Pentaerythritol Microparticles for PHA Resin Crystallization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Biodegradable PHA resins have poor molding processability due to low crystallization speed, and existing crystal nucleating agents are ineffective, making it difficult to achieve uniform dispersion of pentaerythritol, which is an effective crystallizing agent.

Innovation Solution

The use of pentaerythritol in the form of microparticles within a thermoplastic resin composition, with 70% or more of the pentaerythritol particles having a particle diameter of 100 μm or less, allows for uniform dispersion and improved crystallization, enhancing molding processability without the need for high-temperature melt-kneading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If pentaerythritol is added as a crystal nucleating agent to improve crystallization of PHA resin, then crystallization effect is improved, but uniform dispersion is poor and high-temperature melt-kneading is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystallization effectVSAvoidworkability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides pentaerythritol into fine particles with a diameter of 100 μm or less, segmenting the additive into discrete units that can be uniformly distributed throughout the PHA resin matrix. This segmentation enables effective crystallization promotion while avoiding the need for high-temperature melt-kneading processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of pentaerythritol by controlling particle size to 100 μm or less and adjusting the content ratio to 0.01-10 parts by weight per 100 parts of PHA resin. These parameter modifications enable uniform dispersion and effective crystallization without requiring excessive thermal energy for melt-kneading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If pentaerythritol is dispersed uniformly in PHA resin to achieve crystallization, then molding processability is improved, but high-temperature melt-kneading is required which reduces workability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolding processabilityVSAvoidworkability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting pentaerythritol into fine particles (100 μm or less), the patent achieves uniform dispersion in the PHA resin without requiring high-temperature melt-kneading. The fine particles can be incorporated through simpler mixing processes, maintaining workability while improving molding processability through enhanced crystallization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional crystal nucleating agents are added to PHA resin to improve crystallization, then some crystallization effect is achieved, but none are practically effective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystallization effectVSAvoideffectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent identifies pentaerythritol as a superior crystal nucleating agent compared to conventional additives, and optimizes its parameters by controlling particle size (100 μm or less) and content ratio (0.01-10 parts by weight per 100 parts of PHA resin). These optimized parameters achieve reliable and practically effective crystallization promotion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enables efficient production of a molding resin composition with improved crystallization effects and mechanical property stability, reducing the need for extensive melt-kneading and allowing for the easy attainment of desired pentaerythritol concentrations, thereby improving workability and maintaining mechanical properties over time.

Implementation Method 1

the pentaerythritol can be uniformly and finely dispersed in the thermoplastic resin by allowing the pentaerythritol to be contained in the form of microparticles in the thermoplastic resin, which makes it possible to produce a molding resin composition with good workability while achieving the crystallization effect of the pentaerythritol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Implementation Method 2

the pentaerythritol can be uniformly and finely dispersed in the thermoplastic resin by allowing the pentaerythritol to be contained in the form of microparticles in the thermoplastic resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS9624346B2Resin composition, resin molded article, and methods respectively for producing these products
Publication Date: 2017.04.18 KANEKA CORP
  • US9624346B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A resin composition, which can achieve the crystallization effect of pentaerythritol, is provided with good workability.The resin composition includes a thermoplastic resin (A) and pentaerythritol particles (B), wherein 70% or more of the pentaerythritol particles (B) have a particle diameter of 100 μm or less.