Antimicrobial Coating Using Semi-Fused Silver-Copper Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread use of nano-silver in antimicrobial products poses health and environmental risks, and the high cost of micron silver coatings, while copper has bactericidal properties but lower efficacy, necessitates a cost-effective alternative with comparable sterilization effects.
Innovation Solution
An antimicrobial product combining positively charged silver and copper particles in a specific size ratio, semi-fused with a substrate, using high or low velocity thermal or plasma spraying to achieve a coating with enhanced bactericidal effects similar to pure silver at a lower cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nano-silver particles are used for sterilization, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but health and environmental safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter from nano-scale to micron-scale (1-10 μm), and introduces a new parameter of surface charge (positive charge). This parameter transformation maintains antimicrobial efficacy while eliminating the harmful effects associated with nano-scale particles, as the larger particles cannot penetrate skin and are less harmful to the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite coating system combining positively charged micron-silver particles with positively charged micron-copper particles. This composite approach leverages the superior antimicrobial properties of silver while using copper as a cost-effective supplement, achieving high efficacy at lower silver concentrations (0.1-5 wt%).
2Object-affected harmful factors
If micron silver coating is used to avoid nano-silver harm, then health safety is improved, but product cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite coating system combining positively charged micron-silver particles with positively charged micron-copper particles. This composite approach leverages the superior antimicrobial properties of silver while using copper as a cost-effective supplement, achieving high efficacy at lower silver concentrations (0.1-5 wt%).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different materials (silver and copper particles) in specific proportions and distributions within the coating. By optimizing the local composition and particle size distribution (1-10 μm), the coating achieves uniform antimicrobial performance while minimizing silver content to reduce cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If copper is used as silver substitute, then cost is improved, but antimicrobial efficacy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite coating system combining positively charged micron-silver particles with positively charged micron-copper particles. This composite approach leverages the superior antimicrobial properties of silver while using copper as a cost-effective supplement, achieving high efficacy at lower silver concentrations (0.1-5 wt%).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges silver and copper particles into a single coating system with synergistic antimicrobial action. The combination of both metals produces an effect greater than the sum of individual components, allowing cost reduction through copper while maintaining or enhancing overall efficacy.
4Reliability
If high silver content is used for optimal sterilization, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but product cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite coating system combining positively charged micron-silver particles with positively charged micron-copper particles. This composite approach leverages the superior antimicrobial properties of silver while using copper as a cost-effective supplement, achieving high efficacy at lower silver concentrations (0.1-5 wt%).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the silver content parameter to a specific range (0.1-5 wt%) rather than using high silver content. This parameter optimization, combined with positive surface charge and micron particle size, maintains antimicrobial efficacy while dramatically reducing material cost.
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 copper-silver coating achieves approximately the same antimicrobial properties as pure silver, reducing product costs while minimizing environmental and health hazards from silver usage.
Implementation Method 1
The silver particles, the copper particles and the substrate are combined by means of semi-fused sintering; wherein the method is combined; high or low velocity thermal or plasma spraying
Implementation Method 2
The silver particles, the copper particles and the substrate are combined by means of semi-fused sintering; wherein the method is combined; high or low velocity thermal or plasma spraying
Implementation Method 3
The silver particles, the copper particles and the substrate are combined by means of semi-fused sintering
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to an antimicrobial product containing silver-copper particles and its preparation method. The product includes a substrate and positively charged silver particles with a particle size of 15 μm to 50 μm, and a positively charged copper particle with a particle size of 10 μm to 50 μm, wherein the copper particle size ratio to the silver particle is 0.8 to 1.2. The silver particle, the copper particle and the substrate are combined by means of semi-fused sintering, wherein the ratio of the silver particle to the copper particle is 40:60 to 95:5. The sum of the substrate, the silver particles and the total particles of the copper particles is less than or equal to 10%.