Cationic Polymers for Biodegradable Antimicrobial Surface Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cationic polymers derived from monourea diamine condensates and dichloroalkyl ethers are toxic to aquatic life and have poor biodegradability, necessitating the development of eco-friendly alternatives that maintain or improve surface treatment performance.
Innovation Solution
A new family of cationic polymers with repeating units of formula I, synthesized via a step-growth polycondensation process, using bio-based materials and alkylating agents, offering improved eco-toxicity and biodegradability, and allowing for post-polymerization functionalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing cationic polymers derived from monourea diamine condensates and dichloroalkyl ethers are used, then antimicrobial properties and surface treatment performance are achieved, but eco-toxicity increases and biodegradability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by replacing dichloroalkyl ether groups with alternative cationic groups that have lower ecological toxicity. The new polymer maintains the essential cationic charge density needed for antimicrobial activity while using biodegradable chemical structures, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polymer structure combining polyurea diamine condensate backbone with alternative cationic moieties. This composite approach allows the polymer to retain the functional properties of existing cationic polymers while incorporating biodegradable elements, thereby reducing eco-toxicity without sacrificing antimicrobial effectiveness.
2Reliability
If existing cationic polymers derived from monourea diamine condensates and dichloroalkyl ethers are used, then surface treatment performance is maintained, but biodegradability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by substituting non-biodegradable dichloroalkyl ether groups with biodegradable alternative cationic groups. This parameter change enables the polymer to maintain surface treatment functionality while becoming susceptible to biological degradation, thus improving the duration of biodegradability without compromising performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If new cationic polymers with improved eco-toxicity profile are developed, then environmental safety is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-synthesizing polyurea diamine condensates with controlled structural parameters that facilitate subsequent cationic modification. This preliminary structuring simplifies the overall manufacturing process of the new polymer, reducing complexity despite the introduction of novel chemical groups with improved eco-toxicity profiles.
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 new polymers exhibit excellent antimicrobial properties, better environmental safety, and compatibility with anionic surfactants, while maintaining performance as hygiene boosters and dye transfer inhibitors, suitable for home and industrial cleaning applications.
Implementation Method 1
A synthesis process for preparing them from polyurea diamine condensates and bifunctional ether derivatives
Implementation Method 2
The polymers comprising the repeating unit of formula I are highly efficacious macromolecular antimicrobials
Implementation Method 3
for their performance for fixing colors and/or inhibiting the running of colors in laundry formulations
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to new cationic polymers, a synthesis process for preparing them from polyurea diamine condensates and bifunctional ether derivatives, notably dihalogeno ether derivatives, and to the use of said new cationic polymers for surface treatment applications including, but not limited to, home and personal care applications as well as industrial and institutional cleaning applications.