Beta-propiolactone copolymers for thermal stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The production of highly amorphous poly(beta-propiolactone) is challenging due to its low melting point, making it difficult to industrially process at reasonable rates, and there is a need for biodegradable polymers with improved processability and thermal stability for applications requiring rapid environmental assimilation.

Innovation Solution

The development of beta-propiolactone-based copolymers derived from renewable ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide sources, which are polymerized with a comonomer using a metal cation and initiator, enhancing biodegradability and thermal stability while sourcing materials from bio-mass, thereby improving environmental benefits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If highly amorphous poly(beta-propiolactone) is produced, then biodegradability is improved, but processability deteriorates due to low melting point

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidprocessability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by copolymerizing beta-propiolactone with comonomers (such as epsilon-caprolactone, glycolide, or lactic acid) to create copolymers that combine the high biodegradability of amorphous PBL with improved processability and thermal stability from the comonomer components, resolving the contradiction between biodegradability and manufacturability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If poly(beta-propiolactone) is produced at reasonable operating rates, then productivity is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating rateVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing comonomers with different thermal properties into the polymer chain, thereby adjusting the overall thermal stability of the copolymer to allow faster processing rates without sacrificing thermal performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional polymer production methods are used, then processability is improved, but environmental impact worsens due to non-renewable sources

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprocessabilityVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the source parameter of the monomers by using renewable biomass-derived beta-propiolactone instead of conventional petroleum-based feedstocks, thereby reducing environmental impact while maintaining the desired processability through copolymerization techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 resulting beta-propiolactone copolymers are highly biodegradable, offering improved processability and thermal stability, meeting performance requirements for various applications while reducing environmental impact through the use of renewable resources.

Implementation Method 1

The development of beta-propiolactone-based copolymers derived from renewable ethylene oxide and carbon monoxide sources, which are polymerized with a comonomer using a metal cation and initiator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRing opening polymerization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

Poly(beta-propiolactone) is an aliphatic polyester and can be completely bio-degradable to CO2 and water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS11655333B2Beta-propiolactone based copolymers containing biogenic carbon, methods for their production and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 NOVOMER INC

AI summary

Provided herein are methods and systems for producing biodegradable beta-propiolactone-based polyester polymers from renewable EO and CO on an industrial scale.