Spacer textile

Abstract

The invention relates to a spacer textile having two textile fabrics spaced apart from each other and having spacer thread elements connecting the textile fabrics to each other, wherein the spacer textile has - an antimicrobially effective material, which comprises elemental silver and elemental ruthenium, and - a carbon-containing material, selected from the group consisting of graphene, graphene derivative, fullerene, carbon nanotube, activated carbon and mixtures of at least two of the previously mentioned carbon-containing materials. Furthermore, the invention relates to a water filter and to the use of the spacer textile or water filter for processing and / or cleaning and / or antimicrobially treating, in particular disinfecting, and / or preserving water.

Description

[0001] Distance textile

[0002] FIELD OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0003] The invention relates to a spacer textile, a water filter and the use of the spacer textile and the water filter for the treatment and / or cleaning and / or antimicrobial treatment, in particular disinfection, and / or preservation of water.

[0004] Clean water is a vital resource for humankind. Water is therefore also called "blue gold." Studies predict that up to five billion people will lack access to clean drinking water by 2050 unless technological and social advances counteract current trends.

[0005] Contamination of drinking water, for example with Legionella, continues to pose a serious threat. This risk is particularly high in mobile systems such as motor homes, passenger aircraft, rail vehicles, boats, food trucks, etc., where stagnant tank water systems are used and therefore contamination can easily occur.

[0006] In addition to germs, water contamination with carcinogenic substances, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS), poses a particular challenge. This problem not only affects developing countries or emergency areas, but is also a major concern in industrialized countries, particularly in the EU, the USA, and Japan. A study was recently published in the USA that found that up to 100,000 cases of cancer are attributable to contaminants in drinking water. In Europe, the accumulation of PAHs and PFAS in the environment and in many industrial sectors has already been controversially discussed, and corresponding bans or tightening of the drinking water regulations have been issued (

[0007] Contamination of the environment and water supply systems with radioactive substances also poses risks that should not be underestimated. However, the aforementioned contaminants pose a serious problem not only for drinking water supplies, but also in many industrial sectors that use fresh water. Examples include industrial laundries that specialize in cleaning laundry for patients, healthcare personnel, and food processing employees, or in the cleaning of protective clothing. Cross-contamination, i.e., multiple contaminants, frequently occurs in such facilities. For example, cross-contamination with asbestos, PFAS, and PAHS commonly occurs when cleaning protective clothing for firefighters.

[0008] The main technologies available to date for the treatment and / or purification of water, such as UVC treatment, i.e. treatment with ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 100 nm to 280 nm (UV-C), ozonation, osmosis treatment or chemical treatments such as chlorination, have various disadvantages, which can range from high costs to a lack of effectiveness and a negative impact on the safety of people and the environment, such as the development of antibiotic resistance.

[0009] TASK AND SOLUTION

[0010] The object of the invention is therefore to provide an alternative solution for the treatment and / or purification of water, which in particular meets or at least better meets the challenges mentioned in the introduction in connection with the provision of clean water and at least partially avoids or at least mitigates disadvantages occurring in connection with known purification technologies.

[0011] This object is achieved by a spacer textile having the features according to independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The wording of all claims is hereby incorporated into the present description by express reference.

[0012] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a spacer textile.

[0013] The spacer textile comprises two textile fabrics spaced apart from each other and spacer thread elements which connect the textile fabrics to each other.

[0014] The spacer textile is particularly characterized in that it comprises an antimicrobially effective material which comprises elemental silver and elemental ruthenium or consists of elemental silver and elemental ruthenium, and a carbon-containing material selected from the group consisting of graphene, graphene derivative, fullerene, carbon nanotube, activated carbon and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned carbon-containing materials.

[0015] The silver and ruthenium of the antimicrobial material are therefore not alloyed. In particular, the silver and ruthenium of the antimicrobial material are not alloyed with each other.

[0016] Preferably, however, the elemental silver and elemental ruthenium of the antimicrobial material are in conductive contact with each other.

[0017] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “antimicrobially active material” is understood to mean a material that is capable of inhibiting or reducing the growth and / or proliferation and / or infectivity of microorganisms or of killing or inactivating microorganisms.

[0018] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “carbon-containing material” is to be understood as meaning a material, in particular a compound, which contains carbon or consists of carbon.

[0019] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "graphene" refers to a modification of carbon with a two-dimensional structure in which each or almost each carbon atom, particularly with the exception of carbon atoms located at the edges of the graphene, is surrounded by three other carbon atoms at an angle of 120°, forming a honeycomb-like pattern. Since carbon is tetravalent, two double bonds must occur per "honeycomb," but these are not localized. It is a chain of benzene rings, as is often the case in aromatic compounds. Graphene can be described as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. Other atoms / groups of atoms are docked to the "edge" of the honeycomb lattice, which, however, hardly change the properties of the graphene, depending on the size of the honeycomb lattice. All carbon atoms in graphene are sp 2-hybridized, meaning each carbon atom can form three equivalent o-bonds to other carbon atoms. This results in a honeycomb structure, also known from graphite layers. The carbon-carbon bond lengths are all equal and amount to 142 picometers. The third, unhybridized 2p orbitals are perpendicular to the graphene plane, as in graphite, and form a delocalized TT bond system. Graphene can be monolayer or multilayer.

