Metallic Copper Fine Particles Coating for Antiviral Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Monovalent copper compound fine particles tend to aggregate easily, reducing their antiviral activity and causing haze or optical transmittance issues in coated materials, and are less effective against viruses without an envelope structure.

Innovation Solution

Metallic copper fine particles coated with fatty acid and ester compounds, with an average particle diameter of 10 to 500 nm, are used to enhance antiviral activity and prevent oxidation and aggregation, allowing for efficient dispersion and long-term effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If monovalent copper compound fine particles are used to exhibit antiviral activity, then antiviral activity is improved, but the particles aggregate easily and disperse poorly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantiviral activityVSAvoiddispersion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reducing agent as an intermediary substance that converts copper ions to metallic copper particles. This intermediary process creates particles with different surface properties that resist aggregation, allowing the system to maintain both antiviral activity and dispersion stability simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical state of copper from monovalent copper compound to metallic copper through reduction. This parameter change fundamentally alters the particle surface properties, eliminating the aggregation tendency while preserving antiviral efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If larger particle diameter monovalent copper compound is used, then particle stability is improved, but particle surface area decreases reducing antiviral activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle stabilityVSAvoidantiviral activity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of copper oxidation state from +1 to 0 (metallic), which alters particle formation and surface characteristics. This enables small particle size (high surface area) to be achieved without the aggregation problems that plague monovalent copper compounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If larger particle diameter monovalent copper compound is used in coating, then coating stability is improved, but haze and optical transmittance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating stabilityVSAvoidoptical transmittance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

By changing copper to its metallic state through reduction, the patent enables formation of fine particles that can be dispersed at low concentrations. This allows coating stability without the haze and transmittance problems associated with larger monovalent copper compound particles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Area of moving object

If pulverization method is used to obtain fine particles, then particle size is reduced improving surface area, but particles aggregate due to absence of coating agent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle surface areaVSAvoidaggregation resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The reducing agent serves as an intermediary that not only converts copper ions to metallic particles but also appears to leave residual species or create surface conditions that provide inherent aggregation resistance, eliminating the need for separate coating agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The reduction process itself appears to confer aggregation resistance to the particles, making the system self-stabilizing without requiring additional coating agents or stabilizers to be added separately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 metallic copper fine particles exhibit superior antiviral activity against both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, maintaining effectiveness over time and preventing material degradation, while maintaining transparency and formability in coated articles.

Implementation Method 1

preventing oxidation and aggregation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation prevention: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

coated with a fatty acid and an ester compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

exhibit an antiviral activity superior to that of a monovalent copper compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntiviral activity:

Implementation Method 4

prevent aggregation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAggregation prevention: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentUS11452743B2Metallic copper fine particles and method for producing the same

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 TOYO SEIKAN GRP HLDG LTD

AI summary

Metallic copper fine particles coated with a fatty acid and an ester compound. Also disclosed is an antiviral agent containing the metallic copper fine particles and a method for producing the metallic copper fine particles.