Liquid composition emitting far infrared rays and method for preparation thereof

A liquid (ionized) composition emitting far infrared rays and a method for preparation thereof which can be used for a variety of applications is disclosed. The composition is prepared according to a preparing method, comprising the steps of: dissolving sodium silicate, sodium aluminate, sodium oxide, sodium thiosulfate, germanium dioxide, and highly pure white sugar at a temperature of 20.degree. to 40.degree. C. and mixing the dissolved solutions to resultingly prepare a first solution; adding a second solution made by ionizing gold to chloroauric acid and a third solution made by ionizing silver nitrate to silver thiosulfate to the first solution; and maintaining the resultant mixture at ordinary temperature (15.degree. to 25.degree. C.) for 48 to 72 hours. The highly pure white sugar of the first solution in the composition may further comprise an aqueous potassium carbonate solution added therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates, in general, to a liquid (ionized) 
composition emitting far infrared rays and a method for preparation 
thereof and, more particularly, to a highly functional liquid (ionized) 
composition emitting far infrared rays, which radiates far infrared rays 
of high efficiency at ordinary temperature (15.degree. to 25.degree. C.) 
when it is coated or impregnated on articles such as fiber products, and a 
method for preparation of such liquid (ionized) composition to be used for 
a variety of applications. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
In general, as demonstrated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), far 
infrared rays are electromagnetic waves between 4.0 and 1,000 microns, 
which activate water molecules so as to be easily absorbed into the living 
body and which are capable of smoothing various physiological functions of 
the living body. In addition, it has been found through various 
experiments that the energy of far infrared rays can be easily absorbed 
into the living body, and that the absorbed energy provides necessary 
energy for the activation of body fluids and for physiological functions 
of the living body, thereby vitalizing the physiological functions of the 
living body. 
With respect to the human body, far infrared rays have the following 
functions: 
(1) the far infrared rays absorbed into the skin tissue change to heat, 
thereby raising the temperature of the skin tissue and raising the body 
temperature at the hypodermic deep layer so that a warm sensation is felt; 
(2) increasing the flow of blood at the skin by enlarging the capillary 
vessels so as to promote the circulation of blood; 
(3) activating the metabolism; 
(4) abating pain; and 
(5) enhancing the rebirth ability of tissues so as to enable humans to 
recover from fatigue, to promote health, to dissolve insomnia and stress, 
and to heal chronic diseases. 
In addition, far infrared rays are effective in accelerating the growth of 
animals and plants, maintaining the freshness of food, aging food, 
promoting the taste of food, and cleaning room air. 
Various products utilizing such properties of far infrared rays have been 
developed and sold in the market, such as fiber products, tableware, and 
health products. Home appliances utilizing far infrared rays have also 
been recently developed, such as refrigerators which utilize far infrared 
rays to maintain the freshness of food. 
Particularly in Japan, by utilizing already developed bioceramic materials 
emitting far infrared rays and powder techniques, various products 
emitting far infrared rays have rapidly been developed and produced. The 
market scale of such products amounts to three trillion yen. 
Products using conventional bioceramic materials emitting far infrared rays 
have been prepared by dispersing powder bioceramics, in which an abundance 
of emissive material such as alumina silica is contained in ammonia water 
or resin having cation radicals, and then by attaching the dispersion on 
the surface of various products through adhesives. 
However, because such materials emitting far infrared rays in these 
products are presently in a solid state, the coating cannot be applied 
uniformly on the surfaces of various products, and therefore, products 
using the powder phase composition as described above cannot sufficiently 
emit the far infrared rays. Also, since the composition is effective in 
radiating far infrared rays only when a high temperature (e.g., 
200.degree. to 500.degree. C.) is applied to the products, favorable 
effects cannot be expected at room or ordinary temperature. 
