Blends of biodegradable poly(hydroxy ester ether) thermoplastic with renewable proteins
AssigneesThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation
InventorsChaohua Wang, Craig J. Carriere
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Abstract
Compositions of the invention are produced by blending hydroxy-functional polyesters with proteins at elevated temperatures. These compositions can be shaped into articles by known processes such as extrusion, compression molding, and injection molding. Among articles that can be made from such compositions are those with sufficiently strong tensile strengths as to form disposable utensils. However, the compositions are more environmentally friendly than commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polystyrene.
Claims21
A composition of matter comprising:
- a protein;
- and
- a synthetic hydroxy-functional polymer admixed with the protein, the synthetic hydroxy-functional polymer having repeating units represented by Formula I:
- wherein Ra individually represents a divalent organic moiety which is predominantly hydrocarbylene or a combination of different organic moieties which are predominantly hydrocarbylene, Rc is
- Rd is
- wherein Rb is a divalent organic moiety which is predominantly hydrocarbylene or
- Re is hydrogen or lower alkyl, Rf is independently an organic moiety which is predominantly hydrocarbylene, Rg is independently hydrogen or methyl, n′ is an integer from about 0 to about 100, and x′ and y′ are independently integers from 0 to 100;
- wherein said protein is present in an amount of at least 30% and up to about 85% based on the total weight of the protein and the hydroxy-functional polymer.
A method for producing a shaped article comprising:
- a. blending together under elevated temperatures to produce an intimate mixture:
- a protein;
- and
- a synthetic hydroxy-functional polymer admixed with the protein, the synthetic hydroxy-functional polymer having repeating units represented by Formula I:
- wherein Ra individually represents a divalent organic moiety which is predominantly hydrocarbylene or a combination of different organic moieties which are predominantly hydrocarbylene, Rc is
- Rd is
- wherein Rb is a divalent organic moiety which is predominantly hydrocarbylene or
- Re is hydrogen or lower alkyl, Rf is independently an organic moiety which is predominantly hydrocarbylene, Rg is independently hydrogen or methyl, n′ is an integer from about 0 to about 100, and x′ and y′ are independently integers from 0 to 100;
- and
- b. shaping said mixture into said article;
- wherein said protein is present in an amount of at least 30% and up to about 85% based on the total weight of the protein and the hydroxy-functional polymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.