JP2007083166A - Keeping device of photocatalytic ink, keeping method of photocatalytic ink, coating device and coating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress an increase in manufacturing cost caused by using photocatalytic ink. <P>SOLUTION: The keeping device of the photocatalytic ink X irradiated with light having a predetermined wavelength to be activated is equipped with a container 1 for storing the photocatalytic ink the photocatalytic ink X and a light source device 2 for irradiating the photocatalytic ink X stored in the container 1 with the light having the predetermined wavelength. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photocatalyst ink storage device and method, and a coating device and method.

In recent years, the photocatalytic function of a photocatalyst has attracted attention, and a photocatalyst is used as a coating material for building material coating that can be self-cleaned or a coating material having lyophilic properties.
Such a photocatalyst exhibits a photocatalytic reaction, which is a catalytic reaction caused by light absorption of the catalyst, and is activated by irradiating with light of a predetermined wavelength to exhibit a photocatalytic reaction.
For example, in Patent Document 1, when a color filter is manufactured, a layer containing a photocatalyst (hydrophilic transparent material layer) is formed in advance on a substrate, and the layer containing the photocatalyst is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to make it hydrophilic. A technique for expressing the properties and further applying a coloring material thereon is disclosed. According to such a technique, since the coloring material is applied onto the lyophilic surface, the colorant uniformly wets and spreads, and a colored layer having a uniform thickness can be formed.
JP 2000-171628 A JP 2000-187206 A

By the way, a liquid material containing a photocatalyst (hereinafter referred to as photocatalyst ink) is activated by being exposed to sunlight when used as a coating material for a building material coating application used outdoors, and has a photocatalytic function. Is expressed.
However, when used as a building material coating material used indoors, or when used in a device manufacturing process as in Patent Document 1 or the like, exposure to sunlight is not possible or impossible. By performing the treatment, it is necessary to activate the photocatalyst ink and develop a photocatalytic function. For this reason, the number of work steps increases and the manufacturing time increases. Moreover, since it is necessary to irradiate light to the whole area | region to which the photocatalyst ink was apply | coated, it becomes necessary to prepare a large sized exposure apparatus. Further, depending on the light of a predetermined wavelength used for activating the photocatalytic ink, it may be difficult to increase the size of the exposure apparatus itself. For this reason, when photocatalyst ink is used, the manufacturing cost increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost caused by using a photocatalyst ink.

  To achieve the above object, a photocatalyst ink storage device of the present invention is a photocatalyst ink storage device that is activated by irradiation with light of a predetermined wavelength, and a container for storing the photocatalyst ink; And a light source device that irradiates the photocatalyst ink stored in the container with light of the predetermined wavelength.

According to the photocatalyst ink storage device of the present invention having such characteristics, light having a predetermined wavelength emitted from the light source device is irradiated to the photocatalyst ink in the container storing the photocatalyst ink. For this reason, it will be in the activated state in the state where the photocatalyst ink is stored. Therefore, when the photocatalyst ink stored by the storage device of the present invention is applied, it is not necessary to perform a separate exposure process after the application.
Therefore, according to the photocatalyst ink storage device of the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost caused by using the photocatalyst ink.

Moreover, in the photocatalyst ink storage device of the present invention, it is possible to employ a configuration in which stirring means for stirring the photocatalyst ink stored in the container is provided.
By adopting such a configuration, since the photocatalyst ink stored in the container is stirred by the stirring means, the photocatalyst ink is uniformly irradiated with light, and the photocatalyst ink can be uniformly activated.

In the photocatalyst ink storage device of the present invention, the container has translucency with respect to the light having the predetermined wavelength, and the container can store the light source device and is contained in the container. It is possible to employ a configuration in which a concave portion located below the liquid level of the stored photocatalyst ink is provided.
By adopting such a configuration, the photocatalyst ink can receive all the light emitted from the light source device in all directions, so that the photocatalyst ink can be activated more efficiently.

