Polyester Compositions With Supramolecular Cross-Links for Formability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plastics, particularly PET, suffer from degradation of mechanical properties upon recycling due to thermal decomposition, limiting their recyclability and usability in higher-value applications, while biodegradable polyesters face issues with formability and mechanical properties, making them unsuitable for widespread commercialization.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a functionalized polymer with polyester segments and polymer aggregating segments capable of forming non-covalent bonds through supramolecular interactions, along with an aggregating additive, forms aggregates that act as physical cross-links, improving processability, formability, and mechanical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the molecular weight of PET is increased to improve recyclability and mechanical properties, then the material can be recycled more often and maintain strength, but the processability of the PET is significantly diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the polymer structure by introducing distinct aggregating segments (capable of supramolecular interactions) separate from the polyester segments. This segmentation allows the aggregating segments to form physical cross-links that enhance strength independently, while the polyester segments maintain processability, resolving the contradiction between strength and processability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polymer structure combining polyester segments with aggregating segments that have different functions. The polyester segments provide processability and biodegradability, while the aggregating segments provide enhanced mechanical strength through supramolecular interactions, achieving both properties simultaneously.
2Reliability
If biodegradable polyesters are used to enable alternative recycling systems, then environmental sustainability is improved, but formability and mechanical properties are insufficient for commercialization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite polymer structure combining polyester segments with aggregating segments that have different functions. The polyester segments provide processability and biodegradability, while the aggregating segments provide enhanced mechanical strength through supramolecular interactions, achieving both properties simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the polyester by incorporating aggregating segments that form supramolecular structures. This modifies the material's mechanical properties and formability parameters while preserving the biodegradability inherent to polyester, enabling commercialization.
3Strength
If recycled PET is used in lower-value applications to maintain material strength, then mechanical properties are preserved, but the versatility and value of the material are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular structure by incorporating aggregating segments that form supramolecular networks, fundamentally altering the degradation behavior. This allows recycled material to maintain strength across multiple cycles, expanding the application range from low-value to high-value applications.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention describes a composition containing a) a functionalized polymer 10 that comprises at least one polyester segment 13 and at least one, in particular at least two, polymer aggregating segment 11, 12 capable of forming non-covalent bonds based on a supramolecular interaction, b) an aggregating additive 20 that comprises at least one additive aggregating segment 21 capable of forming non-covalent bonds based on the same supramolecular interaction as the polymer aggregating segments 11, 12, wherein the polymer aggregating segments 11, 12 and the additive aggregating segment 21 are ditopic, wherein the polymer aggregating segments 11, 12 and the additive aggregating segment 21 are designed such that they can form aggregates 31 that contain polymer aggregating segments 11, 12 and additive aggregating segments 21, and wherein the polyester segment (13) has a number average molecular weight of from 10′000 g/mol to 500′000 g/mol. The invention also describes a functionalized polymer 10 that comprises at least one polyester segment 13 and at least two polymer aggregating segments 11, 12 capable of forming non-covalent bonds based on a supramolecular interaction, wherein the polymer aggregating segments 11, 12 are ditopic and designed such that they can form aggregates and wherein the polyester segment 13 has a number average molecular weight of from 10′000 g/mol to 500′000 g/mol. The invention also describes a method for the preparation of sheets, films, fibers, or molded parts from the composition or the functionalized polymer 10 according to the invention, sheets, films, fibers, or molded parts comprising a composition or a functionalized polymer 10 according to the invention, and the use of the composition according to the invention for the preparation of sheets, films, fibers, or molded parts.