Biodegradable Polyester Composition for Thermal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic polyesters face challenges in maintaining high thermal and mechanical properties while reducing environmental impact, as high terephthalic acid content decreases biodegradation percentages and relies on non-renewable synthetic sources.

Innovation Solution

Development of biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic polyesters incorporating 1-99% phthalic aromatic diacid and 99-1% heterocyclic aromatic diacid of renewable origin, with a focus on using diacids and diols from renewable sources, allowing for a high percentage of renewable carbon content and improved biodegradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If terephthalic acid content is increased to improve thermal and mechanical properties, then melting temperature and crystallization rate improve, but biodegradation percentage decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemelting temperatureVSAvoidbiodegradation percentage
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing terephthalic acid with phthalic acid and heterocyclic aromatic diacids in specific ratios (1-99% phthalic, 99-1% heterocyclic). This parameter modification maintains the aromatic content needed for high melting temperature while introducing biodegradable structures through the heterocyclic components, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal stability and biodegradability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite polyester structure combining phthalic acid units, heterocyclic aromatic diacid units, and aliphatic dicarboxylic acid units. This composite approach allows the material to exhibit both the high melting temperature characteristics from the aromatic phthalic components and the biodegradation capability from the heterocyclic and aliphatic components, simultaneously satisfying both requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If terephthalic acid content is increased to improve thermal and mechanical properties, then polymer performance improves, but environmental impact worsens due to non-renewable synthetic sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the feedstock source parameter by replacing synthetic terephthalic acid with heterocyclic aromatic diacids derived from renewable resources (such as furandicarboxylic acid from biomass). This parameter change maintains the mechanical properties through adequate aromatic content while eliminating the environmental harm associated with petroleum-based synthetic feedstocks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adopts a bio-based, renewable feedstock approach that is sustainable and environmentally friendly, replacing the persistent synthetic petroleum-based terephthalic acid with biodegradable heterocyclic diacids from renewable sources, thus reducing long-term environmental impact while maintaining performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If heterocyclic aromatic diacid of renewable origin is used to reduce environmental impact, then renewable carbon content increases, but thermal and mechanical properties may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidmelting temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the compositional parameters by maintaining a minimum of 1% heterocyclic aromatic diacid for biodegradability and renewable content while compensating for thermal properties through adequate phthalic acid content (1-99%) and appropriate selection of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and diols. This parameter balancing ensures both environmental sustainability and sufficient thermal performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure where heterocyclic aromatic diacid units provide biodegradability and renewable content, phthalic acid units contribute to high melting temperature and mechanical strength, and aliphatic dicarboxylic acid units enhance flexibility and biodegradation. The synergistic combination of these different units in the copolyester chain allows simultaneous achievement of environmental sustainability and thermal-mechanical performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10174157B2Biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic polyester
Publication Date: 2019.01.08 NOVAMONT SPA

AI summary

Disclosed are biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic polyesters obtained from aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, polyfunctional aromatic acids and diols, wherein the polyfunctional aromatic acids are constituted by mixtures of acids of renewable and synthetic origin its esters. In particular, the polyfunctional aromatic acids comprise at least one phthatic diacid and at least one heterocyclic aromatic diacid of renewable origin, which can be 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and its esters. Also, provided are mixtures of the polyesters with other biodegradable polymers both of natural and synthetic origin.