Biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition made from non-edible biomass raw materials

By blending cellulose acetate with biodegradable plasticizers in specific proportions, a biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition is created that addresses the issue of edible biomass sources and achieves enhanced moldability and performance.

JP7679010B2Active Publication Date: 2025-05-19GS ALLIANCE +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021124670
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-07-29
Publication Date
2025-05-19
Estimated Expiration
2041-07-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing biodegradable resins, such as PLA and PHA, are often derived from edible biomass sources, which may compete with human food supplies, and cellulose acetate lacks thermoplasticity requiring additional plasticizers.

Method used

A biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition is developed using cellulose acetate blended with a biodegradable compound, such as rosin-based or glycerin-based plasticizers, in amounts exceeding 40 parts by weight and not exceeding 80 parts by weight, to enhance moldability and thermoplasticity.

Benefits of technology

The composition achieves high moldability into sheets, films, or fibers with improved transparency, surface quality, flexibility, and strength, while utilizing only non-edible biomass sources, thus avoiding competition with food supplies.

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Abstract

To provide a biodegradable resin composition excellent in physical characteristics using inedible biomass feedstock.SOLUTION: Cellulose acetate is used as a polymeric material made from inedible biomass feedstock, and cellulose acetate of 100 pts.wt. is mixed with a biodegradable compound that has been used as a plasticizer of cellulose acetate in the prior art in an amount greater than 40 pts.wt. and less than or equal to 80 pts.wt. so as to prepare biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition having high moldability into a sheet, film or fiber.SELECTED DRAWING: None
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition made of non-edible biomass raw materials. In the biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition according to the present invention, not only the resin component but also the plasticizer thereof uses substances prepared from non-edible biomass raw materials.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, considering the environmental load, the demand for resins using natural product-derived components has been increasing. In particular, biodegradable resins such as polylactic acid (PLA)-based, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based which is a biodegradable resin derived from microorganisms, and starch-based have been expected, and many research and developments have been carried out (Non-Patent Document 1 etc.).

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above-mentioned biodegradable resins such as polylactic acid (PLA)-based, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based, and starch-based are prepared from edible biomass raw materials such as taro, grains, sugarcane, and corn, or palm oil, and it has been suggested that they may compete with human food in the near future. Therefore, the present inventor has focused on biodegradable resins using non-edible biomass raw materials that do not compete with human food.

[0005] As a biodegradable resin using non-edible biomass raw materials, cellulose acetate has been known for a long time. Cellulose acetate is a semi-synthetic polymer obtained by esterifying cellulose, which is a natural polymer, with acetic acid. Cellulose acetate prepared from cellulose, which is a biomass abundantly present in nature, is a so-called carbon-neutral material, and even if it is burned, it does not increase carbon dioxide on the earth, and it has a small environmental load in production and disposal.

[0006] Since cellulose acetate itself does not have thermoplasticity, it is necessary to add a plasticizer to plasticize it in order to use it as a resin. As plasticizers for cellulose acetate, mainly glycerin-based plasticizers such as highly compatible dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and triacetin are used.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present inventors have surprisingly found that by blending a biodegradable compound, which has conventionally been used as a plasticizer for cellulose acetate, in an amount exceeding 40 parts by weight and not exceeding 80 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of cellulose acetate, a biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition having high moldability into a sheet, film or fiber can be prepared. The biodegradable compound has been conventionally known as a plasticizer for cellulose acetate, but the addition amount thereof greatly exceeds the amount added as a plasticizer. The amount of the plasticizer added with respect to 100 parts by weight of cellulose acetate is usually about 0.1 to several parts by weight, and at most 40 parts by weight or less. This is because it is said that the plasticizer elutes when it exceeds 40 parts by weight.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition derived from natural products can be provided using only non-edible biomass raw materials.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition in which a compound serving as a plasticizer is blended with a polymer material made from non-edible biomass. More specifically, the biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition according to the first aspect of the present invention contains, per 100 parts by weight of cellulose acetate, a rosin-based compound selected from rosin, rosin ester, and rosin glycerin ester; an unsubstituted or substituted C 1~10 an ester-based compound of an alcohol and acetic acid, lactic acid, phthalic acid, citric acid, or phosphoric acid; a glycerin-based compound selected from triacetin, diacetin, glycerin, polyglycerin, glycerin fatty acid ester, and polyglycerin fatty acid ester; a polyester-based compound; and a sugar alcohol-based compound selected from sorbitol, sucrose fatty acid ester, and sorbitan fatty acid ester. The biodegradable compound is blended in an amount exceeding 40 parts by weight and not exceeding 80 parts by weight, preferably exceeding 50 parts by weight and not exceeding 80 parts by weight, for example, in an amount of 55 parts by weight or more or 60 parts by weight or more and not exceeding 80 parts by weight. If the addition amount of the biodegradable compound exceeds 40 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of cellulose acetate, the thermoplasticity of the biodegradable compound begins to appear, and if it is 80 parts by weight or less, the biodegradable compound does not elute from the surface of the biodegradable resin composition.

