Silver-Copolymer Fabric Treatment for Low-pH Biocide Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods face challenges in introducing biocidal silver into fabrics at low pH values without precipitation, making it difficult to create a fabric treatment resistant to biocide removal during laundering.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a silver ion complex with a copolymer, where the copolymer consists of 60-95% ethylenically unsaturated compounds with unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic groups and 5-40% ethylene oxide units, is used to treat fabrics at low pH, ensuring effective retention of silver on the fabric.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a silver-polymer complex is used for fabric treatment, then biocidal silver can be introduced into the fabric, but the complex precipitates at low pH values making treatment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer by incorporating specific functional groups (carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, or ethylene oxide units) that enable stable complex formation with silver ions at low pH conditions, preventing precipitation while maintaining biocidal efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite silver-polymer complex where the polymer contains multiple functional groups that work synergistically to bind silver ions stably at low pH, combining the biocidal properties of silver with the pH-stabilizing properties of the multifunctional polymer
2Quantity of substance
If conventional silver introduction methods are used, then silver can be applied to fabric, but the biocide is easily removed during laundering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a specially designed polymer as an intermediary carrier that binds silver ions through multiple functional groups, creating a stable complex that adheres strongly to fabric fibers and resists removal during laundering, while still releasing biocidal silver when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates localized high-concentration zones of silver-polymer complex on the fabric surface and within fiber structures, ensuring persistent biocidal activity at the fabric level while the polymer matrix protects the silver from premature release or removal
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 allows for the successful introduction and retention of biocidal silver on fabrics at low pH, providing resistance to biocide removal during laundering and maintaining antimicrobial efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a complex of silver ion with a copolymer; said copolymer comprising: (a) 60-95 wt % polymerized units of a monomer X which is an ethylenically unsaturated compound having a substituent group selected from an unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic group having at least one nitrogen atom
Data Source
AI summary
A composition useful for treating fabrics. The composition contains a silver-containing copolymer having polymerized units of a monomer X which is an ethylenically unsaturated compound having a substituent group selected from an unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic group having at least one nitrogen atom and polymerized units of a monomer Y which is an ethylenically unsaturated compound selected from carboxylic acids, organosulfuric acids, sulfonic acids, phosphonic acids and esters comprising polymerized units of ethylene oxide.