanical delamination or acid hydrolysis is used to prepare nanocelluloses, then nanocellulose materials can be produced, but high energy consumption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenanocellulose productionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the reaction system by using ammonium formate as both solvent and reagent, which enables nanocellulose preparation under milder conditions with lower energy consumption compared to conventional mechanical delamination or acid hydrolysis methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Ammonium formate serves dual functions as both the reaction solvent and the chemical reagent for cellulose modification, eliminating the need for separate solvent and reagent addition steps, thereby simplifying the process and reducing energy input requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If conventional methods are used to prepare nanocelluloses, then production can proceed, but poor long-term stability and storability result

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenanocellulose productionVSAvoidlong-term stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating nitrogen-containing groups from ammonium formate onto the nanocellulose surface, which fundamentally changes the surface chemistry and leads to enhanced colloidal stability and reduced aggregation during long-term storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Ammonium formate acts as an intermediary agent that not only facilitates the extraction process but also chemically modifies the nanocellulose surface with formate and amine groups, creating steric and electrostatic barriers that prevent aggregation and improve storability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conventional nanocellulose preparation is performed, then nanomaterials are obtained, but toxic reagents are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenanocellulose productionVSAvoidtoxic reagents

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces persistent toxic reagents with ammonium formate, which decomposes into harmless substances (ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water) after use, eliminating toxic waste disposal issues while maintaining effective nanocellulose production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the typically problematic ammonium formate decomposition products into beneficial surface modifications on nanocellulose, where the formate and amine groups enhance stability and dispersibility, turning what could be considered a degradation pathway into a functional modification strategy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 process yields nanocelluloses with high zeta potential and nitrogen content, indicating chemical modification, resulting in unusually stable dispersions and colloids with high crystallinity, suitable for various applications without the need for toxic reagents.

Implementation Method 1

A process involving a mixture of ammonium formate and at least one acid with a cellulose-containing feedstock, heated to 100°C or more, which acts as both a reagent and solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

heating the mixture provided in step a) at a reaction temperature of 100° C. or more

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20230322962A1An efficient green process for the preparation of nanocelluloses, novel modified nanocelluloses and their application

Publication Date: 2023.10.12 MAX PLANCK GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV

AI summary

The present invention relates to an efficient process for the preparation of nanocelluloses using mixtures of ammonium formate and at least one acid as reactant and solvent as well as to novel modified nanocelluloses and their applications.