Bio-based Biocide Compositions for Polymer Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biocides used in polymers, such as PVC, are not adequately effective in preventing microbial growth, leading to premature product failure, discoloration, and mechanical issues due to the susceptibility of plasticizers and additives to microbial attack.
Innovation Solution
The use of bio-based biocide compositions comprising epoxidized 2-ethylhexyl soyate and at least one solvent, such as epoxidized soybean oil, which are incorporated into polymers to create preserved polymer compositions that exhibit enhanced resistance to fungi, reducing microbial growth and improving Shore A Hardness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional biocides are used to protect polymers from microbial attack, then some protection is achieved, but the protection is not adequate and premature product failure still occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the biocide by using epoxidized 2-ethylhexyl soyate, a bio-based compound with specific molecular structure and reactivity. This chemical parameter change provides superior protection effectiveness compared to conventional biocides, directly resolving the contradiction between adequate protection and microbial growth prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system by combining epoxidized 2-ethylhexyl soyate with solvents such as epoxidized soybean oil, diisodecyl phthalate, and dioctyl phthalate. This composite approach enhances the overall biocidal effectiveness and provides synergistic protection against microbial attack, addressing the insufficiency of single-component biocides.
2Ease of operation
If plasticizers and additives are incorporated into polymers to achieve desired properties, then material flexibility and performance are improved, but susceptibility to microbial attack increases
Solution Approach 1:
The epoxidized 2-ethylhexyl soyate acts as an intermediary biocidal agent that protects the plasticizers and additives from microbial attack. It mediates between the plasticized polymer matrix and microorganisms, preventing microbial degradation of the plasticizers while maintaining the desired material flexibility and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of plasticizers (which attract microorganisms) into a benefit by using the biocide to create a protective effect. The presence of plasticizers that provide flexibility is no longer a liability, as the biocide system converts this vulnerability into an opportunity for enhanced protection where the biocide specifically targets and prevents microbial attack on these plasticizer components.
3Reliability
If bio-based biocide compositions are incorporated into polymers, then resistance to fungi is improved by 15-70%, but the complexity of the composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The epoxidized 2-ethylhexyl soyate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a biocidal agent against fungi and bacteria, serves as a plasticizer to maintain material flexibility, and provides long-term protection without degrading. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate additive packages, thereby managing composition complexity while achieving superior fungal resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the biocidal function with the plasticizer function by using epoxidized 2-ethylhyperyl soyate that can serve both purposes. Additionally, it combines multiple solvent components (epoxidized soybean oil, diisodecyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate) into a unified composition system that works synergistically, achieving high fungal resistance while managing overall composition complexity through integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
Bio-based biocide compositions containing epoxidized 2-ethylhexyl soyate and a solvent such as epoxidized soybean oil are disclosed. When incorporated into polymers such as PVC, preserved polymer compositions result. The invention also provides methods for preserving polymers, including incorporating these compositions into PVC in accordance with these methods.