Amine-Modified Polyhydroxyalkanoate Melt Processing for Lower Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polyhydroxyalkanoates have high viscosity, preventing their use in applications like injection molding and hot melt adhesives, and it is difficult to produce low viscosity polyhydroxyalkanoates without increasing costs through biosynthesis.
Innovation Solution
A process involving melting a mixture of polyhydroxyalkanoate and amine at controlled temperatures, preferably between 110°C and 200°C, using a continuous melt processing device like a screw extruder, to reduce viscosity without adding costly ingredients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If polyhydroxyalkanoates are prepared by micro-organism biosynthesis, then they are bio-based and biodegradable, but they have high viscosity that prevents their use in injection molding and hot melt adhesives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the polyhydroxyalkanoate by blending it with polymers having different molecular weights and viscosities. Specifically, it combines high molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate (maintaining strength and biodegradability) with low molecular weight polyhydroxyalkanoate or compatible polymers (reducing viscosity), thereby achieving the desired balance between processability and material properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by blending polyhydroxyalkanoate with one or more compatible polymers. This composite approach allows the combination of materials with complementary properties: the polyhydroxyalkanoate provides bio-based and biodegradable characteristics, while the blended polymer adjusts the viscosity and processability, enabling applications in injection molding and hot melt adhesives
2Ease of operation
If low viscosity polyhydroxyalkanoates are prepared by modifying biosynthesis processes, then viscosity decreases, but the process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the viscosity reduction problem from the complex biosynthesis process by using a separate, simple blending operation. Instead of modifying the entire biosynthesis pathway, it takes out the polyhydroxyalkanoate product and combines it with other polymers in a straightforward mixing process, achieving viscosity reduction without complicating the biosynthesis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses readily available, inexpensive polymers for blending that can be easily procured and processed. These blending polymers serve as simple, cost-effective solutions to adjust viscosity without requiring expensive or complex process modifications to the biosynthesis operation
3Productivity
If polyhydroxyalkanoate viscosity is reduced through complex process modifications, then processability improves, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters of the material by introducing polymer blends with controlled molecular weights and ratios. This allows optimization of viscosity and processability through simple formulation adjustments rather than expensive process changes, maintaining cost-effectiveness while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material blending as a cost-effective strategy to improve processability. By combining polyhydroxyalkanoate with compatible polymers in specific ratios, it achieves the desired flow characteristics for injection molding and hot melt adhesive applications without incurring significant additional manufacturing costs
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 process effectively decreases the viscosity of polyhydroxyalkanoates, enabling their use in thermoplastic resins, hot-melt adhesives, and polymer blends in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner.
Implementation Method 1
melting a mixture (M1) at a temperature of at least 110°C to provide a mixture (M2), wherein the mixture (M1) comprises: a polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising repeating units derived from 3-hydroxypropionic acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 3-hydroxyvaleric acid, 4-hydroxybutyric acid, 5-hydroxyvaleric acid and/or 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid, and an amine
Implementation Method 2
melting a mixture (M1) at a temperature of at least 110°C to provide a mixture (M2)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a process comprising melting a mixture (M1) at a temperature of at least 110°C to provide a mixture (M2), wherein the mixture (M1) comprises: - a polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising repeating units derived from 3-hydroxypropionic acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 3-hydroxyvaleric acid, 4-hydroxybutyric acid, 5-hydroxyvaleric acid and/or 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid, and - an amine. The invention also relates to a composition obtainable by the process according to the invention. The invention further relates to the use of the composition according to the invention as a thermoplastic resin, a hot-melt adhesive or a polymer blend. Finally, the invention relates to an article comprising the composition according to the invention.