Metal Oxide Coating for Broad-Spectrum Photocatalysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current titanium oxide-based coatings exhibit photocatalytic activity primarily under UV light, limiting their therapeutic applications, and face challenges in delivering vanadium and silver oxides effectively for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial purposes, especially under visible and infrared light conditions.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a polymer and a metal oxide precursor, where the metal oxide precursor is converted into a metal oxide at controlled humidity levels and temperatures, resulting in a coating that exhibits photocatalytic activity across UV, visible, and infrared light spectra, with enhanced delivery profiles for vanadium and silver oxides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If titanium oxide-based coatings are used to provide photocatalytic activity, then anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities are achieved under UV light, but the coatings are limited in therapeutic applications under visible and infrared light conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotocatalytic activity under different light spectraVSAvoidtherapeutic application effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the band gap parameter of titanium oxide by incorporating metal oxides (vanadium oxide, silver oxide) to shift the photocatalytic activity from UV-only to include visible and infrared light ranges, enabling broader therapeutic applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite materials by combining titanium oxide with metal oxides (vanadium oxide, silver oxide) to achieve enhanced photocatalytic activity across multiple light spectra while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If metal oxide precursors are converted to metal oxides in traditional methods, then photocatalytic activity is achieved, but the delivery profiles for vanadium and silver oxides are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery of vanadium and silver oxidesVSAvoidcontrolled conversion process

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies metal oxide precursors to the coating composition beforehand, allowing controlled conversion to metal oxides after coating formation, which enables improved delivery profiles while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent controls the conversion of metal oxide precursors by adjusting parameters such as humidity levels and temperature, enabling precise control over the formation of vanadium oxide and silver oxide for optimized delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If UV light is used to activate titanium oxide photocatalytic activity, then anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects are produced, but UV light is undesirable in certain medical applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveundesirable UV light exposureVSAvoidlight spectrum utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optical parameter of titanium oxide by incorporating metal oxides that shift the photocatalytic activation from UV range to visible and infrared ranges, eliminating harmful UV exposure while maintaining therapeutic efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the limitation of titanium oxide (UV-only activity) into a benefit by using metal oxide incorporation to enable activation by beneficial visible and infrared light, which can penetrate tissues more effectively without harmful effects

Inventive Principle:

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

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 coating demonstrates effective anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities under a broad spectrum of light, including visible and infrared, with improved delivery and sustained antimicrobial capabilities, suitable for medical implants and applications where UV light is undesirable.

Implementation Method 1

forming the metal oxide from the metal oxide precursor includes hydrolyzing the metal oxide precursor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

upon illumination with photon energy higher than its band gap, produces electrons and holes in the conduction band and valence band, respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

These photo-generated electrons and holes can combine with surface adsorbed species (e.g., water and oxygen) to form highly reactive radical species such as hydroxyl radical (.OH) and superoxide anion (O2.−)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoto-oxidation: Photo-oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS8080223B2Method of making a composite from metal oxide and polymer precursors

Publication Date: 2011.12.20 BIOINTRAFACE INC

AI summary

A method of making a composite from a composition including a metal oxide precursor and polymer precursor by exposing the metal oxide precursor to a gas having a humidity level of about 40% to about 70% for at least about one hour.