Water-Soluble Fiber Post-Process Modification for Tailored Solubility

The patent applies preliminary action by performing chemical modification of the polymer AFTER fiber formation rather than before. The fibers are first formed using conventional processes with unmodified or minimally modified polymers, then subjected to post-processing chemical modifications (such as hydrolysis, oxidation, or grafting) to achieve the desired solubility profile. This resolves the contradiction by separating the fiber formation step from the solubility modification step, allowing each to be optimized independently.

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition and structure of the polymer fibers through post-formation chemical treatments. By controlling parameters such as degree of hydrolysis, oxidation level, or grafting density, the patent achieves a balance between maintaining adequate mechanical strength and improving biodegradability. The modified fibers can be designed to degrade under specific conditions (e.g., composting, industrial wastewater treatment) while maintaining strength during use.

The patent applies merging by combining multiple functions into the post-processing step. A single post-treatment process can simultaneously achieve solubility modification, surface property enhancement, and chemical compatibility improvement. For example, a hydrolysis treatment can simultaneously increase water solubility and create surface hydroxyl groups that improve adhesion to other materials, thereby reducing the need for separate processing steps.