Functionalized Beta Propiolactone Polymers for Biodegradable Recycling

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for polymer systems that are biodegradable and recyclable, with tailored properties that can be prepared in high purity and optionally from renewable resources, to address concerns about the disposal and recycling of polymeric materials.

Innovation Solution

Development of polymers and copolymers based on functionalized beta propiolactones, which can be used as tie layers, adhesive layers, coatings, or films, incorporating functional groups that enhance biodegradability, recyclability, and compatibility with various substrates, and can be prepared from renewable resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional polymeric materials are used, then structural properties and durability are achieved, but biodegradability and recyclability are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiodegradability and recyclabilityVSAvoidenvironmental pollution from non-degradable plastics

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of polymers by using beta propiolactone as a monomer, which contains a lactone ring structure that enables both durability during use and biodegradability after disposal. This parameter change in monomer selection resolves the contradiction between reliability and environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite polymer systems by copolymerizing beta propiolactone with other monomers to achieve tailored properties. These composite materials combine the durability needed for structural applications with the biodegradability required for environmental sustainability, resolving the contradiction between reliability and recyclability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of polymers are used to meet user needs, then property customization is improved, but recycling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproperty customizationVSAvoidrecycling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes beta propiolactone-based polymers universally compatible with recycling processes by designing them to degrade into basic building blocks (beta propiolactone monomers) that can be repolymerized. This multi-functionality allows the material to serve various applications while maintaining ease of recycling, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and recycling difficulty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments complex polymer structures into repeatable lactone ring units that can be individually processed and repolymerized. This segmentation allows for property customization through different copolymer compositions while maintaining recyclability through standardized processing of the repeating units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If polymer purity is maximized, then material properties are optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer purityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs self-service mechanisms in the polymerization process where beta propiolactone monomers spontaneously polymerize under controlled conditions to form high-purity polymers. The lactone ring structure enables controlled ring-opening polymerization that inherently produces high-purity materials with minimal impurities, reducing the need for complex purification equipment and processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 use of functionalized beta propiolactones in polymer systems improves biodegradability and recyclability, allows for tailored properties, and facilitates the separation of layers for reuse or recycling, while utilizing renewable resources, thus addressing environmental concerns.

Implementation Method 1

Polypropiolactones are polymers prepared from beta propiolactones... Polypropiolactones can be thermolyzed to form highly pure acrylic acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRing-opening polymerization:

Implementation Method 2

Polypropiolactones can be thermolyzed to form highly pure acrylic acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermolysis: Thermolysis

Implementation Method 3

Polypropiolactones are biodegradable to carbon dioxide and water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS11780958B2Betapropiolactone and functionalized betapropiolactone based polymer systems

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 NOVOMER INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are polymers, copolymers and polymer systems based on polypropiolactones which can be biodegradable and can enhance the recyclability of polymer systems, which can be functionalized to introduce desired functionality into the polymers and/or which may optionally be prepared from renewable raw materials. Disclosed are novel functionalized beta propiolactones. Some of the novel functionalized beta propiolactones have functional groups bound to the ring structure of the lactone that provide improved polymer systems. Disclosed are novel homopolymers of the functionalized beta propiolactones. Disclosed are novel copolymers based on the functionalized beta propiolactones with beta propiolactone or other monomers which copolymerize with the functionalized beta propiolactones.