[0020] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “microorganisms” refers in particular to bacteria, microalgae, protozoa and viruses.

[0021] The term “spacer thread elements” in the sense of the present invention can mean in particular thread sections, in particular sections of a thread or sections of several threads, or a complete thread or several complete threads.

[0022] The invention is characterized in particular by the following advantages:

[0023] Upon contact with water and oxygen, for example upon contact with drinking and / or process water, the antimicrobially active material generates radicals in situ that have an antimicrobial effect, i.e. they inhibit or reduce the growth and / or proliferation and / or infectivity of microorganisms, such as in particular bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa and / or viruses, or they kill or inactivate microorganisms. The radicals generated in situ are reactive oxygen radicals and / or reactive oxygen-containing radicals, such as in particular hydroxy radicals. The antimicrobially active material can advantageously act as a catalyst, in particular a mixed catalyst. This means that the antimicrobially active material advantageously does not consume itself, thus ensuring continuous antimicrobial effectiveness.

[0024] A further advantage is that the antimicrobial material preferably does not release metal ions, especially silver ions, to exert antimicrobial activity. This allows for relatively rapid antimicrobial activity.

[0025] A further advantage is that the antimicrobially active material preferably achieves a broad-spectrum antimicrobial effect, particularly against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It is particularly advantageous that most of the aforementioned carbon-containing materials, in particular graphene and / or graphene derivatives, possess antimicrobial properties, which can enhance the effect of the antimicrobially active material, particularly synergistically. Thus, the graphene and / or graphene derivatives, in particular, can act as a kind of "hydrophobic sword" and penetrate the shells, cell membranes, or cell walls of microorganisms, thereby initiating, in particular, lysis of the microorganisms.

[0026] A further advantage is that the radicals generated in situ by the antimicrobial material can be distributed through the graphene and / or graphene derivative due to energy dissipation effects and / or by transport via the mesomeric system of the graphene and / or graphene derivative, whereby a more homogeneous antimicrobial efficacy can be achieved overall.

[0027] A further advantage is that the aforementioned carbonaceous materials, in particular graphene and / or graphene derivatives, enable the adsorption of contaminants, especially hydrophobic contaminants such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and / or fluorinated, particularly perfluorinated, alkyl compounds (PFAS) and / or antibiotics. In the case of graphene and / or graphene derivatives, the adsorption can be based on TT-TT interactions between the graphene and / or graphene derivatives and the contaminants. Alternatively or in combination, adsorptive fixation of contaminants to the carbonaceous materials can also be considered based on other nonpolar / hydrophobic interactions and / or ionic interactions. Desorption is possible, for example, by shearing and / or cleaning the spacer fabric.

[0028] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the carbon-containing materials, in particular the graphene and / or graphene derivative, can inactivate adsorbed impurities by radicals generated in situ by the antimicrobially active material, for example by means of epoxidation, whereby a harmful effect of the adsorbed impurities is either completely lost or at least reduced.

[0029] The spacer fabric as such can be particularly advantageously characterized by optimal flowability, excellent hydraulic properties, low flow resistance, a highly effective / active, antimicrobial BET surface due to 3-dimensional arrangement, very good formability, flexible scalability with regard to application-related dimensions (basic dimensions / shape and height) as well as resource conservation / sustainability due to low material usage (weight) with a high BET surface.

[0030] Overall, a multifunctional spacer textile is thus provided, particularly with regard to the processing and / or cleaning and / or antimicrobial treatment, in particular disinfection, and / or preservation of water.

