Cellulose Fiber Composite for Transparent, Strong Resin Blends

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional resin compositions containing fine cellulose fibers lack sufficient transparency and mechanical strength, and existing methods do not adequately address the need for both properties simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A fine cellulose fiber composite is developed, where fine cellulose fibers are connected with an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide (EO/PO) copolymer moiety or a propylene oxide (PO) polymer moiety via an amide bond, enhancing dispersibility and affinity within a resin, thereby achieving excellent transparency and mechanical strength when blended with thermoplastic or curable resins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fine cellulose fibers are used in resin compositions, then mechanical strength is improved, but transparency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidtransparency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The cellulose fibers are segmented into fine dimensions with an average fiber size of 0.1 to 200 nm, dividing the traditional cellulose fiber structure into ultrafine particles that can disperse more uniformly in the resin matrix, reducing light scattering while maintaining reinforcement effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber size parameter is changed to ultrafine dimensions (0.1-200 nm range), and surface chemistry is modified through carboxymethylation to introduce negative charges that improve dispersion and reduce aggregation, allowing simultaneous achievement of mechanical strength and transparency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If fine cellulose fibers are added to resin compositions, then mechanical strength is improved, but aggregate formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidaggregate formation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The surface chemistry parameter is changed by introducing carboxymethyl groups that provide negative charges, creating electrostatic repulsion between fibers that prevents aggregation. The fiber size is also changed to ultrafine dimensions that reduce settling and aggregation tendencies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The carboxymethyl groups act as intermediary functional groups that provide steric and electrostatic barriers between cellulose fibers, preventing direct contact and aggregation while maintaining uniform dispersion in the resin matrix

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If conventional fine cellulose fiber composites are used, then some mechanical properties are improved, but both transparency and mechanical strength cannot be satisfied simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidtransparency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Cellulose fibers are segmented into ultrafine particles (0.1-200 nm) that disperse as individual fibers rather than bundles, reducing light scattering events while providing extensive surface area for stress transfer, thus improving both transparency and mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple parameters are changed simultaneously: fiber size reduced to ultrafine range, surface chemistry modified with carboxymethyl groups for negative charge, and dispersion characteristics improved through electrostatic repulsion, achieving the dual goal of transparency and mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composite provides resin compositions with improved transparency, mechanical strength, heat resistance, and dimensional stability, while minimizing aggregate formation when used with plasticizers or thermoplastic/curable resins.

Implementation Method 1

fine cellulose fibers being connected with the polymer via an amide bond

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAmide bond formation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

enhancing dispersibility and affinity within a resin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentEP3088600B1Micro cellulose fiber complex

Publication Date: 2018.06.13 KAO CORP

AI summary

A fine cellulose fiber composite containing fine cellulose fibers and a polymer having an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide (EO/PO) copolymer moiety or a propylene oxide (PO) polymer moiety, the fine cellulose fibers being connected with the polymer via an amide bond. The fine cellulose fiber composite of the present invention has high dispersibility in the resin and can exhibit an effect of increasing strength, so that the fine cellulose fiber composite is suitably used as various fillers, and the like. Also, the resin composition of the present invention containing a dispersion of the fine cellulose fiber composite can be suitably used in various industrial applications such as daily sundries, household electric appliance parts, wrapping materials for household electric appliance parts, and automobile parts.