Iron-Silicon Modified Titanium Oxide–Metal Compositions for Transparent Films
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photocatalyst materials face challenges in maintaining high photocatalytic activity and antimicrobial properties in both light and dark conditions, and achieving transparency in thin films due to agglomeration and reduced photocatalytic activity from added metal components.
Innovation Solution
A titanium oxide particle-metal particle composition is developed, comprising titanium oxide particles modified with iron and silicon components, and antimicrobial metal-containing particles, with a protective agent adsorbed onto the metal surfaces, to enhance photocatalytic activity and antimicrobial properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If iron component is added to enhance photocatalytic activity, then photocatalytic activity is improved, but titanium oxide fine particles agglutinate and precipitate causing film quality impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces silicon component as an intermediary substance that mediates between the iron component and titanium oxide particles. The silicon component prevents direct interaction between iron and titanium oxide that causes agglomeration, while still allowing photocatalytic enhancement to occur. This is achieved by having silicon modify the particle surfaces and create steric or electrostatic barriers that prevent aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the particle surface by introducing silicon modification. This alters the surface properties such as charge, hydrophobicity, or steric characteristics, which in turn changes the interparticle interaction forces to prevent agglomeration while maintaining photocatalytic activity enhancement from the iron component.
2Reliability
If metal components are added to enhance antimicrobial properties, then antimicrobial property is improved, but transparency of photocatalyst thin film is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating metal components specifically on the particle surfaces through modification, rather than having them distributed throughout the bulk material. This localized placement provides antimicrobial function at the interface where it is most needed (contact with microorganisms), while minimizing the overall metal content in the film to preserve transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite particle structure combining titanium oxide core with surface-modified layers containing metal components. This composite architecture allows the core to provide photocatalytic function, the surface layer to provide antimicrobial function, while the overall composite maintains optical transparency by controlling the size, distribution, and concentration of metal phases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If visible light responsive photocatalyst is used for indoor application, then effectiveness under visible light is improved, but photocatalytic activity is reduced compared to ultraviolet light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two different photocatalytic mechanisms: the intrinsic photocatalytic activity of titanium oxide under ultraviolet light and the visible light absorption enhancement from iron component. By combining these effects in a single system, the material achieves high photocatalytic activity under ultraviolet light while also gaining visible light responsiveness for indoor applications.
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 achieves high photocatalytic activity and antimicrobial properties regardless of light conditions, with the ability to form a highly transparent photocatalyst thin film suitable for rapid cleaning of base material surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a protective agent being adsorbed onto the metal particle surfaces
Implementation Method 2
titanium oxide particles with the surfaces thereof being modified by an iron component and a silicon component
Implementation Method 3
a photocatalytic reaction is a reaction caused by excited electrons and positive holes that are generated when a photocatalyst as typified by titanium oxide absorbs light
Implementation Method 4
when a photocatalyst as typified by titanium oxide absorbs light
Implementation Method 5
Excited electrons and positive holes generated on the surface of titanium oxide by a photocatalytic reaction undergo a redox reaction with oxygen and water adsorbed on the surface of titanium oxide to generate active species
Implementation Method 6
Microorganisms, viruses, odors, and stains that are composed of organic matters are decomposed by these active species
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a titanium oxide particle-metal particle composition having a higher photocatalytic activity than before, and exhibiting a high antimicrobial property regardless of whether or not it is under light irradiation; and a method for producing such composition. The composition contains two kinds of particles which are:(i) titanium oxide particles with the surfaces thereof being modified by an iron component and a silicon component that are not solid-dissolved in the titanium oxide particles; and(ii) antimicrobial metal-containing metal particles.