Bio-Based PEC Binder Composition for Stable Fiber Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biopolymer-based polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) compositions for fiber-based materials lack stability, high concentration, and effectiveness in enhancing dry and wet tensile strengths, while also being prone to mold growth and instability in tap water.
Innovation Solution
A bio-based PEC composition comprising chitosan as a cationic biopolymer, an anionic biopolymer such as carboxymethyl cellulose, acid, and preservatives, with a pH below 7, which is stable in tap water and can be formulated to high concentrations, providing enhanced dry and wet tensile strengths and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing biopolymer-based PEC compositions are used, then they provide some binding effect, but they lack stability and are prone to mold growth and instability in tap water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific intermediaries (preservatives and stabilizers) to mediate between the PEC composition and the environment (tap water, mold). These additives act as protective intermediaries that prevent direct harmful interactions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining composition stability and preventing mold growth in water-based systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies key parameters of the PEC composition including pH level, ionic strength, and molecular weight ratios of polycation to polyanion. By optimizing these parameters, the composition achieves enhanced stability in tap water and resistance to mold growth while maintaining binding effectiveness
2Strength
If PEC compositions are formulated to high concentrations, then they provide enhanced tensile strengths, but they become less stable and more prone to precipitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically varies parameters including the molecular weight of chitosan and polyanion, their charge densities, and the ratio between them. By optimizing these parameters, the composition achieves both high concentration (for enhanced tensile strength) and improved stability (resistance to precipitation), resolving the contradiction between strength enhancement and composition stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite PEC system combining multiple biopolymers (chitosan and polyanion) with complementary properties. This composite approach allows the system to achieve high concentration stability while maintaining enhanced tensile strength, as the different polymer components work synergistically to prevent precipitation
3Reliability
If synthetic polymers are used in PEC compositions, then they provide stable and effective binding, but they are not bio-based and environmentally benign
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes parameters of natural biopolymers (molecular weight, degree of acetylation for chitosan, charge density for polyanion) to achieve binding effectiveness previously only attainable with synthetic polymers. This allows replacement of synthetic polymers with bio-based alternatives while maintaining or improving binding performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs readily available, renewable biopolymers (chitosan from crustacean shells, polyanion from natural sources) that can be easily produced and degraded. These bio-based materials provide effective binding while being environmentally benign and renewable, replacing persistent synthetic polymers
4Strength
If low concentrations of PEC are used, then they maintain stability, but they do not provide sufficient enhancement of dry and wet tensile strengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight and charge density parameters of the constituent polymers to enhance binding efficiency. This allows achieving sufficient tensile strength enhancement at lower concentrations, resolving the contradiction between concentration and effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The PEC composition binds to itself through electrostatic interactions between polycation and polyanion, forming stable complexes that efficiently bridge fiber surfaces. This self-binding mechanism enhances the binding efficiency per unit concentration, allowing effective tensile strength enhancement at lower concentrations
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 solution achieves stable and high-concentration PEC compositions that significantly improve the tensile strengths of fiber-based materials, maintain stability over time, and prevent mold growth, even in tap water, making them suitable for industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
PECs are the association complexes formed between oppositely charged particles such as polymer-polymer, polymer-drug and polymer-drug-polymer. These complexes are formed due to electrostatic interaction between oppositely charged polyions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a bio-based polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) composition suitable as a binder for fiber based materials, textiles, woven and nonwoven materials. The PEC composition comprises cationic biopolymer, anionic biopolymer acid and a polymer, and is further characterized in thatthe net charge of the PEC is cationic,the charge ratio of the anionic polymer and the cationic polymer is ≤1,the cationic biopolymer is chitosan, wherein the concentration of cation is 0.005-30%,the anionic biopolymer is polyanions derived from nature,the acid is a Brønsted acid and/or a Lewis acid, wherein the Brønsted acid is selected from any organic and/or inorganic acids, wherein the Lewis acid is selected from any cationic mono- or multivalent atom,the weight ratio between cation and anion is 1:0.1 to 1:20,the weight ratio between the cation and acid is 1:0.01 to 1:30,chitosan has a degree of deacetylation being 66-100%, andthe pH is less than 7.The present invention further relates to a method for preparing the PEC composition, uses of the PEC composition, as well as method of treating materials with the PEC composition.