Luminophore Surface Coating for Acid-Resistant Textile Fiber Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Luminescent fibers based on organic and inorganic pigments face issues with low light stability and economic inefficiency due to acid sensitivity and deposition during the viscose process, requiring high pigment quantities and affecting textile properties.

Innovation Solution

Stabilized luminescent pigments with surface coatings, such as organic, inorganic, or hybrid coatings, are incorporated into the spinning dope or applied to textile fibers, enhancing their acid resistance and dispersibility, allowing for efficient and homogeneous marking with low pigment quantities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If inorganic luminophores are ground to smaller than 1 μm to improve dispersion and homogeneity, then dispersion quality improves, but luminosity is lost due to degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispersion homogeneityVSAvoidluminosity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A coating layer is applied to the surface of the luminophores as an intermediary protective barrier. This coating prevents direct contact between the luminophore core and the acidic spinning bath environment, thereby protecting the luminophore from degradation while allowing the particle to maintain its fine size for good dispersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The luminophore is transformed into a composite structure with a core-shell configuration. The core contains the luminophore material (e.g., doped rare earths) while the shell consists of a protective coating material that provides acid resistance. This composite structure combines the luminescent properties of the core with the protective properties of the shell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If high quantities of luminophores are used to achieve desired marking effect, then marking intensity improves, but economic efficiency deteriorates and deposition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarking intensityVSAvoideconomic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using large quantities of expensive luminophores that degrade quickly in acid, the invention uses a small amount of protected luminophores with extended stability. The protective coating acts as a reusable shield that allows the luminophore to function effectively throughout the spinning process without degrading, reducing the required quantity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If luminophores are incorporated into viscose process with sulfuric acid baths, then fiber production is achieved, but luminophores are degraded at least in part due to acid instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber production capabilityVSAvoidluminophore stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful acidic environment into a beneficial context by applying a coating that is specifically designed to resist acid degradation. The coating material is selected or formulated to be stable in sulfuric acid conditions, thereby transforming the previously harmful acid bath into a compatible processing environment that preserves luminophore integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Duration of action of stationary object

If inorganic pigments are used to achieve luminescence, then light stability improves compared to organic dyes, but deposition in spinning dope increases due to high density

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight stabilityVSAvoidpigment deposition

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A thin film coating is applied to the surface of the dense inorganic luminophores. This shell provides a protective interface that reduces direct interaction between the high-density particle and the spinning dope, minimizing deposition while maintaining the inherent light stability of the inorganic core material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 coated pigments maintain stability in acidic environments, reducing decomposition and deposition, thus enabling continuous processes without adverse effects on textile properties, achieving economic efficiency and improved fiber quality.

Implementation Method 1

the coating of the luminophores according to the invention increases their stability, especially towards acids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical resistance:

Implementation Method 2

Luminescent fibers based on UV-active inorganic pigments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS10815422B2Luminophore coating

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 CHT GERMANY GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to stabilized luminophores and in particular to the use thereof in and on textile goods.