Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L67/00—Compositions of polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L67/02—Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L67/00—Compositions of polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L67/04—Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L25/00—Compositions of, homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an aromatic carbocyclic ring; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L25/18—Homopolymers or copolymers of aromatic monomers containing elements other than carbon and hydrogen
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L65/00—Compositions of macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carbon-to-carbon link in the main chain; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S525/00—Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 series
  • Y10S525/938—Polymer degradation

Definitions

• the present invention relates to biodegradable polymers or biodegradable polymer compositions having a phenol-containing compound and methods for making such polymers.
• phenol-containing compound is included in the biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer compositions at an amount sufficient to slow the degradation rate thereof.
• biodegradable polymers are an attractive alternative to the more prevalent traditional petroleum-based nonbiodegradable polymers.
• Biodegradable polymers do not have to be landfilled and thus contribute less to the solid waste problem created now being experienced by society. Further, since biodegradable polymers eventually re-enter normal geochemical cycles over time, they are less likely to become an entrapment or an ingestion hazard to wildlife.
• Biodegradation is defined as a process carried out by microbes, e.g., bacteria or fungi, wherein a polymer chain is cleaved via enzymatic activity to form monomers or short chains. Hydrolysis and oxidation are believed to be the two principal mechanisms by which polymers are degraded. Microbes generally assimilate the monomers or short chains. For example, in an aerobic environment, these monomers or short chains are ultimately oxidized to carbon dioxide, water, and new cell biomass. In an anaerobic environment, the monomers or short chains are ultimately transformed into carbon dioxide, water, acetate, methane, and cell biomass. Efficient biodegradation requires that direct physical contact be established between the biodegradable material and the active microbial population or the enzymes produced by the active microbial population.
• Biodegradable polymers have been developed and are currently used in various plastic products.
• Cellulose or cellulose derivatives having a low degree of substitution (DS) may be biodegradable under certain conditions.
• Cellulose can be degraded in the environment by both anaerobic or aerobic microorganisms.
• Typical endproducts of this microbial degradation include cell biomass, methane, carbon dioxide, water, and other fermentation products.
• the ultimate endproducts depend upon the type of environment as well as the type of microbial population that is present.
• Cellulose esters form hard, clear plastics and thus are suitable for eyeglass frames, toys, toothbrush handles, and the like. With the prevalence of cellulose ester materials in consumer products, it is desirable to have the ability to make biodegradable materials therefrom.
• PHA Polyhydroxyalkanoates
• PBS polyhydroxybutyrate
• PCL polycaprolactone
• PHBV copolymers of polyhydroxybutyrate and polyhydroxyvalerate
• Poly(vinyl alcohol) is a water soluble synthetic polymer that is used extensively in fibers, films, papers, and adhesives.
• Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) is a thermoplastic material commonly used in laminates for food containers due to its excellent film forming and oxygen barrier properties.
• the invention provides a method for slowing the degradation rate of a biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition.
• the invention provides a biodegradable polymer composition comprising a biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer-second material composition and a phenol-containing compound mixed therein.
• Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value and/or to “about” or another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
• a slower degradation rate means that the biodegradable polymers or biodegradable polymer compositions herein exhibit a delayed biodegradation rate over biodegradable polymers or biodegradable polymer compositions not including phenol-containing compounds.
• the garbage bag when a garbage bag is prepared from biodegradable polymers or biodegradable polymer compositions having a phenol-containing compound, the garbage bag, while still “biodegradable,” may not degrade as quickly as a garbage bag prepared from the same biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition not including a phenol- containing compound.
• mixing encompasses any method for forming a material comprising two or more components, where each component is substantially integrated throughout the composition. Any methods of mixing known to a person skilled in the art of chemistry and chemical engineering fall within the meaning of the term "mixing.” Examples of appropriate methods of mixing are admixing, melt blending, and dry blending. Blending may be performed using, e.g., a melt extruder, a kneader extruder, a roll mill, a high shear mixer, or a twin screw compounder.
• total weight of the biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition it is meant that the amount of added phenol-containing compound is measured without any added materials i.e. , the weight of added phenol-containing compound is based upon the neat biodegradable polymer or neat biodegradable polymer composition.
• weight of the phenol-containing compound it is meant that the amount of phenol is measured by total weight of the compound containing the phenol.
• the invention generally relates to a method for slowing the degradation rate of a biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition by introducing a phenol- containing compound into a biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition in an amount sufficient to slow the degradation rate of the polymer or polymer composition and mixing the phenol-containing compound therein.
• Another aspect of the invention is a biodegradable polymer composition comprising a phenol- containing compound mixed with a biodegradable polymer or a biodegradable polymer- second material.
• the phenol-containing compound is preferably present at an amount sufficient to slow the degradation rate thereof.
