Optical Fiber Coating Residual Polyol Derivatization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fiber coatings containing alkoxylated alkyl acrylate monomers often have residual unreacted polyol starting materials that can leach and decompose, posing environmental hazards due to the presence of harmful substances like ethoxylated nonylphenol, which is regulated due to its toxicity to marine life.
Innovation Solution
A derivatization scheme is employed to convert residual polyol components in alkoxylated alkyl acrylate monomers into derivative forms using a derivatizing agent, such as an isocyanate, to create a urethane linkage, reducing the likelihood of these components degrading into harmful alcohols and minimizing their release from the coating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If alkoxylated alkyl acrylate monomers are used in optical fiber coatings, then the coatings achieve desired mechanical properties and processability, but residual unreacted polyol starting materials remain that can leach and decompose into harmful substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by treating the residual polyol starting materials with a derivatizing agent before the coating is applied or during the coating formulation process. This derivatization converts the harmful polyol into a less harmful derivative form, preventing subsequent leaching and decomposition issues while maintaining the coating's mechanical properties and processability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful residual polyol into a beneficial or neutral substance through derivatization. The derivatizing agent transforms the polyol starting materials into derivative compounds that are less likely to leach and decompose into harmful substances like ethoxylated nonylphenol, thereby turning an environmental hazard into a safe residual component
2Object-generated harmful factors
If purification of alkoxylated alkyl acrylate monomers is performed to remove residual polyol, then environmental hazards are reduced, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of expensive purification to remove harmful polyol residues, the patent uses derivatization to convert the harmful polyol into a less harmful derivative form. This approach achieves environmental compliance at lower manufacturing cost by chemically modifying the residual starting materials rather than removing them through costly purification processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the residual polyol by introducing derivatizing agents that modify the polyol's molecular structure. This parameter change (chemical transformation) reduces the harmfulness of the residual materials without requiring separation or purification operations, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while meeting environmental requirements
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 treated monomers result in optical fiber coatings with reduced residual polyol content, minimizing environmental impact while maintaining the mechanical properties of the coatings, as demonstrated by comparable tensile properties of films formed with and without derivatization.
Implementation Method 1
A derivatization scheme is employed to convert residual polyol components in alkoxylated alkyl acrylate monomers into derivative forms using a derivatizing agent, such as an isocyanate, to create a urethane linkage
Implementation Method 2
Upon exposure to light and in the presence of a photoinitiator, the acrylate groups rapidly polymerize to form a crosslinked polymer network
Data Source
AI summary
A treated monomer for optical fiber coatings, a coating composition containing the treated monomer, a coating formed from a coating composition containing a treated monomer, and a fiber coated with the coating formed from a coating composition containing a treated monomer. The monomer is an alkoxylated alkyl acrylate and is formed by acrylating a polyol precursor. The monomer may include residual unreacted polyol precursor. The monomer is treated with a derivatizing agent to convert residual unreacted polyol to a derivative form. The derivative form is less susceptible to degradation to the corresponding non-alkoxylated alcohol or other lower alkoxylated alcohol. The treated monomer includes the alkoxylated alkyl acrylate and the derivative form of the polyol.