Fibre-based support containing a a layer of a functionalized water-soluble polymer, method of production and use thereof

1. A method for producing a cellulose and/or synthetic fibre-based support comprising at least one surface coated with a layer containing at least one water-soluble polymer comprising hydroxyl or primary-secondary amino functional groups, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

a) forming a cellulose and/or synthetic fibre-based support with or without a parchementizing process;

b) prefunctionalizing in water as solvent at least one water-soluble polymer comprising hydroxyl or primary-secondary amino functional groups by grafting onto the at least one water-soluble polymer at least one organic molecule comprising at least one epoxy group and at least one R 1 functional group, wherein R 1 is selected from the group consisting of a vinyl group and at least one —Si(R 2 ) 3 functional group, and wherein R 2 =hydrogen atom, hydroxyl, alkoxy, alkyl, and combinations thereof to thereby obtain a prefunctionalized water-soluble polymer;

c) coating the cellulose and/or synthetic fibre-based support with the prefunctionalized water-soluble polymer obtained in step (b); and

d) optionally calendering or supercalendering the support,

wherein the at least one organic molecule is grafted onto the water-soluable polymer via the at least one epoxy group by an alkylation reaction.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the coating of the cellulose and/or synthetic fibre-based support according to step (c) is carried out at a temperature between 20 and 95° C.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the water-soluble polymer is functionalized according to step (b) at a temperature between 20 and 95° C., in an aqueous medium and eventually in the presence of an organic or inorganic acid or base.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the coating techniques include size-press, metering-size-press, foulard coating, rod coating, “Champion” bar coating, “Meyer” bar coating, air-knife coating, gravure coating, scraper blade coating, sliding blade coating, single- and multilayer curtain coating, reverse roll coating, spray coating, atomisation coating, liquid application system (LAS) coating, kiss coating, foam coating, and any surface coating application process.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the coating of the cellulose and/or synthetic fibre-based support according to step (c) is carried out at a temperature between 20 and 95° C.

6. The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the water-soluble polymer is functionalized according to step (b) at a temperature between 80 and 95° C.

7. The method as recited in claim 5 , wherein the coating of the cellulose and/or synthetic fibre-based support according to step (c) is carried out at a temperature between 50 and 70° C.

8. A cellulose and/or synthetic fibre-based support comprising at least one surface coated with a layer containing at least one water-soluble polymer comprising hydroxyl or primary-secondary amino functional groups which is obtained by the method of claim 1 .

9. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one organic molecule comprises a chlorohydrin.

10. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one epoxy group comprises a saturated three-membered cyclic ether.

11. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein, after the coating, vinylic or silicone hydride or silanol functionalities are present on a surface of the cellulose and/or synthetic fibre-based support.

12. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one organic molecule is non-water soluble.

13. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the R 1 functional group comprises at least one —Si(R 2 ) 3 functional group, wherein R 2 =alkoxy.

14. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one organic molecule comprises between 0.1 and 20% by weight of a weight of the prefunctionalized water-soluble polymer.