Lithographic Printing Plate Precursor with Boronic Complex
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current on-press developable lithographic printing plate precursors using infrared radiation suffer from weak and fading printout images due to inefficient acid generation and chemical equilibration, leading to reduced contrast and stability of the printout image over time.
Innovation Solution
The development of a lithographic printing plate precursor with an infrared radiation-sensitive image-recording layer comprising free radically polymerizable components, infrared radiation absorbers, borate compounds, and compounds capable of forming a colored boronic complex, which generates a strong and stable printout image that does not fade during dark storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If acid-sensitive leuco dyes are used to generate printout image in on-press developable precursors, then color difference between exposed and non-exposed regions is achieved, but the contrast is much lower than wet processed plates and the printout image tends to fade due to reverse reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical mechanism from acid-based color formation to boronic acid-based color formation. The boronic acid reacts with diols to form colored boronic ester complexes, which have different chemical properties than acid-sensitive dyes. This parameter change in the chemical reaction mechanism eliminates the reverse reaction problem and provides stable, non-fading printout images with high contrast.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces boronic acid as an intermediary substance that mediates between the infrared radiation exposure and the color formation. The boronic acid reacts with diol compounds to form colored complexes, serving as a mediator that converts the invisible infrared exposure into a visible, stable color difference without the instability issues of direct acid-sensitive dye mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If conventional infrared radiation-sensitive compositions are used, then on-press developability is achieved, but the printout image is weak and fades during dark storage due to inefficient acid generation and chemical equilibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical mechanism from acid generation to boronic acid-diol complex formation. This parameter change eliminates the chemical equilibration and reverse reaction problems that cause fading, while maintaining on-press developability. The boronic ester complex formation is irreversible and stable, providing long-lasting printout images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses diol compounds that are inexpensive and can be incorporated into the imageable layer without adding complexity. These diol compounds serve as a disposable resource that reacts with boronic acid to form stable colored complexes, providing a simple and effective solution to the fading problem.
3Illumination intensity
If additional colorants or acid generators are added to improve printout image, then contrast may be improved, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the boronic acid serve multiple functions: it acts as both the imaging agent that responds to infrared radiation and the color-forming agent that creates the visible printout image. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate colorants or additional acid generators, maintaining simplicity while achieving high contrast and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the imaging mechanism and the color-forming mechanism into a single integrated system. The boronic acid-diol color formation is directly coupled with the infrared radiation response, combining what were previously separate functions into one unified mechanism that simplifies the overall precursor composition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a strong and stable printout image with improved contrast and longevity, ensuring readability and effective on-press developability without the need for additional colorants or acid generators, enhancing the overall performance of lithographic printing plates.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating said lithographic printing plate precursor with infrared radiation to a level sufficient to cause polymerization of said free radically polymerizable components
Implementation Method 2
comprising a borate compound and a diol, thereby providing a printout image from a colored boronic complex generated in said imageable layer
Data Source
AI summary
IR-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursors provide a stable print-out image using a unique IR radiation-sensitive composition. This IR radiation- sensitive composition includes: a) free radically polymerizable component; an b) IR radiation absorber; c) an initiator composition; a d) borate compound; and a e) compound capable of forming a colored boronic complex during or after exposure of the infrared radi ati on- sensitive image-recording layer to infrared radiation. The resulting print-out image exhibits an excellent color contrast between the exposed and non-exposed regions. After IR imaging, these precursors can be developed off-press or on-press.