Surface Modifying Composition Purification via Phase Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing surface modifying compositions (SMCs) require the costly and energy-intensive process of solvent evaporation to remove byproducts, which is inefficient and not suitable for improving biocompatibility of polymer surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method involving phase transitioning to separate and remove insoluble reaction byproducts from SMCs without the need for solvent evaporation, using solvents like dimethylacetamide (DMAC) to dissolve the polymer or oligomer reaction products while keeping the byproducts insoluble, allowing for filtration or centrifugation to obtain a purified solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solvent evaporation is used to remove byproducts from surface modifying compositions, then byproduct removal is achieved, but production cost and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by controlling the temperature of the reaction mixture to selectively precipitate insoluble byproducts while keeping the polymer-solvent complex in solution. The byproducts undergo a phase transition from dissolved to precipitated state through temperature control, enabling separation without energy-intensive evaporation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts insoluble byproducts from the reaction mixture through filtration or centrifugation while the polymer remains in the soluble phase. This separation technique removes harmful byproducts without requiring solvent evaporation, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining byproduct removal effectiveness.
2Reliability
If solvent evaporation is used to remove byproducts from surface modifying compositions, then byproduct removal is achieved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of byproducts upon temperature change to enable rapid separation through filtration or centrifugation. This eliminates the time-consuming evaporation step, significantly improving production efficiency while maintaining effective byproduct removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts byproducts from the reaction mixture in the liquid phase through filtration or centrifugation, allowing for rapid separation without waiting for solvent evaporation. This extraction approach dramatically reduces production time while achieving the same byproduct removal effectiveness.
3Reliability
If traditional washing methods are used to remove byproducts, then byproduct removal is achieved, but organic solvent residue remains in the polymer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase transition to precipitate byproducts as insoluble solids that can be filtered out, avoiding the need for additional washing steps with organic solvents. The byproducts transition from soluble to insoluble state, enabling removal without introducing solvent residues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts byproducts through filtration or centrifugation of the insoluble precipitate, eliminating the need for subsequent organic solvent washing. This extraction method removes byproducts effectively while avoiding contamination with washing solvents.
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
This approach eliminates the need for solvent evaporation, enabling the direct use of purified SMCs in medical applications, improving the bio-compatibility of polymer surfaces and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
using solvents like dimethylacetamide (DMAC) to dissolve the polymer or oligomer reaction products while keeping the byproducts insoluble
Implementation Method 2
allowing for filtration or centrifugation to obtain a purified solution
Implementation Method 3
allowing for filtration or centrifugation to obtain a purified solution
Data Source
AI summary
A method forming a surface modifying composition with reduced need for organic solvent and evaporation thereof for removal of insoluble reaction byproducts from the composition. The purified composition can be used in the formation of articles having improved biocompatibility, such as medical articles (e.g., spun hollow fiber).