Asymmetric Azo Dye for Inkjet Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet recording methods face challenges in achieving high photographic sensitivity, precise image quality, and high grayscale reproducibility, with issues related to quick drying property, fixability, and stability of ink, particularly due to insufficient solubility and storage stability of existing dyes, leading to changes in image quality and bronze gloss at high humidity and temperature.
Innovation Solution
An asymmetric azo compound is developed, where an aromatic hydrocarbon ring or aromatic heterocyclic group is bonded to a heterocyclic ring through an azo group, specifically with certain substituents, to create an aqueous solution with improved light and gas fastness, stability, and resistance to changes in recording paper, ensuring consistent image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing dyes are used in inkjet recording, then recording speed and cost efficiency are improved, but storage stability and image quality consistency deteriorate due to insufficient solubility and chemical stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of azo dyes by changing parameters such as introducing specific heterocyclic rings (pyridine, pyrimidine, triazine) and adjusting substituent groups to enhance water solubility and chemical stability while maintaining recording performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite dye molecules combining aromatic hydrocarbon rings, heterocyclic rings, and azo groups in specific configurations to achieve both high recording speed and excellent storage stability through synergistic structural features
2Manufacturing precision
If dye concentration is increased to improve image quality, then photographic sensitivity and grayscale reproducibility are enhanced, but bronze gloss and image quality degradation occur at high humidity and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific functional groups at particular positions in the dye molecule structure to provide localized resistance against humidity and temperature effects, preventing bronze gloss while maintaining high concentration image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The dye structure is designed in advance with protective groups that preemptively resist the formation of bronze gloss and image degradation before environmental factors like humidity and temperature can cause damage
3Speed
If permeating agent is added to improve quick drying property, then drying speed is enhanced, but viscosity increases excessively and discharging stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the dye molecule to inherently improve quick drying property through structural features that enhance evaporation rate, eliminating the need for additional permeating agents that would increase viscosity and compromise discharging stability
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional azo compounds are used, then cost is reduced, but fastness to light, heat, and active gas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates composite molecular structures combining cost-effective azo groups with stable heterocyclic rings and aromatic hydrocarbon components to achieve high fastness properties while maintaining economical production costs
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an aqueous solution including: (a) a preservative, and (b) at least one kind of an azo compound represented by the following Formula (1) or a salt thereof, wherein a content of (b) is 1% by mass to 25% by mass:wherein, in Formula (1), A represents a substituted phenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen-containing 5-membered heterocyclic group, G represents a nitrogen atom or —C(R2)═, R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted carbamoyl group or cyano group, Y2, Y3 and Y4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, Y2, Y3 and Y4 may be bonded to each other to form a ring, all of Y2, Y3 and Y4 do not represent a hydrogen atom at the same time, and M each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent countercation.