Alkyl Polyglycoside Surfactant in Viscose Fiber Xanthation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surfactants used in viscose fiber production, such as phenol ethoxylate, exhibit low solubility under alkaline conditions, leading to poor wetting and reactivity of cellulose with alkali solutions during mercerization and xanthation, resulting in low quality viscose fibers with agglomerates and lumps.
Innovation Solution
The use of alkyl polyglycoside (APG) prior to and/or during xanthation of alkali cellulose increases reactivity with carbon disulfide, accelerating xanthation and reducing the formation of agglomerates and lumps in the viscose solution and fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phenol ethoxylate is used as surfactant, then it is widely used in industry, but it has low solubility under alkaline conditions leading to poor wetting and reactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the surfactant by replacing phenol ethoxylate with alkyl polyglycoside, which has different molecular characteristics that provide high solubility in alkaline conditions while maintaining surfactant functionality. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses alkyl polyglycoside which is biodegradable and environmentally friendly, replacing traditional phenol ethoxylate that persists in the environment. This substitution maintains effective surfactant performance while improving environmental compatibility and solubility characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If phenol ethoxylate is used as surfactant, then it is commonly applied, but it leads to low wetting of cellulose pulp with alkali solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surfactant molecular structure from phenol ethoxylate to alkyl polyglycoside, changing the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and molecular interactions with cellulose. This parameter change enables superior wetting of cellulose pulp by the alkali solution while maintaining broad applicability in the viscose production process.
3Ease of manufacture
If phenol ethoxylate is used as surfactant, then it is standard practice, but it results in low reactivity of alkali cellulose with CS2 during xanthation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surfactant from phenol ethoxylate to alkyl polyglycoside, which modifies the chemical environment during xanthation. This parameter change enhances the reactivity of alkali cellulose with carbon disulfide, improving xanthation efficiency and productivity while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple.
4Reliability
If conventional surfactants are used, then the process is established, but it results in viscose fiber with agglomerates and lumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional phenol ethoxylate surfactant with alkyl polyglycoside, which has different surface activity and solubility parameters. This parameter change prevents the formation of agglomerates and lumps during viscose solution preparation and fiber formation, significantly improving fiber quality while maintaining process stability.
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
APG enhances the wetting and swelling of cellulose, improves reactivity with CS2, and significantly reduces the formation of agglomerates and lumps, leading to improved spinnability and processability of viscose fibers.
Implementation Method 1
The presence of surfactant in the step of mercerizing can accelerate wetting of cellulose with alkali solution
Implementation Method 2
The presence of surfactant in alkali cellulose, in particular during shredding, affects not only the properties of the obtained product but also the shredding itself by facilitating mechanical breakdown of alkali cellulose
Implementation Method 3
reacted with carbon disulfide to form cellulose xanthate
Implementation Method 4
which is then diluted with a dilute alkali solution, obtaining a viscous solution, i.e., a viscose solution
Implementation Method 5
During spinning cellulose xanthate is changed into cellulose, thus cellulose is regenerated
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for producing a viscose solution comprising a step of adding alkyl polyglycoside prior to and/or during xanthation of alkali cellulose. When APG is added prior to or during xanthation of alkali cellulose, the reactivity between alkali cellulose and CS2 could be increased and the xanthation could be accelerated, as a result of which formation of agglomerates and/or lumps in the obtained viscose solution and then the obtained viscose fiber spun therefrom is significantly reduced, relative to the situation when such conventional surfactants as phenyl ethoxylate are added likewise. The present invention also relates to a viscose solution obtainable by the foresaid method, and a method for producing viscose fiber, with the foresaid viscose solution or including the foresaid method.