Polyglycolic Acid Molded Article Hydrolyzability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Polyglycolic acid molded articles with high hydrolyzability and low environmental load are desired, but existing methods either rely on hydrolysis auxiliary agents or do not achieve sufficient hydrolyzability.
Innovation Solution
A polyglycolic acid molded article with a low molecular weight content of less than 1% by weight, irradiated with electron beam or γ-ray, and optionally subjected to hydrothermal treatment, to achieve high hydrolyzability without using hydrolysis auxiliary agents, ensuring a thickness of 2 mm or greater and controlled molecular weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyglycolic acid molded articles are made with high hydrolyzability by adding hydrolysis auxiliary agents or controlling molecular weight, then hydrolyzability is improved, but the use of auxiliary agents increases device complexity and environmental load
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for hydrolysis auxiliary agents by extracting this component from the system. Instead of adding external substances to promote hydrolysis, the patent achieves high hydrolyzability through controlled molecular weight reduction (to less than 1% low molecular weight substances) and specific molecular weight distribution, allowing the polyglycolic acid to hydrolyze efficiently on its own.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the molecular weight parameters of the polyglycolic acid to achieve high hydrolyzability. Specifically, it controls the content of low molecular weight substances to less than 1% by weight and optimizes the molecular weight distribution, enabling the material to undergo rapid hydrolysis without requiring auxiliary agents.
2Strength
If the thickness of polyglycolic acid molded articles is increased to 2 mm or greater for structural integrity, then mechanical strength is improved, but hydrolyzability deteriorates due to slower water penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates local quality variations in the molecular weight distribution throughout the thickness of the molded article. By controlling the molecular weight profile from surface to center, the patent enables different regions to have optimized properties for both structural integrity and hydrolysis rate, allowing thick articles to maintain high hydrolyzability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary molecular weight adjustment during the molding process itself, creating the desired molecular weight distribution before the hydrolysis process begins. This preliminary action ensures that even thick articles (2 mm or greater) have the appropriate molecular structure to facilitate rapid hydrolysis when exposed to water.
3Reliability
If molecular weight is reduced to enhance hydrolyzability, then hydrolyzability is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the molecular weight parameters within a specific range that balances hydrolyzability and mechanical strength. By controlling the polyglycolic acid to have less than 1% low molecular weight substances while maintaining appropriate molecular weight distribution, the patent achieves both high hydrolyzability and sufficient mechanical strength for structural applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a dynamic molecular weight distribution that allows the material to maintain mechanical strength during use, then transition to rapid hydrolysis when needed. The controlled molecular weight profile enables the polyglycolic acid to exhibit different mechanical and chemical properties at different stages of its lifecycle.
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 solution provides a polyglycolic acid molded article with enhanced hydrolyzability, maintaining mechanical strength and allowing for accurate estimation of disintegration time, while avoiding the use of hydrolysis auxiliary agents and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the time at which immersion of the polyglycolic acid molded article in water at 66° C. is started to the time at which the polyglycolic acid decomposed by the water starts to elute
Implementation Method 2
the polyglycolic acid molded article is irradiated with radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The polyglycolic acid having a content of low molecular weight substance of less than 1% by weight; and a molded article thereof having a thickness of 2 mm or greater, the time at which immersion of the molded article in water at 66° C. is started to the time at which the polyglycolic acid decomposed by the water starts to elute being 1 hour or longer by 30 hours or shorter, and a rate of embrittlement, at which embrittlement proceeds due to the elution of the polyglycolic acid, being 0.025 mm/h or greater.