Moreover, the products coated with the materials emitting far infrared rays 
produced by conventional methods have other inefficiencies: the products 
have rough surfaces; dusts are produced, particularly when the composition 
is applied on fiber; and the composition cannot be applied on various 
products because it is produced by dot or spray techniques so that the 
dyeing ability of the fiber products is restricted. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems 
encountered in the prior art. Accordingly, an object of the present 
invention is to provide a liquid (ionized) composition emitting far 
infrared rays which emits far infrared rays with improved efficiency. 
In other words, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid 
(ionized) composition emitting far infrared rays and a method for 
preparing such liquid (ionized) composition emitting far infrared rays, 
which emits the far infrared rays more effectively when applied on various 
products, which has a more superior coating ability than conventional 
bioceramics so that it can be applied on various products, and which can 
be used to manufacture various fiber products with enhanced flexibility 
and dyeing ability. 
In accordance with the present invention, the above object can be 
accomplished by providing a method for preparing a liquid (ionized) 
composition emitting far infrared rays, comprising the steps of: 
dissolving sodium silicate, sodium aluminate (AlNaO.sub.2), sodium oxide 
(Na.sub.2 O), sodium thiosulfate (Na.sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.3), germanium 
dioxide (GeO.sub.2), and highly pure white sugar in water at a temperature 
of 20.degree. to 40.degree. C., and mixing the dissolved solution to 
resultingly prepare a first solution; 
adding a second solution made by ionizing gold to chloroauric acid 
(HAuCl.sub.4.H.sub.2 O) and a third solution made by ionizing silver 
nitrate to silver thiosulfate (Ag.sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.3) to the first 
solution; and 
maintaining the resultant mixture at ordinary temperature for about 48 to 
72 hours. 
Preferably, the highly pure white sugar of the first solution will further 
include purified glucose mixed therein. 
Preferably, the first solution will further include an aqueous potassium 
carbonate solution added therein. 
Moreover, the above object can also be accomplished by providing a liquid 
composition emitting far infrared rays produced in accordance with the 
above preparing method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
As used in this description, "highly pure white sugar" means white sugar 
having a purity higher than 99%. 
In the present invention, the thiosulfate solution and highly pure white 
sugar are added to accelerate liquefaction and to vatalize the ionic bond 
of metal atoms. They also absorb much of the oxygen from the air to 
accelerate the activation of water, thereby accelerating the solution of 
the constituents of the liquid composition emitting far infrared rays in 
accordance with the present invention. 
Gold ion is generally used to cure cancerous peritonitis, cancerous 
pleurisy, and cancer of the genitals. It is known that these functions of 
gold ion result because the gold ion binds with organisms in the living 
body so that far infrared rays such as sun energy can reach the hypodermic 
deep layer and also be radiated effectively even at a low temperature, 
thereby raising the temperature of the hypodermic deep layer. 
Accordingly, these properties of gold ion are utilized in the present 
invention. 
Silver is known to be the highest among metals in terms of reflective power 
for infrared and visible rays and in terms of electric and the thermal 
conductivities, although its reflective power of ultraviolet rays is poor 
when compared to other metals. 
Silver also has a tendency to absorb much oxygen when melted and to release 
oxygen when cooled. 
Accordingly, after fiber is first dipped in the liquid composition emitting 
far infrared rays containing ionized silver thiosulfate, the dipped fiber 
is first dried at a temperature of 70.degree. to 80.degree. C., and then 
heated at a temperature of 100.degree. to 120.degree. C. to absorb oxygen, 
and finally, is cooled to release oxygen. Thus, the present invention 
utilizes the above-mentioned characteristics of silver. 
The amounts of gold ion and silver ion used in the present invention vary 
depending on the purpose of such products. 
Silicon is the most efficient semiconductor material and is known as a 
highly functional raw material which emits many far infrared rays of 
shortwave length. 
Thus, in the present invention, the liquid composition emitting far 
infrared rays is prepared by liquefying these noble metals and 
semiconductor material. 
The method for preparing the liquid composition emitting far infrared rays 
in accordance with the present invention will be more concretely described 
hereinafter. 
