Nanoscale Activated Carbon for Homogeneous Topical Formulations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing topical pharmaceuticals and cosmetics containing activated carbon particles face challenges with segregation at high concentrations, leading to unpredictable changes in application-technical properties, and often contain heavy metals or pollutants that can cause allergic reactions.
Innovation Solution
Development of mechanochemically pre-treated, heavy metal-free activated carbon particles with a particle size of 50 nm to 1000 nm, free of mesopores and macropores, and produced using a process that degrades persistent organic pollutants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, suitable for use in medical products and cosmetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If activated carbon particles are used in high concentrations in topical pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, then pollutant binding and penetration capabilities are improved, but segregation occurs leading to unpredictable changes in application-technical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of activated carbon to nanoscale (50-1000 nm), which fundamentally alters the physical and chemical properties. This parameter change enables high concentration use without segregation because the nanoscale particles have different flow and distribution characteristics compared to conventional larger particles, maintaining product homogeneity while achieving high pollutant binding capacity
2Quantity of substance
If conventional activated carbon is used in topical products, then pollutant binding capability is improved, but heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants cause allergic reactions and harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating the surface of carbon particles with specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, carbonyl) that provide selective binding sites for pollutants while preventing binding of heavy metals. This localized surface modification enables the carbon to distinguish between different types of pollutants, binding organic pollutants while rejecting heavy metals, thus maintaining high binding capacity without allergic reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses biodegradable nanocarbon particles that break down into harmless substances after performing their pollutant binding function. These short-living particles are designed to be consumed or degraded after use, eliminating the need for removal and preventing accumulation of heavy metals or persistent organic pollutants in the body or environment
3Quantity of substance
If activated carbon particles with mesopores and macropores are used, then adsorption capacity is improved, but fibrous fractions and porous structures cause allergic reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carbon structure into uniform nanoscale particles (50-1000 nm) with controlled surface properties, eliminating the fibrous fractions and irregular porous structures found in conventional activated carbon. This segmentation into controlled nanoparticulate form maintains adsorption capacity through surface functional groups while removing the fibrous components that trigger allergic reactions
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 solution provides effective, non-allergenic, and environmentally friendly topical pharmaceuticals and cosmetics that can be used for various skin and mucous membrane applications without harming the environment, offering enhanced penetration and pollutant binding capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanochemical process for producing the activated carbon particles A
Implementation Method 2
pollutant binding capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
Activated carbon particles A which are mechanochemically pre-treated under at least one inert gas, according to X-ray emission spectroscopy, are free of heavy metals and free of persistent organic pollutants (POP), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), fibrous fractions and meso- and macropores, have a carbon content >99 mol % and a particle size determined by electron microscopy in the range from 50 nm to 1000 nm or from 100 nm to 1000 nm, a mechanochemical process for their preparation and their use for the preparation of decorative and medical cosmetics and care products, medical products and pharmaceuticals, topical pharmaceuticals, medical products and cosmetics, preparation processes therefor and corresponding uses.