Anhydride Sizing Emulsion Stabilized by Lignin-Carbohydrate Complex
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aqueous emulsions of hydrophobic anhydride-based sizing agents suffer from instability and bacterial growth issues, necessitating rapid use and increased risk of bacterial deposits, particularly when starch is used as a stabilizer.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing an anionic lignin-carbohydrate complex, covalently bound, as a stabilizer in the emulsion, which provides improved stability and reduces bacterial growth, allowing for longer application times without compromising sizing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If starch is used as a stabilizer in aqueous sizing emulsions, then the emulsion can be prepared and used, but the temporal stability is unsatisfactory and bacterial growth risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the stabilizer from starch to anionic lignin-carbohydrate complex. This substitution fundamentally alters the emulsion's chemical properties, providing both improved temporal stability and reduced bacterial growth risk, as the lignin-carbohydrate complex does not serve as a nutrient source for bacteria while effectively stabilizing the hydrophobic size particles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite stabilizer system consisting of anionic lignin-carbohydrate complex, which combines lignin and carbohydrate components in a specific ratio (1:4 to 4:1 weight ratio). This composite material leverages the complementary properties of both components to achieve superior emulsion stability while maintaining sustainability and reducing bacterial growth promotion compared to pure starch
2Ease of manufacture
If starch is used as a stabilizer, then the emulsion can be prepared, but the preparation time window is limited due to rapid deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the stabilizer composition from starch to anionic lignin-carbohydrate complex, the patent extends the operational time window of the emulsion. The lignin-carbohydrate complex provides sustained stabilization, allowing the emulsion to remain effective for longer periods during storage and application, thus reducing the urgency of immediate use after preparation
3Reliability
If renewable sources are used for stabilizer, then sustainability is improved, but the available options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent expands renewable stabilizer options by introducing anionic lignin-carbohydrate complex, a composite material derived from renewable forestry resources. This composite approach combines lignin and carbohydrate in specific ratios to achieve performance comparable to or better than conventional starch-based stabilizers, thereby increasing the diversity of sustainable stabilizer choices available in the field
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an aqueous emulsion of a hydrophobic anhydride-based sizing agent, prepared by homogenizing the said anhydride-based sizing agent in an aqueous phase which comprises a stabilizer, which is an anionic lignin-carbohydrate complex, where lignin and carbohydrate are covalently bound with each other. The invention further relates to a use of this anionic lignin-carbohydrate complex as a stabilizer as well as to a method for making an aqueous emulsion of a hydrophobic anhydride-based sizing agent.