Polyurethane polymers comprising polysaccharides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polyurethane production relies on non-renewable petroleum-based resources, prompting the need for sustainable alternatives, particularly in finding biodegradable polysaccharides that can be economically sourced from renewable feedstocks.
Innovation Solution
Development of polyurethane polymers incorporating polysaccharides like poly alpha-1,3-glucan, poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan, and their ester and ether derivatives, produced through enzymatic synthesis, which can replace traditional components such as polyols and isocyanates, offering a renewable and sustainable option.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If petroleum-based resources are used to produce polyurethane components, then production efficiency and material availability are improved, but environmental sustainability and resource renewability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of resource origin from non-renewable petroleum-based feedstocks to renewable polysaccharide-based feedstocks. Specifically, it uses polysaccharides (such as starch, cellulose, or chitin) as alternatives to traditional polyol and isocyanate components, thereby maintaining production efficiency while improving environmental sustainability and resource renewability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite polyurethane materials by combining modified polysaccharide components with traditional polyurethane chemistry. The polysaccharides are chemically modified (through esterification, etherification, or other reactions) to create hybrid materials that retain the desirable properties of conventional polyurethanes while incorporating renewable resource benefits
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional polyol and isocyanate components are replaced with polysaccharides, then resource renewability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and process development difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary chemical modification to polysaccharides (such as esterification or etherification) before incorporating them into polyurethane formulations. This pre-modification creates reactive groups that facilitate subsequent polyurethane formation, thereby reducing the overall manufacturing complexity despite the novelty of using polysaccharide-based components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If polysaccharides are used as polyurethane components, then biodegradability is improved, but material performance consistency and reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality modification by selectively modifying specific regions or functional groups of the polysaccharide molecules. Through controlled esterification, etherification, or grafting at specific positions, the patent achieves both biodegradability in certain regions and structural consistency in others, thereby maintaining material performance reliability while improving biodegradability
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 use of polysaccharides in polyurethane formulations enhances sustainability by utilizing biodegradable, renewable resources, potentially reducing environmental impact and production costs while maintaining performance characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
contacting an aqueous solution of sucrose with a glucosyltransferase enzyme isolated from Streptococcus salivarius
Implementation Method 2
a glucosyltransferase enzyme isolated from Streptococcus salivarius (Simpson et al., Microbiology 141:1451-1460, 1995)
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.