Bio-based polyelectrolyte complex compositions comprising non-water soluble particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bio-based polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) compositions lack stability, fail to enhance dry and wet strengths, tensile stiffness, and hydrophobicity in treated materials, and are limited by low concentration and sensitivity to tap water, making them unsuitable for long-term use and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A bio-based PEC composition comprising cationic chitosan, anionic biopolymers, and non-water soluble particles, with a cationic net charge and specific charge ratio, that is stable in tap water and can transfer mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, and hydrophilicity to fiber-based materials, textiles, and nonwovens, while maintaining stability for at least 1.5 months and concentrations up to 10 wt%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PEC compositions use synthetic polymers as cations or anions, then stability and performance can be improved, but environmental benignity and renewability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of biopolymers through controlled acetylation of chitosan and carboxymethylation of cellulose or starch, creating derivatives with enhanced stability and binding properties while maintaining biodegradability. The degree of substitution is optimized to balance performance and environmental compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite PEC structures by combining modified biopolymer chains with specific charge ratios, forming complex associations that leverage the advantages of both cationic and anionic components. These composite structures achieve synthetic-like stability while remaining fully biobased
2Productivity
If PEC concentration is increased to improve performance, then binding efficiency increases, but stability decreases due to aggregation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the charge ratio parameter between cationic and anionic polymers, maintaining a specific stoichiometric balance that prevents excessive aggregation even at high concentrations. The modified biopolymer structures also alter the electrostatic interaction parameters to reduce premature precipitation
Solution Approach 2:
The biopolymers are pre-modified with controlled degrees of substitution before PEC formation, creating structures that are pre-conditioned to maintain stability at higher concentrations. This preliminary modification prevents aggregation issues that would otherwise limit concentration
3Object-affected harmful factors
If PEC compositions are made fully biobased, then environmental compatibility improves, but stability and long-term performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically modifies the physical and chemical parameters of biopolymers including molecular weight, degree of acetylation, and degree of carboxymethylation to enhance durability. These parameter adjustments allow the biobased PEC to maintain structural integrity over time while remaining environmentally benign
Solution Approach 2:
By creating composite associations between modified chitosan and modified cellulose/starch with optimized charge ratios, the patent generates structures with enhanced stability that mimic synthetic PEC performance. The composite nature provides synergistic effects that improve long-term reliability
4Stability of the object's composition
If charge ratio between cationic and anionic polymers is optimized for stability, then PEC composition stability improves, but ability to transfer mechanical properties to substrates decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and optimizes specific charge ratio parameters that simultaneously satisfy stability and bonding requirements. The modified biopolymer structures also change the interaction parameters with substrates, enabling effective mechanical property transfer at the optimized charge ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The biopolymers are pre-modified to include functional groups that enhance substrate interaction. This preliminary action ensures that when the optimized charge ratio is achieved, the PEC composition is primed to effectively transfer mechanical properties to the substrate
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 composition significantly enhances dry and wet tensile strengths, tensile stiffness, and hydrophobicity of treated materials, maintaining stability and performance over time, even in tap water, and allows for the transfer of specific properties from additives, making it suitable for high-concentration use and 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, said PEC composition comprising cationic biopolymer, anionic biopolymer, acid and preservative, and wherein the 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, the anionic biopolymer is a polyanion 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, and 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 %, the p H is less than 7, and wherein said composition further comprises one or more non-water soluble particles. 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.