  In the photocatalyst ink storage device of the present invention, specifically, the photocatalyst ink is at least one selected from titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, strontium titanate, tungsten oxide, behium oxide, and iron oxide. A configuration in which fine particles of various types are contained can be employed.

  Next, the photocatalyst ink storage method of the present invention is a photocatalyst ink storage method that is activated by being irradiated with light of a predetermined wavelength, and irradiates the photocatalyst ink with light of the predetermined wavelength. The photocatalyst ink is stored in a possible state.

According to the photocatalyst ink storage method of the present invention having such characteristics, the photocatalyst ink is stored in a state in which the photocatalyst ink can be irradiated with light of a predetermined wavelength. For this reason, it will be in the activated state in the state where the photocatalyst ink is stored. Therefore, when the photocatalyst ink stored by the storage method of the present invention is applied, it is not necessary to perform a separate exposure process after the application.
Therefore, according to the photocatalyst ink storage method of the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost caused by using the photocatalyst ink.

  Next, the coating apparatus of the present invention is a coating apparatus that coats a predetermined area with a photocatalyst ink that is activated by being irradiated with light of a predetermined wavelength, and applies the predetermined catalyst to the photocatalyst ink before coating. And a light source device for irradiating light of a certain wavelength.

According to the coating apparatus of the present invention having such characteristics, the light source device irradiates the photocatalyst ink before coating with light having a predetermined wavelength. For this reason, the photocatalyst ink applied by the coating apparatus of the present invention is already activated, and there is no need to perform a separate exposure process after the application.
Therefore, according to the coating apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost caused by using the photocatalyst ink.

In the coating apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to employ a configuration in which the light source device is disposed at a position where the photocatalyst ink stored in the container can irradiate light of the predetermined wavelength. it can.
By adopting such a configuration, the photocatalytic ink is activated in the container.
In such a case, it is possible to employ a configuration in which stirring means for stirring the photocatalyst ink stored in the container is provided. By adopting such a configuration, since the photocatalyst ink stored in the container is stirred by the stirring means, the photocatalyst ink is uniformly irradiated with light, and the photocatalyst ink can be uniformly activated.
Further, the container has translucency with respect to the light of the predetermined wavelength, and the container is capable of storing the light source device and from a liquid surface of the photocatalyst ink stored in the container. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which a concave portion located below is provided. By adopting such a configuration, the photocatalyst ink can receive all the light emitted from the light source device in all directions, so that the photocatalyst ink can be activated more efficiently.

In the coating apparatus of the present invention, the light source device may be arranged at a position where the photocatalyst ink flowing through the flow path can be irradiated with light of the predetermined wavelength.
When such a configuration is employed, the photocatalytic ink is activated in the flow path.

  Next, the coating method of the present invention is a coating method in which a photocatalyst ink that is activated by irradiation with light of a predetermined wavelength is applied to a predetermined region, and is applied to the photocatalyst ink before application. It is characterized by irradiating light with a wavelength of.

According to the coating method of the present invention having such characteristics, light having a predetermined wavelength is irradiated onto the photocatalyst ink before coating. For this reason, the photocatalyst ink applied by the application method of the present invention is already activated, and it is not necessary to separately perform an exposure process after the application.
Therefore, according to the coating method of the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost caused by using the photocatalyst ink.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a photocatalyst ink storage device and method, a coating device and a method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the scale of each member is appropriately changed in order to make each member a recognizable size.

(Photocatalyst ink storage device and method)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the photocatalyst ink storage device S1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in this figure, the photocatalyst ink storage device S1 of this embodiment includes a container 1, an ultraviolet lamp 2 (light source device), and a stirring device 3 (stirring means).

  The container 1 stores the photocatalytic ink X, and in this embodiment, has a cylindrical can shape as shown in FIG. In addition, the container 1 is made of quartz in the present embodiment, and has translucency with respect to ultraviolet rays.

