Mask with detection electrode and heavy metal detection method
By incorporating porous hydrogel and sensing electrode arrays into the mask, the problem of insufficient moisturizing and cleansing capabilities of existing masks is solved, enabling the detection of heavy metals on the face and providing skin care effects with multiple uses.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511389450.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing face masks are insufficient in moisturizing and cleansing abilities, and cannot perform in-depth skin testing, especially heavy metal testing.
A facial mask with detection electrodes was designed, which uses porous hydrogel and sensing electrode assembly to detect the heavy metal content on the face through electrodes, and provides temperature data by combining temperature control detection sheet. Gold nanoparticles and aminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes are used to improve conductivity and adsorption capacity.
It achieves efficient adsorption and electrochemical detection of porous hydrogels, can be used multiple times, provides accurate heavy metal concentration data, and enhances skin care effects.
Smart Images
Figure CN121521952A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the fields of electrochemistry and daily necessities technology, and in particular to a face mask with a detection electrode and a method for detecting heavy metals. Background Technology
[0002] Facial masks are a commonly used skincare and health product for women. Through the moisturizing layer on the mask, they hydrate, absorb, and cleanse the facial skin, keeping the face clean and moisturized.
[0003] Existing face masks are all for single use. They are coated with moisturizing materials and applied to the face to care for it.
[0004] In order to further enhance the efficacy of face masks, existing technologies involve placing electrodes on the mask fabric and using electrical current to stimulate the facial skin, causing the skin to expand and absorb more nutrients from the mask.
[0005] Current face masks primarily function to moisturize and cleanse, but common mask gels have weak absorption capacity and cannot effectively cleanse facial skin. With advancements in technology, it's worth exploring whether face masks can be used for deeper skin analysis. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a facial mask with detection electrodes and a method for heavy metal detection. By making a porous hydrogel, more facial substances are adsorbed, and the amount of heavy metals attached to the face is detected by the sensing electrodes, providing effective data support for facial skin care.
[0007] The technical solution adopted in this invention is: A facial mask with detection electrodes is characterized by comprising a mask sheet and a porous hydrogel adhered to the underside of the mask sheet. At least two sets of sensing electrodes are disposed on the mask sheet, at least at the upper and lower ends of the mask sheet. The sensing electrode sets are provided with terminals for connecting to a detection circuit. The sensing electrode sets extend out of the mask sheet and are located on the surface of the porous hydrogel or extend into the interior of the porous hydrogel.
[0008] Furthermore, there are three sensing electrode groups, which are respectively disposed at the upper end, middle part and lower end of the mask cloth. Each sensing electrode group includes multiple electrodes, and the three sensing electrode groups are connected to each other by wires.
[0009] Furthermore, two arc-shaped conductive strips are symmetrically arranged on the mask fabric, and wire terminals are respectively provided at the ends of the two conductive strips. Several conductive sheets are symmetrically arranged on the two conductive strips. The wire terminals are used to connect the functional circuit, and the conductive sheets are in electrical contact with the porous hydrogel.
[0010] Furthermore, several temperature control sensors are also provided on the mask fabric, and the temperature control sensors display different colors as the temperature of the porous hydrogel changes.
[0011] Furthermore, each porous hydrogel comprises the following components and proportions: Agarose: 0.1-0.4g; 4% sodium hyaluronate solution: 6-9 mL; Gold nanoparticle solution: 0.5-3 mL; Aminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes: 0.05-0.3g; Ultrapure water: 5-20mL The gold nanoparticle solution was prepared by the following method: (a) Dissolve 0.25 mL of 0.1 M chloroauric acid tetrahydrate in 100 mL of deionized water in a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. (b) Heat to a boil, maintain boiling for 10 minutes, then add 1 mL of 1% (w / w) trisodium citrate. (c) Continue boiling for 30 minutes. The solution will change from pale yellow to purplish-red, indicating the reaction is complete. (d) After cooling to room temperature, store in a refrigerator.
[0012] Furthermore, the temperature control detection sheet includes a substrate and a color-changing pigment. The substrate is a biodegradable copolymer. The color-changing pigment and the substrate are mixed at a mass ratio of 1:20. After being stirred evenly, the mixture is printed on the mask cloth using screen printing technology and then cured at high temperature to form the temperature control detection sheet.
[0013] A method for preparing a porous hydrogel, characterized by comprising the following steps: (1) Preparation of gold nanoparticle solution by the Frens method; (2) Weigh 0.1-0.4g agarose and 0.05-0.3g aminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes into a beaker, add 15-20mL deionized water, and sonicate; (3) Add 0.2-0.8g of 600 mesh CaCO3, mix mechanically, and heat to above 90 degrees Celsius until the agarose melts; (4) Add 0.5-3 mL of the gold nanoparticle solution from step (1) and cool to 50 degrees Celsius. (5) Add 6-9 mL of 4% sodium hyaluronate to form a mixed solution; (6) Drop the mixed solution into the mask mold to solidify and form a mask gel; (7) Soak the mask gel in HCl solution to allow HCl and CaCO3 to react fully. After no more bubbles are generated in the solution, rinse repeatedly with deionized water to obtain a porous hydrogel.
