Composition for preparing polysaccharide fibers
AssigneeE. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
InventorsJohn P O'Brien, Kathleen Opper
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention pertains to a novel process for preparing fibers from poly(α(1→3) glucan). The fibers prepared according to the invention, have “cotton-like” properties, are useful in textile applications, and can be produced as continuous filaments on a year-round basis. The process comprises solution spinning from a novel solution of poly(α(1→3) glucan) in a mixture of water and N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide followed by coagulation in a liquid coagulant that comprises a liquid that is not water.
Claims14
A solution comprising N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO), water, and poly(α(1→3) glucan) wherein the concentration of poly(α(1→3) glucan) is in the range of 5-20% by weight with respect to the total weight of the solution, wherein the poly(alpha(1→3) glucan) is characterized by a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 10,000 Da;
- and, wherein the weight ratio of NMMO to water is in the range of 12 to 1.6.
A process for preparing a poly(alpha(1→3) glucan) fiber, comprising the steps of:
- dissolving in a mixture of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) and water, 5 to 20% by weight of the total weight of the resulting solution of poly(alpha(1→3) glucan) wherein the poly(alpha(1→3) glucan) is characterized by a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 10,000 Da, to form a solution, wherein the weight ratio of NMMO to water in said solution is in the range of 12 to 1.6;
- causing said solution to flow through a spinneret, forming a fiber thereby, using a liquid coagulant to extract the NMMO from the thus formed fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.