Cellulosic Superabsorbent Polymer from Textile Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of methods for preparing cellulosic superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) from post-consumer textile waste, which are more environmentally friendly than petrochemical-based SAPs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the hydrothermal treatment of post-consumer textiles to obtain cellulose powder, followed by crosslinking with epichlorohydrin or ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether in an aqueous solution containing an alkali metal hydroxide, to produce cellulosic SAPs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cellulosic SAP is prepared from post-consumer textile waste through hydrothermal treatment and crosslinking, then environmental friendliness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is divided into distinct sequential steps: (1) hydrothermal treatment to degrade textiles into cellulose powder, (2) crosslinking reaction with epichlorohydrin or ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether to form SAP, and (3) filtration and drying. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently while maintaining overall environmental benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The process utilizes controlled parameter changes including temperature (100-200°C for hydrothermal treatment), pressure (autogenic pressure), pH (using alkali metal hydroxide), and crosslinking agent concentration (3-30% v/v). These parameter changes enable efficient conversion of textile waste to SAP while managing process complexity through standardized conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If crosslinking is performed using epichlorohydrin or ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether in aqueous solution, then superabsorbent capacity is improved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cellulose powder is prepared in advance through hydrothermal treatment before the crosslinking step. This preliminary preparation ensures the substrate is ready for optimal crosslinking, and the crosslinking reaction can proceed efficiently once the aqueous solution with crosslinking agent is added, reducing total production time while maintaining high superabsorbent capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The crosslinking reaction is conducted continuously by adding the crosslinking agent to the aqueous solution containing cellulose powder, allowing the reaction to proceed to completion without interruption. This continuous action ensures maximum superabsorbent capacity is achieved while minimizing idle time in the process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cellulose powder is used as raw material from textile waste, then sustainability is improved, but material purity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cellulose powder is extracted from the textile waste matrix through hydrothermal treatment, separating the cellulose component from textile additives and contaminants. This extraction process purifies the cellulose while maintaining sustainability by utilizing waste materials, achieving both material purity and environmental benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
Textile waste, which is typically considered harmful due to landfill and incineration issues, is converted into a valuable raw material for SAP production. The waste cellulose, after hydrothermal treatment, becomes a sustainable feedstock that improves both environmental friendliness and material utility, transforming a harmful waste stream into a beneficial product.
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 effectively converts post-consumer textile waste into cellulosic SAPs with high water absorption capacity, capable of absorbing more than 31 times its own mass in liquid, and can be regenerated by oven drying, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to petrochemical-based SAPs.
Implementation Method 1
SAPs are able to absorb large amounts of liquid relative to their own mass
Implementation Method 2
cellulose powder... capable of absorbing more than 31 times its own mass in liquid
Implementation Method 3
crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of epichlorohydrin and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether... forming the cellulosic SAP
Implementation Method 4
aqueous crosslinking solution comprising an alkali metal hydroxide... crosslinking agent is present in the aqueous crosslinking solution
Implementation Method 5
chemical hydrothermal treatment (China Patent Application No. 2017108069704) under subcritical conditions in the presence of an acidic catalyst... cotton fibers in the polyester-cotton blends can be selectively decomposed to cellulose powder
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods of preparing cellulosic superabsorbent polymer (SAP) using cellulose powder.