First, sodium silicate, sodium aluminate, sodium oxide, sodium thiosulfate, 
germanium dioxide and highly pure white sugar are respectively dissolved 
in purified water at a temperature of 20.degree. to 40.degree. C., and 
then mixed to prepare the first solution. At this time, it is also 
possible to use highly pure white sugar with purified glucose mixed 
therein. 
In the present invention, for preparing the first solution, it is preferred 
that the weight ratio of sodium thiosulfate to sodium silicate ranges 
1:5-20 and the weight ratio of sodium thiosulfate to sodium aluminate 
ranges 1:2-8. And, the weight ratio of sodium thiosulfate to sodium oxide 
preferably ranges 1:2-5 and the weight ratio of sodium thiosulfate to 
highly pure white sugar preferably ranges 1:5-12. 
Furthermore, when the aqueous potassium carbonate solution is added, the 
weight ratio of sodium thiosulfate to calcium carbonate preferably ranges 
1:5-10. 
However, germanium dioxide is dissolved in water having the same volume as 
that of water used to dissolve each of the other components of the first 
solution, and then its supernatant is used in the preparation of the first 
solution. 
Gold is ionized to chloroauric acid to prepare the second solution. 
The chloroauric acid solution (HAuCl.sub.4.H.sub.2 O) used as gold ion in 
the present invention can be prepared by using the known processes for 
preparing chloroauric acid. It is preferable to use a process wherein gold 
is dissolved in nitrohydrochloric acid which is a mixed solution of 
concentrated hydrochloric acid and concentrated nitric acid. 
That is, a proper amount of gold is introduced into a crucible, melted at a 
temperature of about 1100.degree. C., and then added to purified water 
while stirring so that the gold is split finely. Next, nitrohydrochloric 
acid (HCl:HNO.sub.3 =3:1) is added thereto, and then dissolved completely 
at a temperature of 40.degree. to 50.degree. C. to be ionized. Thus, the 
chloroauric acid solution is prepared. 
Meanwhile, silver nitrate is ionized to silver thiosulfate so that the 
third solution is prepared. 
Silver thiosulfate, which serves as a silver ion in the liquid composition 
in the present invention, can be prepared in accordance with prior art 
methods. Among the known methods for preparing silver thiosulfate, in the 
preferred method an aqueous silver nitrate solution is mixed with an 
aqueous sodium chloride solution to cause the precipitation of silver 
chloride. Sodium thiosulfate is then added to the precipitate (silver 
chloride), and the resultant mixture is heated while stirring at a 
temperature of 30.degree. to 40.degree. C., whereby a transparent aqueous 
thiosulfate solution is prepared. 
Although silver oxide or silver nitrate can be used, they are unpreferred 
because they tend to change to black when exposed to sunshine or heat, so 
that a product using them is discolored after it is processed. Silver 
nitrate is particularly unsuitable because it changes to brown when 
contacting with organisms. 
Therefore, silver thiosulfate is used as the silver ion in the present 
invention because it does not injure a product even when the product is 
coated or impregnated with it. 
In preparing the second solution according to the present invention, it is 
preferred that the weight of the amount of gold used is the same as or ten 
times that of the weight of the amount of sodium thiosulfate. And, in 
preparing the third solution, it is preferred that the weight of the 
amount of silver nitrate used is in the range of 0.5 times to twice that 
of the weight of the amount of sodium thiosulfate. 
The first solution, the second solution and the third solution prepared as 
described above are mixed and then maintained at ordinary temperature 
(15.degree. to 25.degree. C.) for 48 to 72 hours. 
In this procedure, substitution reaction of metal atoms with organic 
compounds occurs, so that the liquid (ionized) composition emitting far 
infrared rays is a solution in which the ion equilibrium and the mixed 
equilibrium of metals is prepared. 
At this time, the mixture must be maintained between 48 and 72 hours, 
because the ionization to decrease the emitting efficiency of the 
composition does not completely take place when the maintenance time is 
less than 48 hours, and the ionization does not proceed when the 
maintenance time is more than 72 hours. 
