# US 8,772,406 B2 · Synthetic wood composite

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- Number: US 8,772,406 B2
- Document ID: US8772406B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/849,340
- Filed: 2010-08-03
- Published: 2011-08-04
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2009-08-06
- Applicants: Robert J. Linhardt; Jonathan S. Dordick; Trevor J. Simmons; Minoru Miyauchi; Sang-Hyun Lee
- Inventors: Robert J. Linhardt; Jonathan S. Dordick; Trevor J. Simmons; Minoru Miyauchi; Sang-Hyun Lee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8772406B2

## CPC

- A01N 25/00: Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators, characterised by their forms, or by their non-active ingredients or by their methods of application {, e.g. seed treatment or sequential application}; Substances for reducing the noxious effect of the active ingredients to organisms other than pests
- B05D 3/02: by baking {(B05D3/04 takes precedence)}
- C08H 6/00: {Macromolecular compounds derived from lignin, e.g. tannins, humic acids}
- C08J 3/075: Macromolecular gels
- C08L 1/02: Cellulose; Modified cellulose
- C08L 5/14: Hemicellulose; Derivatives thereof
- C08L 71/02: Polyalkylene oxides
- C08L 97/005: {Lignin}
- C09D 101/02: Cellulose; Modified cellulose
- B82Y 30/00: Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
- C08J 2301/02: Cellulose; Modified cellulose
- C08L 2666/26: Natural polymers, natural resins or derivatives thereof according to C08L1/00 - C08L5/00, C08L89/00, C08L93/00, C08L97/00 or C08L99/00
- A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
- B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02)
- C08H: DERIVATIVES OF NATURAL MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (polysaccharides C08B; natural rubber C08C; natural resins or their derivatives C09F; bituminous materials C10)
- C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29)
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)
- C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D)
- B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES

## Abstract

The invention is directed a synthetic wood composite comprising biomimetic macromolecules and methods for the preparation thereof.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A composite comprising lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, wherein the cellulose content is about 40 to about 60% (w/w), the hemicellulose content is about 20 to about 40% (w/w), and the lignin content is about 10 to about 30% (w/w), wherein the lignin is selected from a kraft lignin or a lignosulfonate, wherein the hemicellulose is xylan, and wherein the composite is transparent.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The composite of claim 1 comprising about 50% (w/w) cellulose, about 30% (w/w) hemicellulose and about 20% lignin.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The composite of claim 1, further comprising a component selected from the group consisting of organic and inorganic polymers, polysaccharides, peptides, cells, viruses, pigments and carbon nanotubes.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The composite of claim 3, wherein the polymer is polyethylene glycol.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The composite of claim 4 comprising polyethylene glycol 400.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The composite of claim 4 comprising polyethylene glycol in an amount between about 10 to about 40% (w/w).

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The composite of claim 4, wherein the carbon nanotube is a multi-walled nanotube (MWNT).

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

The composite of claim 3 comprising lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and polyethylene glycol.

### Claim 9 (depends on 3)

The composite of claim 3, wherein the composite comprises a carbon nanotube.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The composite of claim 9, wherein the carbon nanotube is present in an amount from about 10 to about 30% (w/w).

### Claim 11 (depends on 3)

The composite of claim 3, wherein the polysaccharide is chitosan.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The composite of claim 1, wherein the lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, or a combination thereof, is functionalized.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The composite of claim 12, wherein the lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, or a combination thereof, is acylated, carbanilated or etherified.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The composite of claim 1 having a thickness of about 10 μm to about 10 mm.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The composite of claim 14 having a tensile strength of at least about 70 MPa.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The composite of claim 1 having a tensile strength of at least about 50 MPa.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The composite of claim 1, wherein the composite is a fiber.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The composite of claim 1, wherein the composite has a contact angle of less than about 45°.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The composite of claim 1, wherein the composite has a thermal breakdown temperature of about 230° C. or greater.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The composite of claim 1, wherein the cellulose is unmodified cellulose.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

An antimicrobial composition comprising a composite of claim 1.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The antimicrobial composition of claim 21, further comprising antimicrobial agent.

### Claim 23 (depends on 1)

An ultraviolet protective coating comprising a composite of claim 1.

### Claim 24 (depends on 9)

A dielectric material comprising a composite of claim 9.

### Claim 25

A method of preparing a composite comprising lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, wherein the cellulose content is about 40 to about 60% (w/w), the hemicellulose content is about 20 to about 40% (w/w), and the lignin content is about 10 to about 30% (w/w), wherein the lignin is selected from a kraft lignin or a lignosulfonate, wherein the hemicellulose is xvlan, and wherein the composite is transparent; comprising the steps of:
a. dissolving the lignin and additional component in an ionic liquid to obtain a solution;
b. applying the solution to a surface and obtaining a hydrogel; and
c. drying the hydrogel to obtain the composite.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of removing the composite from the surface.

### Claim 27 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the lignin and additional component are dissolved at a temperature from about 80 to about 100° C.

### Claim 28 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the ionic liquid comprises a 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium salt.

### Claim 29 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the ionic liquid comprises an allylimidazolium salt.

### Claim 30 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the ionic liquid is selected from the group consisting of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][Ac]) and 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolim chloride, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 31 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the hydrogel is washed to remove at least some of the ionic liquid.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein the ionic liquid is reused after removal of water.

### Claim 33 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the hydrogel is dried in a low humidity environment.

### Claim 34 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the hydrogel is dried under a vacuum.