[0010] In the first aspect of the present invention, the biodegradable compound is preferably blended in an amount of 55 parts by weight or more and not exceeding 80 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the cellulose acetate.

[0011] In the first aspect of the present invention, the biodegradable compound is an unsubstituted or substituted C 1~10 ester-based compound of an alcohol and acetic acid, lactic acid, phthalic acid, citric acid, or phosphoric acid.

[0012] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a molded article by molding the biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition obtained in the first aspect. As the method for manufacturing a molded article, a molding method selected from the group consisting of film molding, sheet molding, thermoforming, blow molding, injection molding, vacuum molding, melt spinning method, wet spinning method, and dry spinning method can be employed. By molding using any of the above molding methods, various molded articles such as films, sheets, and fibers can be obtained from the biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition obtained in the first aspect of the present invention.

[0013] In a second aspect of the present invention, when molding a film, sheet, and fiber, the resin is melted at a temperature of 180 to 220 °C, preferably 180 to 200 °C.

[0014] Furthermore, in a third aspect, the present invention provides various molded articles such as films, sheets, and fibers, which are made of the biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition obtained in the first aspect of the present invention. Furthermore, woven fabrics and non-woven fabrics can also be obtained using fibers.

[0015] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional molded article by molding the biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition obtained in the first aspect. As the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional molded article, a material extrusion deposition method can be employed. By molding using the above molding method, various molded articles having a complex internal structure can be obtained from the biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition obtained in the first aspect of the present invention.

[0016] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, when molding a three-dimensional molded article, the resin is melted at a temperature of 190 to 250 °C, preferably 210 to 250 °C, more preferably 210 to 230 °C.

[0017] Furthermore, in a fifth aspect, the present invention provides various three-dimensional molded articles having a complex internal structure, which are made of the biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition obtained in the first aspect of the present invention.

Examples

[0018] A. Preparation of Cellulosic Thermoplastic Resin [Preparation Example 1] 10 kg of cellulose acetate and 4 kg of triethyl citrate were added and kneaded by a twin-screw extruder to prepare a cellulosic thermoplastic resin composition 1 and produce thermoplastic resin pellets 1.

[0019] [Preparation Example 2] 10 kg of cellulose acetate and 5 kg of triethyl citrate were added and kneaded by a twin-screw extruder to prepare a cellulosic thermoplastic resin composition 2 and produce thermoplastic resin pellets 2.

[0020] [Preparation Example 3] 10 kg of cellulose acetate and 5.5 kg of triethyl citrate were added and kneaded by a twin-screw extruder to prepare a cellulosic thermoplastic resin composition 3 and produce thermoplastic resin pellets 3.

[0021] [Preparation Example 4] 10 kg of cellulose acetate and 6 kg of triethyl citrate were added and kneaded by a twin-screw extruder to prepare a cellulosic thermoplastic resin composition 4 and produce thermoplastic resin pellets 4.

[0022] [Preparation Example 5] 10 kg of cellulose acetate and 7 kg of triethyl citrate were added and kneaded by a twin-screw extruder to prepare a cellulosic thermoplastic resin composition 5 and produce thermoplastic resin pellets 5.

