Biodegradable Polyester Dispersant for Inorganic Particle Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current laundry detergents face challenges in effectively dispersing and removing solid inorganic particles like clay, and they often rely on non-biodegradable additives, which is unsustainable and harmful to the environment.

Innovation Solution

Development of polyesters comprising diacid, diol, and polyol building blocks, specifically designed to have a molar ratio that allows for effective dispersion of inorganic particles while being biodegradable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional non-biodegradable additives are used for inorganic particle dispersion, then dispersion performance is improved, but environmental sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinorganic particle dispersion performanceVSAvoidenvironmental sustainability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the dispersant by using biodegradable polyesters with specific molecular structures (containing carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, and ester groups) instead of conventional non-biodegradable polymers. This parameter change maintains dispersion effectiveness while improving biodegradability to resolve the contradiction between performance and environmental sustainability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite polyester structures combining multiple functional groups (carboxylic acid groups for chelation, hydroxyl groups for hydrogen bonding, ester groups for biodegradability) within a single molecule. This composite approach enables the dispersant to simultaneously achieve effective inorganic particle dispersion and environmental biodegradability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If biodegradable additives are used in laundry formulations, then environmental sustainability is improved, but inorganic particle dispersion performance may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidinorganic particle dispersion performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by distributing different functional groups at specific positions within the polyester molecule: carboxylic acid groups at terminal positions for chelating metal ions, hydroxyl groups along the chain for hydrogen bonding with inorganic particles, and ester groups throughout for biodegradability. This localized functional distribution enables the single biodegradable polymer to perform multiple dispersion functions effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If complex dispersant structures are used to improve inorganic particle removal, then cleaning performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinorganic particle removal efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the dispersant function into distinct modular components within the polyester structure: carboxylic acid segments for metal chelation, hydroxyl segments for particle adsorption, and ester segments for biodegradability. This segmentation allows the complex dispersant to be synthesized through stepwise polymerization of simple monomers, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining high removal efficiency.

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 proposed polyesters demonstrate excellent biodegradability and improved cleaning properties, including effective dispersion and removal of inorganic particles, making them a sustainable alternative for laundry detergents.

Implementation Method 1

the proposed polyesters demonstrate excellent biodegradability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

effective dispersion and removal of inorganic particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentEP4370582B1Polyester compounds and their uses

Publication Date: 2025.06.04 BASF SE

AI summary

Polyesters comprising at least one diacid-based building block, at least one diol-based building block and at least one polyol-based building block, wherein the diacid-based building block comprises a group of formula (I) wherein R1 is a group according to the general formula CH2-CH2-O(AO)X-H, with x being a number from zero to 75 and AO being alkylene oxide selected from ethylene oxide and combinations of ethylene oxide with at least one of propylene oxide and butylene oxide, wherein polyol building blocks are derived from compounds having at least three alcoholic hydroxyl groups, and wherein the asterisks indicate bonds to diol or polyol building blocks through the ester oxygen atoms, and wherein the molar ratio of diacid-based building block to the sum of diol building blocks and polyol building blocks is in the range from 2:1 to 1:2.