[0031] In an embodiment of the invention, the antimicrobially active material is present, in particular homogeneously or non-homogeneously, preferably homogeneously, dispersed in the spacer textile, in particular in threads of the spacer textile, in particular in only one thread or several, in particular all, threads of the spacer textile. In particular, the antimicrobially active material can be present dispersed in the spacer thread elements or only in some of the spacer thread elements, in particular homogeneously or non-homogeneously. Alternatively or in combination, the antimicrobially active material can be present dispersed in at least one of the textile fabrics, in particular only in one of the textile fabrics or in both textile fabrics, in particular homogeneously or non-homogeneously.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, the antimicrobially active material is layered, i.e. in the form of at least one layer, in particular as a coating or component of a coating of the spacer textile. The spacer textile, in particular one or more, in particular all, threads of the spacer textile, can be coated with the antimicrobially active material only in certain areas or completely, i.e. continuously or over the entire surface (without interruption). In particular, the spacer thread elements or only some of the spacer thread elements can be coated with the antimicrobially active material only in certain areas or completely, i.e. continuously or over the entire surface (without interruption). Alternatively or in combination, at least one of the textile fabrics, in particular only one of the textile fabrics or both textile fabrics, can be coated with the antimicrobially active material only in certain areas or completely, i.e.The antimicrobial material can be coated continuously or over its entire surface (without interruption). Preferably, the coating is an outer coating of the spacer textile, i.e., a coating that is in direct contact with the surrounding area of ​​the spacer textile. This allows the antimicrobial material to exert its effectiveness against microorganisms particularly effectively.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, the antimicrobially active material further comprises a carrier material, in particular a silver- and ruthenium-free carrier material, in particular for elemental silver and elemental ruthenium. The carrier material is preferably a water-insoluble carrier material. More preferably, the carrier material can be a water-swellable carrier material. In particular, the carrier material can be selected from the group consisting of glass, nitrides, oxides, silicates, plastics, polymers, carbon substrates, wood, and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned carrier materials. The nitrides can in particular be selected from the group consisting of aluminum nitride, titanium nitride, silicon nitride, and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned nitrides.The oxides can be, in particular, high-melting oxides, in particular selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned oxides. The silicon dioxide can be in the form of silica or quartz, for example. The silicates can be selected, for example, from the group consisting of sodium aluminum silicate, zirconium silicate, zeolites, and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned silicates. The plastics can be, in particular, selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic homopolymers, (meth)acrylic copolymers, polyamides, and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned plastics. The polymers can be, in particular, modified or unmodified polymers of natural origin, in particular selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, polysaccharide derivatives, and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned polymers.In particular, the polymers can be cellulose and / or cellulose derivatives. Cellulose, especially cellulose powder, is a preferred carrier material for the purposes of the present invention.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the invention, the antimicrobially active material comprises particles or the antimicrobially active material is in the form of particles. The particles preferably each comprise elemental silver and elemental ruthenium. The particles can be nanoparticles, i.e. particles with an average particle diameter of 1 nm to < 100 nm, and / or mesoparticles, i.e. particles with an average particle diameter of 100 nm to < 1 pm, and / or microparticles, i.e. particles with an average particle diameter of > 100 nm to 1,000 pm. For example, the particles can have an average particle diameter of 1 pm to 10 pm, in particular 2 pm to 8 pm, in particular 2 pm to 6 pm. Optionally, the particles can have an average particle diameter of 0.1 pm to 1 pm, in particular 0.2 pm to 0.8 pm, in particular 0.2 pm to 0.6 pm.

[0035] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "average particle diameter" preferably means a volume-average primary particle diameter (d50) determinable by laser diffraction. The so-called equivalent circular area diameter (ECAD) can expediently be used as a measure of the particle diameter (cf. Renliang Xu et al.: "Comparison of sizing small particles using different technologies", Powder Technology, Elsevier, Basel (CH), Vol. 132, No. 2-3, June 24, 2003 (2003-06-24), pp. 145-153). Laser diffraction measurements can be carried out using a suitable particle size measuring device, for example a Master Sizer 3000 or a Master Sizer 2000 from Malvern Instruments, using the wet determination method. With the wet determination method, a particulate sample can be dispersed in ethanol using ultrasound during sample preparation.

[0036] In particular, the aforementioned support material can be in the form of particles. The elemental silver and elemental ruthenium can be present on internal surfaces, in particular within pores and / or cavities, and / or on external surfaces of the support material. The elemental silver and elemental ruthenium can, for example, form a continuous or discontinuous layer and / or particles.

[0037] Alternatively, the antimicrobially active material may be non-particulate, for example in the form of at least one continuous layer, in particular in the form of a film.

[0038] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “BET surface area” is to be understood as the specific surface area which can be determined by means of BET measurement according to DIN ISO 9277:2014-01 (according to Chapter 6.3.1, static volumetric measurement method, gas used: nitrogen).

[0039] The preparation of an antimicrobially active material suitable for the purposes of the present invention is described in PCT publication WO 2021 / 084140 A2, the disclosure of which, in particular with regard to the antimicrobially active material and its preparation, is incorporated into the present description by express reference.

[0040] Furthermore, the antimicrobially active material can be bonded to the spacer textile covalently, i.e. via atomic bonds, or non-covalently, in particular via van der Waals forces and / or dipole-dipole interactions and / or ionic bonds and / or donative bonds.

[0041] The spacer textile can be provided with the antimicrobially active material, in particular, by dipping, brushing, doctor blade, or spraying techniques. Alternatively, or in combination, it is preferred that a thread material be provided with the antimicrobially active material, i.e., compounded, the thread material provided or compounded with the antimicrobially active material be formed into at least one thread, for example, by extrusion or spinning, and the at least one thread be further processed into the spacer textile.

