Polyolefin-Mimic Polyester Copolymers for Chemical Recycling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Polyolefins exhibit poor chemical recyclability, leading to inefficient recycling processes with unwanted by-products, hindering full recycling circularity.
Innovation Solution
Development of polyester copolymers with polyolefin-like properties, containing specific repeating units and a high degree of saturation, allowing for easy recycling back to their monomeric units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If polyolefins are used for industrial applications, then productivity and material performance are improved, but chemical recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer by incorporating ester groups (0.01 to 40 per 1,000 backbone carbon atoms) into the polyolefin structure. This parameter modification enables chemical recyclability while maintaining the desired material properties and industrial applicability of polyolefins.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polymer structure combining polyolefin chains with ester functional groups. This composite approach integrates the beneficial properties of polyolefins (productivity, material performance) with the recyclability advantages of ester-containing polymers, resolving the contradiction between industrial utility and chemical recyclability.
2Loss of substance
If current polyolefin recycling processes are used, then some material recovery is achieved, but unwanted by-products are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the traditionally harmful ester groups (which cause poor recyclability in polyolefins) into a beneficial feature. The ester groups enable controlled degradation and recycling pathways that produce desirable monomers and intermediates instead of unwanted by-products like aromatics, methane, and coke.
Solution Approach 2:
The ester functional groups act as intermediary sites that facilitate controlled chemical recycling. These intermediary ester groups enable selective bond cleavage and transformation pathways, allowing the recycling process to proceed through controlled intermediate stages rather than producing random decomposition by-products.
3Reliability
If polyester copolymers with high ester content are used, then chemical recyclability is improved, but polyolefin-like properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by limiting ester groups to specific locations within the polymer structure (0.01 to 40 per 1,000 backbone carbon atoms). This localized incorporation ensures that ester groups are present enough to enable chemical recyclability but sparse enough to preserve the overall polyolefin-like properties such as crystallinity and melt temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses partial action by incorporating a small but sufficient amount of ester groups into the polyolefin structure. This partial incorporation is enough to provide the desired chemical recyclability while avoiding excessive ester content that would compromise the polyolefin-like material properties.
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
Enhances chemical recycling efficiency by facilitating the conversion of polyester copolymers into their respective building blocks, reducing unwanted by-products.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the polymer with water and/or an alcohol under conditions suitable to depolymerize the polymer through hydrolysis and/or alcoholysis
Implementation Method 2
contacting the polymer with water and/or an alcohol under conditions suitable to depolymerize the polymer through hydrolysis and/or alcoholysis
Data Source
AI summary
A copolymer, methods of making the polymer, methods of recycling the polymer and compositions including the polymer are described. The copolymer, can contain repeating units of Formula (I), and repeating units of Formula (11), where X is an aliphatic group for each of Formulas (I) and (II); Z is a first polyolefin group containing at least 45 carbon atoms, preferably 45 to 1,000 carbon atoms, and has a degree of saturation 98 to 100%; Z′ is an aliphatic group; the structure of Z is different than Z′, and wherein Formula (I) or Formula (11), or both, comprise 0.01 to 40 ester groups per 1,000 backbone carbon atoms.