Biodegradable Plasticizer Composition for PLA

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional plasticizers, such as phthalate compounds, are easily absorbed by the human body and pose environmental hazards due to their low molecular weights and non-chemical bonding methods, leading to inadequate biodegradation of plastic products, which can cause health issues and ecological damage.

Innovation Solution

A plastic composition incorporating polylactic acid and an amide ester compound with a specific molecular weight and structure, designed to be biodegradable, reducing absorption and environmental impact while maintaining plasticity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional plasticizers (phthalate compounds with low molecular weight) are used to increase plasticity, then the plastic products achieve good plasticization, but the plasticizers are easily absorbed by the human body and released from the products

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveplasticityVSAvoidhuman absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the plasticizer from less than 500 g/mole (traditional) to greater than 500 g/mole (invention), which reduces human body absorption while maintaining plasticization effectiveness. This parameter change directly addresses the contradiction between achieving good plasticity and minimizing harmful absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite plasticizer structure combining ester groups and amide groups in a specific molecular architecture (formula I), creating a new material with both high plasticization capability and reduced bioavailability. The composite structure allows the material to maintain flexibility while being less easily absorbed by the human body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional plastic products are disposed of without proper treatment, then they become waste, but they damage the environment and ecology due to poor biodegradability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisposal convenienceVSAvoidenvironmental damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the plasticizer to include biodegradable ester and amide groups, which enable the plastic product to decompose naturally in the environment. This parameter change transforms the material from non-biodegradable to biodegradable, allowing proper environmental disposal without ecological damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If plasticizers are combined with other substances by non-chemical bonding methods, then the formulation is simple, but the plasticizers are easily released from the plastic products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation complexityVSAvoidplasticizer retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite plasticizer molecule with ester and amide functional groups that can form stronger intermolecular interactions with the plastic matrix. The specific molecular structure (formula I) enables better compatibility and retention in the plastic product while maintaining formulation simplicity, resolving the contradiction between ease of formulation and plasticizer stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4261248A1Plastic composition, plasticizer, and plastic product
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 LARGAN MEDICAL CO LTD
  • EP4261248A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4261248A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4261248A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A plastic composition includes at least one plastic and at least one plasticizer. The plastic includes a polylactic acid. The plasticizer includes an amide ester compound, and the amide ester compound has the biodegradability. The weight percentage of the plastic in the plastic composition is 85% to 99.99%, and the weight percentage of the plasticizer in the plastic composition is 0.01% to 15%.