Silicone-Polycaprolactone Copolymer Particles for Biodegradability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing silicone elastomer particles are chemically stable and non-biodegradable, posing environmental risks, and there is a need for particles that provide a similar feel and performance while being biodegradable.

Innovation Solution

A radical polymerizable polycaprolactone-modified silicone compound with specific (meth)acrylic terminal groups forms silicone-polycaprolactone copolymer particles through radical polymerization, creating a crosslinked structure that is biodegradable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional silicone elastomer particles are used, then excellent feel and performance are achieved, but biodegradability is poor and environmental impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeel and performanceVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates composite particles containing both silicone elastomer and polycaprolactone components. The polycaprolactone acts as a biodegradable matrix that encapsulates the silicone elastomer particles, allowing the composite to maintain the sensory benefits of silicone while gaining biodegradability from the polycaprolactone component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters of silicone elastomer particles by introducing polycaprolactone segments with specific molecular weights and compositions. This parameter change transforms the otherwise non-biodegradable silicone material into a biodegradable composite while preserving the desired tactile properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If biodegradable materials are used to replace silicone, then environmental impact is reduced, but feel and performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidfeel and performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using pure biodegradable materials, the invention creates a composite where biodegradable polycaprolactone serves as the continuous phase and silicone elastomer particles are dispersed within it. This composite structure allows the biodegradable matrix to provide environmental benefits while the embedded silicone particles maintain the sensory and performance characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If crosslinked structure is formed for stability, then particle integrity is improved, but biodegradability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle integrityVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies crosslinking locally within the silicone elastomer domains while keeping the polycaprolactone matrix non-crosslinked. This local quality differentiation allows crosslinked regions to provide structural integrity to individual particles while the non-crosslinked polycaprolactone matrix remains accessible to microbial degradation, enabling overall biodegradability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure segments the material into crosslinked silicone elastomer domains embedded in a non-crosslinked polycaprolactone matrix. This segmentation isolates the crosslinked regions so that their stability does not prevent the degradation of the overall composite structure by microorganisms attacking the polycaprolactone phase.

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 copolymer particles offer a feel and performance comparable to conventional silicone elastomer particles while being biodegradable, reducing environmental impact and appealing to eco-conscious consumers.

Implementation Method 1

radical polymerizable polycaprolactone-modified silicone compound having a (meth)acryl terminal group, capable of forming novel silicone-polycaprolactone copolymer particles by radical polymerization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadical polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP4640747A1Radically polymerizable polycaprolactone-modified silicone compound, novel silicone-polycaprolactone copolymer particles and cosmetic composition using same, and other uses

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 DOW TORAY CO LTD

AI summary

Problem To provide a radical polymerizable polycaprolactone-modified silicone compound capable of forming novel silicone-polycaprolactone copolymer particles by radical polymerization using one component, and a method for producing the same. Furthermore, the present invention provides silicone-polycaprolactone copolymer particles obtained by radical polymerization of the compound, as well as a use and a production method thereof. Solution A radical polymerizable polycaprolactone-modified silicone compound having in each molecule two or more modified polycaprolactone structures expressed by the following structural formula (1): (wherein n is a number ranging from 1 to 5, and Ra is a group selected from a hydrogen atom and a (meth)acrylic terminal group) and having in each molecule two or more (meth)acrylic terminal groups; silicone-polycaprolactone copolymer particles made therefrom; and use thereof.