[0042] In a further embodiment of the invention, the carbon-containing material, in particular homogeneous or non-homogeneous, preferably homogeneous, is dispersed in the spacer textile, in particular in threads of the spacer textile, in particular in only one thread or several, in particular all, threads of the spacer textile. In particular, the carbon-containing material can be dispersed in the spacer thread elements or only in some of the spacer thread elements, in particular homogeneous or non-homogeneous. Alternatively or in combination, the carbon-containing material can be dispersed in at least one of the textile fabrics, in particular only in one of the textile fabrics or in both textile fabrics, in particular homogeneous or non-homogeneous.

[0043] In an embodiment of the invention, the carbon-containing material is layered, i.e. in the form of at least one layer, in particular as a coating or component of a coating of the spacer textile. The spacer textile, in particular one or more, in particular all, threads of the spacer textile, can be coated with the carbon-containing material only in regions or completely, i.e. continuously or over the entire surface (without interruption). In particular, the spacer thread elements or only some of the spacer thread elements can be coated with the carbon-containing material only in regions or completely, i.e. continuously or over the entire surface (without interruption). Alternatively or in combination, at least one of the textile fabrics, in particular only one of the textile fabrics or both textile fabrics, can be coated only in regions or completely, i.e.The coating can be coated continuously or over its entire surface (without interruption) with the carbon-containing material. Preferably, the coating is an outer coating of the spacer textile, i.e., a coating that is in direct contact with the surroundings of the spacer textile. This allows the desired properties of the carbon-containing material to be particularly emphasized.

[0044] In a further embodiment of the invention, the antimicrobially active material, together with the carbon-containing material, forms a multilayer structure, in particular a multilayer coating, on the spacer textile. Alternatively, the antimicrobially active material and the carbon-containing material can coat different areas of the spacer textile independently of one another. For example, the invention can provide for the spacer thread elements to be coated with the antimicrobially active material and at least one of the two textile fabrics to be coated with the carbon-containing material, or vice versa. Furthermore, for example, one of the two textile fabrics can be coated with the antimicrobially active material and the other textile fabric with the carbon-containing material, or vice versa.

[0045] In a further embodiment of the invention, the carbon-containing material is a component of the antimicrobially active material, in particular as a coating or component of a coating of the antimicrobially active material.

[0046] In a further embodiment of the invention, the carbon-containing material is in the form of particles. The particles can be nanoparticles, ie, particles with an average particle diameter of 1 nm to <100 nm, and / or mesoparticles, ie, particles with an average particle diameter of 100 nm to <1 pm, and / or microparticles, ie, particles with an average particle diameter of >100 nm to 1,000 pm.

[0047] The carbon-containing material is preferably graphene and / or a graphene derivative.

[0048] The graphene may in particular have an average particle diameter of 1 pm to 2 pm and / or a specific surface area of ​​700 m 2 / g up to 800 m 2 / g, for example 750 m 2 / g, and / or a bulk density of 0.1 g / cm 3 up to 0.6 g / cm 3 , especially 0.2 g / cm 3 up to 0.4 g / cm 3 , and / or a true density (actual density) of 1.5 g / cm 3 up to 3 g / cm 3 , especially 2 g / cm 3 up to 2.25 g / cm 3 , have.

[0049] In a further embodiment of the invention, the graphene derivative is selected from the group consisting of graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and mixtures thereof.

[0050] Graphene oxide is a carbon-based 2D nanomaterial typically produced by reacting graphite with a strong oxidizing agent followed by aqueous processing. It is composed of an extended hexagonal carbon framework possessing a variable number of point and extended hole defects within the carbon plane. This carbon lattice is decorated on both sides and the edge with oxygen-containing functional groups, in particular selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, carbonyl groups, aldehyde groups, keto groups, and combinations of at least two of the aforementioned oxygen-containing functional groups. The graphene oxide can be monolayered or multilayered.

[0051] The reduced graphene oxide is characterized by a lower proportion of oxygen-containing functional groups, in particular selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, carbonyl groups, aldehyde groups, keto groups and combinations of at least two of the aforementioned oxygen-containing functional groups, compared to graphene oxide.

[0052] Furthermore, the carbon-containing material can be bonded to the spacer textile covalently, ie via atomic bonds, or non-covalently, in particular by means of van der Waals forces and / or dipole-dipole interactions and / or donative bonds and / or ionic bonds.

[0053] Furthermore, the spacer textile can be provided with the carbon-containing material, in particular by dipping, brushing, squeegeeing or spraying techniques.

[0054] Alternatively or in combination, it is preferred that a thread material is provided with the carbon-containing material, ie compounded, the thread material provided or compounded with the carbon-containing material is formed into at least one thread, for example by means of extrusion or spinning, and the at least one thread is further processed into the spacer textile.

