Paper Coating Copolymer Eliminates Activator Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper coating and binding formulations that use fluorescent whitening agents require activators like polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethylcellulose, which increase viscosity and cost, while maintaining desirable whitening properties.
Innovation Solution
A paper coating or binding formulation comprising an aqueous polymer dispersion copolymerized from unsaturated monomers and a carbohydrate-derived compound with a dextrose equivalent of 10 to 35, combined with a tetrasulfonate-based fluorescent whitening agent, eliminating the need for activators like polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethylcellulose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If activators like polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethylcellulose are used with fluorescent whitening agents, then the desired whitening effects are achieved, but the viscosity of the coating formulation increases and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the activator components (polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose) from the formulation while retaining the fluorescent whitening agent's effectiveness. The copolymer binder system is designed to work without these additional activator substances, simplifying the formulation by removing unnecessary components that increased viscosity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The copolymer binder performs multiple functions: it serves as the primary binding agent and simultaneously provides the activation function previously required separate activators to achieve. The carbohydrate-derived compound in the copolymer structure enables the fluorescent whitening agent to function effectively without additional activator chemicals.
2Illumination intensity
If activators like polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethylcellulose are used with fluorescent whitening agents, then the desired whitening effects are achieved, but the viscosity of the coating formulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the viscosity-increasing activator substances from the formulation. By eliminating polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethylcellulose, the formulation achieves lower viscosity that improves ease of manufacture and application, while the copolymer system maintains fluorescent whitening agent activation through its inherent structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the binder system by incorporating carbohydrate-derived compounds with specific dextrose equivalents (10-35) and molecular weights (3000-20,000) into the copolymer structure. This parameter optimization enables effective fluorescent whitening agent activation while controlling viscosity at manageable levels for manufacturing.
3Illumination intensity
If activators like polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethylcellulose are used with fluorescent whitening agents, then the desired whitening effects are achieved, but the cost of the formulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates expensive activator chemicals (polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose) from the formulation. This removal reduces material costs while the copolymer binder system maintains the fluorescent whitening effect through its integrated carbohydrate-derived compound structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The copolymer binder is designed as a multi-functional universal system that combines binding and activation functions in one component. This eliminates the need for separate expensive activator chemicals, reducing the total quantity of substances required and thereby lowering formulation costs while maintaining whitening effectiveness.
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 solution provides improved rheology and cost-effectiveness while maintaining comparable whitening properties to formulations using activators, with the copolymer derived from unsaturated monomers and a carbohydrate-derived compound achieving desirable whitening levels.
Implementation Method 1
the copolymer... achieving desirable whitening levels
Data Source
AI summary
A paper coating or binding formulation comprises an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising a copolymer obtained by polymerization of an unsaturated monomer and a carbohydrate derived compound and a tetrasulfonate-based fluorescent whitening agent. The carbohydrate derived compound can be selected from the group consisting of dextrins, maltodextrins, and mixtures thereof. Methods of preparing a paper coating or binding formulation and improving the whitening properties of paper are also provided. Furthermore, paper including a copolymer obtained by polymerization of an unsaturated monomer and a carbohydrate derived compound and a tetrasulfonate-based fluorescent whitening agent is also disclosed.