Compositions – Light transmission modifying compositions – Inorganic crystalline solid
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-28
2003-07-08
Tucker, Philip (Department: 1712)
Compositions
Light transmission modifying compositions
Inorganic crystalline solid
C252S588000, C252S301360, C252S30140P
Reexamination Certificate
active
06589450
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to composite materials, in particular to light-transforming materials used in agriculture, medicine, biotechnology and light industry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a light-transforming material capable of converting UV light into red light and retaining this capability for a long period.
This issue became urgent especially first because of the necessity to protect humans, animals and plants against solar UV radiation as well as against technogenic UV radiation (UV radiation) which, as known, causes skin solar burns and stimulates to the development of oncology diseases including skin melanoma. Secondly, many publications describe favorable effect of the red light, which enhances the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase enzymes (Y. A. Vladimirov et al., “Free Radical Biol. Med.”, N5. 1988, p.281-286), that, in turn, decreases the amount of active forms of oxygen that damages the cell, and also intensifies DNA and protein synthesis (T. I. Karu “Photobiology of low-power laser therapy” in V. S. Letokhov et al. “Laser Science and Technology”. Harwood Academic Publishers, Chur, Switzerland, 1989), that in turn promotes healing of wounds, and recovery of skin from solar burns. In addition, red radiation (wavelength 600-630 nm) is absorbed most efficiently by chlorophyll-b of a green leaf. Hence, photosynthesis runs faster, green weight of plants grows harvest of greenhouse cultures increases and the period of ripening becomes shorter (Stoy V., Physiol. % and a mPlant., 1955, v. 18, p.963-986; Inada K., Plant and cell physiol., 1976, v.17 p. 355-365; GB 2158833).
Materials are known which contain a matrix and an active additive capable of absorbing UV-radiation (U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,300; JP 53-136050; JP A3-158103 published on Aug. 08, 1991; FR 2419955), or capable of providing proportioned UV-emission (WO 94/17135). As an active additive, the material comprises carbon black and phthalocyanine dyes (JP 53-136050), benzophenone or benzotriazole (FR 2419955), n-t-butyl(phenyl)salicylate or 2-hydroxy-4-metoxybenzophenone (JP A3-158103), the compounds of salicylic, citric and oxalic acids in combination with dyes, e.g. blue or violet (WO 94/17135). The matrix is extruded into the film of thermoplastic polymers (U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,300, JP 53-136050, FR 2419955), or is made of fibrous material (natural or synthetic) (JP A3-158103), or made in the form of plates of thermoplastic polymers (WO 94/17135), or made of nonfibrous material, thread or lacquer (WO 94/17135). A film-like material is intended to be mostly used in agriculture to protect greenhouses and hothouses (U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,300, JP 53-136050, FR 2419955). A textile-like material is designed to be applied while manufacturing roof hoods and awnings (JP A3-158103), and a plate-like material is intended to be employed in making roof hoods, awnings and even roof overlays (WO 94/17135).
Nevertheless, all these material are unable to transform the UV-light into the red light.
A light-transforming material (CH 667463, GB 2158833) is known which contains a matrix and at least one coordination compound of rare-earth metals (europium, samarium, terbium, gadolinium), as an active additive, which provides transformation of UV component of the light into the orange-red spectral range (580-750 nm). The matrix is extruded into the film of thermoplastic polymer. The composition for the production of this material contains an active additive—0.001-5.0 wt. % and a matrix-forming component—95.0-99.99 wt. %. As the matrix-forming component, the composition contains at least one polymer, selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate or their copolymers. This material retains its light-transforming activity for no more than 60 days as the compounds of rare-earth metals used for the production of this material refer to coordination compounds, which can be quickly decomposed under the action of light.
A light-transforming material (RU 2059999) is known which contains a matrix and at least one composite compound, as an active additive, of the general formula [(La
1−x
Eu
x
)O]
m
(Lig)
n
, where Lig is F, Cl, Br, O, S, or Se, which could also transform UV component of light into the orange-red spectral range (580-750 nm). This material is made in the form of film of thermoplastic polymer. The composition for the production of this material contains an active additive, 0.05-1.0 wt. % and a matrix-forming agent, 99.0-99.95 wt. %. The composition contains at least one polymer, as a matrix-producing agent, selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, copolymers of polyethylene and vinyl acetate (EVA) or poly(ethylene terephthalate).
This material is also capable of converting UV component of a spectrum of light source to the red light. This material retains its activity only for no more than 300 days since all oxohalogenides and especially oxoselenides of rare-earth compounds are decomposed in the air and, in particular, in the presence of moisture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to prolong the capability of the light-transforming material to convert UV-light into red light under the same intensity of this conversion by enhancing the resistance of an active additive to the action of light, air and moisture.
An other object is to enlarge the arsenal of the substances suitable for manufacturing materials with light-transforming capability.
One more object is to increase the heat-protecting capability of the material.
The foregoing objects of the present invention are achieved by offering the production of the light-transforming material containing a matrix and an active additive converting the UV-light into the orange-red spectral range. In accordance with the invention, as an active additive, this material contains apatite and at least one europium (III) composite compound of the general formula Me
x
m
Eu
y
3
R
z
n
, or a mixture thereof with at least one composite compound of either samarium (III), terbium (III), or gadolinium (III), with the general formula for each:
Me
x
m
M
y
3
R
z
n
,
wherein
mx
+3
y=nz,
Me
x
m
=Me
x′
m′
+Me
x″
m″
+ . . . ,
R
z
n
=R
z′
n′
+R
z″
n″
+ . . . ,
mx=m′x′+m″x″+ . . . ,
nz=n′z′+n″z″+ . . . ,
x
≧1.0
≧y
≧0.01,
Me represents a metal selected from the group consisting of yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, ytterbium, aluminium, bismuth, tin, titanium, manganese, calcium, barium, zinc, cadmium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium;
M represents a metal selected from the group consisting of europium, samarium, terbium and gadolinium;
R represents a member selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, phosphorus, boron, vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten, germanium, or a combination thereof; and
m and n are the charge of a Me or R ion, respectively.
Herein, the active additive can be distributed inside or over the surface of the matrix.
The material contains an active additive in amounts of at least 0.02 wt. % of the material.
The matrix is made light-transparent.
As apatite, the material comprises natural or synthetic apatite having a crystalline lattice in a finely divided condition, corresponding to the formula Ca
10
(PO
4
)
6
R′
2
(where R′—F, Cl or OH), or their mixture in any proportions.
The composite compound contains, at least, one composite compound wherein nz=3, R—O, Gal of the formula Me
x
M
y
OGal, Gal is F, Cl, Br; or wherein nz=6, R=O, Hal of the formula Me
x
M
y
O
2
Hal, Hal is S or Se; or of the formula Me
x
M
y
O
2
S
1±0,2
; or wherein nz=6, R=VO
4
of the formula Me
x
M
y
(VO
4
)
2
; or whe
Bratkova Ljubov Robertovna
Schelokov Robert Nikolaevich
Bratkova Ljubov Robertovna
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
Tucker Philip
LandOfFree
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