[0014] A method for detecting heavy metals on the human face using a facial mask, characterized by comprising the following steps: (1) The heavy metal components adsorbed in the sample mask were detected by the electrode to obtain the linear relationship between the heavy metal concentration and the electrode sampling current; (2) Apply the mask to the user’s face, detect the current value through the electrode, compare the current value with the linear relationship graph of the electrode sampling current, and obtain the heavy metal content of the user’s face.
[0015] Furthermore, the current linear relationship graph includes a temperature parameter. During detection, the temperature of the mask is determined based on the color of the temperature control detection sheet on the mask, thereby obtaining the current value under the corresponding temperature condition. By comparing it with the current linear relationship graph at the same temperature, the heavy metal content on the user's face can be obtained.
[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are: (1) Electrodes are set on the mask sheet, and gel is attached to the mask sheet. The gel can be replaced and the mask sheet can be used multiple times. (2) The porous hydrogel has strong adsorption capacity and sodium hyaluronate has strong water-locking capacity, and can replenish water through electro-conduction; (3) The multi-walled carbon nanotube material in the gel can adsorb heavy metals; (4) The sensing electrode is sensitive to the current of heavy metal ions. After applying voltage to the porous hydrogel, its current value shows a linear relationship with the concentration of heavy metal ions, so the concentration of heavy metals adsorbed on the gel can be calculated. (5) The addition of gold nanoparticles can not only provide an antibacterial system, but also improve the conductivity of the gel. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Appendix Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the mask fabric of the present invention; Appendix Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a three-electrode assembly set on a facial mask sheet; Appendix Figure 3 These are photographs of the hydrogel under an electron microscope at various magnifications; Appendix Figure 4 This is an electrochemical characterization diagram of the amount of gold added to gold nanoparticles in the gel; Appendix Figure 5 This is a graph showing the relationship between heavy metal ion currents at different temperatures. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrates the specific embodiments of the mask with detection electrodes and the method for heavy metal detection of the present invention.
[0019] See appendix Figure 1 The existing facial mask has an electrotherapy effect. Two arc-shaped conductive strips 2 are symmetrically arranged on the mask fabric 1, with connectors 3 at the ends of each strip. Several conductive sheets 4 are symmetrically arranged on each strip. The connectors 3 are used to connect to a functional circuit, and the conductive sheets 4 are in electrical contact with a porous hydrogel. The functional circuit stimulates the facial skin with an electric current, allowing the skin to fully absorb the moisture and nutrients from the mask.
[0020] Based on this, the present invention utilizes the existing mask fabric 1, onto which a porous hydrogel is adhered. The porous hydrogel possesses strong adsorption capacity and electrochemical properties. Two sensing electrode groups 5 are disposed on the mask fabric 1, located at the upper and lower ends. Each sensing electrode group 5 has a terminal 6 for connecting to a detection circuit, which detects the electrochemical properties of the porous hydrogel.
[0021] See appendix Figure 2 The sensing electrode group 5 consists of three electrodes, located in the upper middle and lower parts of the mask respectively. The electrodes in the sensing electrode group 5 can be connected by thin wires 7 to accommodate the electrical connection function of the detection circuit.
[0022] The placement and arrangement of the sensing electrodes can be determined according to the actual product to suit different specifications of face masks. The electrodes of the sensing electrode group 5 extend from the face mask cloth 1 to the surface of the porous hydrogel or extend into the interior of the porous hydrogel to form an electrical connection with the porous hydrogel in order to detect the electrochemical properties of the porous hydrogel.
[0023] In addition, several temperature-controlled detection plates 8 are disposed on the mask fabric 1. These temperature-controlled detection plates 8 display different colors as the temperature of the porous hydrogel changes. Each temperature-controlled detection plate 8 comprises a substrate and a color-changing pigment. The substrate is a biodegradable copolymer. The color-changing pigment is mixed with the substrate at a mass ratio of 1:20. After thorough mixing, the mixture is printed onto the mask fabric 1 using screen printing technology and then cured in an 80°C oven for 20 minutes. The color-changing pigment is a commercially available product.
