Hexanuclear Cluster Photosensitizers for Stable Singlet Oxygen Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating singlet oxygen are expensive, cumbersome, and dangerous, with photosensitizers often subject to bleaching or destruction by the very singlet oxygen they produce, limiting their effectiveness and stability for long-term use.
Innovation Solution
The use of hexanuclear clusters as photosensitizers, which are robust and stable for extended periods, to generate singlet oxygen effectively. These clusters are immobilized on a substrate and activated by light in the presence of oxygen, enabling efficient production of singlet oxygen for pathogen inactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional photosensitizers are used to generate singlet oxygen, then singlet oxygen can be produced, but the photosensitizers are subject to bleaching or destruction by the singlet oxygen they generate, limiting their stability and effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the photosensitizer by using inorganic hexanuclear clusters (molybdenum or tungsten-based) instead of traditional organic photosensitizers. This fundamental parameter change transforms the photosensitizer from organic to inorganic chemistry, providing resistance against singlet oxygen degradation while maintaining photosensitizing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures by combining hexanuclear clusters with various ligands (such as carboxylates, phosphines, or cyanides) to create stable photosensitizer complexes. These composite structures enhance the stability of the photosensitizer against singlet oxygen while preserving its light-absorbing and singlet oxygen-generating properties.
2Reliability
If expensive photosensitizing nanoparticles are used to generate singlet oxygen, then singlet oxygen generation capability is achieved, but the materials are expensive and wasteful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts inexpensive inorganic cluster compounds as photosensitizers that can be synthesized from abundant metal sources (molybdenum or tungsten). These clusters are designed to be stable and reusable rather than disposable, providing long-term cost effectiveness by eliminating the need for frequent replacement of degraded organic photosensitizers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts from using expensive organic photosensitizers or complex nanoparticle systems to relatively simple inorganic hexanuclear clusters. This parameter change in material composition dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining or improving singlet oxygen generation efficiency.
3Reliability
If organic photosensitizers are used to generate singlet oxygen, then photosensitizing function is achieved, but they are subject to degradation by singlet oxygen and photobleaching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical nature of the photosensitizer from organic to inorganic (metal cluster) chemistry. This parameter change confers resistance to photobleaching and singlet oxygen degradation, as inorganic metal clusters possess different electronic structures and chemical stability profiles compared to organic molecules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite inorganic cluster complexes with stabilizing ligands that protect the metal centers while allowing photosensitizing function. These composite structures provide enhanced chemical stability and resistance to degradation compared to simple organic photosensitizers.
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 hexanuclear cluster systems provide a cost-effective and stable means to generate singlet oxygen, effectively inactivating airborne pathogens and those on surfaces, offering a promising solution for air and surface sterilization in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
The clusters are exposed to a light; and wherein each hexanuclear cluster is a photosensitizer configured to generate the gaseous singlet oxygen when irradiated by the light in the presence of the O2 gas
Implementation Method 2
wherein the clusters are exposed to a light; and wherein each hexanuclear cluster is a photosensitizer configured to generate the gaseous singlet oxygen when irradiated by the light
Implementation Method 3
each hexanuclear cluster is a photosensitizer configured to generate the gaseous singlet oxygen when irradiated by the light in the presence of the O2 gas
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects disclosed herein include a system for generating singlet oxygen in a gas, the system comprising: a substrate; and hexanuclear clusters operably immobilized on at least a portion of the substrate; wherein each hexanuclear cluster comprises a photosensitive octahedral core complex characterized by formula FX1a: M6X8 (FX1a); wherein each M is independently Mo, W, or Re; wherein each X is independently a halide anion ligand; wherein the clusters are exposed to the gas and the gas comprises O2 gas; wherein the clusters are exposed to a light; and wherein each hexanuclear cluster is a photosensitizer configured to generate the gaseous singlet oxygen when irradiated by the light in the presence of the O2 gas.