Antibacterial Filter Using Copper Sulfide Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antibacterial filters face challenges with high costs, toxicity, and limited processing ease, particularly with silver and sulfur compounds, which are expensive and difficult to process effectively, despite their antibacterial properties.
Innovation Solution
A copper-based filter using copper sulfide (CuS) with a chemical structure of CuxMy, where M is S, F, or Cl, applied to a porous medium, offering antibacterial and deodorizing activities at a lower cost and improved processing ease, with porosity ranging from 10 to 40% and a copper-to-sulfur ratio of 0.8 to 1.5.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silver is used for antibacterial preparation, then high antibacterial effect is achieved, but cost becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive silver with copper-based compounds that are significantly cheaper while maintaining antibacterial effectiveness. The copper compound filter media provides sustained antibacterial action without the high material cost of silver, making the filter economically viable for widespread use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter from silver to copper-based compounds, specifically using copper sulfate or copper chloride combined with sulfur-containing compounds. This parameter change maintains the antibacterial function while dramatically reducing cost and improving processability.
2Reliability
If sulfur is applied for antibacterial preparation, then high antibacterial activity is achieved, but processing difficulty and toxic properties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material system combining copper-based compounds (copper sulfate or copper chloride) with sulfur-containing compounds. This composite approach leverages the high antibacterial activity of sulfur while the copper component improves processing ease and reduces toxicity, achieving a synergistic effect that resolves both issues simultaneously.
3Productivity
If microorganisms are removed through air filters, then dust elimination is achieved, but microorganism proliferation on filter surface occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copper-based antibacterial compounds to the filter media surface before microorganisms can colonize. This preliminary antibacterial treatment prevents microorganism proliferation on the filter surface, eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining the filter's dust removal productivity.
4Reliability
If inorganic antibacterial preparations are applied on filter surface, then microorganism proliferation is prevented, but cost and processing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antibacterial preparation from conventional options to copper-based compounds combined with sulfur-containing compounds. This parameter change achieves effective microorganism proliferation prevention while significantly reducing cost and simplifying processing compared to traditional antibacterial preparations.
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 copper sulfide filter achieves antibacterial activity of 1×10^4 to 1×10^6 counts/ml and deodorizing activity of 90 to 98%, providing effective removal of toxic microorganisms and foul odors while being inexpensive, easy to process, and non-toxic.
Implementation Method 1
the sulfur compound including copper sulfide is excellent in antibacterial and deodorizing activities
Implementation Method 2
the sulfur compound including copper sulfide is excellent in antibacterial and deodorizing activities
Implementation Method 3
a porous medium containing minute pores available for a fluid to pass through
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an antibacterial filter including a copper-based compound that is relatively inexpensive, easy to process, non-toxic and excellent in antibacterial and deodorizing activities. The filter comprises: a porous medium containing minute pores available for a fluid to pass through; and copper sulfide applied on the surface of the porous medium by coating or dispersed in the porous medium, the sulfur compound having a chemical structure of CuxMy (where M is any one selected from Group 15 to 17 elements of the periodic table; and x/y=0.8 to 1.5).