Binders and materials made therewith

Abstract

A curable aqueous composition is disclosed comprising a carbohydrate, a crosslinking agent, and an amine base, wherein the curable aqueous composition has a pH adjusted by the amine base. Further disclosed is a method of forming a curable aqueous solution.

1 . A curable aqueous composition, comprising
 (a) a carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of monosaccharides and polysaccharides,   (b) a crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of citric acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, phythalic acid, oxalic acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid, phthalic anhydride, and mixtures thereof, and   (c) an amine base, wherein   the curable aqueous composition has a pH adjusted by the amine base.   
     
     
         2 . The curable aqueous composition, of  claim 1 , wherein said (a) carbohydrate is a polysaccharide. 
     
     
         3 . The curable aqueous composition of  claim 1 , wherein said (a) carbohydrate is a starch. 
     
     
         4 . The curable aqueous composition of  claim 1  further comprising
 (d) a polyol selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, trimethylol propane, sorbitol, sucrose, glucose, resorcinol, catechol, pyrogallol, glycollated ureas, 1,4-cyclohexane diol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, O-hydroxyalkylamides, bis[N,N-di(β-hydroxyethyl)]adipamide, polyvinyl alcohol, or partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate. 
 
     
     
         5 . The curable aqueous composition of  claim 1  further comprising glucose. 
     
     
         6 . The curable aqueous composition of  claim 1  having solids of about 30% solids by weight or less. 
     
     
         7 . The curable aqueous composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a catalyst. 
     
     
         8 . The curable aqueous composition of  claim 7 , wherein said catalyst is sodium hypophosphite or sodium phosphite. 
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a curable aqueous composition comprising:
 combining (a) a carbohydrate and (b) a polycarboxylic acid or anhydride thereof, and   adjusting the pH of the curable aqueous composition with an amine base;   wherein the polycarboxylic acid or anhydride thereof is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, phythalic acid, oxalic acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid, phthalic anhydride, and mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the carbohydrate is a polysaccharide. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the carbohydrate is a starch. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein combining further includes (c) a polyol. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the (d) polyol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, trimethylol propane, sorbitol, sucrose, glucose, resorcinol, catechol, pyrogallol, glycollated ureas, 1,4-cyclohexane diol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, β-hydroxyalkylamides, bis[N,N-di(β-hydroxyethyl)]adipamide, polyvinyl alcohol, or partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising adjusting the curable aqueous solution to less than about 30% solids by weight. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising adding a catalyst. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the catalyst is sodium hypophosphite or sodium phosphite. 
     
     
         17 .- 22 . (canceled)