Protein-Polymer Composite Coating via Emulsion Crosslinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing protein-polymer composite materials fail to effectively retain the long-lasting activity of bioactive proteins in coatings, as they often result in protein denaturation and aggregation, which diminishes their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the formation of a fine emulsion solution with bioactive proteins dispersed in a continuous phase containing polymerizable ingredients, followed by crosslinking with a polymer network, which entraps and stabilizes the proteins, preventing denaturation and aggregation, and using a combination of a hydroxyl-functionalized acrylate resin and a polyisocyanate crosslinker to create a curable composition that is then cured to produce a protein-polymer composite material with bioactive proteins dispersed as small particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to prepare protein-polymer composite materials, then the coating can be formed, but the bioactive proteins undergo denaturation and aggregation, losing their functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a surfactant as an intermediary substance that mediates between the hydrophobic polymer and hydrophilic protein, preventing direct harmful interactions that cause denaturation. The surfactant forms a protective interface around the protein, maintaining its native structure and bioactivity while enabling incorporation into the polymer matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs freeze-drying (lyophilization) to change the physical state and parameters of the protein-polymer mixture. By freezing the sample and then removing ice through sublimation under vacuum, the process creates a porous solid structure that preserves protein conformation and prevents aggregation, thereby maintaining bioactivity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If proteins are incorporated into polymer coatings, then long-lasting activity is achieved through crosslinking, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary crosslinking of the polymer matrix before incorporating the bioactive proteins. By pre-forming the crosslinked polymer network and then introducing proteins into the established matrix, the process simplifies the overall procedure while ensuring long-lasting protein activity through the stable crosslinked structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the coating process into separate stages: first preparing the polymer matrix, then incorporating proteins as discrete particles. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the polymer for structural integrity and the proteins for bioactivity - while simplifying the overall process complexity.
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 process ensures that bioactive proteins maintain their activity and stability, even at elevated temperatures, by forming a stable polymeric matrix that confines and crosslinks the proteins, resulting in a long-lasting bioactive coating with enhanced thermostability and retention of enzymatic activity.
Implementation Method 1
formation of fine emulsion solution that contains bioactive proteins dispersed in a continuous phase containing polymerizable ingredients, such that the proteins are entrapped and crosslinked with polymer upon the formation of the polymer network
Implementation Method 2
providing an admixture of a polymer resin, a surfactant and a non-aqueous organic solvent. An aqueous solution containing bioactive proteins and substantially free of surfactant, is mixed with the admixture, thereby producing an emulsion
Data Source
AI summary
Processes for preparation of a protein-polymer composite material are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include providing an admixture of a polymer resin, a surfactant and a non-aqueous organic solvent. An aqueous solution containing bioactive proteins and substantially free of surfactant is mixed with the admixture. The emulsion is mixed with a crosslinker to produce a curable composition. The curable composition is cured, thereby producing the protein-polymer composite material.