Networked Cellulose Masterbatch for High-Temperature Spinning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cellulose-based fibers face limitations in spinning temperature and speed due to low heat resistance and phase separation issues, hindering their commercialization.
Innovation Solution
A thermoplastic cellulosic composition with a networked structure, comprising esterified cellulose, polyethylene glycol, a tri-functional cross-linking agent, an initiator, and a dispersing agent, is developed, allowing for higher spinning temperatures and speeds by improving heat resistance and preventing phase separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a great amount of low molecular weight plasticizer (50-90 wt %) is added to esterified cellulose to obtain melt-spinnable composition, then the composition becomes melt-spinnable, but the cellulose molecules become yellowish-brown at spinning temperature above 260°C and the plasticizer cannot withstand high spinning temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular weight parameter of the plasticizer from low (≤1000 D) to high (>1000 D), specifically using polyethylene glycol with molecular weight greater than 1000 D. This parameter change enables the plasticizer to withstand higher spinning temperatures above 260°C without decomposing, while maintaining the melt-spinnability of the composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system combining esterified cellulose with high molecular weight polyethylene glycol plasticizer and cross-linking agents. This composite structure prevents phase separation between plasticizer and cellulose, improving the stability and heat resistance of the melt-spinnable composition.
2Productivity
If spinning temperature is increased to improve flowability and spinning speed, then spinning speed increases, but the cellulose molecules become yellowish-brown due to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the thermal stability parameter of the masterbatch by using high molecular weight polyethylene glycol plasticizer and cross-linking agents, enabling the system to withstand spinning temperatures above 260°C without cellulose degradation, thus allowing higher spinning speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of high temperature (which causes cellulose degradation) into a benefit by using heat-resistant high molecular weight plasticizer and cross-linking agents that stabilize the cellulose structure, allowing the high temperature to be used for improving flowability and spinning speed.
3Ease of manufacture
If large amount of plasticizer (50-90 wt %) is used to achieve melt-spinnability, then the composition becomes processable, but phase separation occurs between plasticizer and cellulose worsening breaking tenacity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a stable composite material system where high molecular weight polyethylene glycol plasticizer and cross-linking agents form a unified structure with esterified cellulose, preventing phase separation and maintaining breaking tenacity while ensuring processability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-linking agents act as intermediaries between the plasticizer and cellulose molecules, forming cross-linked structures that prevent phase separation and maintain the integrity of the composite material, thus preserving breaking tenacity.
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 cellulose-based fibers with a networked structure exhibit enhanced breaking tenacity and mechanical strength, enabling higher spinning speeds and temperatures, thus facilitating their commercialization and mass production.
Implementation Method 1
wherein the tri-functional cross-linking agent has cross-linked with the esterified cellulose molecules to form a networked structure
Implementation Method 2
comprising an initiator, wherein the tri-functional cross-linking agent has cross-linked with the esterified cellulose molecules
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic cellulosic composition for preparing a cellulose-based masterbatch and/or a cellulose-based fiber with a networked structure. In one example, the thermoplastic cellulosic composition includes an esterified cellulose present in a range of about 80 wt % to about 95 wt %, polyethylene glycol present in a range of about 4.5 wt % to about 12 wt %, a tri-functional cross-linking agent present in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 3 wt %, an initiator present in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 0.15 wt %, and a dispersing agent present in a range of about 0.01 wt % to about 5 wt %.