Air purification device and manufacturing method of water-absorbing conductor thereof

Abstract

This disclosure is directed to an air purification device having a negative electrode and multiple water-absorbing conductors. The water-absorbing conductors are arranged on the negative electrode, and the water-absorbing conductor has a ceramic fiber, and the ceramic fiber is coated with a graphene coating. Water contained in the ceramic fiber may be dispersed over a large number of tiny areas and therefor easy to be discharged. Water may be discharged through the graphene coating at any position on the ceramic fiber.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to air purification devices, and more particularly to a discharge-type air purification device and a method for manufacturing the water-absorbing conductor thereof. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Electrostatic atomization is a technology that uses an electric field to disperse water. A pair of electrodes are spaced apart and a high voltage is applied, generating an electric field between them. When a trace amount of water is placed in this electric field at the negative electrode, the water molecules are decomposed into hydroxyl radicals (also known as hydroxyl radicals, chemical formula ˙OH). Hydroxyl radicals are strong oxidizing agents with a negative charge; they can destroy microorganisms in the air and decompose chemical substances, and can also cause airborne particles to agglomerate and fall off.

[0003] Most current electrostatic atomizing devices use copper needle-shaped negative electrodes. Copper negative electrodes cannot contain water, so atomized water must be sprayed onto the negative electrode to decompose the trace amount of water at the needle into hydroxyl radicals. However, in reality, this design easily leads to condensation on the surface of the negative electrode. Excessive condensation on the negative electrode will cause unstable discharge at the tip. Commonly used water-absorbing materials are not conductive, so although they can be used with water, they do not help improve discharge efficiency.

[0004] In view of the above, the inventors have devoted themselves to researching and applying theoretical principles to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, which is the goal of the inventors' improvement. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] This disclosure provides a discharge-type air purification device and a method for manufacturing the water-absorbing conductor thereof.

[0006] This disclosure provides an air purification device, which includes a negative electrode and a plurality of water-absorbing conductors. The water-absorbing conductors are disposed on the negative electrode, and the water-absorbing conductors include a ceramic fiber, and the ceramic fiber is coated with a graphene layer.

[0007] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the negative electrode comprises a copper body and a nickel plating layer covering the copper body.

[0008] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the copper body is in the form of a long strip.

[0009] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the graphene coating comprises a plurality of graphene microsheets, the average diameter of which is between 50 and 80 mesh, the graphene microsheets are stacked in 2 to 5 layers, and the thickness of the graphene coating is between 0.3 nm and 1 nm.

[0010] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the water-absorbing conductor is columnar.

[0011] In one embodiment of this disclosure, one end of the water-absorbing conductor is tapered and the other end is fixed to the negative electrode.

[0012] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the ceramic fiber comprises at least one of zirconium oxide, alumina, and silicon carbide.

[0013] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the air purification device further includes a positive electrode, which is spaced apart from the negative electrode.

[0014] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the air purification device further includes a high-voltage module, which includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal, the positive terminal being connected to a positive electrode and the negative terminal being connected to a negative electrode.

[0015] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the air purification device further includes a fan whose airflow direction crosses the negative electrode and passes through the water-absorbing conductors.

[0016] This disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a water-absorbing conductor for an air purification device, comprising the steps described below: providing at least one ceramic fiber, 5wt% to 10wt% of graphene powder and a binder and mixing them into a mixed raw material; drying the mixed raw material and then curing it into shape.

[0017] In one embodiment of this disclosure, before drying the mixed raw materials, a step is further included: providing a mold to shape the mixed raw materials.

[0018] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the graphene powder in the mixed raw materials is coated on the surface of the ceramic fiber.

[0019] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the ceramic fiber comprises fibers made by firing at least one of silicon carbide, alumina, and zirconium oxide.

[0020] The air purifying device disclosed herein contains ceramic fibers as its water-absorbing conductors, and the surface of the ceramic fibers is coated with a graphene layer. The ceramic fibers themselves have pores, forming a porous structure, thus the water-absorbing conductors have excellent water absorption properties. By containing water in the ceramic fibers, moisture can be dispersed over a large number of tiny areas, facilitating discharge, and water can discharge at any location on the ceramic fibers through the graphene coating.

