Surface disinfection with PR
Described herein are methods for disinfecting surfaces using a photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material. Methods for preparing the photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate materials are additionally described.
1 . A method for disinfecting a surface, comprising:
exposing a surface of a substrate material comprising an inorganic phosphor dopant to a UV light source;
wherein the inorganic phosphor dopant comprises Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 doped with Pr 3+ ;
wherein said exposing causes said inorganic phosphor dopant in said substrate material to emit photons; and
wherein said photons irradiate said surface, thereby disinfecting said surface.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said inorganic phosphor dopant in said substrate material emits photons with a wavelength of light between about 200 nm and 280 nm.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said UV light source has a wavelength between about 160 nm and 320 nm.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said inorganic phosphor dopant further comprises a metal oxide or metal fluoride comprising a rare earth ion selected from the group consisting of Ce 3+ , Eu 3+ , Eu 2+ , Gd 3+ , Tb 3+ , and Dy 3+ , or a mixture thereof.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of silicates, phosphates, borates, oxides, oxynitrides, oxysulfides, and aluminates, or combinations thereof.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said substrate material comprises one or more synthetic polymers.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said exposing said substrate material comprising said inorganic phosphor dopant to a UV light source is for a time sufficient to charge said inorganic phosphor dopant in said substrate material.
8 . A photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material, comprising:
a substrate material comprising an inorganic phosphor dopant, wherein said inorganic phosphor dopant in said substrate material is capable of emitting photons upon exposure of a surface of said photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material to a UV light source; and
wherein the inorganic phosphor dopant comprises Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 doped with Pr 3+ .
9 . The photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material of claim 8 , wherein said substrate material comprises one or more synthetic polymers.
10 . The photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material of claim 9 , wherein said substrate material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of fluorinated thermoplastics, thermosetting resins, and electronegative resins.
11 . The photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material of claim 9 , wherein said substrate material further comprises a material selected from the group consisting of tetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyurethane, polyester, epoxy, phenolic, vinyl ester, polyamide, polyamide-imide, polyether imide, polyvinylchloride, polyether ketone ketone, polycarbonate, polyphenylsulphone, polymethylmethacrylate, polyacrylate, and benzoxazine.
12 . The photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material of claim 8 , wherein said inorganic phosphor dopant further comprises a metal oxide or metal fluoride comprising a rare earth ion selected from the group consisting of Ce 3+ , Eu 3+ , Eu 2+ , Gd 3+ , Tb 3+ , and Dy 3+ , or a mixture thereof.
13 . The photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material of claim 8 , wherein said inorganic phosphor dopant in said substrate material is capable of emitting photons with a wavelength of light between about 200 nm and 280 nm upon exposure of a surface of said photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material to a UV light source.
14 . A method for preparing a photon-emitting material for surface disinfection, comprising:
contacting a substrate material with an inorganic phosphor dopant to prepare a photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material, wherein said inorganic phosphor dopant in said photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material is capable of emitting photons upon exposure of a surface of said photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material to a UV light source; and
wherein the inorganic phosphor dopant comprises Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 doped with Pr 3+ .
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said inorganic phosphor dopant in said photon-emitting inorganic phosphor-doped substrate material is capable of emitting photons with a wavelength of light between about 200 nm and 280 nm.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said inorganic phosphor dopant further comprises a metal oxide or metal fluoride comprising a rare earth ion selected from the group consisting of Ce 3+ , Eu 3+ , Eu 2+ , Gd 3+ , Tb 3+ , and Dy 3+ , or a mixture thereof.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein said metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of silicates, phosphates, borates, oxides, oxynitrides, oxysulfides, and aluminates, or combinations thereof.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said substrate material comprises one or more synthetic polymers.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein said substrate material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of fluorinated thermoplastics, thermosetting resins, and electronegative resins.