Reduced crystallinity polymers for biodegradation
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorsEdward TRIGG, Jacob Lilly, Amy Marie Heintz, Gregory Gregoriades, Matthew Colachis, Ryan Daly
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Abstract
The present invention is directed at the production of relatively reduced crystallinity and relatively high surface area polymer that is suitable for enzymatic degradation. In particular, the preparation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers from PET bottles with relatively reduced crystallinity and relatively higher surface area than the PET bottle feedstock. Such PET fibers are particularly suitable for enzymatic degradation into monomeric components.
Claims17
A method for enzymatic degradation of a semicrystalline polymer comprising:
- (1) supplying a semicrystalline polymer susceptible to enzymatic degradation having a first crystallinity C1 and a first surface area SA1;
- (2) processing said semicrystalline polymer to provide a second crystallinity C2 and a second surface area SA2, wherein C2<C1 and SA2>SA1;
- (3) subjecting said semicrystalline polymer provided in step (2) to enzymatic degradation.
A method for enzymatic degradation of a semicrystalline polymer comprising:
- (1) supplying a semicrystalline polyester susceptible to enzymatic degradation having a first crystallinity C1 of 15.0 to 50.0% and a first surface area SA1;
- (2) processing said semicrystalline polyester into filaments having a diameter in the range of 10 μm to 200 μm and cooling at a rate of at least 0.5° C./ms to provide a second crystallinity C2 in the range of 5.0% to 15.0% and a second surface area SA2, wherein C2<C1 and SA2>SA1;
- (3) subjecting said semicrystalline polyester filaments provided in step (2) to enzymatic degradation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.