Method for modifying polyester by swelling agent combined with cutinase
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for hydrophilic modification of polyester fibers using Humicola insolens cutinase have limited effectiveness in increasing the release amount of hydrolysates, and the introduction of ultrasonic treatment increases equipment costs and noise, making large-scale application difficult.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a swelling agent, such as phenol or o-vanillin, combined with Humicola insolens cutinase to optimize the hydrophilic modification of polyester fibers by adjusting process parameters like dosage, temperature, and timing, enhancing the hydrophilic modification effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ultrasonic treatment is introduced to increase hydrolyzate release, then the release amount of hydrolysates increases, but equipment cost increases and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a swelling agent as an intermediary substance that mediates between the enzyme and polyester substrate. The swelling agent swells the polyester fibers to create accessible channels, enabling the enzyme to reach ester bonds more effectively without requiring ultrasonic equipment, thus achieving increased hydrolyzate release while avoiding additional equipment costs and noise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ultrasonic treatment system with a chemical swelling agent system. Instead of using ultrasonic waves to physically disrupt fiber structure, the swelling agent chemically modifies the fiber matrix to create porosity, substituting a mechanical approach with a chemical one that is more suitable for large-scale production
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional alkali-minimization modification method is used, then the hydrophobicity of fibers is improved, but fiber mass loss increases and strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the modification approach from harsh chemical alkali treatment to mild enzymatic hydrolysis. By using cutinase enzyme under controlled conditions (optimal temperature, pH, and swelling agent concentration), the modification achieves desired hydrophilic properties while maintaining fiber integrity and minimizing mass loss
Solution Approach 2:
The swelling agent serves as an intermediary that facilitates enzyme access to the polyester substrate without requiring aggressive alkali conditions. This intermediary approach allows the enzyme to work effectively at milder conditions, preserving fiber strength while achieving the desired modification effect
3Use of energy by moving object
If plasma modification method is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but surface group stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the modification mechanism from plasma-induced surface charging to enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis. This parameter change results in the formation of stable hydrophilic surface groups through controlled chemical bond cleavage, maintaining both low energy consumption and high surface group stability
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 significantly increases the release amount of hydrolysates by 51.7-67.5% compared to enzymatic treatment alone, reducing fiber mass loss and energy consumption, while maintaining the stability of surface groups, and is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
the polyester is firstly swelled with the specific swelling agent
Implementation Method 2
The cutinase catalyzes the hydrolysis of polyester to release terephthalic acid (TPA) and mono (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (MHET)
Implementation Method 3
the above-mentioned Humicola insolens cutinase and Tris-HCl buffer
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for modifying polyester by a swelling agent combined with cutinase, belonging to the technical field of textile processing. According to the method, a phenol solution or an o-vanillin solution is used as the swelling agent to perform swelling treatment on the polyester, and combined with a Humicola insolens cutinase solution to perform hydrophilic modification on the polyester, which not only significantly improves the release amount of hydrolysates, but also reduces the fabric mass loss compared with the traditional chemical modification method.