The liquid (ionized) composition emitting far infrared rays according to 
the present invention can be used in coating or impregnating various 
products, such as fibers, home appliances, bedding, tableware, various 
plastic products, and the like. 
The liquid (ionized) composition emitting far infrared rays according to 
the present invention can be used properly diluted or as an undiluted 
solution. 
The liquid (ionized) composition emitting far infrared rays according to 
the present invention can secure a superior emitting efficiency of far 
infrared rays than the conventional powder phase bioceramics, because the 
atoms emitting the far infrared rays, i.e., gold, silver, and silicon, are 
present in active ionic states which can more effectively radiate the far 
infrared rays. 
Furthermore, because the composition emitting far infrared rays according 
to the present invention can be impregnated or coated on various products 
in a liquid state, the liquid composition can be uniformly absorbed into 
or coated on the products, thereby preparing the products so that they 
more effectively emit the far infrared rays. 
Moreover, since a silver ion emits oxygen slowly, this ion in particular 
improves the heat insulating property, the flexibility, and the 
wearability of fiber products. 
Also, the liquid (ionized) composition emitting far infrared rays according 
to the present invention does not freeze even at a temperature of 
-15.degree. C., is free of colors and odors, and retains emitting 
efficiency without causing decomposition or degeneration. 
The emissivity of the far infrared rays of fiber products prepared using 
the liquid composition emitting far infrared rays according to the present 
invention was confirmed in the following manner. First, a fiber product 
was impregnated with the liquid composition and dried. Thereafter, the 
dipped and dried sample was sent to the Far Infrared Rays Application 
Institute in Osaka, Japan so that the emissivity and emitting intensity of 
the far infrared rays could be measured. The results of the measurement 
confirmed that the emissivity of the far infrared rays of the liquid 
composition according to the present invention was more than 80% at a 
temperature of 35.degree. C. (See FIG. 1), and that the emitting intensity 
was similar to that of a black body having the highest emissivity of far 
infrared rays (See FIG. 2) . In short, the liquid composition was 
excellent in emitting far infrared rays. 
The present invention is further described with reference to, but not 
limited by, the following examples. 
EXAMPLE 1 
A first solution is prepared with the following composition: 
______________________________________ 
sodium silicate 12.0 g 
sodium aluminate 4.0 g 
sodium oxide 3.0 g 
sodium thiosulfate 1.0 g 
germanium dioxide 3.0 g 
highly pure white sugar 
10.0 g 
______________________________________ 
The above-listed components are respectively dissolved in 170 ml of 
purified water at a temperature of 20.degree. to 40.degree. C. and then 
mixed. The germanium dioxide, however, is dissolved in 170 ml of purified 
water but its supernatant only is used in the mixing. 
4 g of gold having a purity of 99.9% are introduced into a crucible and 
melted at a temperature of about 1100.degree. C. using a petroleum lamp. 
The melted gold is added to 1000 ml of purified water and stirred to split 
the gold finely. The split gold is introduced into a beaker and 10 ml of 
nitrohydrochloric acid are added thereto. Then, the resultant mixture is 
completely dissolved at a temperature of 40.degree. to 50.degree. C. to be 
ionized. 
After the above step is completed, a yellow chloroauric acid solution (a 
second solution) is prepared. 
1 g of silver nitrate is dissolved in 10 ml of purified water at ordinary 
temperature, while 3 g of sodium chloride are dissolved in 50 ml of 
purified water at ordinary temperature. The above two solutions are mixed 
so that the precipitation of white silver chloride occurs. The resultant 
precipitate is separated and then washed with purified water three times. 
Next, an amount of water equal to twice the amount of the precipitate and 
3 g of sodium thiosulfate are added to the separated silver chloride. The 
resultant mixture is heated at a temperature of about 30.degree. to 
40.degree. C. for 20 to 30 minutes while stirring to dissolve the silver 
chloride, by which an odorless and colorless silver thiosulfate solution 
(a third solution) is prepared. 
