Degradable Polyacrylamide Polymerization with Uniform Weak-Point Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polyacrylamides (PAM) have challenges in controlled degradation, leading to heterogeneous fragments that hinder biodegradation and environmental impact, necessitating improved methods for distributing weak points in the polymer chain during polymerization.

Innovation Solution

A novel polymerization method involving radical polymerization of specific monomers, including cyclic ketene acetal and thionolactone, with progressive pouring to achieve homogeneous incorporation of hydrolysable functions, ensuring controlled molecular weight and dispersity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyacrylamides are used with high molecular weight to ensure inertness and low bioaccumulation risk, then environmental safety is improved, but degradability deteriorates leading to heterogeneous fragments that hinder biodegradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental safetyVSAvoiddegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer chain is segmented by incorporating weak points (hydrolysable functions from cyclic ketene acetal and carboxylic acid monomers) at controlled intervals. This segmentation allows the polymer to break down into smaller, biodegradable fragments while maintaining the base polymer's environmental safety properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating specific regions within the polymer chain that have different properties. The majority of the chain maintains the inert, safe characteristics of polyacrylamide, while localized weak points provide controlled degradability. This is achieved by incorporating 0.1-10 mol% of hydrolysable monomers at specific positions in the chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Duration of action of stationary object

If weak points are incorporated into the polymer chain to improve degradation rate, then degradability is improved, but homogeneous distribution of weak points during polymerization becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegradation rateVSAvoidhomogeneous distribution of weak points

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing the hydrolysable monomers (cyclic ketene acetal and carboxylic acid) with the main polyacrylamide monomers before polymerization begins. This pre-mixing ensures that the weak points are uniformly distributed throughout the reaction mixture, which then translates to homogeneous distribution in the final polymer chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the distribution of weak points by adjusting parameters such as monomer concentration ratios (0.1-10 mol% hydrolysable monomers), polymerization temperature, and reaction time. These parameter changes enable precise control over the homogeneity and density of weak points in the polymer chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If additional monomers inducing hydrolysable functions are added to create weak points, then degradability is improved, but control over molar mass and mass dispersity of fragments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedegradabilityVSAvoidcontrol over molar mass and mass dispersity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback control by monitoring the polymerization process and adjusting conditions to maintain control over molar mass and dispersity. By using 0.1-10 mol% of hydrolysable monomers within this specific range and controlling reaction parameters, the process ensures consistent fragment size distribution after degradation while maintaining improved degradability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 method results in polymers with improved degradability, reducing environmental impact by ensuring uniform fragmentation and maintaining application properties, suitable for various industrial uses.

Implementation Method 1

The polymerization of a cyclic ketene acetal is carried out by radical ring opening polymerization (rROP), thus making it possible to integrate an ester function into the structure of the polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadical ring opening polymerization:

Implementation Method 2

The incorporation of the weak point can be achieved by adding an additional monomer inducing a hydrolysable function, for example a cyclic ketene acetal... a function which is easily hydrolyzable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP4638382B1Polymerization method for obtaining polymers with improved degradability

Publication Date: 2026.02.04 S P C M SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a new method for preparing a polymer with improved degradability, and the use of this polymer.