[0024] The components and proportions of each porous hydrogel of the present invention are as follows: Agarose: 0.1-0.4g; 4% sodium hyaluronate solution: 6-9 mL; Gold nanoparticle solution: 0.5-3 mL; Aminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes: 0.05-0.3g; Ultrapure water: 5-20mL The gold nanoparticle solution was prepared by the following method: (a) Dissolve 0.25 mL of 0.1 M chloroauric acid tetrahydrate in 100 mL of deionized water in a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. (b) Heat to a boil, maintain boiling for 10 minutes, then add 1 mL of 1% (w / w) trisodium citrate. (c) Continue boiling for 30 minutes. The solution will change from pale yellow to purplish-red, indicating the reaction is complete. (d) After cooling to room temperature, store in a refrigerator.
[0025] Porous hydrogels are prepared by the following method: (1) A solution of gold nanoparticles is prepared by the Frens method of claim 5; (2) Weigh 0.1-0.4g agarose and 0.05-0.3g aminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes into a beaker, add 15-20mL deionized water, and sonicate; (3) Add 0.2-0.8g of 600 mesh CaCO3, mix mechanically, and heat to above 90 degrees Celsius until the agarose melts; (4) Add 0.5-3 mL of the gold nanoparticle solution from step (1) and cool to 50 degrees Celsius. (5) Add 6-9 mL of 4% sodium hyaluronate to form a mixed solution; (6) Drop the mixed solution into the mask mold to solidify and form a mask gel; (7) Soak the mask gel in HCl solution to allow HCl and CaCO3 to react fully. After no more bubbles are generated in the solution, rinse repeatedly with deionized water to obtain a porous hydrogel.
[0026] In this patent, the pure water used is ultrapure water with a strength of 18.25 MΩ·cm.
[0027] Agarose, sodium hyaluronate, aminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and 600-mesh CaCO3 are all products of Adamas Corporation of China.
[0028] After the gel was prepared, the surface morphology and pore distribution of the freeze-dried hydrogel were observed using a GeminiSEM 300 field emission scanning electron microscope from Carl Zeiss GmbH, Germany. The surface morphology of the hydrogel exhibited a porous network structure with relatively uniform distribution.
[0029] See appendix Figure 3The morphology and size of gold nanoparticles in the hydrogel were analyzed using a JEM-2100EXII transmission electron microscope (TEM) manufactured by JEOL Ltd., Japan. Samples were dropped onto a copper grid and dried before observation. The hydrogel successfully encapsulated the gold nanoparticles, forming a stable composite structure. TEM images clearly showed that the gold nanoparticles were spherical with a relatively uniform particle size distribution, mainly in the 20-30 nm range. The particles were well dispersed in the hydrogel matrix, with no obvious aggregation. The network structure of the hydrogel provided a good loading environment for the gold nanoparticles.
[0030] Adding different gold nanoparticles to the hydrogel resulted in different electrochemical impedances, as detailed in the appendix. Figure 4 Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results showed that the charge transfer behavior differed significantly after modifying the electrode surface with hydrogels containing different amounts of gold. In the figure, the unmodified group (0 mL) had the largest semicircle diameter, corresponding to the highest charge transfer resistance (Rct), indicating high interfacial electron transport resistance. As the gold content increased to approximately 1 mL, the semicircle diameter gradually decreased, and Rct significantly decreased, attributed to the optimization of interfacial electron conduction by the high conductivity of gold and the enhanced bonding between the hydrogel and electrode interface. However, when the gold content further increased to 2 mL, the impedance rebounded, presumably due to excessive gold addition leading to hydrogel densification or interfacial defects, hindering charge transport. These results demonstrate that a moderate gold content (around 1 mL) can effectively improve the electron transport performance at the electrode interface.
[0031] See appendix Figure 5 Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) combined with the standard curve method was used to study the hydrogel. The electrochemical performance of lead ion (Pb²⁺) was detected, and further linear calibration analysis showed that the peak current exhibited a good linear relationship with the Pb²⁺ concentration in the concentration range of 0.019 μM–6.37 μM (R² = 0.99). This indicates that the hydrogel can serve as a highly sensitive and reliable electrochemical sensor for the quantitative detection of trace lead ions in environmental or biological samples.
[0032] Furthermore, similar linear relationships were obtained for other heavy metals such as mercury. As can be seen from the graph, the current value deviates significantly for different temperature values. The temperature is sensed by a configured temperature control sensor, and the temperature of the face mask on that day is read by the color of the sensor.
[0033] The thermochromic pigment used is based on an electron-transfer type organic compound system. These compounds belong to an organic chromophore system with a special chemical structure. At specific temperatures, electron transfer causes changes in their molecular structure, resulting in a color change—not only are the colors vibrant, but they can also achieve a unique "colored to colorless" transition. This is an advantage that heavy metal complex salt type and liquid crystal type reversible thermochromic substances do not possess. Testing has shown that the material exhibits significant and highly distinguishable color-changing effects at different temperatures, allowing for direct identification of ambient temperature through color.
