Water-Based Zein Coatings via Acidification and Distillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of zein as a coating material is limited by its solubility in organic solvents, which poses safety, environmental, and flammability concerns, and it is challenging to maintain zein in an aqueous environment due to its deficiency in polar amino acids.
Innovation Solution
A water-based prolamin composition is developed by creating an acidified prolamin solution with zein, water, and alcohol or ketone, followed by removing a portion of the solvent through distillation, resulting in a composition with reduced organic solvent content and improved solubility in water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If zein is dissolved in aqueous alcohol and/or ketone solutions to achieve solubility, then the prolamin can be used in coating compositions, but the formulation suffers from flammability, carcinogenicity, and environmental concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the solvent system by replacing organic solvents with water as the primary solvent. This is achieved through acidification of the prolamin solution to a pH of about 2-4, which enables the prolamin to remain soluble and stable in water-based environments, thereby eliminating flammability and environmental concerns associated with organic solvents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acid (such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, or organic acids) as an intermediary substance that mediates between the prolamin and water. The acid modifies the chemical environment to enable prolamin solubility in water without requiring organic solvents, thus resolving the contradiction between solubility and safety
2Stability of the object's composition
If organic solvents are used to maintain prolamin solubility, then the composition remains flowable and stable, but safety and environmental issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stabilizes the water-based prolamin composition by controlling the pH parameter at about 2-4 through acidification. This pH control prevents precipitation and maintains composition stability without requiring organic solvents, thereby eliminating safety hazards while preserving compositional stability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water is used as the primary solvent to eliminate organic solvents, then safety and environmental issues are resolved, but prolamin solubility becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the solubility issue by changing the pH parameter of the water-based solution to about 2-4 through acidification. This parameter change creates favorable chemical conditions that enable prolamin to dissolve and remain stable in water, thereby achieving both safety and solubility requirements
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 water-based prolamin composition enables the use of zein in coatings, adhesives, and binders without the drawbacks of organic solvents, offering a safer, more environmentally friendly, and effective solution for applications such as paints, varnishes, and paper coatings.
Implementation Method 1
removing at least a portion of the alcohol and/or ketone from the acidified prolamin solution to form the water-based prolamin composition
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to water-based prolamin (e.g., zein) compositions and to methods of making water-based prolamin compositions. The compositions may be used in paints, printing inks, varnishes, adhesives, glues, binders (e.g., for paper), food coatings, and the like.