Enzyme-Tuned Cellulose Fine Fiber Production for High-Yield Micronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing fine fibrous cellulose result in low efficiency, high costs, and poor productivity due to insufficient micronization, low yield, and stability issues, including high viscosity slurries and difficulty in forming sheets with yellowing over time.
Innovation Solution
A method involving enzyme treatment with a combination of endo-glucanase and cellobiohydrolase, with specific activity ratios, to micronize cellulose fibers, achieving a high yield of fine fibers with long lengths and large aspect ratios, and incorporating β-glucosidase for improved stability and dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional enzyme treatment methods are used to produce fine fibrous cellulose, then the production process is simple, but the micronization is insufficient, yield is low, and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the enzymatic treatment parameters by specifying a ratio of endo-glucanase to cellobiohydrolase activity of 0.06 or greater, and controlling the degree of polymerization to be 50 or greater and less than 500. These parameter changes achieve sufficient micronization with fiber diameters of 1 nm to 1000 nm while maintaining high yield and production efficiency.
2Strength
If fine fibrous cellulose is produced with high concentration, then the mechanical strength is high, but the viscosity of slurry becomes high and fluidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the degree of polymerization within a specific range (50 or greater and less than 500) and manages the acid group content to be 0.1 mmol/g or less. These parameter changes enable the production of fine fibrous cellulose with high mechanical strength that maintains low slurry viscosity and good fluidity, solving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
3Quantity of substance
If fine fibrous cellulose is produced by conventional methods, then the production cost is high, but the yield is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the enzymatic treatment by controlling the endo-glucanase to cellobiohydrolase activity ratio to be 0.06 or greater, and the degree of polymerization to be 50 or greater and less than 500. These parameter changes achieve high yield of fine fiber (1 nm to 1000 nm diameter) while reducing production costs through efficient enzyme utilization and process optimization.
4Length of moving object
If fine fibrous cellulose is produced with high aspect ratio, then the fiber length is long and quality is high, but the production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves high aspect ratio fine fibers by controlling the degree of polymerization to be 50 or greater and less than 500, and managing the acid group content to be 0.1 mmol/g or less. These parameter changes produce fibers with long length and large aspect ratio while maintaining high production efficiency through optimized enzymatic treatment conditions.
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 method significantly enhances the yield and quality of fine fibers, resulting in high-strength non-woven fabrics with improved fluidity, filterability, and resistance to yellowing when mixed with emulsion resins, while reducing costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
treating a cellulose raw material with enzymes (a), wherein the treating with enzymes (a) comprises treating under a condition where a ratio of an activity of endo-glucanase to an activity of cellobiohydrolase, both at least contained in the enzyme, is 0.06 or greater
Implementation Method 2
incorporating β-glucosidase for improved stability and dispersion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of producing a fine fiber, the method comprising the steps of: treating a cellulose raw material with an enzyme; and fibrillating the treated cellulose raw material; the step of treating with the enzyme comprising treating under a condition where at least a ratio of EG activity to CBHI activity is 0.06 or greater. Preferably, the cellulose raw material is selected from plant fibers. The present invention can provide a method of producing a fine fiber that efficiently produces a fine fiber from a cellulose raw material at low cost and with a low environmental burden; a fine fiber; and a non-woven fabric.