Tin Sensitizing Solution Using Glycerine Reducing Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sensitizing solutions for glass and plastic surfaces have a low yield of tin deposition, resulting in significant wastage and environmental burden, with only around 6% of tin being deposited on the surface while the rest is discharged into wastewater.

Innovation Solution

A sensitizing solution containing 0.01 to 1 wt.% of tin(II) chloride and 0.01 to 1 wt.% of glycerine in distilled water, where glycerine acts as a reducing agent, allowing almost 100% of tin to be deposited on the surface through a reduction reaction, and the concentrate can be diluted at the application site to reduce transport and storage costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If conventional sensitizing solutions use tin(II) chloride with hydrochloric acid and oxidizing agents, then the solution can be stabilized and stored, but the tin deposition yield on glass surface is very low (only 6% deposited, 94% wasted)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetin deposition yieldVSAvoidsolution stability and storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the sensitizing solution by replacing hydrochloric acid with glycerine and using alternative oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide, ferric sulfate, or ferric chloride). This parameter change transforms the chemical reaction mechanism from disproportionation to oxidation-reduction, enabling nearly 100% tin deposition yield while maintaining solution stability through proper pH control and ingredient selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adopts a fresh preparation approach where the sensitizing solution is prepared immediately before use rather than being stored for long periods. This eliminates the need for complex stabilizers and maximizes tin deposition efficiency, as the solution is used at peak effectiveness without degradation from storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Manufacturing precision

If the sensitizing solution concentrate is diluted with distilled water before application, then the pH increases and tin deposits on the surface, but a large amount of unused tin is discharged into wastewater

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetin deposition controlVSAvoidunused tin in wastewater
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the previously harmful disproportionation reaction (which produced both deposited tin and soluble tin waste) into a beneficial oxidation-reduction reaction where glycerine reduces tin(II) chloride to metallic tin. This transformation ensures that nearly all tin in the solution deposits on the glass surface, turning the waste stream into a near-complete transfer of material to the desired location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces glycerine as an intermediary reducing agent that facilitates the deposition of tin onto the glass surface. This intermediary enables controlled reduction and deposition, ensuring that tin transfers efficiently from the solution phase to the solid surface phase, minimizing remaining dissolved tin in the wastewater.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If hydrochloric acid is added to stabilize tin(II) chloride solution, then the solution remains stable during storage, but the tin deposition efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolution stabilityVSAvoidtin deposition efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces long-term stable formulations requiring hydrochloric acid with fresh solutions prepared immediately before use. This approach sacrifices long-term storage stability for maximum deposition efficiency, as the solution is used at peak effectiveness without the need for stabilizing acids that would reduce deposition yield.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the stabilizing mechanism from acid-based (hydrochloric acid) to sugar-based (glycerine), which provides both stabilization during storage and promotes efficient tin deposition. This parameter change in the stabilizing agent allows the solution to maintain both stability and high deposition efficiency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves a 40% tin deposition rate on glass surfaces, reducing wastage by 90% compared to conventional methods, leading to substantial cost savings and environmental benefits.

Implementation Method 1

the advantage of adding glycerine is that during sensitization occurs a reduction reaction, while all tin is reduced and an organic agent is oxidized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction reaction: Reduction

Implementation Method 2

Sensitization is used to form a continuous hydrophilic film of tin on the treated surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical deposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4223714B1A sensitizing solution and method of its preparation
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 EGO 93 S R O

AI summary

A sensitizing solution, especially a sensitizing solution for sensitizing surfaces, containing a solution of tin(II) chloride SnCl2 and distilled water, especially for sensitizing non-conductive surfaces, which further contains glycerine. A method of preparation of the sensitizing solution, especially the method of preparation of the sensitizing solution, according to which the solution of tin(II) chloride SnCl2 and distilled water is mixed with a reducing agent, which is glycerine.