PREPARATION OF BIMODAL MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLY(HYDROXYALKANOATES)
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE602022019497
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-07-29
- Filing Date
- 2022-07-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-07-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing poly(hydroxyalkanoate) polymers face challenges in achieving high molecular weights for desirable physical properties while maintaining a manageable melt viscosity for efficient thermal processing.
A bimodal molecular weight distribution is achieved by combining a first portion with a high weight average molecular weight and a second portion with a significantly lower weight average molecular weight, typically at least 50% less, resulting in a polydispersity of at least 1.9, through a method involving the polymerization and blending of substituted lactones, particularly beta-propiolactone, to form a poly(hydroxyalkanoate) composition.
The bimodal poly(hydroxyalkanoate) composition maintains good physical properties associated with higher molecular weights while reducing melt viscosity, enabling easier thermal processing and broader application in films and fibers.