Polyurethane polymers comprising polysaccharides
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing polyurethane polymer industry relies heavily on non-renewable petroleum-based resources, prompting a need for sustainable alternatives, particularly in finding biodegradable and economically viable sources for polyurethane components.
Innovation Solution
Development of polyurethane polymers incorporating polysaccharides such as poly alpha-1,3-glucan, poly alpha-1,3-glucan ester compounds, and poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compounds, which are produced through enzymatic polymerization processes, replacing traditional components and offering renewable resource-based solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If petroleum-based resources are used to produce polyurethane components, then the polyurethane can be manufactured with established processes, but the resource sustainability and biodegradability are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing petroleum-based polyols with polysaccharide-based polyols. Specifically, it uses polysaccharides with different molecular weights, degrees of substitution, and hydroxyl group contents to maintain polyurethane performance while achieving renewable resource sustainability and improved biodegradability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite polyurethane materials by combining polysaccharide-based polyols with isocyanates. The composite structure integrates the renewable polysaccharide framework with the reactive isocyanate components, achieving both sustainability and functional performance in applications like coatings, adhesives, and foams
2Stability of the object's composition
If polysaccharides are used as polyol components in polyurethane, then resource sustainability and biodegradability are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses polysaccharides as intermediary materials that bridge renewable resources and polyurethane applications. The polysaccharides are first modified to introduce hydroxyl groups, then used as polyol components in polyurethane synthesis, simplifying the overall process by eliminating the need for separate petroleum-based polyol production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the polyurethane formulation into distinct functional components: polysaccharide-based polyols for sustainability, isocyanates for reactivity, and optional catalysts or additives for performance optimization. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall process manageability
3Object-generated harmful factors
If polysaccharides replace traditional polyol components, then biodegradability is enhanced, but the adhesion and film formation capabilities may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts key parameters of the polysaccharide polyols including molecular weight (5,000 to 500,000), degree of substitution (0.1 to 3.0), and hydroxyl group content (1 to 5 mmol/g) to optimize both biodegradability and adhesion performance. These parameter optimizations ensure that the polysaccharide-based polyurethanes maintain reliable film formation and adhesion while preserving environmental benefits
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
These polysaccharide-based polyurethane polymers provide a sustainable alternative, enhancing biodegradability and reducing environmental impact while maintaining performance characteristics, such as adhesion and film formation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
poly alpha-1,3-glucan, a glucan polymer characterized by having alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages. This polymer has been isolated by contacting an aqueous solution of sucrose with a glucosyltransferase enzyme
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are polyurethane polymers comprising at least one polyisocyanate, a polysaccharide comprising: poly alpha-1,3-glucan; a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ester compound as disclosed herein; poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan; water-insoluble alpha-(1,3-glucan) polymer having 90% or greater alpha-1,3-glycosidic linkages, less than 1% by weight of alpha-1,3,6-glycosidic branch points, and a number average degree of polymerization in the range of from 55 to 10,000; dextran; or a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound as disclosed herein; and optionally, at least one polyol. Also disclosed are polyurethane compositions comprising the polyurethane polymer and a solvent, as well as polyurethane foams, adhesives, coatings, films, and coated fibrous substrates comprising the polyurethane polymer.