Heat-Regenerative Nanoparticle-Coated Porous Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Artificial porous materials used for treating fluid mixtures lack durability and efficiency, as they quickly become ineffective due to impurities and have limited surface interaction, and existing methods for regenerating their treatment properties are impractical for porous structures of significant thickness.
Innovation Solution
A heat-regenerative material with a continuous or discontinuous matrix having void cells lined with nanoparticles of polymerized organosilicon compounds, which can be easily regenerated by heating, allowing for enhanced treatment of fluid mixtures and increased surface interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If porous materials are used for treating fluid mixtures, then surface interaction area is increased, but durability deteriorates due to impurities rendering the material ineffective quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the chemical state of the porous material through controlled polymerization of organosilicon compounds. The material transitions from a raw porous state to a polymerized state with enhanced chemical stability and impurity resistance, while maintaining the porous structure's surface area. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction between high surface area and durability.
2Quantity of substance
If porous materials of significant thickness are used, then treatment capacity is improved, but regeneration becomes impractical since UV light cannot penetrate to reach deeper pores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical regeneration mechanism (UV light) with a thermal regeneration mechanism (heating). Thermal energy can penetrate throughout the bulk of the porous material regardless of thickness, enabling regeneration of thick structures that maintain high treatment capacity. This substitution resolves the contradiction between treatment capacity and regeneration feasibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional coating methods are used on porous materials, then surface properties are modified, but hierarchical structure is lost resulting in continuous coating layers with no increased surface availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous materials principle by allowing the porous substrate's hierarchical structure to remain exposed rather than being covered by a continuous coating. The organosilicon compounds polymerize on the surface while preserving the underlying porous architecture, maintaining both surface property modification and high surface availability for fluid interaction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If siliconization of polyurethane foams is performed, then superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties are achieved, but treatment effectiveness is quickly lost due to impurities in hydrocarbons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials principle by creating a hybrid structure combining the porous substrate ( ceramic, metal, polymer, glass, stone, mineral or silicon) with polymerized organosilicon compounds. This composite approach enhances the material's resistance to impurities while maintaining selective absorption properties, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
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 material effectively separates biphasic mixtures, removes impurities, and catalyzes chemical reactions with improved durability and efficiency, as the heat-regenerative property allows for the restoration of initial treatment effectiveness by heating, maintaining performance over a longer period.
Implementation Method 1
siliconized polyurethane foams display superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties
Implementation Method 2
selective absorption of hydrocarbons from biphasic mixtures
Implementation Method 3
the irradiation with UV is impractical with porous structures of a certain thickness... the treatment efficiency can be re-established easily
Implementation Method 4
regenerate the treatment ability of metal sieves... by irradiation with UV light
Implementation Method 5
nanoparticles of a polymerized organosilicon compound... obtained through the polymerization of an organosilicon compound
Implementation Method 6
X1 and X2 are independently of each other a hydrolysable group, such as a halogen or an alkoxy group
Implementation Method 7
catalyzes chemical reactions with improved durability and efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a porous material in which at least the pores of the porous material are lined with nanoparticles capable of treating fluids or fluid mixtures that pass through the pores of the porous material and whose treating properties can be fully reinstated through heating the porous material.