The first solution, the second solution, and the third solution prepared as 
described above are mixed and then maintained at ordinary temperature for 
more than 48 hours. 
The liquid composition emitting far infrared rays prepared in this example 
is a transparent colorless liquid. 
EXAMPLE 2 
A first solution is prepared with the following composition: 
______________________________________ 
sodium silicate 15.0 g 
sodium aluminate 5.0 g 
sodium oxide 3.0 g 
sodium thiosulfate 1.0 g 
germanium dioxide 3.0 g 
potassium carbonate 8.0 g 
purified glucose 3.0 g 
highly pure white sugar 
7.0 g 
______________________________________ 
The above-listed components are respectively dissolved in 170 ml of 
purified water at 25.degree. C. and the resultant solutions are mixed. The 
germanium dioxide, however, is dissolved in 170 ml of purified water but 
its supernatant only is used in the mixing. 
3 g of gold having a purity of 99.9% are introduced into a crucible and 
melted at a temperature of about 1100.degree. C. using a petroleum lamp. 
The melted gold is added to 1000 ml of purified water while stirring to 
split the gold finely. The split gold is introduced into a beaker, and 10 
ml of nitrohydrochloric acid are added thereto. The resultant mixture is 
completely dissolved at a temperature of 40.degree. to 50.degree. C. to be 
ionized. 
After this step is completed, a yellow chloroauric acid solution (a second 
solution) is prepared. 
1 g of silver nitrate is dissolved in 10 ml of purified water at ordinary 
temperature. 3 g of sodium chloride are dissolved in 50 ml of purified 
water at ordinary temperature. The above two solutions are then mixed to 
effect the precipitation of silver chloride. The resultant precipitate is 
separated, and then washed with purified water three times. Next, an 
amount of water equal to twice the amount of the precipitate is added to 
the separated silver chloride, 3 g of sodium thiosulfate are added 
thereto, and the resultant mixture is heated at a temperature of about 
30.degree. to 40.degree. C. for 20 to 30 minutes while stirring to 
dissolve the silver chloride. Thereby, a colorless and odorless silver 
thiosulfate solution (a third solution) is prepared. 
The first solution, the second solution and the third solution prepared as 
described above are mixed and then maintained at ordinary temperature for 
more than 48 hours. 
The liquid composition emitting far infrared rays prepared in this example 
is a colorless transparent liquid. 
EXAMPLE 3 
Measurements of the Emissivity and Emitting Intensity of Far Infrared Rays 
Polyester synthetic fiber lining material for trousers was impregnated for 
30 seconds with the liquid composition emitting far infrared rays prepared 
in Example 2 above, and then dried to provide a test sample. 
The test sample was sent to the Far Infrared Rays Application Institute in 
Osaka, Japan so that the emissivity and the emitting intensity of the far 
infrared rays could be measured. The device used for the measurements was 
JIR-E500, and the measurements were carried out under the following 
conditions: a resolution of 1/16 cm; an integrating number of 20; MCT as 
the detector; and a temperature for the measurements of 35.degree. C. 
The results of the measurements indicated that the emissivity of the far 
infrared rays emitted from the synthetic fiber impregnated with the liquid 
composition according to the present invention ranged from about 65 to 80% 
at a wavelength range of 4.0 to 6.0 microns and more than 80% at a 
wavelength range of more than 8.0 microns, as shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, 
the results of the test measuring the emitting intensity indicated that an 
emitting intensity curve similar to that of a black body having the 
highest emitting intensity was obtained. That is, the results showed that 
the emitting intensity was similar to that of a black body. 
EXAMPLE 4 
Test for Antibacterial Effects 
1000 ml of the liquid composition emitting far infrared rays produced in 
above Example 2 were mixed with 20 liters of purified water. Next, a 
woolen fabric with a dimension of 30 cm.times.30 cm was impregnated with 
the resultant mixture for 30 seconds and then dried to provide a test 
sample. 