[0023] [Preparation Example 6] 10 kg of cellulose acetate and 7.5 kg of triethyl citrate were added and kneaded by a twin-screw extruder to prepare a cellulosic thermoplastic resin composition 6 and produce thermoplastic resin pellets 6.

[0024] [Preparation Example 7] 10 kg of cellulose acetate and 8 kg of triethyl citrate were added and kneaded by a twin-screw extruder to prepare a cellulose-based thermoplastic resin composition 7, and thermoplastic resin pellets 7 were produced.

[0025] [Preparation Example 8] 10 kg of cellulose acetate and 6 kg of glycerin were added and kneaded by a twin-screw extruder to prepare a cellulose-based thermoplastic resin composition 8, but thermoplastic resin pellets could not be stably produced from this resin composition. That is, at room temperature, the shape of the pellets could not be maintained.

[0026] [Preparation Example 9] 10 kg of cellulose acetate and 6 kg of ethyl acetate were added and kneaded by a twin-screw extruder to prepare a cellulose-based thermoplastic resin composition 9, but thermoplastic resin pellets could not be stably produced from this resin composition. That is, at room temperature, the shape of the pellets could not be maintained.

[0027] [Preparation Example 10] 10 kg of cellulose acetate and 6 kg of butyl lactate were added and kneaded by a twin-screw extruder to prepare a cellulose-based thermoplastic resin composition 10, but thermoplastic resin pellets could not be stably produced from this resin composition. That is, at room temperature, the shape of the pellets could not be maintained.

[0028] [Preparation Example 11] 10 kg of cellulose acetate and 6 kg of dioctyl phthalate were added and kneaded by a twin-screw extruder to prepare a cellulose-based thermoplastic resin composition 11, but thermoplastic resin pellets could not be stably produced from this resin composition. That is, at room temperature, the shape of the pellets could not be maintained.

[0029] [Preparation Example 12] A cellulose acetate-based thermoplastic resin composition 12 was prepared by kneading 10 Kg of cellulose acetate with 6 Kg of tributyl citrate using a twin-screw extruder. However, thermoplastic resin pellets could not be stably produced from this resin composition. That is, at room temperature, the shape of the pellets could not be maintained.

[0030] [Preparation Example 13] A cellulose acetate-based thermoplastic resin composition 13 was prepared by kneading 10 Kg of cellulose acetate with 6 Kg of trioctyl phosphate using a twin-screw extruder. However, thermoplastic resin pellets could not be stably produced from this resin composition. That is, at room temperature, the shape of the pellets could not be maintained.

[0031] B. Manufacture of Molded Articles [Molding Examples 1-2] By the T-die method, 1 Kg of thermoplastic resin pellets 1 or 2 were melted at 180°C, and the melted resin was extrusion-molded to obtain sheets 1 and 2 with a thickness of 0.2 mm. The melt flow rate of these thermoplastic resins was 8-9 g / 10 min at 200°C, and there was no problem with the fluidity during extrusion molding. All of the obtained sheets had low transparency, streaks, and a rough and unappealing surface.

[0032] [Molding Example 3] By the T-die method, 1 Kg of thermoplastic resin pellets 3 were melted at 180°C, and the melted resin was extrusion-molded to obtain a sheet 3 with a thickness of 0.2 mm. The melt flow rate of this thermoplastic resin was 9-10 g / 10 min at 200°C, and there was no problem with the fluidity during extrusion molding. The obtained sheet had high transparency, a clean surface, flexibility, and sufficient strength.

[0033] [Molding Examples 4-6] By the T-die method, 1 kg of thermoplastic resin pellets 4, 5, or 6 were melted at 180°C, and the melted resin was extrusion-molded to obtain sheets 4, 5, and 6 with a thickness of 0.2 mm. The melt flow rate of these thermoplastic resins was 10 - 12 g / 10 min at 200°C, and there were no problems with the fluidity during extrusion molding. All of the obtained sheets had high transparency, very clean surfaces, flexibility, and sufficient strength.

