Zinc Oxide Photoconductivity via Phenyl Block Copolymer Doping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for enhancing the photoconductivity and sun protection factor (SPF) of semiconductors, such as zinc oxide, often require costly doping processes or result in suboptimal SPF values, limiting their performance in electronic and sunscreen applications.

Innovation Solution

Combining zinc oxide semiconductors with ethylene/butadiene/styrene block copolymers containing multiple phenyl groups in a polar organic carrier oil dispersion, which acts as an external dopant to enhance photoconductivity and SPF without the need for traditional doping processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional doping processes are used to enhance photoconductivity and SPF of semiconductors, then the photoconductivity and SPF are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotoconductivity and SPFVSAvoiddoping process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces phenyl groups as intermediary substances that mediate between the semiconductor material and light/UV radiation. These phenyl groups act as external dopants that enhance photoconductivity and SPF without requiring complex internal doping processes, thereby resolving the contradiction between performance improvement and manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing compounds with multiple phenyl groups into the semiconductor system. This parameter change (adding phenyl-containing compounds) achieves enhanced photoconductivity and SPF through a simpler approach than traditional doping, resolving the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If more semiconductor material is used to achieve higher SPF, then the SPF increases, but the quantity of substance and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSPFVSAvoidsemiconductor material amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical environment parameters by introducing phenyl-containing compounds, which enhance the photoconductivity per unit of semiconductor material. This allows achieving higher SPF with reduced semiconductor quantity, as the phenyl groups amplify the effectiveness of each semiconductor particle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite system combining semiconductor particles with phenyl-containing compounds. This composite approach enhances the functional properties (SPF and photoconductivity) beyond what the semiconductor material alone can provide, reducing the need for large quantities of expensive semiconductor material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This approach significantly increases the SPF and photoconductivity of zinc oxide, allowing for reduced semiconductor material usage and achieving high SPF values previously unattainable, with synergistic effects in UV absorption and microwave energy absorption, suitable for both electronic and sunscreen applications.

Implementation Method 1

Combining zinc oxide semiconductors with ethylene/butadiene/styrene block copolymers containing multiple phenyl groups in a polar organic carrier oil dispersion, which acts as an external dopant to enhance photoconductivity and SPF

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoconductivity enhancement through external doping: Photoconductivity

Implementation Method 2

with synergistic effects in UV absorption and microwave energy absorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

dispersing them with chemical compounds having multiple phenyl groups, in a polar organic carrier oil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentEP2297040B1Sunscreen composition
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 EDGEWELL PERSONAL CARE BRANDS LLC
  • EP2297040B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2297040B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2297040B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a way to enhance the photoconductivity and/or the SPF of a semiconductor. By dispersing the semiconductor with a compound having multiple phenyl groups in a polar carrier oil, the semiconductor exhibits greatly improved photoconductivity and/or SPF over dispersions comprising the semiconductor alone.