Tribochemical Method for Degradation of Polymers in Water
Categories for this Invention
Green Technology, Chemical Analysis,
Industry: Polymer & Plastic Industry
Applications: Degradation of PTFE, making kitchen appliances.
Market: The Global Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Market size is expected to grow from 197.09 Kilo metric tons in 2023 to 250.65 Kilo metric tons by 2028, at a CAGR of 4.93% .
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Problem Statement
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Teflon® is most common chemically inert synthetic polymer due to its stability in acids, bases, & in high temperatures. It is highly durable in nature.
- The degradation of PTFE may happen in presence of highly reactive alkali metals (Li & Na).
- Polymers are incinerated, landfilled or chemically treated for degradation. But these methods lethal environment by causing pollution & hazardous effects on living organisms.
- Microbial degradation of plastics takes long time, and some plastics cannot be completely decomposed and assimilated by microorganisms.
- Hence there is a need to formulate a new method to overcome above mentioned issues.
Technology
The present invention describes a tribochemical method for significant degradation of PTFE in water in presence of common metals and carbohydrates producing nanoplastics in solution.
Method:
- Stirring a polymeric pellet with carbohydrates in water at a temperature range of 60 ËšC-70 ËšC in a metal vessel for 3-30 days to induce triboelectric charging of the polymer surface;
- Interaction of the charged surface with the metal ion wherein, stirring induces triboelectric charging of the polymer surface and the carbohydrates in water induces corrosion of the metal vessels bringing metal ions to the solution to generate a tribochemical reaction between the charged surfaces of the polymer with the metal ions resulting in degradation of polymers.
- Degradation of polymer polytetra fluoroethylene (PTFE) in water in presence of copper and glucose comprises; stirring about 920 mg of PTFE pellet with 1000 ppm glucose in 70 mL water at a temperature of 70 ËšC in a copper vessel; triboelectric charging of the PTFE surface during 30 stirring and interaction of the charged PTFE surface with the copper ions, wherein the said method separates of about 53 mg of solid materials consisting of PTFE fragments and copper in 15 days
Key Features / Value Proposition
Technical Prospective:
- The unusual reaction between PTFE and various metal ions derived from bulk like gold, copper, zinc, silver, and iron (stainless steel) in an aqueous solution of carbohydrates like glucose and cyclodextrins.
- A red luminescent product was obtained by the reaction between gold and PTFE and non-luminescent products for other metals.
- Triboelectric charging generates negative charges to the polymer surface coated with magnetic pellet.
User Prospective:
- PTFE is utilized as a coating for different cooking appliances.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact For Licensing
sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in
ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in
Research Lab
Prof. Pradeep TÂ
Department of Chemistry
Intellectual Property
- IITM IDF Number: 1881
- IP Patent Number: 378255 (Granted)
- PCT/IN2020/050707
Technology Readiness Level
TRL – 3
Proof of Concept