Biodegradable Polyester Filament via Compressed Gas Polymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for preparing biodegradable polyester polymers, such as solid-state polymerization and supercritical carbon dioxide-based processes, face challenges like non-uniform physical properties, low molecular weight, and the need for stabilizers, which complicate the production of high molecular weight polymers and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A solution-state polymerization process using compressed gases like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as reaction solvents, combined with flash-spinning and calendering processes, to produce biodegradable polyester polymers in filament and sheet forms without the need for stabilizers, allowing for high molecular weight polymers to be produced within a short time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solid-state polymerization is used to prepare biodegradable polyester polymers, then the process is simple, but the molecular weight is low and physical properties are non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the polymerization system from solid-state to solution-state using supercritical carbon dioxide as solvent. This parameter change enables high molecular weight polymer formation with uniform physical properties while maintaining process simplicity, as the supercritical fluid provides excellent monomer diffusion and heat transfer comparable to solid-state processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces supercritical carbon dioxide as an intermediary solvent medium. This intermediary enables the polymerization reaction to proceed in a controlled solution state, ensuring uniform monomer distribution and heat transfer, which results in high molecular weight polymers with consistent physical properties, while the intermediary can be easily removed after reaction.
2Ease of manufacture
If solid-state polymerization is used, then the process is simple, but the production time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state from solid to supercritical solution, which dramatically improves mass and heat transfer rates. This parameter change reduces polymerization time from days to hours while maintaining process simplicity, as the supercritical fluid state allows rapid monomer conversion without complex processing steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional polymerization methods are used, then the process is established, but stabilizers are required which complicates the process and increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses supercritical carbon dioxide as an intermediary solvent that eliminates the need for stabilizers. The supercritical CO2 provides a controlled reaction environment that prevents polymer degradation and side reactions, allowing stabilizer-free polymerization. The intermediary can be easily removed by depressurization, simplifying the overall process despite being a new method.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert supercritical carbon dioxide environment for polymerization, which prevents oxidative degradation and eliminates the need for stabilizers. The inert supercritical atmosphere protects the polymer chains during formation, and the environment can be easily maintained and removed without adding process complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional polymerization methods are used, then the process is established, but the molecular weight is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state from solid to supercritical solution, which enables high molecular weight polymer formation. The supercritical state provides optimal conditions for chain growth through improved monomer accessibility and reaction control, achieving molecular weights 10-100 times higher than solid-state polymerization while using an established polymerization methodology.
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
This method enables the production of biodegradable polyester polymers with high molecular weight in a short time, simplifying the process and eliminating the need for stabilizer removal, resulting in materials with improved properties suitable for various applications in medicine, agriculture, and environmental fields.
Implementation Method 1
preparing biodegradable polyester polymers through a solution-state polymerization process of a cyclic monomer using a compressed gas as a reaction solvent
Implementation Method 2
using a compressed gas as a reaction solvent in the presence of a catalyst
Implementation Method 3
performing a flash-spinning process of the biodegradable polyester polymers prepared above in order to form a polymer material in a filament type
Implementation Method 4
performing a calendering process of the polymer material in a filament type prepared above in order to form a polymer material in a point-bonded sheet type
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a method of preparing biodegradable polyester polymer materials both in a filament type and a sheet type using a compressed gas. The method of the present invention comprises the following steps: 1) preparing biodegradable polyester polymers through a solution-state polymerization process of a cyclic monomer using a compressed gas as a reaction solvent in the presence of a catalyst; 2) performing a flash-spinning process of the biodegradable polyester polymers prepared above to form a polymer material in a filament type; and 3) performing a calendering process of the polymer material in a filament type prepared above to form a polymer material in a point-bonded sheet type. Since the method according to the embodiments of the present invention has several advantages in that it employs compressed gas as a reaction solvent, which does not require the addition of a stabilizer and the solution-state polymerization, flash-spinning and callendering processes are conducted in a single consecutive process. This can be effectively used in the manufacture of biodegradable polyester polymer materials, which can be used as a biodegradable and biocompatible material useful in the fields of medicine, chemistry, agriculture, environment and the like.