Disinfectant Composition for Porous Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disinfectant formulations for porous surfaces face issues with durability, toxicity, and limited spectrum activity, particularly in textiles and other non-human surfaces, where they may not effectively prevent microbial growth and require external binders or have narrow application ranges.
Innovation Solution
A disinfectant composition combining anti-microbial ceramic compounds, photocatalytic agents, and surfactants, which can be applied directly to porous surfaces without binders, providing broad-spectrum activity and prolonged protection against pathogens, while also acting as a water softener and VOC remover, using a mixture of silver, copper, and zinc compounds with titanium and silica as carrier particles and polymers like Polyacrylamide and PVA.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal derivatives containing anti-microbials are used, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but durability of antimicrobial activity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple metal derivatives (silver, copper, zinc compounds) with photocatalytic agents (titanium oxide, zinc oxide) and surfactants into a single integrated composition. This merging creates synergistic effects where the photocatalytic agents enhance the antimicrobial activity and durability when exposed to light, while the surfactants improve penetration and adhesion to porous surfaces, resolving the contradiction between achieving antimicrobial activity and maintaining its durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite formulation containing anti-microbial ceramic compounds, photocatalytic agents, and surfactants in specific concentrations. This composite material approach allows the composition to exhibit enhanced durability and sustained antimicrobial activity compared to single-component metal derivatives, as the different components work together to maintain effectiveness over time and through multiple washes.
2Reliability
If traditional dip-pad-dry-cure coating process is used with photocatalytic zinc oxide nanoparticles, then self-cleaning properties are achieved, but toxicity issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the photocatalytic agents by using non-nanoparticle forms and combining them with specific surfactants and excipients. This parameter change maintains the photocatalytic self-cleaning functionality while reducing toxicity concerns associated with nanoparticle exposure. The composition achieves similar efficacy without the harmful effects of free nanoparticles.
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactants and excipients in the composition act as intermediaries that enable the photocatalytic agents to function effectively without requiring free nanoparticle exposure. These intermediary substances facilitate the delivery and activation of the photocatalytic effect while binding the active components in a controlled manner, reducing direct contact with potentially toxic nanoparticulate forms.
3Reliability
If quaternary ammonium salts are used for textile treatment, then disinfecting effect is achieved, but the compounds are toxic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces quaternary ammonium salts with metal derivatives and photocatalytic agents that provide comparable or superior disinfecting effects with reduced toxicity. By changing the chemical parameters from organic quaternary compounds to inorganic metal-based systems, the invention maintains antimicrobial efficacy while improving safety for skin contact and environmental compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts potentially toxic metal compounds into beneficial antimicrobial agents by combining them with photocatalytic agents and surfactants. The photocatalytic activation transforms the metal derivatives into highly effective but controlled antimicrobial forms that are less toxic than quaternary ammonium salts, turning what could be harmful heavy metals into safe and effective disinfectants.
4Stability of the object's composition
If external binders are used in disinfectant formulations, then formulation stability is improved, but the formulations require multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The surfactants in the composition serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as penetration enhancers, adhesion promoters, formulation stabilizers, and emulsifiers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external binders and other auxiliary components, achieving formulation stability and performance with a reduced number of ingredients while maintaining a single-component practical application system.
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 effectively neutralizes microorganisms on surfaces, maintains effectiveness through 30 washes, is non-toxic, and can be used in various environments, including textiles and air/water filters, offering cost-efficient and long-lasting protection against pathogens and VOCs.
Implementation Method 1
The composition comprises of anti-microbial metal compounds, photocatalytic agents selected from the group consisting of titania, silica, surfactants and excipients
Implementation Method 2
The composition comprises silver salt 0.1 to 5% (wt/v); zinc oxide 0.1 to 5% (wt/v)
Implementation Method 3
The composition comprises of anti-microbial ceramic compounds, photocatalytic agents, and surfactants
Implementation Method 4
using a mixture of silver, copper, and zinc compounds with titanium and silica as carrier particles and polymers like Polyacrylamide and PVA
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to non-cytotoxic disinfectant and sanitizer composition for disinfecting porous surfaces such as textiles, wood, paints, ceramics, PPE's etc. and method of preparing the same. The composition comprises of anti-microbial ceramic compounds, photo catalytic agents selected from the group consisting of titania, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide and silica; at least one surfactants and excipients. The composition can effectively neutralize microorganisms deep into the surfaces while not altering the characteristics of the articles. The compositions are designed to impart negative ion effect, cooling effect, help to remove toxic gases from the environment and yield long lasting effects by binding to the articles. Besides, as part of air and water filters, the additive aids in the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs); thereby providing great potential applications for contaminant control in indoor environments such as residences, office buildings, factories.