Graphene-Ceramic Nano-Composite Filter for Cigarette Smoke
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current graphene-based filters for cigarette smoke are not cost-effective and lack structural integrity, failing to effectively remove toxic compounds without impacting nicotine content or being adaptable to various tobacco products.
Innovation Solution
A graphene-ceramic nano-composite filter is developed, where ceramic particles are acid-treated, coated with carbon, and annealed to form graphene, then functionalized with specific groups to enhance adsorption of toxic compounds like ammonia, formaldehyde, and tar, while maintaining minimal nicotine impact, and designed for use with multiple tobacco products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If standalone graphene is used in cigarette filter, then adsorption ability for toxic compounds is improved, but cost-effectiveness deteriorates and structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines graphene with ceramic particles to form a composite filter material. The ceramic particles provide structural integrity and stability, while graphene layers maintain their toxic compound adsorption capability. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing graphene to function effectively without compromising overall filter reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter utilizes the porous structure of both ceramic particles and graphene layers to enable smoke passage while trapping toxic compounds. The porous architecture provides sufficient surface area for adsorption while maintaining mechanical strength and breathability, addressing both structural integrity and harmful factor removal.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If functional groups are added to graphene layers, then adsorption of toxic compounds is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces functional groups during the graphene synthesis process itself, rather than requiring post-synthesis modification. By incorporating functional groups like carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amino groups during carbonization and annealing stages, the manufacturing process is simplified while still achieving enhanced adsorption capability for specific toxic compounds.
3Manufacturing precision
If graphene filter is designed for specific tobacco products, then filtration performance is optimized, but adaptability to various tobacco products deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the graphene-ceramic composite filter with universal applicability across different tobacco products. The modular structure and standardized dimensions allow the same filter design to be effectively used with various cigarette types, cigarillos, and other tobacco products, maintaining consistent filtration performance without requiring product-specific customization.
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 graphene-ceramic nano-composite filter effectively reduces tar and toxic compound content in cigarette smoke, providing a safer smoking alternative with minimal nicotine reduction and adaptability to various tobacco products, while being economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
The organic compounds are trapped due to chemical adsorption (chemisorption) between the layers
Implementation Method 2
Functionalized graphene layers having functional groups such as -CHO, -C=O, -COOH, -OH, etc., on the graphene basal plane show excellent adsorption of organic compounds
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The embodiments herein provide a filter for cigarette comprising graphene nano-composite based material enclosed in a casing. The filter is reusable and is plugged to any cigarette, or tobacco smoking products. The filter is a stand-alone product or manufactured integrally with each individual cigarette. The filter provides a safe smoking option to tobacco smokers without changing their smoking habits by reducing the tar content and other toxic chemicals in the inhaled smoke. The graphene based nanocomposite filter adsorbs the toxic agents from the smoke (of cigarette, beedi, hookah etc). The filter is fabricated by treating ceramic particles and coating them with carbon particles. The carbon particles are carbonized. The ceramic particles coated with carbon are segregated based on shape and size and treated chemically to convert carbon into graphene under inert conditions. The graphene coated particles are chemically functionalized for improved filtration.