Microorganism-Derived Plasticizer for PVC Solubility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Petroleum-derived plasticizers, such as phthalates, face scrutiny due to environmental and health concerns, while plant-derived alternatives like soy-derived epoxy fatty acid methyl ester (e-FAME) suffer from solubility issues and divert valuable resources from dietary uses, leading to increased food costs.

Innovation Solution

Development of a plasticizer derived from microorganisms, specifically oils with narrowed fatty acid polydispersity, which are chemically modified through epoxidation, acylation, or esterification to enhance solubility and stability in PVC, maintaining liquidity at ambient temperature and exhibiting improved solubility and weight average molecular weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If petroleum-derived plasticizers (phthalates) are used, then flexibility and softness are achieved, but environmental and health concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and softnessVSAvoidenvironmental and health concerns

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using microorganism-derived oils with specific fatty acid profiles (narrowed polydispersity, controlled saturation levels) to create plasticizers that maintain the flexibility function while eliminating the harmful environmental and health effects of petroleum-derived phthalates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses microorganisms (bacteria, algae) as sustainable, renewable sources that can be cultured and harvested continuously, replacing depleting petroleum resources with biodegradable, environmentally benign alternatives that do not persist in the environment like traditional plasticizers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Stability of the object's composition

If plant-derived plasticizers (e-FAME from soy oil) are used, then renewable sourcing is achieved, but solubility issues and precipitation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable sourcingVSAvoidsolubility and precipitation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention precisely controls the fatty acid composition parameters of the microorganism-derived oil, maintaining a narrow polydispersity index and specific chain length distributions (C12-C22) that optimize both solubility in PVC and resistance to precipitation, unlike the broad spectrum of fatty acids in plant oils

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention tailors the specific fatty acid profile (saturation level, chain length, double bond positions) to match the solubility requirements of PVC, creating a localized optimization of molecular properties that ensures consistent solubility and prevents the precipitation problems seen in plant-derived plasticizers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If plant-derived plasticizers are used, then renewable alternative is obtained, but food resources are diverted leading to increased food costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable alternativeVSAvoidfood resource availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses microorganisms (bacteria, algae) as the source material - these are non-food organisms that can be cultured in controlled environments using non-food substrates, thus providing renewable plasticizer production without competing with food supplies or driving up food costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention separates the renewable resource base into food crops (protected for human consumption) and microorganism cultures (used for industrial applications), allowing both sectors to thrive independently without resource competition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 microorganism-derived plasticizer demonstrates enhanced solubility in PVC, reduced precipitation, and improved stability, offering a sustainable alternative that balances hydrophobicity and polarity, thus addressing the limitations of both petroleum and plant-derived plasticizers.

Implementation Method 1

the oil having been subjected to at least one of epoxidation, acylation and esterification

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEpoxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

the oil having been subjected to at least one of epoxidation, acylation and esterification

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEsterification: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

demonstrates enhanced solubility in PVC, reduced precipitation, and improved stability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS9228155B2Plasticizers made from oil extracted from microorganisms and polar polymeric compositions comprising the same

Publication Date: 2016.01.05 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Plasticizers are made from oil with a narrowed, fatty acid polydispersity and extracted from a microorganism, such as a natural or genetically modified bacterium or algae. These plasticizers can comprise either a large content of either saturated C4 and/or C6 triglycerides or unsaturated C12 or greater triglycerides that have been chemically modified by one or more of epoxidation, acylation and esterification. The plasticizers of this invention are particularly well-suited for use with polar polymeric resins such as PVC.