Implementation Method

[0021] In the description of this disclosure, it should be understood that the terms "front side", "rear side", "left side", "right side", "front end", "rear end", "end", "longitudinal", "lateral", "vertical", "top", "bottom", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this disclosure and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting conditions of this disclosure.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms "substantially" and "approximately" are used to describe and narrate small changes. When used in connection with an event or situation, the term may include the exact moment the event or situation occurred, or the point to which the event or situation occurred. For example, when used in connection with a numerical value, the term may include a range of variation less than or equal to ±10% of the numerical value, such as less than or equal to ±5%, less than or equal to ±4%, less than or equal to ±3%, less than or equal to ±2%, less than or equal to ±1%, less than or equal to ±0.5%, less than or equal to ±0.1%, or less than or equal to ±0.05%.

[0023] The detailed description and technical content of this disclosure will be explained in conjunction with the drawings below. However, the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an air purification device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an air purification device, which includes at least one negative electrode 110 and a plurality of water-absorbing conductors 200. Furthermore, the air purification device of the present disclosure also includes a high-voltage module 300 and a positive electrode 120. The high-voltage module 300 has a positive terminal and a negative terminal, with the negative terminal connected to the negative electrode 110 and the positive terminal connected to the positive electrode 120. The positive electrode 120 is elongated and sheet-like, corresponding to the negative electrode 110, and the positive electrode 120 and the negative electrode 110 are parallel and spaced apart. When the high-voltage module 300 is energized, an electric field is formed between the positive electrode 120 and the negative electrode 110. The air purification device of the present disclosure also includes a fan 410, whose airflow direction is perpendicular to the negative electrode 110, enabling airflow to pass through each water-absorbing conductor 200 and carry hydroxyl radicals to the ambient air. Hydroxyl radicals can destroy microorganisms in the air and decompose toxic chemicals, and can also cause airborne particulate matter (such as PM2.5 particles) to agglomerate (e.g., agglomerate into PM10 particles) and fall to the ground.

[0025] In this embodiment, the negative electrode 110 includes a copper body, which is sheet-shaped, and the surface of the copper body is covered with a nickel plating layer, wherein the nickel plating layer is trivalent nickel. In this embodiment, the negative electrode 110 is in the shape of a long strip, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the negative electrode and a water-absorbing conductor of an air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 2, the water-absorbing conductor 200 is disposed on the negative electrode 110, specifically arranged along the elongated sheet-like negative electrode 110. In this embodiment, the water-absorbing conductor 200 is a column, with one end being a conical end and the other end connected to the negative electrode 110. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the ceramic fibers in the water-absorbing conductor of an air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 3, each water-absorbing conductor 200 contains ceramic fibers 210, and the surface of the ceramic fibers 210 is coated with a graphene coating 220. The ceramic fibers 210 can be selected from zirconium oxide, alumina, silicon carbide, or a combination thereof. The ceramic fibers 210 contained in the water-absorbing conductor 200 have pores 211, thus forming a porous structure, and therefore the water-absorbing conductor 200 has good water absorption. The presence of water in the ceramic fiber 210 allows for the dispersion of moisture across a large number of tiny areas, facilitating discharge. Furthermore, water can be discharged at any location on the ceramic fiber 210 via the graphene coating 220. This significantly increases the discharge area compared to conventional tip discharge.

[0027] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ceramic fibers of an air purification device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 4, the graphene coating 220 comprises a plurality of graphene microsheets 221. Specifically, the graphene microsheets 221 are scale-like, and their diameter (or width) is between 50 and 80 mesh. The graphene microsheets 221 in the graphene coating 220 are stacked in 2 to 5 layers, and the thickness of the graphene coating 220 is between 0.3 nm and 1 nm. In this embodiment, the graphene microsheets 221 are stacked in 2 layers, and the thickness of the graphene coating 220 is approximately 0.34 nm. The graphene coating 220 covering the ceramic fibers 210 provides good electrical conductivity.

[0028] Figure 5 is another schematic diagram of the negative electrode and the water-absorbing conductor of an air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 is yet another schematic diagram of the negative electrode and the water-absorbing conductor of an air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure does not limit the shape of the water-absorbing conductor 200. For example, the water-absorbing conductor 200 can also be a cylinder as shown in Figure 5 or a sphere as shown in Figure 6.

[0029] The water-absorbing conductor 200 can adsorb trace amounts of moisture in the air. When the high-voltage module 300 discharges, the moisture adsorbed in the water-absorbing conductor 200 is excited by the high-voltage negative voltage in the electric field to generate hydroxyl radicals (chemical formula: ˙OH), also known as hydroxyl radicals. The hydroxyl radicals / hydroxyl radicals referred to here are different from the commonly known hydroxyl radicals (hydroxyl group, also known as hydroxyl radicals, chemical formula -OH). The commonly known hydroxyl radicals are functional groups, not the free radicals referred to here.

