Paper Coating Material Copolymer Emulsion Recyclability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current paper coating materials, such as those using polyethylene, face challenges in recycling due to damage to pulp fibers and adhesion issues during the recycling process, leading to low-quality recycled paper, and existing environment-friendly alternatives lack multi-competitiveness in water-proof, oil-proof, and heat sealing properties.
Innovation Solution
A paper coating material comprising a copolymer emulsion of silicon-based and acryl-based polymers with a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 to 200,000, mixed with a colloidal aqueous solution of gelatinized polyvinyl alcohol, which is bio-degradable and can be readily applied in conventional papermaking facilities, ensuring recyclability and enhanced moisture-proof, oil-proof, and water-proof properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyethylene is used to coat paper cups for water-proofing, then water-proof property is improved, but recyclability deteriorates due to fiber damage and adhesion issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the coating material from polyethylene to copolymer latex with specific composition (acrylic acid 30-70%, butyl acrylate 30-70%, vinyl acetate 10-40%) and molecular weight (100,000-200,000), along with controlling solid content (30-70%) and pH (4-10), to achieve both water-proof performance and recyclability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite coating material consisting of copolymer latex combined with specific additives (ionic surfactant at 0.1-10 parts by weight per 100 parts latex, non-ionic surfactant at 0.1-10 parts by weight per 100 parts latex) to create a coating that provides water-proofing while maintaining fiber separation during recycling
2Ease of manufacture
If copolymer latex is used as an environment-friendly coating material, then recyclability is improved, but blocking phenomenon occurs during manufacturing at high temperature and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ionic and non-ionic surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the copolymer latex and the paper substrate, reducing surface tension and preventing blocking during high-temperature and high-pressure manufacturing processes while maintaining recyclability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight of the copolymer latex to 100,000-200,000 and controls the solid content at 30-70% and pH at 4-10, which prevents blocking during manufacturing while maintaining the environment-friendly and recyclable properties of the coating material
3Object-generated harmful factors
If existing environment-friendly coating materials are used, then bio-degradability is improved, but multi-competitiveness in water-proof, oil-proof, and heat sealing properties is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite coating system combining copolymer latex with specific ionic and non-ionic surfactants, where the copolymer provides water-proofing and the surfactants enhance oil-proof and heat sealing properties, achieving multi-competitiveness while maintaining bio-degradability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully controls the composition parameters including acrylic acid content (30-70%), butyl acrylate content (30-70%), vinyl acetate content (10-40%), solid content (30-70%), and pH (4-10) to achieve optimal balance of water-proof, oil-proof, and heat sealing properties while maintaining environment-friendliness
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 paper products with excellent water-proof, oil-proof, and heat sealing properties, enabling recyclability and cost-effectiveness, while being bio-degradable and suitable for mass production, thus addressing the limitations of existing materials.
Implementation Method 1
a copolymer emulsion in which a silicon-based polymer having a repeating unit represented by formula 1 below and an acryl-based polymer having a repeating unit represented by formula 2 below are copolymerized
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
Provided are a paper coating material having environment-friendly, water-proof, and oil-proof properties, and a method of manufacturing the same. The paper coating material includes a copolymer emulsion in which a silicon-based polymer and an acryl-based polymer are copolymerized, the copolymer emulsion having the weight average molecular weight of 100,000 to 200,000, and a colloidal aqueous solution of gelatinized polyvinyl alcohol to be mixed with the copolymer emulsion. The environment-friendly paper coated with the environment-friendly coating material according to the present invention is excellent in water-proof, oil-proof and heat sealing properties, harmless to the human body when used for packaging food, and recyclable as a raw material for making paper. It is also biodegradable and therefore, environment-friendly.