Ionic Liquid-Immobilized Catalyst for PBS Synthesis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing high-molecular-weight poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) are hindered by the use of toxic heavy metal catalysts, complex processes, long reaction times, and high costs, resulting in products with limited strength and wide molecular weight distribution, which restricts their application range.

Innovation Solution

An ionic liquid-immobilized titanium-silicon molecular sieve catalyst is developed, comprising a titanium-silicon molecular sieve bonded with an acidic ionic liquid, which acts as a dual catalyst for both esterification and polycondensation, enhancing molecular weight and reducing reaction time while being environmentally friendly and non-toxic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If heavy metal catalysts are used for PBS synthesis, then the catalytic activity is sufficient, but the cytotoxicity increases and environmental pollution occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidcytotoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses ionic liquid as an intermediary substance to replace toxic heavy metal catalysts. The ionic liquid serves as a mediator that provides catalytic activity without the cytotoxicity of traditional metal catalysts, resolving the contradiction between sufficient catalytic performance and environmental safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the catalyst from heavy metals to ionic liquid, fundamentally altering the catalyst's properties to eliminate toxicity while maintaining or improving catalytic activity for PBS synthesis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If chain extension method is used to prepare high-molecular-weight PBS, then the molecular weight increases, but the molecular weight distribution widens and production cycle lengthens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolecular weightVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the chain extension step from the PBS synthesis process. By using a optimized catalyst system, the process directly produces high-molecular-weight PBS without requiring the additional chain extension stage, thereby simplifying the overall process while achieving the desired molecular weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary optimization of the catalyst system to enable direct synthesis of high-molecular-weight PBS. The catalyst is designed and prepared in advance to facilitate high molecular weight formation during the main polymerization process, avoiding the need for subsequent chain extension operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If direct polymerization method is used, then the process is simple, but the molecular weight of PBS is limited to not more than 1.4×10^5

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidmolecular weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the catalyst composition parameter to ionic liquid, which fundamentally alters the polymerization kinetics and mechanism. This parameter change enables the direct polymerization process to produce PBS with molecular weights exceeding 1.4×10^5, breaking through the molecular weight limitation while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Quantity of substance

If multiple catalysts are added in batches, then the molecular weight can be improved, but the process complexity increases and reaction time lengthens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolecular weightVSAvoidreaction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a universal ionic liquid catalyst that performs multiple functions simultaneously: it catalyzes both esterification and polycondensation reactions, and enables direct production of high-molecular-weight PBS in a single process stage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple catalyst additions and extends the reaction time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the esterification and polycondensation catalysis functions into a single ionic liquid catalyst system. By combining these functions, the process requires only one catalyst addition instead of multiple batch additions, thereby reducing process complexity and total reaction time while achieving high molecular weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 catalyst achieves high molecular weight PBS with improved mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and elongation at break, and reduces production costs and complexity, expanding its application range.

Implementation Method 1

conducting an esterification reaction of succinic acid and butanediol under action of a catalyst to obtain an oligomer, wherein the catalyst is the ionic liquid-immobilized titanium-silicon molecular sieve catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

heating the oligomer and conducting a polycondensation reaction on the oligomer under action of the ionic liquid-immobilized titanium-silicon molecular sieve catalyst to obtain the PBS

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

an ionic liquid-immobilized titanium-silicon molecular sieve catalyst, including a titanium-silicon molecular sieve and an acidic ionic liquid bonded to the titanium-silicon molecular sieve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20240076447A1Ionic liquid-immobilized titanium-silicon molecular sieve catalyst and preparation method and use thereof, and method for preparing poly (butylene succinate)
Publication Date: 2024.03.07 BEIHANG UNIV

AI summary

The present disclosure includes an ionic liquid-immobilized titanium-silicon molecular sieve catalyst and a preparation method and use thereof, and a method for preparing poly(butylene succinate). The ionic liquid-immobilized titanium-silicon molecular sieve catalyst further includes a titanium-silicon molecular sieve along with an acidic ionic liquid bonded to the titanium-silicon molecular sieve.