Cucurbituril Polymer Composite for Dust-Free Malodour Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing malodour, particularly those involving cucurbiturils, face challenges such as dusting issues with particulate powders and the need for effective malodour reduction from external sources, which are not adequately addressed by existing compositions.
Innovation Solution
A solid composition comprising cucurbiturils and derivatives suspended in or bound by a thermoplastic and/or thermosetting polymer medium, which can be applied as an isolated film or coating to inanimate surfaces, effectively reducing malodour by complexation with malodour-producing molecules while minimizing dusting issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cucurbituril is used as particulate powder for malodour reduction, then malodour reduction efficacy is improved, but dusting issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of cucurbituril from particulate powder to a dissolved or dispersed form within a polymer matrix. This parameter change eliminates dusting while preserving the malodour reduction capability, as the cucurbituril molecules remain accessible to malodour compounds but are no longer in free particulate form that can become airborne dust.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system where cucurbituril is integrated into a polymer matrix (such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or other thermoplastics/thermosetting polymers). This composite structure combines the malodour reduction properties of cucurbituril with the dust-free, structurally stable characteristics of the polymer medium, resolving the contradiction between efficacy and dusting.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If cucurbituril is suspended in polymer medium, then dusting is reduced, but malodour reduction efficacy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the porous or semi-permeable nature of the polymer matrix to allow malodour compounds to diffuse through the material and interact with cucurbituril molecules. The polymer medium provides a three-dimensional network that maintains accessibility of cucurbituril binding sites while preventing particulate dust formation, thus preserving efficacy while reducing dusting.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer medium acts as an intermediary carrier that holds cucurbituril in a fixed, non-dusty state while still allowing malodour molecules to reach the cucurbituril binding sites. The polymer matrix mediates between the solid cucurbituril molecules and the gaseous malodour compounds, enabling interaction without direct exposure of loose particulates.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cucurbituril is used in solid composition form, then application stability is improved, but complexity of composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components (cucurbituril, polymer matrix, and optionally other functional additives) into a single integrated solid composition. This combining approach improves application stability by creating a unified material that maintains its structure and function together, while the synergistic interaction between components can actually simplify the overall system compared to using separate applications.
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 significantly reduces malodour concentrations from external sources, maintaining efficacy even when integrated into a polymer medium, and provides a durable solution that prevents dusting and enhances application stability.
Implementation Method 1
effectively reducing malodour by complexation with malodour-producing molecules
Implementation Method 2
a solid composition comprising one or more cucurbiturils and derivatives and/or analogues thereof suspended in and/or bound by a thermoplastic and/or a thermosetting polymer medium
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing malodour includes the step of providing a solid composition including one or more cucurbiturils and derivatives and/or analogues thereof suspended in and/or bound by a thermoplastic and/or a thermosetting polymer medium, wherein the source of the malodour is external.