[0055] In a further embodiment of the invention, the spacer fabric further comprises a surfactant. A surfactant can be particularly advantageous for accelerating the removal of contaminated layers in water-carrying and / or water-storing pipes, tanks, or treatment systems.

[0056] The surfactant can, in particular, be a biocompatible surfactant, i.e., one that is environmentally friendly and / or harmless from a health perspective. In principle, the surfactant can be an ionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant, or a mixture of at least two of the aforementioned surfactants.

[0057] In particular, the surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of poloxamer, fatty alcohol alkoxylate such as fatty alcohol ethyloxate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, alkyl polyglucoside, alkylamidoalkyl betaine, and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned surfactants. In a further embodiment of the invention, the spacer textile is designed, in particular at least in some areas, i.e. only in some areas or throughout, as a hollow cylinder, in particular as a hollow circular cylinder, for example a hollow vertical circular cylinder or a hollow oblique circular cylinder, or as a hollow elliptical cylinder, for example a hollow vertical elliptical cylinder or a hollow oblique elliptical cylinder.Alternatively, the spacer textile can be designed as a section of a hollow cylinder, in particular as a section of a hollow circular cylinder, for example a hollow vertical circular cylinder or a hollow oblique circular cylinder, or as a section of a hollow elliptical cylinder, for example a hollow vertical elliptical cylinder or a hollow oblique elliptical cylinder. In particular, the spacer textile can be designed in a tube- or hose-shaped manner. The aforementioned configurations of the spacer textile are particularly preferred because they can be incorporated, in particular in a scalable, flexible, and efficient manner, into water-conducting and / or water-storing pipe, tank, and treatment systems, in particular as nested structures that can be rotated relative to one another and, in particular without contact, can generate sufficient shear to remove contaminated layers in the aforementioned systems.

[0058] In a further embodiment of the invention, the textile fabrics are designed independently of one another as warp-knitted fabrics, woven fabrics, braided fabrics, nonwovens, or nonwovens. In principle, the textile fabrics can be designed identically or differently. Preferably, the textile fabrics are designed identically. Particularly preferably, the textile fabrics are each designed as warp-knitted fabrics.

[0059] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “knitted fabric” is to be understood as a fabric produced from one or more threads or thread systems by stitch formation on a knitting machine or a knitted product (knitted fabric) produced by means of generative manufacturing processes, in particular by means of 3D printing.

[0060] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “knitted fabric” is to be understood as a fabric produced from one or more threads or thread systems by stitch formation by knitting, in particular machine knitting, or a knitted product produced by means of generative manufacturing processes, in particular by means of 3D printing.

[0061] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "fabric" is to be understood as a textile fabric consisting of at least two thread systems, namely warp and weft, which intersect in a pattern at an angle of exactly 90° or approximately 90° when viewed on the fabric surface. Each of the two systems can be composed of several warp and / or weft types (e.g., ground, pile and / or filling warp; ground, binding and / or filling weft). The warp threads run in the longitudinal direction of the fabric, parallel to the fabric edge. The weft threads run in the transverse direction of the fabric, parallel to the fabric edge. The fabric can be produced using a weaving machine or by means of generative manufacturing processes, in particular by means of 3D printing.

[0062] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "nonwoven fabric" is understood to mean a structure made of fibers of limited length, continuous fibers (so-called filaments) or cut yarns, in particular of any type and / or any origin, which have been combined in some way to form a nonwoven (i.e., a fiber layer or a fiber pile) and bonded to one another in some way. The nonwoven fabric can be produced by nonwoven formation and nonwoven bonding methods known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the nonwoven fabric can be produced by generative manufacturing methods, in particular by 3D printing.

[0063] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “braid” is to be understood as a surface or body structure with a regular thread density and a closed fabric appearance, the braiding (bobbin) threads of which cross in an oblique direction towards the fabric edges.

[0064] In a further embodiment of the invention, the spacer textile is designed as a spacer fabric.

[0065] Furthermore, the spacer textile can have a single thread, i.e., only one thread, or a plurality of threads, i.e., several threads, for example, two, three, four, or five threads. Preferably, the thread(s) form the textile structure of the spacer textile. The thread can be designed as a monofilament, pseudomonofilament, multifilament, or as a thread with a core-sheath structure (so-called core-sheath thread). Accordingly, the threads can be designed as monofilaments, pseudomonofilaments, multifilaments, or threads with a core-sheath structure (so-called core-sheath threads).

[0066] The threads may comprise a non-degradable or a degradable thread material or may consist of a non-degradable or degradable thread material.

[0067] The non-degradable thread material can be selected, in particular, from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyurethanes, copolymers thereof, and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned non-degradable thread materials. In particular, the non-degradable thread material can be selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, high-molecular-weight polyethylene, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide 6, polyamide 6-6, polyamide 6-12, polyamide 12, silk, rayon, natural silk, polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTEF), polyvinylidene difluoride, polytetrafluoropropylene, polyhexafluoropropylene, polyurethane, copolymers thereof, and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned non-degradable thread materials.

