Farnesene-Based Tackifying Resins for Low VOC Adhesives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current petroleum-based diolefins used in tackifying resins for hot melt and pressure sensitive adhesives have high volatile organic compounds (VOC) content, environmental drawbacks, and are non-renewable, necessitating the development of alternative monomers with lower VOC, lower odor, and lower initial color that are compatible with elastomers and other tackifiers.
Innovation Solution
Farnesene-based tackifying resins, particularly β-farnesene, are used, which are renewable, have low VOC content, and provide the necessary low glass transition temperature and adhesion properties, prepared using Friedel-Crafts polymerization with specific molecular weight and viscosity ranges, and are compatible with elastomers and other tackifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If petroleum-based diolefins are used in tackifying resins, then adhesion properties are achieved, but VOC content and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by replacing petroleum-based diolefins with farnesene-based polymers. This substitution maintains the necessary adhesion properties while significantly reducing VOC content and improving environmental compatibility, as farnesene is a renewable resource with lower volatility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material approach by creating tackifying resins from farnesene-based polymers that can be formulated with elastomers and other adhesive components. The composite nature allows achieving the required adhesion performance while using environmentally superior materials
2Reliability
If petroleum-based diolefins are used in tackifying resins, then adhesion properties are achieved, but renewability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the source parameter of the monomer from non-renewable petroleum-based diolefins to renewable farnesene. This parameter change maintains the functional adhesion properties while improving the renewability and sustainability of the adhesive composition
3Reliability
If lower Tg tackifiers are used to improve tackiness at sub-ambient conditions, then adhesion performance improves, but VOC content and odor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameter by using farnesene-based polymers with specific molecular weights and structures that provide the desired low Tg and tackiness. The farnesene backbone structure inherently provides lower VOC content and odor compared to conventional low Tg tackifiers like C5 diolefins
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 farnesene-based tackifying resins offer improved environmental footprint, reduced VOC content, and comparable adhesion properties to conventional resins, making them suitable for various adhesive applications while being derived from renewable sources.
Implementation Method 1
The farnesene-based polymer may be prepared using a Friedel-Crafts initiator
Data Source
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AI summary
An adhesive composition made from an elastomer and a tackifying resin. The tackifying resin includes a farnesene polymer or copolymer having the following properties: i) less than 10 weight percent of volatile organic compounds; ii) Mn between 300 Da and 1000 Da; iii) Mw between 400 Da and 3000 Da; iv) Mw/Mn between 1.00 and 3.00; v) Tg between -50°C and 20°C; and vi) viscosity between 400,000 cP and 1,000,000 cP at 25°C. A method of making the farnesene-based polymer or copolymer includes combining a farnesene monomer and a solvent and optionally adding one or more co-monomers selected from dienes, branched mono¬ olefins, and vinyl aromatics, to provide a monomer feed, and polymerizing the monomer feed by combining it with a Friedel-Crafts initiator in a vessel. The farnesene- based polymer or copolymer tackifier may be combined with one or more elastomers and one or more other tackifiers to form an adhesive composition.