• the mixing of the phenol-containing compound and the biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition results in the phenol- containing compound being uniformly distributed therein.
• the phenol-containing compound slows the degradation of the biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition by inhibiting the action of the microbes that break down the polymer.
• the phenol-containing compounds are added to biodegradable polymers or to biodegradable polymer compositions. It is also believed that the rate of degradation decreases as the amount of phenol mixed with the biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition is increased.
• the degradation rate of the biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition may be adjusted to a desired value by varying the amount of phenol in the phenol-containing compound and/or the amount of phenol- containing compound that is introduced into the biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition.
• the degradation rate of a biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition therefore may be reduced to the value desired for the particular type of end product to be formed.
• biodegradable polymer or “biodegradable polymer composition” shall mean that the materials experience a breakdown in molecular weight as a result of attack by microbial species or by prolonged exposure to the elements (sun, heat, cold, rain, wind, etc.) or a combination of both phenomena.
• a “biodegradable polymer composition” means in one aspect a composition formed from a polymer and a second material, wherein the second material is subject to microbial or elemental attack.
• the starch may be degraded by microbes to cause breakdown of the polymer composition, whether or not the polymer itself may be considered “biodegradable.”
• Suitable second materials that may be utilized in the invention include, but are not limited to, starch, cellulose, carbohydrates, and natural gums.
• biodegradable polymer composition means compositions of the present invention formed from mixing a biodegradable polymer or the biodegradable polymer composition of the first aspect with a phenol-containing compound. The distinctions between the two types of biodegradable polymer compositions as utilized herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
• terpene-phenol resin is a preferred phenol-containing compound.
• One property of terpene-phenol resin that makes it attractive for use in the present invention is that it is food safe and would not harm someone, e.g., a child, who ingests a material containing it.
• Terpene-phenol resins are polymeric products commonly prepared by the acid-catalyzed alkylation of phenol with an olefinically unsaturated material derived from naturally occurring resins (e.g. pine oils). The phenol content of these resins may be controlled by adjusting the ratio of phenol to olefinically unsaturated material used in the synthesis.
• Phenol-terpene resins are commercially available from Arizona Chemical Co. under the trade name NIREZ®.
• Arizona Chemical Co. describes a process for preparing a terpene-phenol resin.
• U.S. Patent No. 5,457,175 is herein incorporated in its entirety by this reference.
• One phenol-terpene resin product suitable for use with this invention is NIREZ® 7402.
• phenol-containing compounds that may be mixed with biodegradable polymers or biodegradable polymer compositions to slow the degradation rate thereof include, but are not limited to, poly(vinylphenol), phenolic antioxidant, or any material capable of releasing a phenol upon hydrolysis.
• the phenolic compound utilized in the invention herein may preferably comprise one or more of the following compounds: 4,4'-thio-bis(2-t-butyl-5-methylphenol), polymeric alkylated phenol, 2,5-di-t- amylhydroquinone, l,l-di-(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)butane, or l,l'-thio- bis(2-hydroxynaphthalene).
• the material capable of releasing a phenol upon hydrolysis may comprise one or more of the following compounds: diphenyl- isodecyl phosphite, diisodecylphenyl phosphite, tris(p-nonylphenyl)phosphite, and tris[3-methyl-4-(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenylthio)-6-t-butyl)phosphite.
• the phenol content of phenol- terpene resin and of all of the above-listed compounds ranges from about 1 to about 40 %, preferably from about 5 to about 20 %, by weight as measured by weight of the phenol-containing compound.
• the phenol-containing compound comprises poly(vinylphenol)
• it is preferred that the phenol content of the compound is equal to or less than about 77.5% by weight of the phenol-containing compound.
• vinylphenol may be copolymerized with other vinyl monomers thereby resulting in a different phenol content in the phenol-containing compound.
• the amount of phenol-containing compound introduced into a biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition ranges from about 0.1 to about 10 %, from about 0.5 to about 5%, or, more preferably, from about 1 to about 3 %, by weight as measured by the weight of the total weight of the biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition.
• the specific amount of phenol-containing compound added to the biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition can vary depending on the intended use of the biodegradable polymer or biodegradable polymer composition and on the concentration of phenol present in the phenol-containing compound.
• the invention relates to the introduction of a phenol-containing compound into any polymer or polymer composition that is biodegradable.