[0068] The degradable thread material can in particular be selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkanoates or polyhydroxyalkanoic acids, proteins, polysaccharides, stereoisomers, in particular diastereomers, thereof and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned degradable thread materials.

[0069] In particular, the degradable thread material can be selected from the group consisting of polyglycolide or polyglycolic acid, polylactide or polylactic acid, polydioxanone, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate or poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid, poly-4-hydroxybutyrate or poly-4-hydroxybutyric acid, polytrimethylene carbonate, poly-e-caprolactone, polyvinyl alcohol, cotton, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, alkylcelluloses, methylcellulose, hydroxyalkylcelluloses, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxyalkylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, starch, amylose, amylopectin, dextran, dextrin, chitin, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, dextran sulfate, heparin, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, collagen, gelatin, elastin, reticulin, fibronectin, laminin, fibrin, fibrinogen, albumin, copolymers thereof, Salts thereof, stereoisomers, especially diastereomers, thereof and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned degradable thread materials.

[0070] In a further embodiment of the invention, the spacer fabric is manufactured using a generative manufacturing process, in particular 3D printing. This makes it particularly advantageous to produce particularly complex shapes or geometries of the spacer fabric.

[0071] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "generative manufacturing process" refers to a manufacturing process in which a material, in particular a metal, a hard metal, an alloy, a ceramic, a plastic, or a combination of at least two of the aforementioned materials, is applied layer by layer, thus creating three-dimensional objects. The layered construction is preferably computer-controlled from one or more liquid or solid materials according to predetermined dimensions and shapes (CAD and / or CAM). Physical and / or chemical hardening or melting processes typically take place during construction.

[0072] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a water filter, in particular in the form of a membrane filter, which has a spacer textile according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0073] With regard to further features and advantages of the spacer textile, reference is made in full to the previous description. The features and advantages described therein with regard to the spacer textile also apply mutatis mutandis to the second aspect of the invention.

[0074] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to the use of a spacer textile according to the first aspect of the invention or the use of a water filter according to the second aspect of the invention for the treatment and / or cleaning and / or antimicrobial treatment, in particular disinfection, and / or preservation of water, in particular drinking water, process water, fresh water or rinsing water.

[0075] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “drinking water” is to be understood as meaning water which is intended for drinking, cooking, preparing food and beverages or, in particular, for personal care and cleaning, for cleaning objects which are intended to come into contact with food (for example glasses, dishes, cutlery) or for cleaning objects which are intended to come into contact with the human body for more than a temporary period (for example clothing or laundry).

[0076] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "process water" refers to water required in industrial plants or used in the manufacture of products. Process water can be, for example, feed water, in particular boiler feed water, cooling water, or ultrapure water.

[0077] For the purposes of the present invention, the term “fresh water” is understood to mean unused and, in particular, uncontaminated water.

[0078] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "rinse water" refers to water for cleaning and / or transporting, in particular, solids. The spacer fabric can be used in particular for the treatment and / or purification and / or antimicrobial treatment, in particular disinfection, and / or preservation of water in the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the healthcare industry, in the laundries sector, in particular industrial laundries, and / or in the car wash sector, in particular car washes.

[0079] Furthermore, the spacer textile can be used in particular for the treatment and / or cleaning and / or antimicrobial treatment, in particular disinfection, and / or preservation of deposited, i.e. kept or stored, water, in particular water stored in containers or tanks, for example in mobile homes, food trucks, trains, aircraft, laundries or car washes, in particular car washes.

[0080] With regard to further features and advantages of the spacer textile, reference is also made in full to the previous description. The features and advantages described therein with regard to the spacer textile also apply mutatis mutandis to the third aspect of the invention.

[0081] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments in the form of examples and descriptions of the figures. Individual features can be implemented individually or in combination with one another. The described embodiments serve merely to further explain the invention without limiting it thereto.

[0082] SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0083] The following is shown schematically in the figures:

[0084] Fig. 1 : an embodiment of a spacer textile according to the present invention and

[0085] Fig. 2: further embodiments of a spacer textile according to the present invention and an exemplary use of these embodiments.

[0086] Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a spacer textile 1 according to the present invention.

[0087] The spacer textile 1 comprises two textile fabrics 10, 12 and spacer thread elements 11. The spacer thread elements 11 connect the textile fabrics 10, 12 to one another, thereby spacing the textile fabrics 10, 12 from one another. As shown in Fig. 1, the spacer thread elements 11 can run at an angle of 90°, i.e., perpendicularly, between the two textile fabrics 10, 12. Alternatively, the spacer thread elements 11 can also run at an angle other than 90° between the textile fabrics 10, 12.

