Chitosan-Copper Nanoparticle Disinfectant Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disinfectants and sanitizers used in public and health environments are often toxic and cannot be applied directly on people, posing health risks and having limited residual effectiveness, necessitating the development of a safer and more effective alternative for daily use.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable and biocompatible disinfectant and sanitizer composition combining chitosan biopolymers and copper nanoparticles, which forms a protective film on surfaces, enhancing antimicrobial activity without harming people or the environment, and can be used in the presence of individuals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional disinfectants and sanitizers are used to achieve effective antimicrobial activity, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but toxicity to humans and environmental harm worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines chitosan biopolymers with copper nanoparticles to create a composite disinfectant composition. This composite material integrates the antimicrobial properties of copper nanoparticles with the biocompatible, biodegradable characteristics of chitosan, achieving effective disinfection while reducing toxicity to humans and environmental harm.
2Speed
If conventional disinfectants are applied to achieve immediate antimicrobial effect, then short-term disinfection is improved, but residual effectiveness duration worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The chitosan-copper nanoparticle composition provides continuous antimicrobial protection through the formation of a persistent protective film on surfaces. The copper nanoparticles maintain sustained release of antimicrobial ions, while chitosan ensures long-term adhesion and stability, achieving both rapid initial action and extended residual effectiveness for 20-30 days.
3Reliability
If toxic disinfectants are used to ensure broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, then antimicrobial coverage is improved, but safety for application on people worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of conventional disinfectants by replacing toxic synthetic compounds with biocompatible chitosan biopolymers and utilizing copper nanoparticles at controlled concentrations. This parameter change maintains broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi while ensuring safety for direct application on skin and mucous membranes.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If biodegradable and biocompatible materials are used to reduce environmental impact, then environmental safety is improved, but antimicrobial effectiveness may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite system where chitosan biopolymers provide biodegradability and biocompatibility, while copper nanoparticles contribute potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial effectiveness. The synergistic combination ensures that environmental safety and antimicrobial reliability are both optimized, with the chitosan matrix enhancing copper nanoparticle stability and controlled release.
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
The composition exhibits prolonged antimicrobial activity, is non-toxic, and can be applied directly on surfaces and skin, maintaining effectiveness for 20-30 days with no adverse effects, making it suitable for various environments including sanitation tunnels.
Implementation Method 1
The mixture disrupts the membranes of bacteria, viruses and fungi, inactivating them
Implementation Method 2
The mixture penetrates into the cells, inhibiting the synthesis of proteins and the function of intracellular enzymes
Implementation Method 3
What gives maximum potential to the antimicrobial power of the product is a mix of an oligosaccharide biopolymer, such as chitosan, with copper nanoparticles
Implementation Method 4
copper nanoparticles, with a particle size between 20 nm and 100 nm... the mixture disrupts the membranes of bacteria, viruses and fungi
Data Source
AI summary
Disinfectant and sanitizing composition comprising a mixture of 1-4% w/v of a chitin derivative, such as the biopolymer chitosan, with molecular weight between 300.000 gr/mol and 600.000 gr/mol and viscosity between 48 and 54 mPa/s, 1-3% w/w of an organic acid, 0.002-0.01% w/v of copper nanoparticles, 1-2% v/v of a vegetable essential oil, and the remainder being water. Also disclosed are a method to prepare this composition and descriptions of its use.