Cellulose Ester Resin Composition with Esterified Starch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cellulose esters, such as cellulose acetate, are poor in thermal fluidity due to hydrogen bonds, requiring plasticizers to improve molding processes, but these plasticizers decrease rigidity in molded bodies.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating esterified starch into cellulose esters with at least two types of acyl groups, which improves thermal fluidity and rigidity of molded bodies by disrupting hydrogen bonds and enhancing molecular alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If plasticizers are added to cellulose esters to improve thermal fluidity, then thermal fluidity is improved, but rigidity of molded bodies decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal fluidityVSAvoidrigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces esterified starch as an intermediary substance that mediates between cellulose ester molecules, disrupting hydrogen bond networks without acting as a traditional plasticizer. This intermediary approach improves thermal fluidity by interfering with intermolecular hydrogen bonding while maintaining rigidity through the specific molecular structure and interaction mechanisms of esterified starch, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating esterified starch with specific degree of substitution and molecular weight characteristics. This parameter change allows the system to achieve improved thermal fluidity through altered hydrogen bonding patterns while maintaining or enhancing rigidity through the specific physical and chemical properties of the esterified starch component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If cellulose esters are used for molding, then molded bodies can be produced, but thermal fluidity is poor due to hydrogen bonds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolding capabilityVSAvoidthermal fluidity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Esterified starch serves as an intermediary that disrupts the extensive hydrogen bonding network in cellulose esters, reducing intermolecular forces and improving thermal fluidity. This allows the material to flow more easily during molding processes while still maintaining the ability to form structured molded bodies, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 addition of esterified starch to cellulose esters with multiple acyl groups enhances thermal fluidity and maintains or increases the rigidity of molded bodies, overcoming the limitations of using plasticizers alone.

Implementation Method 1

Cellulose esters, such as cellulose acetate, are poor in thermal fluidity due to hydrogen bonds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 2

incorporating esterified starch into cellulose esters with at least two types of acyl groups, which improves thermal fluidity and rigidity of molded bodies by disrupting hydrogen bonds and enhancing molecular alignment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMolecular alignment:

Data Source

PatentUS11174373B2Resin composition and resin molded body
Publication Date: 2021.11.16 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A resin composition containing: a cellulose ester having at least two types of acyl groups; and an esterified starch.