Depolymerized Styrenic Polymers for Soluble Recycled Ink Binders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polystyrene waste accumulation and non-biodegradability lead to landfills and greenhouse gas emissions, while traditional recycling rates are low, and polystyrene plastics are insoluble in aqueous systems due to high molecular weight and lack of polarity.
Innovation Solution
Styrenic polymers derived from depolymerized polystyrene are produced, which have lower molecular weights and increased polarity, allowing them to be solubilized in organic and aqueous mediums, and used in formulations such as inks, paints, and adhesives, replacing traditional polystyrene-based materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polystyrene is used as a plastic material, then it provides good mechanical properties and chemical stability, but it accumulates as non-biodegradable waste leading to landfill and greenhouse gas emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of polystyrene from high (traditional plastic) to low (monomer-like) through controlled depolymerization. This parameter change enables the material to maintain chemical stability while becoming water-soluble and biodegradable, thus eliminating waste accumulation issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by converting polystyrene from a solid plastic state to a soluble polymer state through depolymerization. The resulting low molecular weight styrenic polymers can be dissolved in water, transitioning from a non-biodegradable solid waste form to a biodegradable soluble form that can be easily disposed of or recycled.
2Strength
If traditional polystyrene plastics are used, then they provide structural integrity, but they are insoluble in aqueous systems due to high molecular weight and lack of polarity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter through depolymerization, reducing it from high (insoluble) to low (soluble) levels. This parameter change enables the styrenic polymers to be solubilized in aqueous systems while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for practical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite formulations by combining low molecular weight styrenic polymers with aqueous systems and other materials. The resulting composite materials exhibit both solubility and structural integrity, overcoming the limitations of traditional polystyrene.
3Loss of substance
If polystyrene is recycled into secondary polymers, then waste reduction is achieved, but the recycling rate remains low (less than 5% in North America and Europe)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter through depolymerization to create low molecular weight styrenic polymers that are easier to process and incorporate into new products. This parameter change improves recyclability and encourages higher recycling rates by making the recycled material more versatile and easier to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables effective recovering of polystyrene waste by converting it into low molecular weight styrenic polymers through depolymerization. This recovering process transforms waste into useful materials that can be reused, thereby reducing loss of substance and improving overall recycling productivity.
4Ease of manufacture
If polystyrene is land-filled, then waste disposal is achieved, but material loss and land waste occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms polystyrene waste into valuable low molecular weight styrenic polymers through depolymerization, enabling recovering and reuse of the material. This eliminates the need for land-filling and prevents material loss, as the recovered polymers can be incorporated into new products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter to enable the material to be processed into new products rather than disposed of. This parameter change transforms waste management from a loss-based approach to a recovery-based approach, eliminating material loss associated with land-filling.
5Ease of manufacture
If polystyrene is burnt, then waste disposal is achieved, but greenhouse gas emissions result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables recovering of polystyrene waste as low molecular weight styrenic polymers that can be reused in products. This recovering process eliminates the need for burning waste, thereby preventing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining ease of waste disposal through reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of waste accumulation into a beneficial process by using depolymerization to create useful low molecular weight styrenic polymers. This transformation turns waste into a resource, eliminating greenhouse gas emissions associated with burning while maintaining effective waste disposal.
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 styrenic polymers reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing recycled polystyrene, improving solubility and compatibility in formulations, and enhancing performance in applications like flexo and gravure inks.
Implementation Method 1
the styrenic polymers synthesised via depolymerization of polystyrene are readily soluble in organic solvents
Implementation Method 2
UV-active monomers used include but are not limited to acrylate-based systems such as Trimethylolpropane triacrylate, 1,6-Hexanediol diacrylate, Poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate
Data Source
AI summary
A latex and solution with UV-active monomers created using styrenic polymers created via the depolymerization of a polystyrene feedstock. In some embodiments the polystyrene feedstock contains recycled polystyrene. In some embodiments, the styrenic polymers contain olefins. In some embodiments, the latex and solution with UV-active monomers are used in ink formulations. In some embodiments, latex and solution UV-active monomers can replace styrenated acrylics within flexo and/or gravure ink formulations. Other applications of the latex and solution with UV-active monomers can include, but are not limited to, coatings, paints, adhesives. Additional applications of the latex can include but are not limited to immunoassays.