Cuprous Oxide Dispersion for Transparent Antibacterial Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cuprous oxide nanoparticle dispersion methods, such as microemulsion, are complex and limit solvent types, making it difficult to achieve high antibacterial performance and transparency in coating films, especially when increasing cuprous oxide concentration.
Innovation Solution
A cuprous oxide particle dispersion liquid comprising cuprous oxide particles, a phosphate ester-based anionic surfactant, and an organic solvent, with controlled particle diameters and surfactant amounts, is used to create a coating agent composition that improves dispersibility and transparency, and when combined with a binder resin, forms a high-transparency, high-antibacterial coating film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cuprous oxide concentration is increased to improve antibacterial performance, then antibacterial property is improved, but transparency of coating film deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cuprous oxide particles are segmented into small primary particles (2-80 nm) that form secondary particles (50-150 nm) through controlled aggregation. This segmentation allows higher concentration of cuprous oxide to be incorporated while maintaining transparency, as the small particle sizes scatter less light compared to larger aggregates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the particle size parameters of cuprous oxide, specifically controlling the average primary particle diameter to 2-80 nm and average secondary particle diameter to 50-150 nm. This parameter change enables the coating to maintain transparency even at higher cuprous oxide concentrations, resolving the contradiction between antibacterial performance and transparency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If microemulsion method is used to improve dispersibility of cuprous oxide, then dispersibility is improved, but synthesizing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a specific surfactant as an intermediary substance to achieve dispersibility of cuprous oxide particles. The surfactant mediates between the cuprous oxide particles and the solvent, enabling stable dispersion without requiring the complex microemulsion synthesis process. This simplifies the overall synthesizing process while maintaining good dispersibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If microemulsion method is used to disperse cuprous oxide, then dispersibility is improved, but solvent type selection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a surfactant system that provides universal dispersibility across multiple solvent types. The surfactant can effectively disperse cuprous oxide particles in various solvents including water, alcohols, and organic solvents, making the system versatile and adaptable to different application requirements without being restricted to specific solvent types as in microemulsion methods.
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 solution facilitates a simpler synthesis process, maintains high dispersibility and antibacterial performance even at increased cuprous oxide concentrations, and ensures transparency and effective antibacterial/antiviral properties in the coating film.
Implementation Method 1
20 to 100 parts by mass of a phosphate ester-based anionic surfactant per 100 parts by mass of the cuprous oxide particles
Implementation Method 2
phosphate ester-based anionic surfactant
Implementation Method 3
500 to 10000 parts by mass of an organic solvent per 100 parts by mass of the cuprous oxide particles
Implementation Method 4
the average secondary particle diameter being measured by dynamic light scattering using cumulant analysis
Implementation Method 5
dynamic light scattering
Data Source
AI summary
A cuprous oxide particle dispersion liquid includes: cuprous oxide particles; 20 to 100 parts by mass of a phosphate ester-based anionic surfactant per 100 parts by mass of the cuprous oxide particles; and 500 to 10000 parts by mass of an organic solvent per 100 parts by mass of the cuprous oxide particles. The cuprous oxide particles have an average primary particle diameter of 2 nm to 80 nm and have an average secondary particle diameter of 50 nm to 150 nm, the average secondary particle diameter being measured by dynamic light scattering using cumulant analysis. A coating agent composition includes the cuprous oxide particle dispersion liquid and a binder resin, wherein the cuprous oxide particles are contained in a range from 0.1 to 50 parts by mass in 100 parts by mass of a non-volatile matter content of the coating agent composition. An antibacterial/antiviral member includes a substrate and a coating film formed on the substrate and containing the coating agent composition.