• the compound is added to one or more of the following biodegradable polymers or biodegradable polymer compositions containing such polymers:
• R 11 and R 12 are the same or different, and are residues of diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 2,2- dimethyl-l,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5- pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-l,6-hexanediol, thiodiethanol, 1,3-cyclohexanedimathanol, 1,4- cyclohexanedimethanol, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl- 1 ,3-cyclobutanediol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, or a mixture thereof; (ii) R 11 and R 12 are 100% of the diol components in the copolyester; (iii) R is absent or is selected from one or more of the groups consisting of C - C 12
• R 10 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; Ci-C 12 alkyl; Ci-C 12 alkyl substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halo, C 6 -C 10 aryl, and C 1 -C 4 alkoxy; C 5 -C1 0 cycloalkyl; and C 5 -C1 0 , cycloalkyl substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halo, C 6 -C 10 aryl, and C ⁇ -C 4 alkoxy, wherein R 8 is selected from the group consisting of C 2 -C 1 alkylene or C 2 -C 12 oxyalkylene; C 2 -C 12 alkylene or C 2 -C 12 oxyalkylene substituted with one to four substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halo, C 6 -C 10 aryl, and C1-C 4 alkoxy; C 5 -C 1 alkylene or C 2 -C 12
• alkyl and alkylene refer to either straight or branched chain moieties such as ⁇ CH 2 — CH 2 ⁇ CH 2 — CH 2 ⁇ and — CH 2 CH(X) ⁇ CH 2 — . Also, all of the carbon atoms of the cycloalkyl and cycloalkylene moieties are not necessarily in the ring structure, e.g., a CH 8 cycloalkyl group can be cyclooctyl or dimethylcyclohexyl.
• oxyalkylene refers to alkylene chains containing from 1 to 4 ether oxygen groups.
• R 11 and R 12 are preferably the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of residues of one or more of glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, and 1,4-butanediol.
• R 13 is selected from the group consisting of malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, 2,2-dimethyl glutaric acid, diglycolic acid, and an ester forming derivative thereof.
• R 14 is selected from the group consisting of one or more of 1,4-terephthalic acid, 1,3-terephthalic acid, 2,6- naphthoic acid, 1,5-naphthoic acid, and an ester forming derivative thereof.
• the aliphatic-aromatic copolyester comprises from about 10 to about 1,000 repeating units. Most preferably, the aliphatic-aromatic copolyester comprises from about 15 to about 600 repeating units. It is further preferred that the aliphatic- aromatic copolyester has an inherent viscosity of about 0.4 to about 1.2 as measured at a temperature of 25 °C. for a 0.5 gram sample in 100 ml of a 60/40 by weight solution of phenol/tetrachloroethane. The aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may also be blended with other polymers for preparation of a biodegradable polymer composition.
• aliphatic- aromatic copolyesters that may be blended with other polymers include one or more of: poly(tetramethylene glutarate-co-terephthalate-co-diglycolate), poly(tetramethylene glutarate-co-terephthalate), poly(ethylene glutarate-co-terephthalate), poly(tetramethylene adipate-co-terephthalate), poly(tetramethylene succinate-co- terephthalate), and poly(tetramethylene-co-ethylene glutarate-co-terephthalate).
• the aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may also be mixed with a second material such as starch, cellulose or filler material to provide a biodegradable polymer composition.
• aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters for applications where blending may not be required include one or more of: poly(tetramethylene glutarate-co- terephthalate-co-diglycolate), poly(tetramethylene glutarate-co-terephthalate), poly(ethylene succinate-co-terephthalate), poly(tetramethylene adipate-co- terephthalate), and poly(tetramethylene succinate-co-terephthalate).
• R 8 is preferably C 2 - C 4 alkylene, C 4 - C 8 oxyalkylene, or C 5 - C 10 cycloalkylene, and R is preferably C 2 - C 4 alkylene, C 2 oxyalkylene or C 5 - C 10 cycloalkylene. It is also preferred that the aliphatic polyester comprises from about 10 to about 1,000 repeating units. Most preferred is when said aliphatic polyester comprises from about 15 to about 600 repeating units.
• aliphatic polyesters suitable for use as the biodegradable polymer or for inclusion into biodegradable polymer compositions of the present invention include one or more of polyhydroxybutyrate, a copolymer of polyhydroxybutyrate and polyhydroxyvalerate, poly(hexamethylene glutarate), poly(hexamethylene adipate), poly(ethylene sebacate), poly(tetramethylene glutarate), poly(tetramethylene adipate), poly(tetramethylene sebacate), poly(ethyleneglutarate), poly(ethylene succinate), poly(tetramethylene succinate), and poly(ethylene adipate).
• Preferred cellulose esters that are biodegradable or that may be utilized in biodegradable polymer compositions include cellulose acetate (CA), cellulose propionate (CP), cellulose butyrate (CB), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), cellulose propionate butyrate (CPB), and the like.
• CAP and CAB are more preferred cellulose esters. It is preferred that the DS of the cellulose ester be equal to or less than about 2.5, more preferably less than about 2.25 and, still further preferably, less than about 2.0.
