Biodegradable Soil Release Polyester Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current soil release polymers used in cleaning compositions are not biodegradable, leading to environmental concerns as they enter waterways and persist in the environment, despite providing effective soil release performance.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable soil release polyester polymer is developed, comprising sulphonated dicarboxylic acid monomers, polyhydric polyols, unsulphonated dicarboxylic acid monomers, and dihydroxyl compounds, which are combined through esterification or transesterification processes to create a polymer that is both environmentally friendly and effective in preventing soil attachment on fabrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional soil release polymers (based on polyester backbone with terephthalate, ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy units) are used, then favorable soil releasing performance is achieved, but biodegradability is poor and environmental persistence occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polyester polymer by incorporating biodegradable components (fatty acid derivatives with specific carbon chain lengths, polyols with specific hydroxyl groups) while maintaining the amphophilic structure. This allows the polymer to retain soil release functionality through hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance while enabling biodegradation through ester bond hydrolysis and microbial metabolism of the fatty acid chains.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polymer structure combining biodegradable fatty acid derivative segments (providing biodegradability) with polyester backbone segments (providing structural integrity and soil release performance). The amphiphilic nature arises from the combination of hydrophobic fatty acid chains and hydrophilic polyester segments, achieving both functional performance and environmental compatibility.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable components are introduced into the polymer structure, then environmental safety is improved, but soil releasing performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct segments within the polymer chain: hydrophobic fatty acid derivative segments interact with oily soils providing release functionality, while hydrophilic polyester segments provide water solubility and biodegradability. The amphiphilic structure allows different parts of the molecule to perform different functions, maintaining soil release performance while enabling environmental breakdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes parameters such as carbon chain length of fatty acid derivatives (C12-C22), hydroxyl group content of polyols, and molar ratios of components to balance biodegradability with soil release performance. By controlling molecular weight, degree of polymerization, and compositional ratios, the polymer achieves both environmental compatibility and functional effectiveness.
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 biodegradable soil release polyester polymer exhibits favorable soil releasing performance while ensuring environmental safety by rapidly degrading into mineralization products, thus reducing environmental impact and protecting fabric colors.
Implementation Method 1
Rapid ultimate biodegradation of a soil release polymer to mineralization products (carbon dioxide, water, inorganic salts) is most desirable mechanism for its ultimate removal from sewages, surface waters and soils.
Implementation Method 2
The similarity in chemical structure of soil release polymers and polyester synthetic fabrics allow for binding or deposition of soil release polymers onto fibers and modify surface energy by imparting hydrophilic characteristics to fiber.
Implementation Method 3
These polymers consist of hydrophilic and hydrophobic units and are analogous to synthetic fibers such as those found in polyester fabrics which contain terephthalate, ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy polymeric units.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a soil release polyester polymer which is biodegradable and has favorable soil releasing performance. In another aspect the invention also provides a cleaning composition comprising the same.