Doped Copper Hydroxide Phosphate IR Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation absorbers for thermoplastic polymers, such as copper hydroxide phosphate, have limitations in absorbing a broader wavelength range, are not suitable for food packaging due to toxicity or color imparting, and require expensive short-wave emitters, while also having long reaction times and CO2 issues in production processes.
Innovation Solution
A mixed metal phosphate compound with copper as the main metallic component, doped with elements like Al, Sn, Si, Bi, Cr, Mo, and lanthanides, which improves absorption in a wider wavelength range, is harmless, and does not affect polymer material properties, produced through a process involving an aqueous dispersion of copper(II) hydroxide and phosphoric acid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If copper hydroxide phosphate is used as a radiation absorber, then absorption in the shorter-wave IR range (800-1600 nm) is improved, but absorption in the longer-wave IR range (above 1600 nm) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining copper hydroxide phosphate with doping metals (Al, Ga, In, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Mo, Hf) to create a mixed metal phosphate compound. This composite approach enables the material to absorb radiation across a broader wavelength spectrum, particularly improving absorption in the longer-wave IR range while maintaining shorter-wave absorption capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition of copper hydroxide phosphate through doping with various metals. By changing the compositional parameters (adding doping metals at controlled concentrations), the absorption characteristics are tuned to achieve improved performance across the entire IR spectrum, especially extending absorption into the longer-wave range above 1600 nm.
2Use of energy by moving object
If radiation absorbers are added to polymer material, then radiation absorption is improved, but material properties such as stability, strength, flexibility and barrier properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of the radiation absorber in the polymer material. By controlling the amount of mixed metal phosphate compound added to the polymer, the patent achieves sufficient radiation absorption while minimizing the negative impact on material properties such as stability, strength, flexibility and barrier properties.
3Use of energy by moving object
If short-wave emitters are used to achieve good absorption, then absorption efficiency is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional radiation absorber that can effectively absorb radiation across a broad spectrum including both shorter-wave and longer-wave IR ranges. This universal absorption capability allows the use of more cost-effective longer-wave emitters while maintaining high absorption efficiency, eliminating the need to rely exclusively on expensive short-wave emitters.
4Use of energy by moving object
If radiation absorbers with good absorption are used, then radiation absorption is improved, but the polymer material becomes colored or cloudy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the compositional parameters of the radiation absorber by using a mixed metal phosphate system with controlled doping metal concentrations. This compositional optimization enables effective radiation absorption while minimizing the inherent color and clouding effects on the polymer material, achieving a balance between absorption performance and material aesthetics.
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 doped copper(II) hydroxide phosphate compound achieves enhanced absorption, particularly above 1400 nm, allowing for broader wavelength use with medium-wave radiators, is non-toxic, and maintains polymer material properties, making it suitable for food packaging and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
the mixed metal compound has an absorption in the UV-VIS-IR spectrum at at least one wavelength within the wavelength range from over 1400 to 2200 nm, which is at least 50% of the absorption maximum within the wavelength range from 600 to 1400 nm
Implementation Method 2
The effectiveness of the heating and thus the economic efficiency of the process is higher the more the radiation is absorbed by the polymer material and converted into heat
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a mixed-metal phosphate compound which contains copper as the main metal in the divalent oxidation stage in a quantity of at least 70.0 at.% and one or more doped metals in a total quantity of the doped metals of at least 0.01 to maximally 30.0 at.%. The doped metals are selected from the group consisting of the elements of the first and second main groups and the eighth subgroup of the elements of the periodic system, Al, Sn, Si, Bi, Cr, Mo, Mn, the lanthanides and the actinides. The specified metal quantities relate to the total quantity of the metals in the mixed-metal phosphate compound, the mixed-metal compound having a phosphate content, expressed as P2O5, ranging from 10 to 60 wt.%. The invention further relates to a method for producing the mixed-metal phosphate compound and to the use thereof.