• Additional biodegradable polymers that may be used in this invention comprise one or more of: poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(etyhylene-co- vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl acetate), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), poly(glycolic acid), poly(lactic acid), polycaprolactone, poly(alkylene D-tartrate), polyp-dioxanone, polyorthoformate, poly(oxyethylene glycoates), polyethylene oxide, and polyhydroxyalkanoate.
• the biodegradable polymer compositions of this invention may also have incorporated therein other materials that render the polymers more suitable for their end-use applications.
• These materials include colorants such as pigments and dyes, opacifying agents, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, antioxidants, ultraviolet stabilizers, optical brighteners, processing aids such as aliphatic acid metal salts, antistatic agents, antiblocking aids, fillers, dispersing agents, coating aids, slip agents, lubricants, and the like, as is well known to those skilled in the art.
• colorants such as pigments and dyes, opacifying agents, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, antioxidants, ultraviolet stabilizers, optical brighteners, processing aids such as aliphatic acid metal salts, antistatic agents, antiblocking aids, fillers, dispersing agents, coating aids, slip agents, lubricants, and the like, as is well known to those skilled in the art.
• pigments include barium sulfate, colloidal or amorphous silica,
• the biodegradable polymers may also contain materials that function as foods for the microbial agents, e.g., starch, wood, or flour. Additionally, materials that increase the porosity or water/air diffusion in the polymer may be introduced into the polymer.
• the biodegradable polymers and biodegradable polymer compositions may be prepared into any one of a number of products as will be recognized by one of skill in the art. As a non-exhaustive list the biodegradable polymer compositions may be formed into films, bottles, blow molded articles, injection molded articles, and containers.
• the biodegradable polymers and biodegradable polymer compositions of the present invention have utility in waste collection, agriculture, and foo.d packaging applications.
• biodegradable polymers and biodegradable polymer compositions of the present invention may be utilized in any application where biodegradability is desired, but where it is preferred that such biodegradability be delayed. The length of time required to biodegrade such articles may be extended by the practice of this invention.
• a copolyester of adipic acid, terephthalic acid, and 1,4-butanediol was melt- compounded with 6 wt% talc and 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 wt% terpene-phenol resin, respectively.
• the formulations were then melt-extruded into 1-mil (0.001 inch) films strips, which were then cut into 25x 125 mm sections for biodegradability evaluations.
• the film strips were placed in polyethylene bags containing fresh grass clippings and were aged in the dark at 74°F for up to 28 days. The film strips were then inspected periodically for breakage or cracking.
• Table 1 It can be seen from this data that the presence of 1.0 wt% terpene-phenol resin extended the degradation time of the copolyester from 2 weeks to 3 weeks, and thereby effectiveness as a biodegradable polymer composition is demonstrated.
• Test specimens that were 120x150 mm in size were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. They were placed in composted grass approximately 9 months old and covered with the compost to a depth of about 12 inches. The covered specimens were then aged for 3 weeks with ambient day/night temperatures of about
• test specimens were prepared in the manner described in Example 1. The specimens were placed on approximately 6 inches of fresh grass clippings and covered with approximately 6 inches of additional grass clippings. Each specimen was then stored in a black polyethylene bag at a temperature of 68-70°F in a room having only interior lighting. The films were inspected weekly for degradation. The partially composted grass was replaced with fresh grass clippings for the third week of the evaluations. Failure was based on the presence of one or more cracks of V ⁇ inch or greater, or on fragmentation of the films. The results are summarized in Table 3. It is readily apparent that the presence of 1.5 and 2.0 wt % terpene-phenol resin reduced the number of specimens exhibiting failure at all of the time intervals.
• Test specimens that were 75x125mm in size were prepared according to the method described in Example 1 and were buried to a depth of approximately 18 inches in a 1-year old compost pile of mixed leaves and grass clippings. The specimens were visually inspected after they had been aged at typical ambient day/night temperatures of about 80/60 °F. The results of this experiment are shown in Table 4. The samples containing 1.0 to 2.0 wt % terpene-phenol resin showed no cracking or holes after 6 weeks of aging and appeared much less discolored than the sample containing no terpene-phenol resin.

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• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
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• Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
• Organic Chemistry (AREA)
• Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
• Biological Depolymerization Polymers (AREA)
• Graft Or Block Polymers (AREA)

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• 2000
  • 2000-09-15 US US09/662,965 patent/US6767972B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2001
  • 2001-06-22 EP EP01946687A patent/EP1317506B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-06-22 DE DE60115922T patent/DE60115922T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-06-22 JP JP2002526981A patent/JP5053500B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-06-22 WO PCT/US2001/020065 patent/WO2002022737A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2001-06-22 AT AT01946687T patent/ATE312876T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation

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