Improved relative humidity sensitivity improved toner containing silicate clay particles

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved relative humidity sensitivity toner containing silicate clay particles. Toner particles, preferably emulsion aggregation toner particles, have improved relative humidity sensitivity through inclusion therein of silicate clay particles such as kaolin clay. The toner particles include a binder, preferably an acrylate-containing binder, at least one colorant, and silicate clay particles distributed in the binder. In a core-shell embodiment, the silicate particles are distributed in the core, the shell layer, or both. Developers of the toner in combination with carrier particles are also described.

Description

technical field [0001] Described herein are toners having improved sensitivity to relative humidity by including silicate clay particles, preferably aluminosilicate particles, in the toner particles and emulsion aggregation toners comprising the same are described herein. developer of the agent. Background technique [0002] One major type of emulsion aggregation toner includes acrylate based emulsion aggregation toners, such as styrene acrylate toner particles. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,120,967, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. [0003] Emulsion aggregation techniques typically involve the formation of an emulsion latex of resin particles having a small size, e.g., about 5 to about 500 nanometers, by heating the resin in water, optionally with a solvent if desired, or by preparing the latex in water using emulsion polymerization Diameter. Separately form a colorant dispersion such as a pigment dispersed in water, optionally also containi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Inclusion of such functional groups can result in toner particles having a higher low relative humidity (RH) zone charge than desired (low RH zone as used herein means 15% RH conditions at a temperature of about 10°C). Although against this Efforts to improve this effect include increasing the coverage of external additives on the outer surface of the toner particles, but this can have negative effects such as increased production costs, the need to increase the minimum fusing temperature, etc.