Bio-based Superabsorbent via Protein Macromonomer Copolymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bio-based superabsorbent polymers often compromise on renewable content and mechanical strength, and methods involving modified polysaccharides require expensive chemicals and less desirable reactivity, limiting their effectiveness in achieving high water absorbency.
Innovation Solution
A method of producing bio-based superabsorbent polymers by modifying natural proteinaceous polymers with polymerizable groups and co-polymerizing them with comonomers to form crosslinked structures, enhancing the material's absorbency and mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional polyacrylic acid-based superabsorbent polymers are used, then high water absorbency is achieved, but renewable content is low and mechanical strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating proteinaceous polymers (renewable) alongside synthetic polymers, and by adjusting crosslinking density and ionic content to achieve both high water absorbency and improved mechanical strength while increasing renewable content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite superabsorbent polymer system combining proteinaceous polymers (soy protein, wheat protein) with synthetic polymers (polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide) to leverage the renewability and mechanical properties of proteins while maintaining the high absorbency of conventional superabsorbents
2Adaptability or versatility
If modified polysaccharide methods are used, then bio-based content is increased, but manufacturing cost increases due to expensive chemicals and reactivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach by using proteinaceous polymers with amino groups that can be easily modified to introduce polymerizable groups, avoiding the need for expensive chemical modifications of polysaccharides while maintaining high bio-based content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs readily available, cost-effective proteinaceous polymers from common sources like soy and wheat proteins as the base material, replacing expensive modified polysaccharide systems while achieving comparable or superior performance
3Stability of the object's composition
If crosslinking agents are used to prevent polymer dissolution, then structural integrity is improved, but mechanical strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the crosslinking degree and ionic content parameters to achieve the minimum necessary crosslinking for structural integrity while preserving mechanical strength, and uses proteinaceous polymers that inherently provide mechanical robustness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines proteinaceous polymers with synthetic polymers where the protein component provides inherent mechanical strength and the synthetic component provides crosslinking capability, creating a synergistic effect that maintains both structural integrity and mechanical strength
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 approach results in superior superabsorbent materials with improved water retention capacity and mechanical strength, addressing the limitations of existing methods while being more efficient and versatile.
Implementation Method 1
modifying at least part of the protein by covalently bonding polymerizable groups onto its structure through at least a portion of its amino groups
Implementation Method 2
co-polymerizing the modified substrate with one or more comonomer(s) to produce a crosslinked polymer material
Implementation Method 3
The hydrophilicity of these groups drives the superabsorbent polymer to absorb and retain large amounts of water or aqueous fluids
Implementation Method 4
Crosslinking is necessary to prevent the polymer from dissolving in water and allow structural integrity of the superabsorbent material
Data Source
AI summary
A novel bio-based superabsorbent polymer material based on a proteinaceous natural polymer is introduced herein. There is further disclosed a method for the manufacture of such a bio-based crosslinked superabsorbent polymer material. The method includes, but not limited to, introducing polymerizable unsaturated groups onto the natural polymer or its derivative so as to yield a macromonomer. The macromonomer can be formed by covalently binding unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds to a proteinaceous substrate through a reaction of a selected chemical compound and the amino group on the proteinaceous substrate. The macromonomer is then copolymerized with unsaturated co-monomer(s) to form a crosslinked superabsorbent material.