Biodegradable Omniphobic Coating for Fluorine-Free Paper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current paper-based products face challenges with poor water and oil resistance, leading to limited recyclability and environmental concerns due to the use of non-degradable materials and harmful chemicals in coatings, while existing biodegradable alternatives often lack durability and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A method for forming an omniphobic coated article using a reaction product between an amino-functional polymer and a functionalized omniphobic polymer, such as chitosan and polydimethylsiloxane, applied to a porous substrate to create a water- and oil-resistant coating that is biodegradable and free from fluorine, allowing for efficient recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coatings (fluorinated polymers, waxes, latex) are applied to paper-based products, then water and oil resistance is improved, but environmental harm and lack of biodegradability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating by using amino-functional polymers with specific glass transition temperatures and functional groups that provide omniphobic properties while being biodegradable and environmentally friendly, replacing harmful conventional materials
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite coating system combining amino-functional polymers with specific properties (Tg ≤ 60°C, containing reactive functional groups) that work synergistically to provide both water and oil resistance while maintaining biodegradability and environmental compatibility
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biodegradable polymer coatings are used on paper products, then environmental friendliness is improved, but water and oil resistance durability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the glass transition temperature parameter of the amino-functional polymer to be 60°C or lower, which provides the right balance between flexibility for adhesion to paper substrates and durability for maintaining omniphobic properties over time, while keeping the material biodegradable
Solution Approach 2:
The amino-functional polymer acts as an intermediary material that bridges the gap between biodegradable polymers and conventional durable coatings, providing both environmental friendliness and sufficient durability through its specific molecular structure and functional groups
3Reliability
If fluorinated polymers are used for omniphobic coatings, then water and oil repellency is improved, but health hazards and environmental contamination worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates fluorinated compounds from the coating formulation while retaining the essential omniphobic functionality through alternative amino-functional polymers with appropriate glass transition temperatures and surface properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the challenge of achieving omniphobic performance without fluorinated materials into a benefit by developing biodegradable, non-toxic polymer systems that provide equal or superior performance while being environmentally beneficial
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 provides a durable, fluorine-free, and biodegradable coating that enhances water and oil resistance, enabling efficient recycling of paper-based products and reducing environmental impact by using environmentally friendly materials.
Implementation Method 1
a reaction product between an amino-functional polymer comprising and an amino-reactive functionalized omniphobic polymer
Implementation Method 2
Hydrophobicity can be achieved in two ways: controlling the chemical interactions between water and the material surface or altering the surface of the material
Implementation Method 3
The contact angle between the water droplet and the surface is used to characterize the surface into three categories
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to omniphobic coatings, related articles including such coatings, and related method for forming such coatings or articles, for example biobased and/or biodegradable omniphobic coatings. The omniphobic coating includes a reaction product between an amino-functional polymer and an amino-reactive functionalized omniphobic polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 60° C. or less. The omniphobic coating has a weight ratio of amino-functional polymer relative to functionalized omniphobic polymer of at least 1 or 2. A corresponding omniphobic coated article can include the omniphobic coating on a porous substrate such as a cellulosic or paper substrate, for example to provide a water- and oil/fat/grease-resistant coating for a paper-based product. The omniphobic coating can be formed in a reaction medium before being applied to the substrate, or the omniphobic coating can be formed on the substrate with serial application of the amino-reactive functionalized omniphobic polymer and the amino-functional polymer thereon. This disclosure provides a closed loop circular economy approach for fluorine-free, water- and grease-resistant paper as the coating can be easily separated from the pulp/fiber of the paper. The recycled pulp can be used for paper making, while the separated coating in micelle form can be used for recoating.