Polymer Antimicrobial Composition That Avoids Acid Hydrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-performance thermoplastics like acetal and TPU are susceptible to oxidation and acid hydrolysis, and the use of acidic additives can cause depolymerization, necessitating an alternative microbial control method that overcomes these issues.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a Generally-Recognized-as-Safe (GRAS) additive, such as organic acids like benzoic acid and 3-phenylpropanol or phenylpropanoid family members, is used to provide antimicrobial properties, with a synergistic effect achieved at lower levels, and the method involves compounding these additives with thermoplastics to form a masterbatch for molding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acidic additives are used for microbial control in high-performance thermoplastics, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but polymer stability deteriorates due to oxidation and acid hydrolysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces 3-phenylpropanol as an intermediary substance that mediates between the acidic environment needed for antimicrobial activity and the polymer stability requirement. This intermediary allows the system to achieve microbial control while protecting the polymer from acid-induced degradation, resolving the contradiction between antimicrobial effectiveness and polymer stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antimicrobial system by using 3-phenylpropanol to modify the acidic environment. This parameter change allows the system to maintain antimicrobial effectiveness while reducing the harmful effects of acid hydrolysis on the polymer, thus resolving the contradiction
2Reliability
If conventional antimicrobial additives are used, then microbial control is achieved, but processing temperature remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the processing system by introducing 3-phenylpropanol, which acts as a processing aid that lowers the melting and processing temperatures of the thermoplastic polymers. This allows microbial control to be achieved while reducing the energy input and processing temperature requirements
3Reliability
If high levels of antimicrobial additives are used, then microbial control effectiveness is improved, but additive concentration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses 3-phenylpropanol as an intermediary that enhances the efficiency of antimicrobial additives. This intermediary allows lower concentrations of antimicrobial agents to achieve the same level of microbial control effectiveness, thus reducing the overall additive concentration while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The 3-phenylpropanol component provides dual functionality: it acts as both a processing aid that lowers processing temperatures and as an efficiency enhancer for the antimicrobial additives. This self-service approach allows the system to achieve microbial control at lower additive concentrations
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 synergistic effect of GRAS additives with 3-phenylpropanol reduces microbial growth and lowers processing temperatures, enabling effective microbial control and stable polymer processing.
Implementation Method 1
adding 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family into a thermoplastic polymer thereby reducing the processing temperature of the thermoplastic polymer
Implementation Method 2
a composition comprising an additive or component having an antimicrobial or a preservative property, and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family
Data Source
AI summary
A composition having an additive or component having an antimicrobial or a preservative property, and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family is provided. A composition having a polymer, an organic acid, and 3-phenylpropanol or a member of the phenylpropanoid family is provided as well as a method(s) of using.