Conductive Nanostructure Purification by Viscosity-Controlled Sedimentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing purification techniques for conductive nanostructures, such as silver nanowires, are inefficient at large scales due to the inability to effectively separate desired nanostructures from undesired contaminants, leading to suboptimal electrical and optical properties in transparent conductors.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a sedimentation device with a grooved bottom to separate undesired nanostructures from desired nanostructures by diluting the polyol solution to lower viscosity, allowing for quicker sedimentation and retention of contaminants in the grooved tray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional purification techniques (sedimentation, centrifugation, filtration) are used, then contaminants are removed from conductive nanostructures, but the separation efficiency is insufficient at large scales
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter of the polyol solution by adding a dilutant (such as water or alcohol) to reduce viscosity from typical values of 10-100 cP to lower values. This parameter change enables much faster sedimentation rates, allowing large-scale production while maintaining high separation efficiency between desired nanostructures and contaminants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a sedimentation device with a grooved bottom surface that segments the sedimentation process. The grooves capture and retain contaminants while allowing purified nanostructures to be collected in the supernatant, achieving efficient separation at large scales
2Stability of the object's composition
If polyol solution viscosity is high, then nanostructures are stable during synthesis, but sedimentation process becomes slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary dilution of the polyol solution before the sedimentation step. By reducing the viscosity in advance (while nanostructures are still stable from the synthesis process), the subsequent sedimentation occurs much faster without compromising the stability that was established during synthesis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter of the solution to optimize the sedimentation speed. By adjusting viscosity from high (10-100 cP) to lower values through dilution, the sedimentation speed increases significantly while the nanostructure stability is preserved
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
This method effectively purifies conductive nanostructures by efficiently separating desired nanostructures from undesired contaminants, improving the electrical and optical properties of transparent conductors and enabling large-scale production.
Implementation Method 1
The method includes sedimenting the undesired nanostructures from the diluted solution
Implementation Method 2
The method includes diluting the solution with a dilutant to lower the viscosity of the solution
Data Source
AI summary
A method of purifying a metal nanostructure composition containing desired nanostructures and undesired nanostructures. The method includes providing a solution within which metal nanostructures have been synthesized including desired and undesired nanostructures. The solution includes polyol and has a viscosity. The method includes diluting the solution with a dilutant to lower the viscosity of the solution and provide a diluted solution. The method includes sedimenting the undesired nanostructures from the diluted solution. The method includes collecting the supernatant with the desired nanostructures and retaining the undesired nanostructures inside the sedimentation device. In an example, such is via a sedimentation device, which is a special tray system designed with grooved bottoms to retain the undesired nanostructures.