[0088] In principle, the textile fabrics 10, 12 can be designed independently of one another as a knitted fabric, a woven fabric, a braided fabric, a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or a nonwoven fabric. However, the textile fabrics 10, 12 are preferably each designed as a knitted fabric, and the spacer textile 1 as a whole is designed as a spacer fabric.

[0089] The spacer textile 1 comprises an antimicrobially active material 13. The antimicrobially active material 13 comprises elemental silver and elemental ruthenium. Preferably, the elemental silver and elemental ruthenium of the antimicrobially active material 13 are in electrically conductive contact with each other.

[0090] The antimicrobially active material 13 preferably further comprises a carrier material, in particular a water-insoluble carrier material, for the elemental silver and elemental ruthenium. The elemental silver and elemental ruthenium can be formed on an inner surface, in particular in pores and / or cavities, and / or an outer surface of the carrier material.

[0091] More preferably, the antimicrobially active material is in the form of particles, in particular in the form of nanoparticles and / or mesoparticles and / or microparticles. The antimicrobially active material 13 can have an average particle diameter of 1 pm to 10 pm, in particular 2 pm to 8 pm, in particular 2 pm to 6 pm. Optionally, the particles can have an average particle diameter of 0.1 pm to 1 pm, in particular 0.2 pm to 0.8 pm, in particular 0.2 pm to 0.6 pm.

[0092] The antimicrobially active material is preferably layered, i.e. formed as at least one layer, in particular as a coating or component of a coating of the spacer textile. In Fig. 1, the design of the antimicrobially active material 13 is shown as a coating. The coating can be formed continuously, i.e. without interruption, or discontinuously, i.e. with interruptions, on the spacer textile 1. For example, the coating can be formed only on the spacer thread elements 11 or some of the spacer thread elements 11. Alternatively or in combination, the coating can be formed on at least one of the two textile fabrics 10, 12, in particular only on one of the two textile fabrics 10, 12 or on both textile fabrics 10, 12, in particular only in certain regions or continuously, i.e. without interruptions.

[0093] The antimicrobially active material 13 is preferably in the form of a catalyst, in particular a heterogeneous mixed catalyst. This has the advantage that the antimicrobially active material is not consumed, thus ensuring continuous antimicrobial effectiveness. The antimicrobial effectiveness of the material 13 is based on the in-situ generation of reactive oxygen radicals and / or reactive oxygen-containing radicals, such as in particular hydroxy radicals, upon contact of the antimicrobially active material 13 with water and oxygen. The reactive oxygen radicals and / or reactive oxygen-containing radicals have an antimicrobial effect and inhibit or reduce the growth and / or proliferation of microorganisms, such as in particular bacteria, fungi, microalgae, protozoa, and / or viruses.Alternatively, or in combination, the reactive oxygen radicals and / or reactive oxygen-containing radicals can reduce the infectivity of microorganisms or kill or inactivate the microorganisms themselves. Thus, the release of metal ions, such as silver ions, does not occur, thus preventing metal-containing contamination of water.

[0094] The spacer textile 1 further comprises a carbon-containing material, preferably graphene and / or a graphene derivative, 14. The carbon-containing material 14 advantageously also has an antimicrobial effect, which advantageously enhances the antimicrobial effect of the antimicrobially active material 13. A further advantage in the case of graphene and / or the graphene derivative is that the reactive oxygen radicals and / or reactive oxygen-containing radicals generated in situ can be transported via the graphene structure or graphene derivative structure and thus (better) distributed due to the TT system (mesomeric system) of the graphene and / or graphene derivative. This advantageously prevents a local accumulation of the radicals and achieves a more homogeneous distribution of the radicals. This can contribute to a significant enhancement of the antimicrobial effect of the antimicrobial material 13.

[0095] The antimicrobially active material 13 and the carbon-containing material 14 can coat different areas of the spacer textile 1, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, the textile fabrics 10, 12. Alternatively or additionally, the antimicrobially active material 13 and the carbon-containing material 14 can coat the spacer thread elements 11 or a portion of the spacer thread elements 11. Furthermore, the antimicrobially active material 13, together with the carbon-containing material 14, can form a multilayer structure on the spacer textile 1.

[0096] Preferably, the antimicrobially active material 13 and / or the carbon-containing material 14 are / is dispersed in the spacer textile 1, in particular in threads of the spacer textile 1, in particular homogeneously or non-homogeneously, preferably homogeneously.

[0097] A further advantage of the carbon-containing material 14 is that, in particular, hydrophobic contaminants, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and / or fluorine-containing, in particular perfluorinated, alkyl compounds (PFAS), can be adsorbed and thus, for example, removed from water that is to be treated and / or purified and / or antimicrobially treated and / or preserved.

[0098] The carbon-containing material 14 can also advantageously be layered, in particular as a coating or component of a coating of the spacer textile 1. The statements made in this regard in connection with the antimicrobially active material 13 also apply mutatis mutandis to the carbon-containing material 14.

