Azo Skeleton Polymer Pigment Dispersant for Toner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pigment dispersants require excessive amounts to achieve satisfactory dispersibility, affecting the properties of toner images, and existing compounds with azo skeleton structures provide only partial improvements in pigment dispersibility.
Innovation Solution
A compound with a specific polymer structure, represented by formula (4), is used as a pigment-dispersing agent, which contains a moiety with an azo skeleton structure that enhances the dispersibility of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black pigments, improving tinting strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dispersant is used to improve pigment dispersibility, then pigment dispersibility is improved, but the amount of dispersant required becomes excessive, affecting toner image properties
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of the dispersant by introducing a specific azo skeleton structure with formula (1) containing aromatic rings and conjugated bonds. This structural parameter change enables the dispersant to achieve superior pigment dispersibility at much lower concentrations, resolving the contradiction between dispersibility improvement and dispersant quantity required
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite dispersant system combining the azo skeleton structure (formula (1)) with a polymer backbone (formula (4)). This composite structure integrates the high pigment affinity of azo compounds with the solubility and processability benefits of polymers, achieving effective dispersibility with reduced dispersant amounts
2Reliability
If existing azo skeleton structure compounds are used as dispersants, then some pigment dispersibility is achieved, but the dispersion effect is insufficient for high-quality image output
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating specific functional regions within the dispersant molecule: the azo skeleton structure (formula (1)) provides local pigment binding capability while the polymer backbone (formula (4)) provides local solubility and steric stabilization. This localized functional differentiation achieves superior overall dispersion effect for high-quality images
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from simple azo compounds to a three-dimensional polymeric structure with the azo skeleton embedded in a polymer matrix. This dimensional expansion from molecular to supramolecular level provides enhanced steric hindrance and broader pigment surface coverage, achieving the dispersion effect required for high-quality image output
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a compound capable of improving the dispersibility of color pigments in a water-insoluble solvent; and a pigment-dispersing agent. The present invention also provides a pigment composition, a pigment dispersion, and a toner, which have satisfactory tinting strength. The present invention provides the compound containing a polymer having a monomer unit having a specific chemical structure, the compound having a moiety also having a specific structure.