[0034] This patent also discloses a method for detecting the concentration of heavy metal ions adsorbed on the surface membrane, based on the linear relationship between heavy metal ions and current in the hydrogel.
[0035] First, heavy metal ions were adsorbed onto the hydrogel in the sample mask, and the linear relationship between the heavy metal concentration and the electrode sampling current was obtained through electrode detection. Multiple measurements were performed, and typical relationship graphs were obtained at different temperatures.
[0036] The mask is then applied to the user's face, and the current value and corresponding temperature value are detected by electrodes. The current value is compared with the linear relationship graph of the electrode sampling current to obtain the heavy metal content on the user's face.
[0037] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A facial mask with a detection electrode, characterized in that: The device includes a mask sheet and a porous hydrogel attached to the underside of the mask sheet. At least two sensing electrode groups are provided on the mask sheet, at least at the upper and lower ends of the mask sheet. The sensing electrode groups are provided with terminals for connecting to a detection circuit. The sensing electrode groups extend out of the mask sheet and are located on the surface of the porous hydrogel or extend into the interior of the porous hydrogel.
2. The face mask with detection electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensing electrode group consists of three parts, which are respectively located at the upper, middle and lower ends of the mask cloth. Each sensing electrode group includes multiple electrodes, and the three sensing electrode groups are connected to each other by wires.
3. The face mask with detection electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two arc-shaped conductive strips are symmetrically arranged on the mask fabric, and wire terminals are respectively provided at the ends of the two conductive strips. Several conductive sheets are symmetrically arranged on the two conductive strips. The wire terminals are used to connect to the functional circuit, and the conductive sheets are in electrical contact with the porous hydrogel.
4. The face mask with detection electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several temperature-controlled sensors are also provided on the mask fabric, and the temperature-controlled sensors display different colors as the temperature of the porous hydrogel changes.
5. The face mask with a detection electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Each porous hydrogel comprises the following components and proportions: Agarose: 0.1-0.4g; 4% sodium hyaluronate solution: 6-9 mL; Gold nanoparticle solution: 0.5-3 mL; Aminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes: 0.05-0.3g; Ultrapure water: 5-20mL The gold nanoparticle solution was prepared by the following method: (a) Dissolve 0.25 mL of 0.1 M chloroauric acid tetrahydrate in 100 mL of deionized water in a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. (b) Heat to a boil, maintain boiling for 10 minutes, then add 1 mL of 1% (w / w) trisodium citrate. (c) Continue boiling for 30 minutes. The solution will change from pale yellow to purplish-red, indicating the reaction is complete. (d) After cooling to room temperature, store in a refrigerator.
6. The face mask with detection electrode according to claim 4, characterized in that: The temperature control detection sheet includes a substrate and a color-changing pigment. The substrate is a biodegradable copolymer. The color-changing pigment and the substrate are mixed at a mass ratio of 1:
20. After being stirred evenly, the mixture is printed on the mask cloth by screen printing technology and then cured at high temperature to form the temperature control detection sheet.
7. A method for preparing a porous hydrogel, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: (1) A solution of gold nanoparticles is prepared by the Frens method of claim 5; (2) Weigh 0.1-0.4g agarose and 0.05-0.3g aminated multi-walled carbon nanotubes into a beaker, add 15-20mL deionized water, and sonicate; (3) Add 0.2-0.8g of 600 mesh CaCO3, mix mechanically, and heat to above 90 degrees Celsius until the agarose melts; (4) Add 0.5-3 mL of the gold nanoparticle solution from step (1) and cool to 50 degrees Celsius. (5) Add 6-9 mL of 4% sodium hyaluronate to form a mixed solution; (6) Drop the mixed solution into the mask mold to solidify and form a mask gel; (7) Soak the mask gel in HCl solution to allow HCl and CaCO3 to react fully. After no more bubbles are generated in the solution, rinse repeatedly with deionized water to obtain a porous hydrogel.
8. A method for detecting heavy metals on the human face using a facial mask as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: (1) The heavy metal components adsorbed in the sample mask were detected by the electrode to obtain the linear relationship between the heavy metal concentration and the electrode sampling current; (2) Apply the mask to the user’s face, detect the current value through the electrode, compare the current value with the linear relationship graph of the electrode sampling current, and obtain the heavy metal content of the user’s face.
9. A method for detecting heavy metals on the human face using the facial mask as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The current linear relationship graph includes temperature parameters. During detection, the temperature of the mask is determined by the color of the temperature control detection plate on the mask, thereby obtaining the current value under the corresponding temperature condition. By comparing it with the current linear relationship graph at the same temperature, the heavy metal content on the user's face can be obtained.