Sugar Alcohol Polymer Coatings for Fluorine-Free Textile Repellency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-fluorinated water repellents for textiles are less effective compared to fluorinated counterparts and lack bio-based alternatives that provide durable water repellency and stain release.
Innovation Solution
Development of non-fluorinated ethylenically unsaturated monomers and polymers derived from sugar alcohols, which are bio-based and offer enhanced water repellency and stain release properties comparable to fluorinated treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorinated copolymers are used, then water repellency and oil repellency are improved, but environmental sustainability and bio-based derivation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using non-fluorinated sugar alcohol derivatives instead of fluorinated compounds, maintaining water and oil repellency through alternative molecular structures while achieving bio-based derivation from renewable resources
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite polymer structures combining sugar alcohol backbones with hydrophobic side chains (R1 and R2 groups), achieving both water and oil repellency through the synergistic combination of different functional groups within the same polymer molecule
2Productivity
If non-fluorinated copolymers are used, then bio-based derivation is improved, but water repellency and stain release performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating polymers with distinct functional regions: the sugar alcohol backbone provides bio-based derivation and structural integrity, while the hydrophobic R1 and R2 side chains locally provide water and oil repellency, achieving both properties in different parts of the same molecule
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses sugar alcohol derivatives as intermediary structures that bridge between bio-based requirements and performance requirements, where the sugar alcohol core maintains sustainability while the attached hydrophobic groups deliver the necessary water and oil repellency performance
3Productivity
If polyacrylate-based or urethane-based copolymers are used, then non-fluorinated composition is achieved, but effectiveness compared to fluorinated counterparts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental chemical parameters by using sugar alcohol derivatives with specific hydrophobic substitutions instead of conventional polyacrylate or urethane structures, achieving both non-fluorinated composition and effectiveness comparable to fluorinated treatments through optimized molecular architecture
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 durable water repellency and stain release to textiles, matching the performance of fluorinated treatments while being bio-based, thus addressing the effectiveness and sustainability gaps in existing non-fluorinated compositions.
Implementation Method 1
non-fluorinated ethylenically unsaturated monomers and polymers derived from sugar alcohols, which are bio-based and offer enhanced water repellency and stain release properties
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to monomers and polymers of Formula (I):where R3 is selected from H or a C1 to C4 alkyl group; Y is selected from O or a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group; A is a linear or branched C1 to C10 alkylene group; w is 0 or 1; v is 0 or 1; y is 0 or 1; X is the residue of a cyclic or acyclic sugar alcohol which is substituted with at least one —R1; —C(O)R1; —(CH2CH2O)n(CH(CH3)CH2O)mR2; —(CH2CH2O)n(CH(CH3)CH2O)mC(O)R1; each n is independently 0 to 20; each m is independently 0 to 20; each R1 is independently a linear or branched alkyl group having 9 to 29 carbons optionally comprising at least 1 unsaturated bond; and each R2 is independently —H, a linear or branched alkyl group having 6 to 30 carbons optionally comprising at least 1 unsaturated bond, or mixtures thereof.