[0034] [Molding Example 7] By the T-die method, 1 kg of thermoplastic resin pellets 7 were melted at 180°C, and the melted resin was extrusion-molded to obtain a sheet 7 with a thickness of 0.2 mm. The melt flow rate of this thermoplastic resin was 12 - 14 g / 10 min at 200°C, and there were no problems with the fluidity during extrusion molding. The obtained sheet had high transparency, a clean surface, flexibility, and sufficient strength.

[0035] [Molding Example 8] By the melt spinning method using a melt spinning apparatus, 1 kg of thermoplastic resin pellets 5 were melted at 200°C, and the melted resin was extruded and spun into the air from a nozzle to obtain fibers 1 with a diameter of about 0.8 - 1.2 mm. The melt flow rate of this thermoplastic resin was 10 - 12 g / 10 min at 200°C, and there were no problems with the fluidity during extrusion spinning.

[0036] [Molding Example 9] By the material extrusion deposition method using a 3D printer, 1 kg of thermoplastic resin pellets 4 were melted, and the melted resin was extruded layer by layer and stacked to obtain a three-dimensional structure 1 that was a cylinder with a radius of 5 cm and a height of 5 cm. When the temperature was set at 180 - 200°C, the adhesion between the layers of the obtained laminate was insufficient, but when the temperature was raised to 210 - 250°C, no delamination occurred between the layers, and a good structure could be obtained. In this molding example, 3D printing was performed at 210°C. The melt flow rate of this thermoplastic resin was 10 - 12 g / 10 min at 200°C, and there were no problems with the fluidity during extrusion deposition.

Industrial Applicability

[0037] The biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention is particularly useful as a resin composition for a 3D printer for manufacturing a three-dimensional structure.

Claims

1. A rosin-based compound selected from rosin, rosin ester, and rosin glycerin ester, unsubstituted or substituted C 1~10 A method for producing a molded product, comprising molding, into a three-dimensional structure by a material extrusion deposition method, a biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition containing a biodegradable compound selected from the group consisting of ester compounds of alcohol and acetic acid, lactic acid, phthalic acid, citric acid, or phosphoric acid, glycerin compounds selected from triacetin, diacetin, glycerin fatty acid esters, and polyglycerin fatty acid esters, polyester compounds, and sugar alcohol compounds selected from sorbitol, sucrose fatty acid esters, and sorbitan fatty acid esters, in an amount of more than 50 parts by weight and not more than 80 parts by weight.

2. The method for producing a molded article according to claim 1, wherein the biodegradable compound is mixed in an amount of 55 parts by weight or more and 80 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the cellulose acetate.

3. The biodegradable compound may be an unsubstituted or substituted C 1~10 3. The method for producing a molded article according to claim 1, wherein the compound is an ester of an alcohol with acetic acid, lactic acid, phthalic acid, citric acid or phosphoric acid.

4. The biodegradable compound may be an unsubstituted or substituted C 1~10 The method for producing a molded article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the compound is an ester of an alcohol with acetic acid, lactic acid, phthalic acid, citric acid or phosphoric acid.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising melting the biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition at a temperature of 210 to 250°C.

6. A rosin-based compound selected from rosin, rosin ester, and rosin glycerin ester, unsubstituted or substituted C 1~10 A molded article having a three-dimensional structure, comprising a biodegradable thermoplastic resin composition containing a biodegradable compound in an amount of more than 50 parts by weight and not more than 80 parts by weight selected from the group consisting of ester compounds of alcohol with acetic acid, lactic acid, phthalic acid, citric acid or phosphoric acid, glycerin compounds selected from triacetin, diacetin, glycerin fatty acid esters and polyglycerin fatty acid esters, polyester compounds, and sugar alcohol compounds selected from sorbitol, sucrose fatty acid esters and sorbitan fatty acid esters.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Cellulose acetate composition and molding

    JP2020026444A

  • Material for hot melt extrusion system, modeling material for 3D printers, method for producing modeling material for 3D printers, and three-dimensional model

    WO2020158647A1