Cannabinoid-Coated Copper Microparticles for Oxidation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing materials from reacting with the environment, such as oxidizing in moist or alkaline environments, are inadequate, and many ligands have detrimental or unknown effects on humans and the environment.
Innovation Solution
Utilize cannabinoids as capping agents for micron and sub-micron particles to reduce environmental interactions, including antioxidant properties that stabilize the particles against oxidation and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional ligands are used to prevent oxidation, then particle stability is improved, but environmental safety deteriorates due to detrimental or unknown effects on humans and the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional ligands with natural antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, ferulic acid) that are biocompatible and environmentally safe. These natural antioxidants provide sufficient protection against oxidation without the harmful effects of synthetic ligands, effectively using readily available, non-toxic substances to achieve the desired stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the capping agents from synthetic ligands to natural antioxidants with specific functional groups (phenolic hydroxyl in vitamin E, ascorbic acid structure in vitamin C). This parameter change maintains oxidation protection while improving environmental safety and biocompatibility.
2Reliability
If noble metals are used for capping particles, then oxidation resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive noble metal capping agents with inexpensive natural antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and ferulic acid. These natural compounds provide effective oxidation resistance at a fraction of the cost of noble metals, making the manufacturing process more economically viable while maintaining particle stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses natural antioxidants as intermediary substances that mediate between the particle surface and the oxidizing environment. These antioxidants act as sacrificial protectors, undergoing oxidation themselves to prevent oxidation of the underlying particle material, thereby providing cost-effective protection without requiring noble metals.
3Adaptability or versatility
If particles are exposed to ambient atmosphere, then application versatility is improved, but particle performance deteriorates due to oxidation and environmental interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies natural antioxidant capping agents to particles before they are exposed to the ambient atmosphere or used in applications. This preliminary protection creates a stable interface that prevents oxidation during storage, transport, and application, allowing particles to maintain their performance characteristics while being versatile enough for various ambient conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs natural antioxidants that provide self-protecting capabilities to particles. These antioxidants are inherently stable and continue to protect particles from oxidation without requiring additional external interventions, sealing, or coating processes, thereby maintaining particle performance while enabling broad application versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Cannabinoid-capped particles exhibit improved stability and conductivity, allowing them to be used in conductive inks and other applications without the need for expensive noble metals, while maintaining environmental safety.
Implementation Method 1
Interaction between the materials (and particles of the materials) and their environment during manufacture, utilization and/or application can result in changes in the performance of the material, which can be apparent almost immediately, or over time. Some examples of these interactions are oxidation of the material (and particles of the materials) in the presence of gases, radicals, ions, heat and/or water.
Implementation Method 2
Utilize cannabinoids as capping agents for micron and sub-micron particles to reduce environmental interactions, including antioxidant properties that stabilize the particles against oxidation and corrosion.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for producing particles of typically reactive materials that have reduced reactivity and/or environmental interactions by having cannabinoids on the surface of the particles. In example embodiments, the particles are of micron and sub-micron sized. Embodiments produce microparticles coated with cannabinoids by reducing a metal salt in water in the presence of cannabinoids. Copper microparticles created in this way are produced in one reaction step at low temperature and short reaction times. Copper microparticles coated with cannabinoids have improved resistance to oxidation and are able to form conductive composites that have conductivity greater than 7×106 S/m with a low heat treatment temperature of 90° C. Cannabinoid coated particles can also be created by adding cannabinoids to existing particles. Adding cannabinoids to bare copper particles can reverse surface oxidation of the particles.