Bio-Based Amorphous Polyester Resin for Uniform Toner Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toner binder resins rely on petroleum resources, contributing to global warming, and there is a need for environmentally friendly, sustainable alternatives that ensure uniform electrostatic properties and adhesion of resin particles.
Innovation Solution
Development of an amorphous polyester resin using plant-derived components like 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, and ethylene glycol, with a specific OHVa/AVa ratio, forming a core-shell structure for resin particles to enhance adhesion and charging characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If petroleum-derived binder resins are used, then sufficient adhesion and charging characteristics are achieved, but environmental compatibility deteriorates due to global warming and resource depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the binder resin by using plant-derived diols (1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, ethylene glycol) and polycarboxylic acids with specific functional groups, achieving both environmental compatibility and reliable adhesion characteristics through controlled molecular structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite resin system combining multiple plant-derived components with specific functional groups that work synergistically to provide both environmental friendliness and sufficient adhesion properties for toner particles
2Object-affected harmful factors
If plant-derived resins are used to improve environmental compatibility, then uniform charging characteristics deteriorate due to inconsistent electrostatic properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the molecular weight, functional group content, and composition ratios of plant-derived components to ensure uniform electrostatic properties and consistent charging characteristics across all resin particles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, ether) at specific locations in the molecular structure to create localized electrostatic properties that ensure uniform charging behavior while maintaining overall environmental compatibility
3Object-affected harmful factors
If recycled resins are used to improve sustainability, then adhesion performance deteriorates due to degraded material properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fresh plant-derived monomers with controlled molecular weights and functional group densities to synthesize resins with optimized adhesion strength, avoiding the degradation issues inherent in recycled materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates polycarboxylic acids with high functional group density that enhance molecular cross-linking and interfacial adhesion, compensating for any material degradation through strengthened chemical bonding
Data Source
AI summary
An amorphous polyester resin is provided that includes a polycondensation product of an alcohol component and a carboxylic acid component. The alcohol component includes at least one selected from the group consisting of plant-derived 1,3-propanediol, plant-derived 1,3-butanediol, and plant-derived ethylene glycol, and the carboxylic acid component includes a polycarboxylic acid having a sulfo group. A ratio (OHVa/AVa) of a hydroxyl value (OHVa) of the amorphous polyester resin with respect to an acid value (AVa) of the amorphous polyester resin is from 1.1 to 1.5.