Marine Biodegradable Polymer Particles With Mixed-Cation Crosslinking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biodegradable resins do not effectively decompose in marine environments due to low microorganism concentrations, and naturally occurring polymers like cellulose and alginic acid face issues with swellability, dimensional stability, tactile feel, and optical properties, making them unsuitable for replacing microplastics in cosmetics and industrial materials.
Innovation Solution
Marine biodegradable polymer particles are created by crosslinking water-soluble polymeric polyvalent anions, such as alginic acid, with multiple types of divalent metal cations, adjusting crosslink density to achieve softness, smoothness, and optical properties, and accelerating biodegradation in seawater through primary and secondary decomposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If calcium crosslinking is used to suppress swellability of alginic acid, then dimensional stability is improved, but tactile feel and softness deteriorate due to highly crosslinked egg-box structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crosslinking parameters by using multiple metal cations with different valencies (divalent and trivalent) instead of single calcium crosslinking. This creates a mixed crosslinking structure that reduces the density of crosslinks while maintaining dimensional stability, thereby improving tactile feel and softness without sacrificing structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite crosslinking system by combining multiple metal cations (calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese) with alginic acid. This composite approach allows the polymer to achieve both dimensional stability from crosslinking and improved tactile properties from the diverse chemical interactions between different metal cations and polymer chains.
2Reliability
If naturally occurring polymers like cellulose are used as starting materials, then biodegradability is improved, but swellability and dimensional stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of natural polymers through metal cation crosslinking. This crosslinking process reduces the polymer's affinity for water, thereby suppressing swellability and improving dimensional stability while preserving the biodegradable nature of the natural polymer backbone.
Solution Approach 2:
Metal cations act as intermediary agents that bridge polymer chains through crosslinking. This intermediary crosslinking structure provides dimensional stability and reduces swellability without compromising the biodegradability of the underlying natural polymer structure, as the crosslinks can be broken down by microorganisms during decomposition.
3Ease of operation
If synthetic resins are used for microparticles, then tactile feel and optical properties are improved, but environmental pollution and microplastics problem worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter by using natural polymers instead of synthetic resins, while modifying physical parameters through metal cation crosslinking to achieve desired tactile properties and optical characteristics. This allows the particles to function similarly to synthetic microparticles while being biodegradable and non-polluting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs naturally occurring polymers that are designed to be biodegradable and environmentally friendly, replacing persistent synthetic microparticles. These natural polymer-based particles can decompose harmlessly in the environment, eliminating the microplastics pollution problem while providing the necessary functional properties for cosmetic and industrial applications.
4Reliability
If alginic acid is used as starting material, then biodegradability in marine environment is improved, but swellability and dimensional stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the crosslinking density and type by incorporating multiple metal cations with different binding affinities to alginic acid. This creates a balanced crosslinked structure that maintains dimensional stability in marine environments while preserving marine biodegradability, as the crosslinks are not too dense to prevent microbial decomposition.
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 particles provide improved tactile feel, optical properties, and enhanced biodegradability in marine environments, effectively addressing marine pollution by accelerating resin decomposition and serving as a substitute for polymer beads in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
polymer particles obtained by metal cation crosslinking
Implementation Method 2
water-soluble polymeric polyvalent anions having monovalent anionic substituents are crosslinked through two or more types of at least divalent metal cations
Implementation Method 3
water-soluble polymeric polyvalent anions
Implementation Method 4
the water-soluble polymeric polyvalent anions including at least one anion derived from alginic acid
Implementation Method 5
optical properties such as the ability to scatter ultraviolet (UV) light
Implementation Method 6
biodegradation by microorganisms
Implementation Method 7
degradation by marine microorganisms and by enzymes and the like released from seaweeds, shellfish, etc.
Data Source
AI summary
Marine biodegradable polymer particle groups according to the present invention comprise a polymer compound obtained by using two or more at least divalent metal cations to crosslink a water-soluble polymeric polyvalent anion that has a monovalent anionic substituent and includes at least a compound derived from alginic acid. The marine biodegradable polymer particle groups satisfy conditions (1)-(4). (1) The at least divalent metal cations are 3-30 mass% of the particle groups. (2) The difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the atomic radii of the metal elements of the at least divalent metal cations is at least 15 Å. (3) The at least divalent metal cations of metal elements that have atomic radii of at least 150 Å are at least 25 mass% of all the at least divalent metal cations. (4) The water absorption of the particle groups is less than 300 mL/100 g.