Nanocellulose Formulation with Drying Additives to Prevent Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drying techniques for nanocellulose (NC) materials lead to aggregation and hornification, making it difficult to achieve cost-effective, commercial-scale production of redispersible NC products.
Innovation Solution
The use of liquid formulations containing a suspension of nanocellulose elements and a drying/dispersal additive, such as temperature-responsive polymers, small molecule additives in volatile systems, or blocking agents, to prevent aggregation and facilitate redispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional drying techniques are used for nanocellulose materials, then drying efficiency is improved, but aggregation and hornification occur making redispersion difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A drying aid comprising a cationic polymer and a humectant is introduced as an intermediary substance during the drying process. The cationic polymer adsorbs onto the nanocellulose surface while the humectant maintains moisture, preventing direct contact and aggregation between nanocellulose particles. This intermediary system enables efficient drying while preserving redispersibility by blocking harmful particle-particle interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical and physical parameters of the drying environment by introducing specific polymers and humectants. The cationic polymer concentration, humectant type and amount, and their combination ratios are optimized to control surface charge, moisture retention, and particle spacing during drying, thereby preventing aggregation while maintaining redispersibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If nanocellulose is dried to enable commercial-scale production, then ease of manufacture is improved, but energy costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drying aid acts as a mediator that modifies the drying process itself, allowing lower temperature and shorter duration drying cycles. The humectant component retains moisture during drying, preventing rapid water evaporation that causes aggregation, thereby enabling gentler, more energy-efficient drying conditions while still achieving commercial-scale production readiness.
3Ease of operation
If nanocellulose particles are dispersed in liquid medium, then dispersibility is improved, but storage and transport become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the nanocellulose processing into two distinct states: a stable liquid suspension state for manufacturing and application, and a stable dried powder state for storage and transport. The drying aid enables reversible transition between these states, allowing the material to be processed in the dispersible liquid form and then converted to a stable, space-efficient dried form for commercial distribution without losing redispersibility.
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
This approach enables the production of redispersible, dried NC materials with improved dispersibility and reduced energy costs, suitable for commercial implementation without the need for specialized equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The alternating orientation of the hydroxyl groups along the length of the cellulose molecule allows one strand of cellulose to form hydrogen bonds readily with adjacent strands of the polymer. These hydrogen bonds permit the formation of multistrand composites that are stable, strong, and tightly cohesive.
Implementation Method 2
Current drying techniques for nanocellulose (NC) materials lead to aggregation and hornification
Implementation Method 3
temperature-responsive polymers
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides formulations comprising a suspension of nanocellulose (NC) elements and a drying/dispersal additive selected from the group consisting of temperature-responsive polymers, small molecule additives in volatile systems, and blocking agents and methods of preparing such formulations, and further provides NC-containing materials, composite materials and useful articles of manufacture made therefrom.