Aliphatic Polycarbonate Polyurethane Adhesives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current commercial polycarbonate polyols for polyurethane adhesives are expensive, energy-intensive to produce, and not environmentally friendly, lacking affordable and green alternatives with high performance characteristics.

Innovation Solution

Development of polyurethane adhesives using aliphatic polycarbonate polyols derived from the copolymerization of carbon dioxide with epoxides, such as ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, which have a higher density of carbonate functional groups and unique properties, including isocyanate-terminated prepolymers and a process for bonding substrates using these adhesives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If commercial polycarbonate polyols are used in polyurethane adhesives, then high performance characteristics are achieved, but production cost increases and environmental friendliness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive performanceVSAvoidproduction cost and environmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polyol component by using aliphatic polycarbonate polyols with specific molecular weight ranges (1,000-10,000 g/mol) and hydroxyl values (30-100 mg KOH/g), derived from epoxide-CO2 copolymerization rather than traditional phosgene-based processes. This parameter change maintains adhesive performance while improving environmental sustainability and reducing production costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, environmentally harmful commercial polycarbonate polyols with cheaper, greener alternatives produced through epoxide-CO2 copolymerization. The new polyols achieve comparable or superior performance at lower cost and with reduced environmental impact, effectively substituting expensive materials with economical ones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Strength

If aliphatic polycarbonate polyols with higher density of carbonate functional groups are used, then bonding strength and resistance to hydrolysis and UV radiation are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strength and resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining aliphatic polycarbonate polyols with specific structural characteristics (higher density of carbonate functional groups) with polyisocyanates. This composite approach achieves superior bonding strength and resistance to hydrolysis and UV radiation while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity through established two-component adhesive formulation techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If two-component adhesive formulation is used, then bonding strength is improved, but application complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidapplication complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the adhesive system into two separate components: Component A containing the aliphatic polycarbonate polyol and Component B containing the polyisocyanate. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system performance, and the separate containers prevent premature reaction, simplifying the application process despite the two-component nature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The adhesives exhibit superior properties compared to those based on existing commercial polycarbonate polyols, including enhanced strength, resistance to hydrolysis, UV radiation, and improved bonding capabilities, while being more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

aliphatic polycarbonate polyol chains containing a primary repeating unit having a structure: -[O-C(=O)-O-R1]-n- where R1 is an aliphatic group and n is an integer from 1 to 20, derived from copolymerization of carbon dioxide with one or more epoxides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCopolymerization:

Implementation Method 2

An isocyanate group reacts with the hydroxyl groups of a polyol to form the repeating urethane linkage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUrethane formation reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

Isocyanates will react with water to form a urea linkage and carbon dioxide as a by-product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUrea formation reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 4

excess free isocyante in the composition reacts with atmospheric water or moisture contained in the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2838954B1Adhesive compositions and methods
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 SAUDI ARAMCO TECH CO
  • EP2838954B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2838954B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2838954B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention encompasses polyurethane adhesive compositions comprising aliphatic polycarbonate chains. In one aspect, the present invention encompasses polyurethane adhesives derived from aliphatic polycarbonate polyols and polyisocyanates wherein the polyol chains contain a primary repeating unit having a structure:. In another aspect, the invention provides articles comprising the inventive polyurethane compositions as well as methods of making such compositions.