  The ultraviolet lamp 2 irradiates the photocatalyst ink X stored in the container 1 with ultraviolet light, and is disposed on the side of the container 1. In more detail, the ultraviolet lamp 2 only emits ultraviolet rays, and the ultraviolet lamp 2 is arranged on the side of the container 1, so that the photocatalyst ink X in the container 1 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays. It is set as the structure.

  The agitator 3 agitates the photocatalyst ink X stored in the container 1 and includes a rotating unit 31 shown in FIG. 1 and a driving device (not shown). The rotating unit 31 is disposed in the container 1 and directly agitates the photocatalyst ink X. And a drive device drives the rotation part 31 by magnetic force etc., for example.

  In the present embodiment, the photocatalyst ink X is an ink containing fine particles made of at least one selected from titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, strontium titanate, tungsten oxide, behavim oxide, and iron oxide. I use it.

  Next, a storage method of the photocatalyst ink X in the storage device of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

When ultraviolet light is emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 2 in a state where the photocatalyst ink X is stored in the container 1, the emitted ultraviolet light passes through the container 1 made of quartz and is irradiated onto the photocatalyst ink X.
As a result, the photocatalyst ink X is activated, and the photocatalyst ink X is stored in the container 1 in an activated state.

  That is, in the photocatalyst ink storage device and method of the present embodiment, the photocatalyst ink X is stored in an activated state. For this reason, when applying the photocatalyst ink, it is not necessary to activate the photocatalyst ink X by separately performing an exposure process after the application. Therefore, according to the photocatalyst ink storage device and method of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost caused by using the photocatalyst ink.

  Further, in the photocatalyst ink storage device S1 of the present embodiment, the photocatalyst ink X in the container 1 is stirred by the stirring device 3. For this reason, the entire photocatalyst ink X is uniformly irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the photocatalyst ink X can be uniformly activated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the container 1 employs a configuration including a recess 11 that can store the ultraviolet lamp 2 and is positioned below the liquid surface of the photocatalyst ink X stored in the container. The ultraviolet lamp 2 may be arranged inside the lamp.
By adopting such a configuration, the photocatalyst ink X can receive all the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 2, and the light workplace IN can be activated more efficiently.

The photocatalyst ink storage device S1 according to the present embodiment includes a chamber maintained in a predetermined environment (for example, an air atmosphere or an inert atmosphere), and the container 1 and the ultraviolet lamp 2 are disposed inside the chamber. Is preferably adopted.
By adopting such a configuration, the photocatalyst ink X can be stored in a predetermined environment.

(Coating apparatus and method)
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the coating apparatus S10 of the present embodiment.
As shown in this figure, the coating apparatus S10 of the present embodiment includes a container 10, an ultraviolet lamp 20, a stirring device 30, a flow path 40, and a discharge unit 50.
In addition, since the container 10, the ultraviolet lamp 20, and the stirring device 30 are the same as the container 1, the ultraviolet lamp 2, and the stirring device 3 of the photocatalyst ink storage device S1 described above, description thereof is omitted.

The flow path 40 is a flow path for moving the photocatalyst ink X from the container 10 to the discharge section 50, and is arranged in a connected state between the container 10 and the discharge section 50.
The discharge part 50 is applied to a predetermined region by discharging the photocatalyst ink X supplied through the flow path 40 to the outside.

According to the coating method in the coating apparatus S10 of this embodiment having such a configuration, the photocatalyst ink X is stored in the container 1 in a state where it is activated by the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 20. For this reason, when it is applied, it is already activated, and there is no need to perform a separate exposure process after application.
Therefore, according to the coating apparatus and method of the present invention of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost caused by using the photocatalytic ink.

Further, the coating device S10 of the present embodiment includes a stirring device 30 for stirring the photocatalyst ink X in the container 10 as in the above-described photocatalyst ink storage device S1. For this reason, the photocatalyst ink is uniformly irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the photocatalyst ink X can be uniformly activated.
Further, similarly to the photocatalyst ink storage device S1 described above, the container 10 is configured to include a concave portion that can store the ultraviolet lamp 20 and is positioned below the liquid level of the photocatalyst ink X stored in the container, An ultraviolet lamp 20 may be disposed inside the recess.

