Biodegradable polyester textile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Synthetic polymers like polyester and nylon are not biodegradable, leading to environmental pollution and micro-fiber contamination in oceans, necessitating improved biodegradability and sustainability in textile materials.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a biodegradation-inducing additive in the amorphous phase of synthetic polymer fibers, such as polysaccharides or EcoPure™ G2, to enhance biodegradability, along with a carrier polymer and potentially a flame retardant, while using a method that includes swelling the extruded polyester body to increase surface porosity for additive penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If synthetic polymer fibers (polyester, nylon) are used for textile production, then mechanical strength and durability are improved, but biodegradability deteriorates (degradation takes 100 years or more)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite fiber structure combining synthetic polymer (providing strength) with biodegradable polymer matrix (enabling degradation). The biodegradable polymer encapsulates synthetic polymer fragments, creating a composite material that maintains mechanical properties while enabling biodegradation through enzymatic breakdown of the biodegradable component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces porosity into the fiber structure through controlled degradation of the biodegradable polymer matrix. This porous structure allows water and enzymes to penetrate and access the synthetic polymer fragments, accelerating biodegradation while the remaining synthetic fragments maintain structural integrity during the degradation process.
2Productivity
If synthetic polymer textiles are produced and discarded, then textile production efficiency is improved, but environmental pollution worsens (micro-plastics contaminate oceans)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful persistence of synthetic polymers into a beneficial degradation process. By embedding synthetic polymer fragments within a biodegradable matrix, the normally persistent synthetic material becomes part of a system that degrades beneficially, transforming the harmful micro-plastic problem into a controlled biodegradation process that produces non-toxic byproducts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the textile to undergo controlled discarding through biodegradation. The biodegradable polymer matrix degrades first, releasing and dispersing the synthetic polymer fragments in a controlled manner, effectively 'recovering' the synthetic material in a degraded state that no longer poses environmental harm while maintaining the utility of the textile during its service life.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If biodegradable additives are incorporated into synthetic polymer fibers, then biodegradability is improved (degradation up to 90% in less than 4 years), but manufacturing complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the synthesis of biodegradable polymer and encapsulation of synthetic polymer fragments into a single extrusion process. The biodegradable polymer is mixed with synthetic polymer fragments and extruded together in one continuous operation, eliminating the need for separate coating or embedding steps and simplifying the manufacturing process despite the enhanced biodegradability function.
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 approach results in biodegradable synthetic fibers that can degrade up to 90% in less than 4 years, as per ASTM standards, reducing environmental impact and maintaining mechanical properties, with a cost-effective method that differentiates the presence of the additive using colorimetric agents.
Implementation Method 1
the biodegradation-inducing additive is incorporated in the amorphous phase by physisorption, absorption or adsorption and does not form any intramolecular chemical bonds with the synthetic polymer fibre
Implementation Method 2
the biodegradation-inducing additive is incorporated in the amorphous phase by physisorption, absorption or adsorption and does not form any intramolecular chemical bonds with the synthetic polymer fibre
Implementation Method 3
the biodegradation-inducing additive is incorporated in the amorphous phase by physisorption, absorption or adsorption and does not form any intramolecular chemical bonds with the synthetic polymer fibre
Implementation Method 4
the biodegradation-inducing additive is physically and/or chemically accessible for a biodegradation initiation to form nuclei of biodegradation within the amorphous phase
Implementation Method 5
a colorimetric agent for changing a color of the synthetic polymer fibre, where a color change within a given spectrum range, indicates the presence or absence of the biodegradation-inducing additive in the synthetic polymer fibre
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a synthetic polymer fibre having an amorphous phase of at least 10% of the crystallinity ratio. The synthetic polymer fibre includes 0.1 to 5.0 wt. % of a biodegradation—inducing additive with respect to the total weight of the synthetic polymer fibre. The biodegradation-inducing additive is incorporated in the amorphous phase such that the biodegradation-inducing additive is physically and/or chemically accessible for a biodegradation initiation to form nuclei of biodegradation within the amorphous phase.