Bio-Resin Paper Coating for Moisture-Resistant Biodegradable Packaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper-based packaging materials are hydrophilic and porous, leading to moisture and oxygen permeability issues, necessitating the use of non-degradable petroleum-based plastics for barriers, which are not recyclable, and biodegradable biopolymeric films are highly water-sensitive, resulting in unsatisfactory performance.
Innovation Solution
Development of a hydrophobic and moisture-resistant paper coating using epoxidized castor oil functionalized with aminosilanes, synthesized through a solvent-free process without catalysts, achieving high water contact angles and reduced water vapor transmission rates, while being biodegradable and repulpable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If un-coated paper is used for packaging, then it remains eco-friendly and biodegradable, but it cannot provide barrier against moisture and oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the chemical parameters of plant oil through epoxidation (introducing epoxy groups) and silanization (adding hydrolyzable alkoxy silane groups). These parameter changes enable the oil to form crosslinked hydrophobic networks that provide moisture barrier while maintaining biodegradability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite coating system combining plant oil derivatives with silane crosslinking agents. The resulting coating integrates the biodegradability of plant-based materials with the moisture resistance of crosslinked silane networks, achieving both eco-friendliness and barrier properties
2Reliability
If petroleum-based plastics are used to provide barrier properties, then moisture and oxygen barrier is improved, but the material becomes non-degradable and not recyclable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies plant oil parameters through epoxidation and silanization to achieve crosslinking capability. The resulting coating provides plastic-like barrier properties while maintaining the biodegradability of plant-based materials, eliminating the need for petroleum plastics
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a single-use coating that is optimized for barrier performance during its service life but is designed to be biodegradable afterward. The coating provides effective moisture protection when needed but decomposes naturally after use, unlike persistent petroleum plastics
3Stability of the object's composition
If biodegradable biopolymeric films are used, then biodegradability is improved, but water sensitivity increases resulting in unsatisfactory performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the water interaction parameters of plant oil by introducing hydrolyzable silane groups that form crosslinked networks. This transformation converts a naturally hydrophilic material into a hydrophobic coating that resists water while maintaining biodegradability
Solution Approach 2:
The silane crosslinking agent acts as an intermediary that bridges the plant oil molecules, creating a three-dimensional crosslinked network. This network structure provides water resistance while the plant oil backbone maintains biodegradability, resolving the contradiction between water sensitivity and biodegradability
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 coating provides effective moisture resistance and hydrophobicity with reduced water vapor transmission rates, suitability for food and beverage storage, and is biodegradable and repulpable, meeting eco-friendly and sustainable packaging requirements.
Implementation Method 1
Epoxidized Castor oil has been transesterified and subsequently functionalized with aminosilanes to form low viscous crosslinkable resins
Implementation Method 2
Epoxidized Castor oil has been transesterified and subsequently functionalized with aminosilanes to form low viscous crosslinkable resins
Implementation Method 3
hydrolysed to condense with hydroxyl groups of cellulosic papers
Implementation Method 4
hydrolysed to condense with hydroxyl groups of cellulosic papers
Implementation Method 5
development of hydrophobic and moisture tolerant bio-resin paper coating
Implementation Method 6
reduced water vapor transmission rates
Data Source
AI summary
After ban on single-use plastics, there is a great demand on biodegradable, green and sustainable bio-resin coating to replace the plastics liners for hydrophobic and moisture resistant paper-based packaging. The present invention intends to disclose the process for synthesis of bio-resin starting from epoxides of castor oil and development of coating on cellulosic paper substrate through condensation. The coating is suitable for fatty food and beverages filling and storage. The present invention also disclosed the biodegradability of the coated papers as well as the removal of the coating for reusability of the papers after consumption. The adopted process involves use of green starting material, industrially viable and cost-effective.