Titanium Oxide Particle Silane Treatment Visible Light

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Solution Overview

Problem

Untreated titanium oxide particles exhibit limited photocatalytic function in the visible range, requiring UV light for activation, which restricts their application and increases costs due to the need for additional light sources, and they have poor dispersibility and aggregation issues, affecting film transparency and uniformity.

Innovation Solution

Surface-treating titanium oxide particles with a silane compound having a hydrocarbon group to enhance absorption in the visible range, incorporating carbon into the particles' pores to act as a charge separation substance, improving photocatalytic function and dispersibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If titanium oxide particles are used without surface treatment, then they maintain simple structure and low cost, but they exhibit limited photocatalytic function in visible range and require UV light activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotocatalytic function in visible rangeVSAvoidapplication range
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the surface properties of titanium oxide particles through silane compound treatment. Specifically, it changes the surface chemical composition and electronic structure parameters to enable visible light absorption, transforming the material from UV-only activation to visible light responsiveness, thereby expanding its practical application range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining titanium oxide particles with silane compounds having hydrocarbon groups. This composite approach integrates the photocatalytic properties of titanium oxide with the visible light absorption capabilities of the silane-modified surface, achieving enhanced functionality that neither component possesses alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If titanium oxide particles are used without surface treatment, then they maintain simple structure, but they have poor dispersibility and aggregation issues

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedispersibilityVSAvoidsurface treatment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface chemical parameters of titanium oxide particles by introducing silane compounds with hydrocarbon groups. This modification alters the surface energy and interparticle interaction parameters, significantly improving dispersibility in various media while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The silane compound acts as an intermediary substance between the titanium oxide particles and the surrounding medium. It provides a bridging layer that improves compatibility and dispersibility, preventing direct aggregation of particles while maintaining the core photocatalytic functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If titanium oxide particles are used without surface treatment, then they maintain simple structure, but they affect film transparency and uniformity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm uniformityVSAvoidsurface treatment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies surface parameters such as surface energy, roughness, and chemical composition through silane treatment. These parameter changes result in improved wetting properties and more uniform film formation, enhancing manufacturing precision for coating applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The silane compound treatment creates local quality changes at the particle surface, providing specific functional properties (improved dispersibility, uniformity) only at the surface level while maintaining the bulk material's photocatalytic properties. This localized modification achieves film uniformity without altering the core material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 treated particles exhibit a robust photocatalytic function in the visible range, maintaining transparency and uniformity of coatings, and reducing aggregation, thus extending their functional lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating carbon into the particles' pores to act as a charge separation substance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the titanium oxide particle has absorption at a wavelength of about 400 nm or more and about 800 nm or less in an ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption of electromagnetic radiation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10471417B2Titanium oxide particle and method for producing the same
Publication Date: 2019.11.12 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A titanium oxide particle surface-treated with a silane compound having a hydrocarbon group has absorption at a wavelength of about 400 nm or more and about 800 nm or less in an ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum, and has an absorption peak at a wave number of about 2700 cm−1 or more and about 3000 cm−1 or less in an infrared absorption spectrum.