Phosphoric Acid-Esterified Cellulose Fiber Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing phosphoric acid-esterified fine cellulose fibers face inefficiencies in refinement, energy consumption, and reduced transparency due to improper introduction of phosphoric acid groups and lack of control over acidic group distribution, leading to suboptimal yield and polymerization degree.
Innovation Solution
Introducing phosphoric acid groups in the presence of urea or its derivatives, with controlled amounts and reaction conditions, to achieve high transparency and yield, while minimizing energy consumption through a two-step process of phosphoric acid group introduction and fibrillation treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If phosphoric acid groups are introduced into cellulose by chemical treatment, then dispersibility of fibers in aqueous medium is markedly improved, but energy consumption for mechanical treatment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary chemical treatment to introduce phosphoric acid groups into cellulose fibers before mechanical treatment. This preliminary action modifies the fiber surface properties to enhance dispersibility, allowing subsequent mechanical treatment to proceed more efficiently with reduced energy consumption. The chemical modification prepares the fibers for easier separation and dispersion during the mechanical refining process.
2Productivity
If fibers are refined before introducing phosphoric acid groups, then refinement efficiency increases, but transparency of the obtained slurry shows poor results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the phosphoric acid group introduction as a preliminary action before mechanical refinement. This sequence ensures that the fibers are chemically modified to enhance their dispersibility and optical properties before being mechanically processed. The preliminary chemical treatment prevents fiber aggregation during refinement, resulting in slurry with improved transparency while maintaining high refinement efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If phosphoric acid groups are introduced in large amounts, then electric repulsive force increases and dispersibility improves, but polymerization degree decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration and distribution parameters of phosphoric acid groups introduced into the cellulose. By controlling the amount and uniformity of phosphoric acid group introduction, the patent achieves enhanced dispersibility through sufficient electric repulsive force while preventing excessive hydrolysis that would reduce polymerization degree. The parameter optimization balances these competing effects to maintain high fiber yield and polymerization degree.
4Length of moving object
If mechanical treatment is applied to produce fine cellulose fibers, then fiber diameter decreases and transparency improves, but enormous energy is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary chemical treatment to introduce phosphoric acid groups into cellulose fibers before mechanical treatment. This preliminary action modifies the fiber surface to enhance dispersibility and reduce fiber-fiber binding, allowing subsequent mechanical treatment to achieve finer fiber diameters with significantly reduced energy consumption. The chemical modification weakens hydrogen bonds between fibers, making them more susceptible to mechanical division while requiring less energy input.
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 results in phosphoric acid-esterified fine cellulose fibers with superior transparency and high yield, maintaining a polymerization degree of 400 or higher, and reducing energy costs by optimizing the introduction of phosphoric acid groups and controlling acidic group distribution.
Implementation Method 1
phosphoric acid groups form esters with hydroxy groups of cellulose
Implementation Method 2
dispersibility of the fibers in, in particular, an aqueous medium is markedly improved by electric repulsive force of ions
Implementation Method 3
allowing a compound having a phosphoric acid group or/and a salt thereof to act on a fiber raw material containing cellulose in the presence of urea or/and a derivative thereof to introduce phosphoric acid groups into the fiber raw material
Data Source
AI summary
Objects of the present invention are to provide a phosphoric acid-esterified fine cellulose fiber of which slurry shows superior transparency, and to provide a method for producing a phosphorylated fine cellulose fiber showing superior transparency with good efficiency and high yield. According to the present invention, there is provided a phosphoric acid-esterified fine cellulose fiber, of which 0.2 mass % aqueous dispersion shows a solution haze of 15% or lower.