Polyalkylene Oxide Graft Polymers for Biodegradable Dye Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dye transfer inhibitors (DTI) in laundry compositions, such as poly-1-vinylpyrrolidone and poly(vinylpyridine-N-oxide) polymers, are not biodegradable, leading to environmental pollution and a high carbon footprint, despite their effective dye transfer inhibition properties.
Innovation Solution
Development of biodegradable graft polymers with a polyalkylene oxide backbone and grafted side chains of vinylimidazole and vinyl lactame monomers, excluding vinyl ester monomers, to inhibit dye transfer while being environmentally friendly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional DTI polymers like poly-1-vinylpyrrolidone and poly(vinylpyridine-N-oxide) are used, then dye transfer inhibition is effective, but biodegradability is poor leading to environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer by replacing the carbon-carbon backbone with a polyalkylene oxide backbone containing oxygen atoms. This fundamental parameter change in the polymer structure enables biodegradability while maintaining the dye transfer inhibition function through the retained nitrogen-containing heterocyclic groups in the side chains.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polymer structure combining a polyalkylene oxide backbone with side chains containing nitrogen-containing heterocyclic groups (such as vinylimidazole or vinylpyrrolidone). This composite structure integrates the biodegradability of the oxygen-containing backbone with the dye transfer inhibition capability of the nitrogen-containing side chains.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable polymers are used to reduce environmental impact, then CO2 emissions and persistence in ecosystem are reduced, but dye transfer inhibition performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the dye transfer inhibition function in the side chains containing nitrogen-containing heterocyclic groups, while the backbone provides biodegradability. This spatial separation of functions allows each part of the polymer to optimize its specific role without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer is segmented into two functional parts: a polyalkylene oxide backbone segment that provides biodegradability and a side chain segment containing nitrogen-containing heterocyclic groups that provides dye transfer inhibition. This segmentation allows independent optimization of biodegradability and performance.
3Reliability
If polymers with carbon-carbon backbone are used for dye transfer inhibition, then dye transfer is effectively inhibited, but biodegradation is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the backbone composition parameter from carbon-carbon bonds to polyalkylene oxide bonds containing oxygen atoms. This parameter change makes the polymer susceptible to microbial attack and biodegradation while the nitrogen-containing side chains maintain the dye transfer inhibition capability.
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 biodegradable graft polymers provide effective dye transfer inhibition with reduced environmental impact, aligning with sustainability goals by minimizing non-degradable compounds in ecosystems and lowering CO2 emissions.
Implementation Method 1
Certain polymers, generally known as dye transfer inhibitor/inhibition polymers (DTI-polymers), have traditionally been used in laundry compositions to address the dye transfer problem
Implementation Method 2
They are not biodegradable due to their carbon-carbon-backbone, which cannot be attacked successfully by microbes
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to biodegradable graft polymers for use as e.g. dye transfer inhibitors especially in laundry applications. The graft polymers of the invention comprise a polyalkylene oxide polymer as polymer backbone of the graft polymer and grafted side chains obtained from radically polymerizing at least one vinylimidazole-monomer or derivative thereof, and at least one vinyl lactame and optionally further monomers in the presence of the polymer backbone. The inventive graft polymers exhibit among others dye transfer inhibition properties: as they also are bio-degradable. they are especially useful polymers for fabric and home care and cleaning applications to prevent dye transfer. The invention further relates to the production of such graft polymers. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of such a graft polymer within fabric and home care products and cleaning compositions, and the use of such graft polymers for inhibiting the dye transfer in laundry applications, and the compositions and products as such containing such a graft polymer.