In the coating apparatus S10 of the present embodiment, the ultraviolet lamp 20 is disposed on the side of the container 10 and the photocatalyst ink X is activated by irradiating the photocatalyst ink X stored in the container 10 with ultraviolet rays. I let you. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 4, an ultraviolet lamp 20 is disposed in the middle of the flow path 40 and the photocatalyst ink X flowing through the flow path 40 is irradiated with ultraviolet light. You may do it. This also makes it possible to activate the photocatalyst ink X.
For example, when the photocatalyst ink X is preferably exposed for a long time, the ultraviolet lamp 20 is disposed on the side of the container 10, and when the photocatalyst ink X is preferably exposed for a short time, the ultraviolet lamp 20. May be arranged in the middle of the flow path 40.

Note that specific application examples of the coating apparatus S10 of the present embodiment include an inkjet apparatus, a spin coat apparatus, a roll coat apparatus, a die coat apparatus, a dip coat apparatus, a bar coat apparatus, a slit coat apparatus, and the like.
For example, when the coating apparatus S10 of this embodiment is applied to an ink jet apparatus, a stage apparatus for moving a substrate having a predetermined region to which the photocatalyst ink X is applied is added to the coating apparatus S10 of this embodiment. Is done. Further, for example, when the coating apparatus S10 of the present embodiment is applied to a spin coating apparatus, a stage apparatus for rotating a substrate having a predetermined region to which the photocatalytic ink X is applied is applied to the coating apparatus S10 of the present embodiment. Added.
Thus, when applying the coating apparatus S10 of this embodiment to a specific apparatus, a required structure will be added according to the apparatus applied.

  Next, a manufacturing process of a device using such a coating apparatus S10 will be described. The coating apparatus S10 of the above embodiment can be used in various device manufacturing processes. Here, a color filter manufacturing method will be described as a specific example.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, a partition wall 706 having liquid repellency is formed on one surface of a transparent substrate 742. When the partition 706 is formed, a non-light-transmitting resin (preferably a black resin) is applied to a predetermined thickness (for example, about 2 μm) by a predetermined method, and is patterned using a photolithography technique. Alternatively, an inkjet process can be used.
In the case of using the lithography method, an organic material is applied in accordance with the height of the partition wall by a predetermined method, and a resist layer is applied thereon. Then, a mask is applied according to the shape of the partition wall, and the resist is exposed and developed to leave the resist according to the partition wall shape. Finally, the partition wall material other than the mask is removed by etching. Further, the partition walls may be formed of two or more layers in which the lower layer is made of an inorganic material and the upper layer is made of an organic material.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, a lyophilic layer 710 is formed on the substrate 742. Here, a titanium oxide dispersion (photocatalyst ink X) in which lyophilic titanium oxide fine particles are dispersed in alcohol is applied all over the surface by the coating apparatus of the above embodiment.
The titanium oxide fine particles preferably have an average particle diameter of 1 to 500 nm, particularly 5 to 100 nm. Examples of the dispersion medium include water and alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, i-propanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, i-butanol, t-butanol, methoxyethanol, ethoxyethanol, and ethylene glycol. Two or more kinds can be used in combination.

This titanium oxide dispersion was spin-coated on the substrate 742 at a concentration of 0.2 wt% at 500 rpm.
Here, the titanium oxide dispersion applied to the entire surface of the substrate 742 is repelled from the partition 706 and introduced into the filter element formation region 707 which is a pixel portion because the partition 706 has liquid repellency. Further, since this dispersion liquid is alcohol as a dispersion medium, it is evaporated and dried immediately after being introduced into the filter element forming region 707 to form a transparent layer.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, R droplets 790 </ b> R (liquid material) are discharged and landed on the lyophilic layer 710 on the substrate 742. Here, when the lyophilic layer is not formed on the filter element forming region 707 and the droplet 790R is landed on the substrate 742, the contact angle on the substrate 742 is about 30 °, so the droplet 790R is sufficiently wet and spread. However, when the droplet 790R is landed on the lyophilic layer 710 as in the present embodiment, the contact angle in the lyophilic layer 710 is 5 ° or less, so by discharging a predetermined amount or more of droplets, The filter element formation region 707 spreads over almost the entire surface.

