Biodegradable Multilayer Composite for Moisture and Oxygen Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biodegradable polymers typically exhibit high hydrophilicity, leading to high water vapor permeability and poor oxygen barrier properties, which are detrimental for applications like packaging, especially food packaging, while maintaining biodegradability and processability.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable multilayer composite comprising layers of aliphatic polycondensates made from aliphatic α,ω-dicarboxylic acids and α,ω-diols, combined with other biodegradable polymers and inorganic materials, forming a structure that is both biodegradable and provides low transmission rates for vapor and oxygen, while being stable against humidity and processable by conventional methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biodegradable polymers are used to maintain biodegradability and processability, then biodegradability is improved, but water vapor permeability increases and oxygen barrier properties worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multilayer composite structures combining different biodegradable polymers (e.g., PLA, PBAT, PHA) to achieve both biodegradability and low water vapor permeability. Each layer contributes different properties, with some layers providing barrier functions while others maintain biodegradability, thus resolving the contradiction between biodegradability and water vapor resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the packaging material into multiple functional layers, where each layer performs a specific function. This segmentation allows different layers to address different requirements: some layers focus on biodegradability while others focus on barrier properties, enabling the overall structure to meet both criteria simultaneously.
2Reliability
If biodegradable polymers are used to maintain biodegradability and processability, then biodegradability is improved, but oxygen barrier properties worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple biodegradable polymers in a multilayer structure where certain layers are specifically designed to provide oxygen barrier properties. By selecting polymers with appropriate crystallinity and molecular structure, the composite achieves both biodegradability and effective oxygen protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging structure is segmented into functional layers, with specific layers dedicated to providing oxygen barrier properties. This allows the overall system to maintain biodegradability while having dedicated sections that prevent oxygen penetration, thus resolving the contradiction.
3Reliability
If hydrophilicity is increased to maintain biodegradability, then biodegradability is improved, but water vapor permeability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite structures where hydrophilic biodegradable polymers are combined with more hydrophobic layers. This composite approach allows the material to maintain biodegradability through the hydrophilic components while the hydrophobic layers provide water vapor barrier properties, thus resolving the contradiction between hydrophilicity and water vapor permeability.
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 composite achieves compostability, low vapor and oxygen transmission, mechanical stability, and processability, overcoming the limitations of existing biodegradable polymers in terms of hydrophilicity and crystallinity.
Implementation Method 1
The composite achieves compostability, low vapor and oxygen transmission, mechanical stability, and processability, overcoming the limitations of existing biodegradable polymers in terms of hydrophilicity and crystallinity
Implementation Method 2
Biodegradability within the meaning of this application is given, for example, when the multilayer composite exhibits compostability according to DIN EN 13432 (December 2000, 'Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation')
Data Source
AI summary
Described are to a biodegradable multilayer composite, in particular for food packaging, its use and a process for preparing said biodegradable multilayer composite.