Coating Formulation Solid Metal Complex Ink Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coating formulations for digital printing media face challenges in achieving high ink fixation properties while maintaining low viscosity to ensure good coating performance and quality, particularly in terms of image resolution and ink density, as the use of metal cations can increase viscosity and reduce coating speed.
Innovation Solution
A coating formulation comprising a polymeric binder and a solid metal complex with a divalent or trivalent metal cation and a polydentate ligand, such as nitrilotriacetic acid, which forms a solid complex with low water solubility, reducing viscosity and enhancing ink fixation capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal cations are added to the coating formulation to improve ink fixation, then ink fixation properties are improved, but viscosity increases which reduces coating speed and quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical form of metal cations from free ions to solid metal complexes with specific ligands. This parameter change allows the formulation to maintain ink fixation properties while controlling viscosity through the solid complex structure that does not contribute to the liquid phase volume in the same way free metal cations do.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite metal complexes by combining metal cations with specific ligands (such as carboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids, or amino acids) to form solid complexes. These composite structures provide the necessary ink fixation functionality while having controlled physical properties that maintain coating formulation viscosity within acceptable ranges.
2Reliability
If metal cations are added to improve ink fixation, then ink fixation is enhanced, but coating quality deteriorates due to increased viscosity causing uneven coating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical state and chemical structure parameters of metal additives by forming solid metal complexes with specific ligands. This changes the way metal cations interact with the coating formulation, providing ink fixation functionality while maintaining uniform viscosity distribution that ensures even coating quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ligands as intermediary substances that mediate between metal cations and the coating formulation. These ligands form solid metal complexes that act as controlled-release sources of metal cations, providing ink fixation properties without the harmful viscosity effects of direct metal cation addition.
3Productivity
If total solids content is reduced to lower viscosity, then coating speed improves, but coating quality deteriorates due to reduced thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of metal additives from dissolved to solid complex form. This allows the formulation to maintain lower liquid content (for speed) while the solid metal complexes provide necessary functionality and the coating can achieve adequate thickness through controlled deposition of these solid complexes.
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 formulation achieves improved ink fixation and ink density with a viscosity range suitable for good coating performance, allowing for high-quality digital printing results without compromising coating speed or substrate uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
a solid metal complex with a divalent or trivalent metal cation and a polydentate ligand, such as nitrilotriacetic acid, which forms a solid complex with low water solubility, reducing viscosity
Implementation Method 2
a coating formulation for digital printing media comprising a polymeric binder and a solid metal complex
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a coating formulation for digital printing media comprising a polymeric binder and a solid metal complex, wherein said solid metal complex comprises (i) a divalent or trivalent metal cation and (ii) a polydentate ligand. The invention further relates to a method for preparing the inventive coating formulation, to a digital printing medium comprising the inventive coating and a method for preparing same, and to corresponding uses.