Glass-Encapsulated Copper Biocide for Low VOC Paint Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern low VOC colorants face challenges in controlling bacteria and fungi growth due to the removal of solvents, requiring high levels of biocides and fungicides, which pose safety concerns and may degrade over time, compromising preservation during storage, transportation, and consumption.
Innovation Solution
The use of encapsulated copper biocides, such as copper(I) oxide encapsulated in glass, which acts as a slow-release antimicrobial agent, reducing the need for traditional biocides and enhancing storage stability, while providing a safer alternative with reduced health risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional biocides and fungicides are used at high levels to preserve low VOC colorants, then microbial control is improved, but safety concerns and health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses encapsulated copper particles as an intermediary substance that provides antimicrobial protection without the direct toxicity of traditional biocides. The copper is encapsulated in a biodegradable polymer matrix that controls its release, acting as a mediator between the need for preservation and safety concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the form and release characteristics of copper by encapsulating it in a polymer matrix. This transforms copper from a potentially toxic metal into a controlled-release antimicrobial agent, modifying parameters such as release rate, solubility, and bioavailability to achieve both effectiveness and safety.
2Reliability
If traditional biocides and fungicides are used to preserve colorants during storage, then preservation is improved, but degradation of the biocides over time reduces protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates copper into the polymer matrix during manufacturing, pre-loading the preservation capability into the colorant formulation. This preliminary action ensures that antimicrobial protection is present from the start and released gradually over time, eliminating the need for additional biocide applications during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulated copper provides continuous antimicrobial protection through sustained release from the polymer matrix. Unlike traditional biocides that degrade or deplete over time, the controlled-release system maintains effective concentrations throughout the shelf life and beyond, ensuring continuous protection during storage, transportation, and after dispensing.
3Quantity of substance
If solvents are removed to create low VOC colorants, then VOC content is reduced, but control of bacteria and fungi growth becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical preservation mechanism (solvents and traditional biocides) with a controlled-release copper system. Instead of relying on solvent-based microbial inhibition, the encapsulated copper provides a different mechanism of action that is effective in water-based, low-VOC formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining copper particles with a biodegradable polymer matrix. This composite provides both the antimicrobial activity of copper and the controlled-release properties of the polymer, enabling effective preservation in low-VOC colorants without relying on traditional solvent-based approaches.
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 encapsulated copper biocide maintains microbial control for extended periods, achieving greater than 99.9% reduction in bacterial colony counts and extending the shelf life of pigment dispersions without degradation, while minimizing toxicity and skin sensitization risks.
Implementation Method 1
The use of encapsulated copper biocides, such as copper(I) oxide encapsulated in glass, which acts as a slow-release antimicrobial agent
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an aqueous pigment composition comprising a pigment and a metal-based biocide. Specifically, the present disclosure provides an aqueous pigment composition including a glass-encapsulated copper biocide. The composition may be used in paints for distribution at the point of sale.