Photocatalytic nuisance organism inhibitor agents

• US 6,455,467 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2001
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: University of Central Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Central Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Linkous, Clovis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pryor, Alton
• Application Number:
  US09/932,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20020010097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 504/120, 504/151, 504/152, 424/617, 424/646, 424/701
• US Class Current: 504/120
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 2300/00 Combinations or mixtures of active ingredients covered by classes A01N27/00 - A01N65/48 with other active or formulation relevant ingredients, e.g. specific carrier materials or surfactants, covered by classes A01N25/00 - A01N65/48
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/16 Heavy metals; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 1/68 Reversers mounted on the engine housing downstream of the fan exhaust section

Abstract

Inexpensive, and easy to use self cleaning mixtures that use photoactive agents such as titanium dioxide(TiO₂) and tungsten oxide(WO₃) along with mixing the agents with co-catalysts such as carbon(C), Fe(iron), Cu(copper), Ni(nickel) and CO₂P. In addition, the co-catalyst loading can include up to approximately 5% carbon to maximize the inhibiting algae growth. The mixtures can be used to inhibit various growth organisms such as but not limited to algae, fungus, bacteria and mold. The agents can be combined together, and/or each agent can be combined with various coatings, such as but not limited to a cement or a polymer binder. The coatings can be applied to surfaces that are exposed to water such as but not limited to an aquarium, liners on the inner walls of swimming pools, drinking water tanks, and the like. Additionally, the coatings can be used as surfacing agent in contact with water within solar water heaters, piping adjacent to pool pumps, and the like. Additionally, the photoactive agent can be used as a non-toxic algae-retardant marine paint. Furthermore, the coatings can be applied to surfaces such as bathroom fixtures, toilets, bathtubs, sinks, and used on tiles in kitchens, bathrooms, and the like.

Claims

1. A method of inhibiting the growth of nuisance organisms on surfaces using a photocatalytic coating, comprising the steps of:

(a) applying a coating consisting of at least one of TiO₁ and WO₂, wherein 0<

n1≦

2 and 0<

n2≦

3, and a photocatalyst solely consisting of Carbon(C) black as a co-catalyst, to a surface, and wherein the photocatalyst with the Carbon black co-catalyst has a Carbon content weight of approximately 0.1% to approximately 2% Carbon black; and

(b) applying light to the coating which becomes photoactive to inhibit the growth of nuisance organisms on the surface.

2. The method of inhibiting the growth of nuisance organisms of claim 1, wherein:

n1 equals 2, and n2 equals 3.

3. The method of inhibiting the growth of nuisance organisms of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

exposing the surface to at least one of;

water, humid air, and water vapor.

4. A method of inhibiting the growth of nuisance organisms, comprising the steps of:

mixing a photocatalyst consisting of at least one of TiO₁ and WO₂, wherein 0<

n1 ≦

2 and 0<

n2≦

3 with a co-catalyst solely consisting of Carbon(C) black, wherein the Carbon black weight of the mixture is approximately 0.1% to approximately 2% Carbon black;

applying the mixture to a surface; and

exposing the mixture to light, wherein the mixture which becomes photoactive to inhibit the growth of nuisance organisms on the surface.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

n1 equals 2, and n2 equals 3.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

exposing the surface to at least one of;

water, humid air, and water vapor.

7. A photocatalytic coating for inhibiting nuisance organism growth on surfaces, consisting of in combination:

a photocatalyst consisting of at least one of TiO₁ and WO₂, wherein 0<

n1 ≦

2 and 0<

n2≦

3;

a co-catalyst mixed with the photocatalyst, the co-catalyst solely consisting of carbon (C) black as the co-catalyst, the mixture of the photocatalyst and the co-catalyst has a carbon content weight of approximately 0.1% to approximately 2% Carbon(C) black;

a surface for the coating of the photocatalyst and the co-catalyst to be applied thereto; and

means for applying light to the coating so that the coating becomes photoactive to inhibit the growth of nuisance organisms on the surface.

8. The photocatalytic coating of claim 7, wherein n1 equals approximately 2, and n2 equals approximately 3.