Bioderived Epoxy-Anhydride Polymers with Depolymerizable Bonds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermosetting polymers, commonly used in wind turbine blades and coatings, are non-recyclable, leading to significant waste and environmental issues, as they end up in landfills and cannot be reused due to their non-degradable nature.
Innovation Solution
Development of bioderived thermosetting polymers and resins synthesized through epoxy-anhydride polymerization, which can be chemically depolymerized using transesterification reactions, allowing for the recovery and reuse of materials and fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional thermosetting polymers are used, then material strength and durability are improved, but recyclability and environmental compatibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of thermosetting polymers by incorporating depolymerizable bonds (ester linkages, acetal linkages, orthoester linkages) into the crosslinked network structure. This allows the material to maintain its strength and durability during use, but enables chemical recycling through depolymerization reactions that break these specific bonds, converting the polymer back to monomers or oligomers for reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite material systems combining conventional thermosetting polymer matrices with depolymerizable functional groups. The resulting materials integrate the desirable mechanical properties of traditional thermosets with the recyclability of thermoplastics, achieving both strength and environmental compatibility through a hybrid chemical structure.
2Strength
If epoxy-amine coatings and adhesives are used, then bonding strength is improved, but substrate recoverability and reuse capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition of epoxy coatings and adhesives by replacing a portion of the conventional amine hardener with compounds containing depolymerizable linkages. This creates a hybrid curing system that maintains the strong bonding characteristics of epoxy-amine systems while introducing chemical vulnerability points that enable controlled depolymerization and substrate recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic permanent crosslinked structure from the epoxy coating/adhesive system and replaces it with depolymerizable bonds. This selective removal of the non-recyclable component while retaining the bonding functionality enables both strong adhesion and subsequent substrate recovery through chemical treatment.
3Strength
If traditional thermoset composite materials are used in wind turbine blades, then structural integrity is improved, but end-of-life recyclability and waste reduction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical architecture of wind turbine blade composite materials by incorporating depolymerizable bonds into the thermoset matrix. The resulting composites maintain the structural integrity needed for wind turbine applications but can be chemically recycled at end-of-life, converting the polymer matrix back to recoverable monomers and allowing fiber separation and reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables a circular economy approach for wind turbine blade materials by designing the polymer matrix to be deliberately discardsable through controlled depolymerization. This allows the organic matrix to be chemically broken down and recovered as feedstock for new materials, while the valuable fiber reinforcement can be separated and reused, dramatically reducing landfill waste.
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 bioderived polymers and resins offer competitive material properties and manufacturability while enabling the recycling of materials, reducing waste and environmental impact by allowing for the recovery of fibers and building blocks for new products.
Implementation Method 1
bioderived thermosetting polymers and resins synthesized through epoxy-anhydride polymerization
Implementation Method 2
chemically depolymerized using transesterification reactions
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a structure that includeswhere R1 includes at least one of a carbon atom and/or an oxygen atom, R2 includes at least one of a carbon atom and/or an oxygen atom, and represents a covalent bond. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the composition may be bioderived.