[0099] Furthermore, the carbon-containing material 14 can also be in the form of particles.

[0100] Furthermore, the spacer textile 1 can comprise a surfactant, in particular a biocompatible surfactant. This can, for example, facilitate the removal of contaminated layers from the interior surfaces of water-carrying and / or storing pipes, tanks, or treatment systems that are to be cleaned.

[0101] Fig. 2 schematically shows three nested spacer fabrics 1a, 1b, 1c, each designed as a hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinders 1a, 1b, 1c differ from one another in terms of their inner diameter, so that the hollow cylinders 1b and 1c are each received by the hollow cylinder 1a, and additionally the hollow cylinder 1c is received by the hollow cylinder 1b. The hollow-cylindrical spacer textiles 1a, 1b, 1c can, as shown in Fig. 2, be introduced into a water-storing tank system 15, for example, and set in rotation. The water is decontaminated using an antimicrobially active material containing both elemental silver and elemental ruthenium, as well as a carbon-containing material, with which the spacer textiles 1a, 1b, 1c are each provided. The carbon-containing material also allows hydrophobic contaminants to be removed from the water.Due to the rotation mentioned above, shearing forces generated by mechanical or fluid cause impurities on the spacer textile to be sheared off and, in particular, cause areas of the spacer textile provided with the carbon-containing material to be reactivated.

[0102] With regard to further features and advantages of the spacer textiles 1a, 1b, 1c, reference is made to the statements made in connection with the description of Fig. 1, which also apply mutatis mutandis to the spacer fabrics shown in Fig. 2.

[0103] Overall, the spacer textiles according to the present invention advantageously have multifunctional properties that allow the spacer textiles to be used preferably against a wide range of contaminants.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A spacer textile comprising two textile fabrics spaced apart from one another and comprising spacer thread elements which connect the textile fabrics to one another, characterized in that the spacer textile comprises an antimicrobially active material which comprises elemental silver and elemental ruthenium, and a carbon-containing material selected from the group consisting of graphene, graphene derivative, fullerene, carbon nanotube, activated carbon and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned carbon-containing materials.

2. Spacer textile according to claim 1, characterized in that the antimicrobially active material is dispersed, preferably homogeneously, in the spacer textile, in particular in threads of the spacer textile.

3. Spacer textile according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the antimicrobially active material is formed in layer form, in particular as a coating or component of a coating of the spacer textile.

4. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antimicrobially active material further comprises a carrier material, in particular selected from the group consisting of glass, nitrides, oxides, silicates, plastics, polymers, carbon substrates, wood and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned carrier materials.

5. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antimicrobially active material is in the form of particles, in particular with an average particle diameter of 1 pm to 10 pm, in particular 2 pm to 8 pm, preferably 2 pm to 6 pm.

6. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carbon-containing material is dispersed, preferably homogeneously, in the spacer textile, in particular in threads of the spacer textile.

7. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carbon-containing material is formed in a layered manner, in particular as a, in particular further, coating of the spacer textile or as a component of a, in particular further, coating of the spacer textile.

8. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antimicrobially active material together with the carbon-containing material forms a multi-layer structure, in particular a multi-layer coating, on the spacer textile.

9. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carbon-containing material is a component of the antimicrobially active material, in particular is designed as a coating or component of a coating of the antimicrobially active material.

10. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carbon-containing material is in the form of particles.

11. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the graphene derivative is selected from the group consisting of graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and mixtures thereof.

12. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer textile further comprises a, in particular biocompatible, surfactant, in particular selected from the group consisting of poloxamer, fatty alcohol alkoxylate such as fatty alcohol ethyloxate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, alkyl polyglucoside, alkylamidoalkyl betaine and mixtures of at least two of the aforementioned surfactants.

13. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer textile, in particular at least in some areas, is designed as a hollow cylinder, in particular a hollow (vertical or oblique) circular cylinder or a hollow (vertical or oblique) elliptical cylinder, or as a section of a hollow cylinder, in particular a hollow (vertical or oblique) circular cylinder or a hollow (vertical or oblique) elliptical cylinder.

14. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the textile fabrics are designed independently of one another as a knitted fabric, a woven fabric, a braided fabric, a nonwoven fabric or a nonwoven material.

15. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer textile is designed as a spacer fabric.

16. Spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer textile is produced by means of a generative manufacturing process.

17. Water filter, in particular in the form of a membrane filter, comprising a spacer textile according to one of the preceding claims.

18. Use of a spacer textile according to one of claims 1 to 16 or a water filter according to claim 17 for the treatment and / or cleaning and / or antimicrobial treatment, in particular disinfection, and / or preservation of water, in particular drinking water, process water, fresh water or rinsing water, in particular in the healthcare sector, in the food sector, in the pharmaceutical sector, in laundries or washing plants.

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