Protected Metal Composite for Stable Antimicrobial Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inorganic antimicrobial materials face challenges such as heavy metal contamination, low antimicrobial efficacy, and nano-toxicity, along with difficulties in formulation and dispersion into various matrices.
Innovation Solution
A composite comprising an inorganic metal or alloy core partially covered by a protection shell layer made of a metal-amino acid complex, formed from amino acids like arginine, histidine, or zinc oxide phosphate hydrate, is synthesized through mixing at elevated temperatures, enabling easy formulation and dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a polyolefin resin is used to ensure chemical inertness and stability, then reliability is improved, but compatibility with polar drugs and proteins deteriorates due to lack of polar groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a polyolefin resin as the base material and introduces polar groups through grafting with maleic anhydride or carboxylic acid. This creates a composite structure that combines the chemical stability of polyolefin with the polarity needed for drug compatibility, effectively resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the polyolefin resin by introducing polar functional groups through controlled grafting. This changes the polarity parameter of the material while maintaining the underlying polyolefin structure, allowing the material to become compatible with polar drugs without sacrificing its inherent stability.
2Strength
If silane coupling agents are used to improve adhesion between resin and inorganic fillers, then strength is improved, but resin compatibility deteriorates due to poor compatibility between silane and polyolefin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a silane coupling agent as an intermediary substance between the polyolefin resin and inorganic fillers. The silane contains both polar groups that interact with the resin and functional groups that bond with the inorganic filler surface, effectively mediating the interface and improving adhesion while maintaining compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies silane coupling agents locally at the interface between the resin and inorganic fillers rather than uniformly throughout the entire resin matrix. This localized application ensures strong bonding at the critical interface while minimizing disruption to the overall resin compatibility and properties.
3Productivity
If inorganic fillers are added to reduce resin usage and cost, then productivity is improved, but dispersion uniformity deteriorates due to aggregation of inorganic fillers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful aggregation tendency of inorganic fillers into a beneficial feature by using the polar groups on the filler surface to promote uniform distribution. The polarity interaction prevents excessive aggregation and ensures homogeneous dispersion throughout the resin matrix, turning what would be a defect into an advantage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface parameters of the inorganic fillers by introducing polar groups through silane treatment. This changes the surface energy and interaction characteristics of the fillers, enabling them to disperse more uniformly in the resin matrix and reducing aggregation while maintaining high filler content.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 2C~3B
Figure 3C~4
AI summary
There is provided a composite comprising an inorganic metal or alloy core at least partially covered by a protection layer comprising a carboxylate salt, a metal oxide, a metal oxide salt or a metal-amino acid complex. There is also provided a method of preparing the composite comprising an inorganic metal or alloy core at least partially covered by a protection layer comprising a carboxylate salt, a metal oxide, a metal oxide salt or a metal-amino acid complex, comprising the step of mixing a metal or alloy with an acid, at elevated temperature for a time duration, optionally in the presence of a solvent. There is also provided use of a composite as an antimicrobial agent, and uses of a composite in the treatment or prophylaxis of microbial infection. There is also provided a method of inhibiting microbial activity or treating a microbial infection or disease comprising administering an antimicrobial composition comprising said composite as disclosed herein to a subject or applying the antimicrobial composition on a surface.