Comb Polymer Dispersing Agent for CMYK Ink Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispersing agents are not effective for dispersing a wide range of pigments in CMYK ink sets without the need for a resin binder, leading to instability and decreased optical properties in ink compositions.
Innovation Solution
A dispersing agent with a comb-like structure, formed from diglycidyl ether, polyether amine, and unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, which reacts to create a backbone with interconnected blocks and side chains, allowing for efficient dispersion of various pigments without the requirement of a resin binder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a dispersing agent is added to disperse solid particles in liquid medium, then the dispersion stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersing agent is designed as a comb polymer composite structure with a polyurethane backbone and grafted side chains containing both polar and non-polar segments. This composite molecular architecture enables simultaneous interaction with polar and non-polar pigment surfaces, providing effective dispersion stability without requiring multiple separate additives.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispersing agent performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a surfactant to reduce interfacial tension, a steric barrier to prevent particle aggregation, and a wetting agent to promote uniform distribution. This multi-functionality is achieved through the amphiphilic comb structure that combines hydrophilic polyether chains with hydrophobic alkyl segments.
2Device complexity
If solid particles are dispersed in liquid medium without a dispersing agent, then the composition simplicity is maintained, but the particles agglomerate and form sediment
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersing agent forms a protective polymer coating around pigment particles, creating a flexible steric barrier that prevents direct particle-to-particle contact. The comb-like structure with extended side chains provides this protective shell that maintains dispersion stability while allowing the use of relatively simple composition formulations.
3Reliability
If conventional dispersing agents are used for specific pigments, then the dispersion effectiveness is improved for that pigment, but the adaptability to different pigment types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersing agent incorporates different functional segments at specific locations along the polymer chain: the polyurethane backbone provides structural framework, while grafted side chains contain polar groups for interaction with inorganic pigment surfaces and non-polar alkyl segments for organic pigment compatibility. This spatial distribution of different chemical properties enables broad pigment type adaptability while maintaining effective dispersion for each specific pigment category.
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 dispersing agent effectively stabilizes pigment dispersions in CMYK ink sets, enhancing optical properties such as color strength and gloss without the need for a resin binder, improving the manufacturing efficiency and stability of ink compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a) at least one diglycidylether or diglycidylester having the formula (I) wherein R is a linear or branched C 1-36 alkylene
Implementation Method 2
additional side chains are provided by reacting an amine having one secondary amino group with the unsaturated bond of the unsaturated dicarboxylic acid moieties in the backbone
Implementation Method 3
The dispersing agent according to the present invention can be used for dispersing a wide range of commonly used pigments of CMYK ink sets and spot colors
Implementation Method 4
said amine that is attached to the unsaturated dicarboxylic acid moieties in the backbone, or in the alternative connects two acrylic acid moieties in the backbone with each other, is converted into a corresponding amine salt
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is related to a dispersing agent for printing ink compositions, which is a polymer with a backbone prepared from at least one diglycidyl ether or diglycidylester, at least one polyether amine, and at least one unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, wherein attached to the double bond of said at least one unsaturated dicarboxylic acid is at least one amine, wherein optionally said amine is in the form of an amine salt.