The test sample was sent to the Korea Textile Inspection and Testing 
Institute (KOTITI) so that it could be tested for antibacterial effects. 
The testing was performed using a shake flask test at a temperature of 
25.degree. C. in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC No. 6538). 
As a result of the testing, it was confirmed that the number of 
microorganisms decreased by 73.8%. 
EXAMPLE 5 
Test for Deodorization 
1000 ml of the liquid composition emitting far infrared rays prepared in 
above Example 2 were mixed with 20 liters of purified water. Next, a 
woolen fabric with a dimension of 30 cm.times.30 cm was impregnated with 
the resultant mixture for 30 seconds, and then dried to provide a test 
sample. 
The test sample was sent to the Korea Textile Inspection and Testing 
Institute (KOTITI) so that it could be tested for deodorization. 
With regard to the testing conditions, a sample having a dimension of 1 
cm.times.1 cm and 1.0025 g of specific gravity was used, the amount of 
aqueous ammonia solution introduced was 5 .mu.l, the amount of ammonia gas 
absorbed at 1 stroke was 100 ml, and the volume of the beaker used for the 
test was 2 liters. A gas detector method was used as the test method, and, 
from the measured number values, deodorization was calculated by the 
following equation: 
##EQU1## 
Results of the measurements are shown in Table 1. 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
Blank Sample 
Time for Concentration 
Concentration 
Deodorization 
Measurement 
(ppm) (ppm) (%) 
______________________________________ 
Initial 540.0 540.0 -- 
After 30 519.0 200.0 61.5 
minutes 
After 60 507.5 169.0 66.7 
minutes 
After 90 500.0 113.0 77.4 
minutes 
After 120 
479.0 105.0 78.1 
minutes 
______________________________________ 
From the results shown in Table I, it can be confirmed that the deodorizing 
property of the fiber after being impregnated with the liquid composition 
emitting far infrared rays according to the present invention was 
excellent. 
EXAMPLE 6 
Test for Frictional Electricity Voltage 
The polyester synthetic fiber test sample prepared according to above 
Example 3 was sent to the FITI Testing and Researching Institute to test 
and measure the frictional electricity voltage thereof. 
The device and method used for the measurements was KS K 0555, B method, 
and the measurements were carried out under the following conditions: use 
of cotton as the friction testing cloth; a temperature of 20.degree. C.; 
and a relative humidity of 65%. 
Results of the measurement can be found in Table 2. 
TABLE 2 
______________________________________ 
Frictional 
Electricity Voltage 
Reduction of 
(V) Electrification (%) 
______________________________________ 
Untreated Cotton 
520 -- 
Cloth Sample 
Treated Cotton 
18 96.5 
Cloth Sample 
______________________________________ 
In addition, in order to measure the transmissions of the ultraviolet rays, 
a synthetic fiber was coated with the liquid composition emitting far 
infrared rays according to the present invention as described in above 
Example 3, and the coated fiber was sent to the FITI Testing and 
Researching Institute so that the transmissions of the ultraviolet rays 
could be measured. The device used for the measurement was a UV 
spectrophotometer. 
The results of the measurement indicate that the average interception of a 
wavelength of 200 to 400 microns known to be harmful to humans is 98%, and 
that the average interception of a wavelength of 300 to 400 microns is 
84%. Thus, it has been demonstrated that the interception of the 
ultraviolet rays by the synthetic fiber coated with the liquid composition 
of the present invention is more effective. 
As described and confirmed above, when the liquid composition emitting far 
infrared rays according to the present invention is coated on products 
such as fiber products, it provides the coated product with excellent 
emissivity and emitting intensity similar to that of a black body. 
Furthermore, a fiber product with superior antibacterial effects, 
deodorization, and interception of ultraviolet rays and with reduced 
frictional electricity can be manufactured by using a liquid composition 
prepared in accordance with the present invention. 
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been 
disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will 
appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are 
possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present 
invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.