Biobased additive for thermoplastic polyesters

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11535745-B2
Application number	US-201816629335-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 11, 2018
Priority date	Jul 11, 2017
Publication date	Dec 27, 2022
Grant date	Dec 27, 2022

Abstract

A biobased additive is provided that is both a nucleating and a reinforcing agent when added to thermoplastic polyester (e.g., biopolyesters). A composite material, which is an additive-reinforced biopolyester, was prepared and improved thermo-mechanical properties were quantified. This composite material is a new class of biobased material that offers a sustainable, environmentally-friendly solution for packaging and other applications.

First claim

We claim:

1. A composite material, comprising:
thermoplastic polyester that is a non-bioderived polyester; and
a particulate additive comprising a thermoset biopolyester;
wherein the particulate additive reinforces and nucleates the thermoplastic polyester.

2. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polyester is biodegradable.

3. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polyester is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyethylene succinate (PES), polybutylene succinate (PBS), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), or a combination thereof.

4. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein the thermoset biopolyester comprises biopolyester, free radical initiator, and a crosslinking agent.

5. The composite material of claim 4 , wherein the amount of crosslinking agent is about 0.5 wt % to about 2.5 wt % of the thermoset biopolyester.

6. The composite material of claim 4 , wherein the crosslinking agent is an allylic or acrylate crosslinking agent.

7. The composite material of claim 4 , wherein the crosslinking agent comprises triallyl trimesate (TAM) or triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC).

8. The composite material of claim 4 , wherein an amount of free radical initiator is about 0.3 to about 2.5 wt % of the thermoset biopolyester.

9. The composite material of claim 4 , wherein the free radical initiator is dicumyl peroxide (DCPA).

10. The composite material of claim 2 , wherein the composite material is about 80 to about 99.9 wt % biobased.

11. The composite material of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of thermoplastic polyester to thermoset biopolyester by weight is 99:1, 95:5, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, or 50:50.

12. A method of making the composite material of claim 1 , comprising:
preparing thermoset biopolyester by heating biopolyester to a temperature sufficient to (i) melt the biopolyester, and (ii) decompose a selected free radical initiator, adding about 0.5 to about 2.5 wt % of the free radical initiator and about 0.5 to about 2.5 wt % of a crosslinking agent to the biopolyester, and mixing until thermoset biopolyester particles form;
optionally reducing particle size by continued mixing and/or grinding the particles;
adding thermoplastic polyester;
isothermal conditioning between about 80 to about 120° C.; and
forming reinforced thermoplastic polyester.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the reinforced thermoplastic polyester has a ratio of thermoplastic polyester to thermoset biopolyester of 99:1, 95:5, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, or 50:50 by weight.

14. A method of reinforcing and melt strengthening thermoplastic polyester, comprising adding a biobased additive to uncrosslinked thermoplastic polyester,
wherein the biobased additive comprises a particulate of thermoset biopolyester.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the thermoplastic polyester is
polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
polybutylene terephthalate (PBT),
polycaprolactone (PCL),
polyethylene succinate (PES),
polybutylene succinate (PBS),
poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT),
polylactide (PLA),
poly-3-(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs),
polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB),
poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV), or
a combination thereof.

16. An article of manufacture comprising the composite material of claim 1 .

17. The article of claim 16 , wherein the article is selected from packaging, bottles, office stationary, an article of manufacture made from plastic, injection molded articles, consumer products, building materials, products of 3D printing/additive applications, foams, automotive parts, and biomedical articles.

18. The article of claim 17 , wherein consumer products comprise clothing, food containers, disposable cutlery, disposable plates, or toys.

Assignees

• Univ Kingston

Inventors

• Chaloupli Naqi Najafi
• Kontopoulou Marianna
• Simmons Heather Leigh
• Praphulla

Classifications

• C08K5/12

  of cyclic polycarboxylic acids · CPC title

• C08L67/04 Primary

  Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones (C08L67/06 takes precedence) · CPC title

• C08J2367/04

  Polyesters derived from hydroxy carboxylic acids, e.g. lactones (C08J2367/06 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B33Y80/00

  Products made by additive manufacturing · CPC title

• B33Y70/00

  Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing · CPC title