3D Printing Material with Integrated Photocatalyst-Phyllosilicate Composite
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing materials lack inherent antibacterial and antiviral properties, requiring additional coatings that are time-consuming, costly, and potentially toxic, which can also damage surfaces during photocatalysis.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the production of a photocatalyst-phyllosilicate composite, combined with a thermoplastic polymer, and subjected to shaping processes to create 3D printing materials with integrated photocatalyst and phyllosilicate composites, enabling self-decontaminating properties through sunlight irradiation without the need for additional coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional photocatalytic coatings are applied to 3D printed components, then antibacterial and antiviral properties are improved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the photocatalytic function with the structural material by integrating photocatalyst particles directly into the thermoplastic polymer matrix during the 3D printing process. This merging eliminates the need for separate coating steps, thereby reducing production time while maintaining antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The photocatalyst is pre-integrated into the polymer material before the 3D printing process begins. This preliminary action ensures that the antibacterial and antiviral properties are built-in from the start, eliminating the need for subsequent coating applications and reducing overall production time.
2Reliability
If additional photocatalytic coatings are applied to 3D printed components, then antibacterial and antiviral properties are improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the photocatalytic function with the structural material by integrating photocatalyst particles directly into the thermoplastic polymer matrix during the 3D printing process. This eliminates the need for separate coating steps, thereby reducing production cost while maintaining antibacterial and antiviral properties.
3Reliability
If photocatalytic coatings are applied to component surfaces, then self-decontaminating activity is improved, but surface damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the photocatalyst with the bulk polymer material, creating a homogeneous distribution throughout the component. This eliminates the interface between coating and substrate that is prone to damage, while maintaining self-decontaminating activity through the integrated photocatalytic particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The photocatalyst particles are distributed throughout the bulk material rather than concentrated at the surface coating. This local distribution within the matrix provides self-decontaminating activity while avoiding surface damage that occurs with applied coatings.
4Device complexity
If photocatalyst is integrated into polymer material, then additional coatings are eliminated, but material composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material by integrating photocatalyst particles into the thermoplastic polymer matrix. This composite approach eliminates the need for separate coating steps (reducing processing complexity) while the photocatalyst particles remain stably dispersed in the polymer matrix (maintaining composition stability).
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 resulting 3D printing materials exhibit effective self-decontaminating activity against bacteria and viruses, reducing contamination duration and infection risk, while eliminating the need for additional coatings, thus enhancing production efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
If these components are exposed to a bacterial or viral load, the surfaces of such components are normally contaminated with bacteria or viruses, and present a potential nucleus of infection. A general possibility of removing bacterial or viral contamination is by photocatalysis.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a method for producing 3D printing material. The method involves first producing, from at least one photocatalyst and at least one phyllosilicate, a photocatalyst-phyllosilicate composite; From the photocatalyst-phyllosilicate composite and at least one thermoplastic polymer, a photocatalyst-phyllosilicate-polymer composite is then produced. Finally, the photocatalyst-phyllosilicate-polymer composite is subjected to a shaping process, producing a 3D printing material. This invention also relates to a 3D printing material comprising a thermoplastic matrix and, embedded in the matrix, a composite material containing at least one photocatalyst and at least one phyllosilicate. This invention further relates to a method for producing components from the 3D printing material and a component produced using this method.