  Note that the amount of the droplets 790R discharged to the filter element formation region 707 is a sufficient amount considering the volume reduction of the liquid material in the heating process. Next, the liquid is temporarily fired to form an R colored layer 703R as shown in FIG. The above steps are repeated for each color of R, G, and B, and colored layers 703G and 703B are sequentially formed as shown in FIG. After all the colored layers 703R, 703G, and 703B are formed, the colored layers 703R, 703G, and 703B are baked together.

Next, in order to planarize the substrate 742 and protect the colored layers 703R, 703G, and 703B, as shown in FIG. Form.
And a color filter is manufactured by the above process.

  According to the device manufacturing method using the coating apparatus and method of the above embodiment, the already activated photocatalyst ink X is applied to the substrate 742 from the coating apparatus. Therefore, the lyophilic layer 710 can be formed without performing a separate exposure process after the photocatalyst ink X is applied. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost caused by using the photocatalyst ink.

  The preferred embodiments of the photocatalyst ink storage device and method, the coating device and the method according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various shapes, combinations, and the like of the constituent members shown in the above-described embodiments are examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the storage apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a modification of the storage apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which showed schematic structure of the coating device which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a modification of the coating device which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the device using the coating device which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the device using the coating device which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the device using the coating device which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the device using the coating device which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the device using the coating device which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the device using the coating device which is one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  S1 ... Storage device, S10 ... Coating device, X ... Photocatalyst ink, 1,30 ... Container, 2,30 ... UV lamp (light source device), 3,30 ... Agitator, 40 ... Flow path , 50 …… Discharge section

Claims (11)

A photocatalyst ink storage device activated by irradiation with light of a predetermined wavelength,
A container for storing the photocatalytic ink;
A photocatalyst ink storage device, comprising: a light source device that irradiates the photocatalyst ink stored in the container with light of the predetermined wavelength. The photocatalyst ink storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a stirring unit that stirs the photocatalyst ink stored in the container. The container is translucent to the light of the predetermined wavelength, and the container is capable of storing the light source device and is below the liquid surface of the photocatalyst ink stored in the container. The photocatalyst ink storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a recessed portion positioned. 4. The photocatalyst ink contains fine particles made of at least one selected from titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, strontium titanate, tungsten oxide, bihumic oxide, and iron oxide. The photocatalyst ink storage device according to any one of the above. A method of storing a photocatalytic ink that is activated by irradiation with light of a predetermined wavelength,
A photocatalyst ink storage method, wherein the photocatalyst ink is stored in a state where the photocatalyst ink can be irradiated with light of the predetermined wavelength. A coating apparatus that coats a predetermined area with a photocatalyst ink that is activated by irradiation with light of a predetermined wavelength,
A coating apparatus comprising a light source device that irradiates the photocatalyst ink with light having the predetermined wavelength before coating. The coating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the light source device is disposed at a position where the photocatalyst ink stored in the container can be irradiated with light having the predetermined wavelength. The coating apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a stirring unit that stirs the photocatalyst ink stored in the container. The container is translucent to the light of the predetermined wavelength, and the container is capable of storing the light source device and is below the liquid surface of the photocatalyst ink stored in the container. The coating apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a recessed portion that is positioned. The coating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the light source device is disposed at a position where the photocatalyst ink flowing in the flow path can be irradiated with light of the predetermined wavelength. A coating method for coating a predetermined area with a photocatalyst ink that is activated by irradiation with light of a predetermined wavelength,
A coating method comprising irradiating the photocatalyst ink with light having a predetermined wavelength before coating.

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