Degradable Paper Plastic via Cyclic Carbonate and Amine Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

The widespread use of traditional plastics has led to significant environmental pollution, and while degradable plastics offer a potential solution, they are hindered by high production costs and inadequate water resistance and mechanical strength compared to traditional plastics.

Innovation Solution

A preparation method involving the mixing of cyclic carbonate compounds and amine compounds with paper, followed by curing, to create degradable and recyclable paper plastics with enhanced water resistance and mechanical strength, while maintaining biodegradability and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If paper is used as a substitute for plastic, then biodegradability is improved, but water resistance and mechanical strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining paper with cyclic carbonate compounds and amine compounds to create a new material system. This composite structure allows the material to inherit the biodegradability of paper while gaining water resistance and mechanical strength from the polymer network formed by the carbonate and amine components, thus resolving the contradiction between biodegradability and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of paper through controlled chemical reactions with cyclic carbonate and amine compounds. By adjusting reaction conditions such as temperature (65-130°C), time (0.5-6 hours), and compound ratios, the material's mechanical properties and water resistance are enhanced while maintaining its biodegradable nature, thereby resolving the performance contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If traditional plastic is used, then water resistance and mechanical strength are improved, but environmental pollution worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the material by using biodegradable paper as the base and incorporating cyclic carbonate and amine compounds. This parameter change enables the material to achieve water resistance and mechanical strength comparable to traditional plastics while maintaining biodegradability, thus eliminating environmental pollution without sacrificing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent embraces the disposable nature of paper products by creating a paper-based composite that can be used once and then biodegrades. This approach eliminates the need for long-lasting traditional plastics, allowing the material to serve its function and then naturally decompose, thereby resolving the conflict between durability and environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If degradable plastic is used, then environmental pollution is reduced, but production cost and water resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental pollutionVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses paper, a cheap and readily available material, as the base for the composite. By leveraging the low cost of paper and using it as a disposable-like product that biodegrades after use, the patent achieves environmental friendliness without incurring the high production costs associated with synthetic degradable plastics. The simplicity of the material system also facilitates easy manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of paper through controlled reactions with cyclic carbonate and amine compounds. By optimizing these chemical parameters and reaction conditions, the material achieves enhanced water resistance and mechanical strength without requiring expensive additives or complex manufacturing processes, thus resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and production cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-generated harmful factors

If paper packaging material is used, then biodegradability is improved, but water resistance and solvent resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidwater resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system combining paper with cyclic carbonate and amine compounds. This composite structure allows the material to maintain the biodegradability of paper while the polymer network formed by the carbonate and amine components provides water and solvent resistance, thus resolving the contradiction between biodegradability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The cyclic carbonate and amine compounds act as intermediaries that chemically bond to paper fibers. These intermediaries form a cross-linked polymer network that mediates between the paper's biodegradable nature and the requirement for water and solvent resistance, allowing both properties to coexist in the final composite material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 resulting paper plastics exhibit improved water resistance, mechanical strength, and self-healing properties, making them suitable replacements for traditional plastics, while also addressing environmental concerns through biodegradability and recyclability.

Implementation Method 1

stirring and mixing a cyclic carbonate compound and an amine compound uniformly at room temperature to 70° C. to obtain modified materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the paper reacts with the cyclic carbonate compound and the amine compound to form a composite

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization:

Implementation Method 3

curing under 700-6000 W microwave irradiation for 1-15 minutes without hot pressing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave Radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 4

curing under 700-6000 W microwave irradiation for 1-15 minutes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric Heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12281443B2Preparation method and recyclingmethod for degradable and recyclable paper plastics with water resistance and high-strength
Publication Date: 2025.04.22 INST OF CHEM IND OF FOREST PROD CHINESE ACAD OF FORESTRY
  • US12281443B2 patent drawing
  • US12281443B2 patent drawing
  • US12281443B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention discloses a preparation method and recycling method for degradable and recyclable paper plastics with water resistance and high-strength. By coating cyclic carbonate and amine compounds on paper, these compounds penetrate the paper's fiber structure, followed by curing treatment, resulting in a recyclable, degradable, and reprocessed paper plastic material with water resistance and high-strength. This method involves coating only cyclic carbonate and amines onto the paper, which, after heating, yields the paper plastic. The invention offers versatility, enhancing various paper types with improved mechanical properties, temperature resistance, water resistance, and solvent resistance while maintaining degradation capability. The paper plastic exhibits excellent self-healing, plasticity, degradation, and reprocessing properties. The process method is straightforward and user-friendly, making it suitable for industrial-scale production.