Bio-Based PEC Binder Composition for Hydrophobic Fiber Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bio-based polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) compositions for fiber-based materials lack stability, mechanical strength, and hydrophobicity, and are not fully biodegradable, with previous solutions using synthetic polymers and not achieving desired dry and wet strength enhancements or long-term stability.
Innovation Solution
A bio-based PEC composition comprising chitosan as a cationic polymer, an anionic biopolymer, an acid, and fatty compounds, with a preservative, which is stable for at least 1.5 months and can transfer hydrophobicity and mechanical properties to treated materials, including high dry and wet tensile strengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If synthetic polymers are used in PEC compositions, then mechanical strength and stability are improved, but biodegradability and environmental friendliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of biopolymers through controlled chemical modification, changing parameters such as degree of substitution and molecular weight to achieve both high mechanical strength and complete biodegradability. This resolves the contradiction by demonstrating that biopolymers can be engineered to match synthetic polymer performance while maintaining environmental benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite PEC structures by combining multiple biopolymers with complementary properties, where each component contributes to overall strength while the entire system remains biodegradable. The synergistic interaction between different biopolymer components achieves mechanical properties previously only attainable with synthetic polymers.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If PEC compositions are made fully biodegradable using only natural polymers, then environmental friendliness is improved, but stability and mechanical strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies controlled chemical modification to biopolymers, adjusting parameters such as degree of substitution, molecular weight, and crosslinking density to optimize both biodegradability and mechanical strength. This demonstrates that biopolymers can be engineered to achieve high performance while maintaining complete biodegradability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary chemical modification of biopolymers before PEC formation to enhance their mechanical properties and stability. This pre-treatment ensures that the biopolymers achieve optimal performance characteristics while retaining their biodegradable nature, resolving the contradiction between strength and biodegradability.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If PEC compositions are formulated for high stability over long periods, then durability is improved, but cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent stability characteristics of naturally occurring biopolymers and their ability to self-assemble into stable PEC structures without requiring complex stabilization additives or expensive processing conditions. This self-stabilizing property achieves long-term durability while maintaining cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacture.
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 provides stable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly PEC solutions that enhance the mechanical properties and hydrophobicity of fiber-based materials, maintaining performance after multiple washes and offering improved stability and cost-effectiveness.
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
Implementation Method 2
Thanks to the one or more additives they contain, the PEC compositions of the present invention can transfer specific properties of the additives to the treated materials, such as hydrophobicity
Data Source
AI summary
The 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 a 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 pH is less than 7, and wherein said composition further comprises one or more fatty compounds as well as methods and use thereof. 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.