[0030] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the steps of a method for manufacturing a water-absorbing conductor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 7, the aforementioned method for manufacturing the water-absorbing conductor 200 includes the following steps:

[0031] Ceramic fibers 210 (generally in multiples) are added to a graphene powder (5wt%~10wt%) and a binder to form a mixed raw material. The mixing process, such as stirring or soaking, causes the graphene powder in the mixed raw material to coat the surface of the ceramic fibers, thus making the ceramic fibers 210 a carrier of the graphene powder. The ceramic fibers 210 are selected from fibers made from silicon carbide, alumina, zirconium oxide or combinations thereof. Both the ceramic fibers 210 and the graphene powder can withstand high temperatures.

[0032] After the mixed raw materials are molded and dried, a water-absorbing conductor 200 is formed. The mixed raw materials can be air-dried naturally or heated and dried until they are cured. The drying time and temperature are not limited.

[0033] In this embodiment, a mold can be used to shape the mixed raw materials. The mold is a general mold, which has a cavity corresponding to a predetermined shaping shape for placing the mixed raw materials for further shaping. Therefore, the mold is not described in detail and is not shown in the figure. The mold in this embodiment does not require pressure shaping. The water-absorbing conductor 200 can be shaped into different shapes according to the usage requirements. For example, the water-absorbing conductor 200 can be shaped into a pyramidal structure as shown in Figure 2, a cylindrical structure as shown in Figure 5, or a spherical structure as shown in Figure 6.

[0034] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Other equivalent variations that utilize the patent spirit of the present invention shall all fall within the patent scope of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an air purification device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of one of the negative electrode and water-absorbing conductor of an air purification device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the ceramic fibers in the water-absorbing conductor of an air purification device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ceramic fiber of an air purification device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 5 is another schematic diagram of the negative electrode and water-absorbing conductor of an air purification device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 6 is another schematic diagram of the negative electrode and the water-absorbing conductor of an air purification device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the steps of a method for manufacturing a water-absorbing conductor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An air purification device, comprising: One negative electrode; A plurality of absorbent conductors are disposed on the negative electrode, the absorbent conductors comprising at least one ceramic fiber, and the surface of the ceramic fiber is coated with a graphene coating.

2. The air purification device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the negative electrode comprises a copper body and a nickel plating covering the copper body.

3. The air purification device as described in claim 2, wherein the copper body is in the form of an elongated sheet.

4. The air purification device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the graphene coating comprises a plurality of graphene microsheets, the average diameter of the graphene microsheets being between 50 and 80 mesh, the graphene microsheets being stacked in 2 to 5 layers, and the thickness of the graphene coating being between 0.3 nm and 1 nm.

5. The air purification device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the absorbent conductor is cylindrical.

6. The air purification device as claimed in claim 5, wherein one end of the absorbent conductor is tapered and the other end is fixed to the negative electrode.

7. The air purification device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ceramic fiber comprises at least one of zirconium oxide, alumina, and silicon carbide.

8. The air purification device as claimed in claim 1 further includes a positive electrode, which is spaced apart from the negative electrode.

9. The air purification device as claimed in claim 8 further includes a high-voltage module, the high-voltage module including a positive terminal and a negative terminal, the positive terminal being connected to the positive electrode and the negative terminal being connected to the negative electrode.

10. The air purification device as claimed in claim 1 further includes a fan whose airflow direction crosses the negative electrode and passes through the absorbent conductors.

11. A method for manufacturing a water-absorbing conductor for an air purifying device: providing at least one ceramic fiber, 5wt%~10wt% of graphene powder, and a binder, and mixing them into a mixed raw material; and drying and curing the mixed raw material into a shape; wherein, The graphene powder in the mixed raw material is coated on the surface of the ceramic fiber.

12. A method for manufacturing a water-absorbing conductor for an air purifier as claimed in claim 11, wherein before drying the mixed raw material, a step is further included: providing a mold to shape the mixed raw material.

13. A method for manufacturing a water-absorbing conductor for an air purifier as claimed in claim 11, wherein the ceramic fiber comprises fibers formed by firing at least one of silicon carbide, alumina, and zirconium oxide.

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