Photocatalyst Coating Liquid Using Tungsten Oxide and Copper Compound

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing photocatalyst coating methods for blue-based materials suffer from aesthetic deterioration and reduced VOC removal ability due to photocatalytic activity, as traditional photocatalysts like titanium oxide and tungsten oxide change the color tone and degrade under visible light illumination.

Innovation Solution

A photocatalyst coating liquid comprising visible light-responsive tungsten oxide particles and a water-soluble copper compound, such as copper gluconate, is developed, which maintains a blue-based hue and prevents discoloration, ensuring the aesthetic appearance and photocatalytic performance of the coating layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a photocatalyst coating layer is formed on a blue-based color base material, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the color of the base material and photocatalyst coating layer mix, resulting in deterioration of the aesthetic appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidcolor mixing

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the color parameter of the photocatalyst coating layer by using tungsten oxide-based photocatalyst particles with pale yellow to green-yellow color instead of traditional titanium oxide. This parameter change allows the coating layer to have a color tone that blends harmoniously with blue-based color base materials, preventing aesthetic deterioration while maintaining photocatalytic functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If an organic pigment is used to improve visibility, then the visibility is improved, but the decomposition energy of the photocatalyst is used to decompose the pigment, resulting in a decrease in the VOC removal ability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidVOC removal ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the coloring function from the photocatalyst particles themselves by using tungsten oxide-based photocatalyst particles that inherently provide pale yellow to green-yellow color. This eliminates the need to add separate organic pigments that would compete for decomposition energy, thereby maintaining high VOC removal ability while achieving good visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tungsten oxide-based photocatalyst particles serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide photocatalytic activity for VOC removal, provide the necessary color tone (pale yellow to green-yellow) for visibility and aesthetic appearance, and eliminate the need for separate organic pigments. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between visibility and VOC removal ability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If a basic pigment is used to increase visibility, then the visibility is improved, but the basic pigment fades under visible light illumination, making these methods unsuitable for coating without deteriorating the aesthetic appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidcolor stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from traditional titanium oxide to tungsten oxide-based photocatalyst particles, which inherently provide stable pale yellow to green-yellow color that does not fade under visible light illumination. This parameter change ensures both good visibility and long-term color stability without the need for additional basic pigments.

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 effectively maintains the aesthetic appearance of blue-based materials while preserving the VOC removal and antibacterial/antiviral properties of the photocatalyst coating layer by using a water-soluble copper compound that absorbs light and exhibits a blue color, preventing degradation from photocatalytic activity.

Implementation Method 1

using a water-soluble copper compound that absorbs light and exhibits a blue color, preventing degradation from photocatalytic activity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a visible light-responsive photocatalyst particle containing tungsten oxide... VOC removal ability of the photocatalyst coating layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotocatalysis: Photo-oxidation

Implementation Method 3

removal of a volatile organic compound (VOC)... VOC removal ability of the photocatalyst coating layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotocatalytic decomposition: Photodissociation

Data Source

PatentUS20240207832A1Photocatalyst coating liquid

Publication Date: 2024.06.27 SHARP KK

AI summary

A photocatalyst coating liquid of the present disclosure includes a visible light-responsive photocatalyst particle containing tungsten oxide, a water-soluble copper compound, and an aqueous medium. The photocatalyst coating liquid has a hue of green, blue-green, or blue, and the hue belongs to a region of 5G to 10B on the hue wheel of the Munsell color system.