Copper-Based Ceramic Inkjet Ink for Stable Red Decoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cadmium red pigments used in ceramic inkjet printing are vulnerable to degradation due to the milling process, which compromises the encapsulation layer, and there are no known options for red shade colors at porcelain firing conditions in inkjet ceramics.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a copper-based pigment compound and a reduction agent is jetted onto a ceramic substrate, where the reduction agent reacts with the pigment during firing to produce a stable red color, such as oxblood red, by reducing Cu2+ to Cu+/Cu0, expanding the color gamut.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional ceramic stains are used for red color, then stable red shades can be achieved at higher temperatures, but the particle size is too large for inkjet printing without compromising the encapsulation layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the pigment system by replacing traditional ceramic stains with copper-based compounds that can be milled to smaller particle sizes suitable for inkjet printing. The reduction in particle size is achieved through controlled milling while maintaining color stability through the specific chemical composition and reduction mechanism during firing.
2Ease of operation
If CdSe pigments are milled to smaller particle sizes for inkjet printing, then jetability is improved, but the encapsulation layer is compromised and pigment degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copper-based compounds that are intentionally designed to undergo chemical transformation during the firing process. The copper compounds serve as precursors that convert to stable copper oxides or metallic copper, providing color without requiring long-term stability of the precursor form. This approach accepts temporary instability during processing in exchange for final product stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits phase transitions and chemical transformations during the firing process. Copper-based compounds undergo oxidation state changes and phase transitions at firing temperatures, transforming from jettable precursor forms to stable colored forms in the final glaze. This allows the pigment to be in a jettable state during printing and a stable state in the final product.
3Reliability
If copper-based pigment compounds are used with reduction agents, then stable red color is produced at porcelain firing conditions, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pigment compound and reduction agent into a single inkjet ink formulation. This merging allows both components to be applied simultaneously in the same printing pass, eliminating the need for separate application steps and reducing overall process complexity despite the chemical sophistication of the color generation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The reduction agent is incorporated into the ink formulation itself, allowing the pigment to self-generate the reducing environment needed for color development during firing. The ink composition is designed to create its own chemical conditions for color formation without requiring external intervention or additional processing steps.
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 technique provides stable red color options at porcelain firing conditions by forming a glaze with a specific wavelength, enhancing the color range available in inkjet ceramics and preventing pigment degradation.
Implementation Method 1
the reduction agent reacts with the pigment during firing to produce a stable red color, such as oxblood red, by reducing Cu2+ to Cu+/Cu0
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are compositions, such as inkjet inks, for jetting onto a ceramic substrate, and associated methods and systems. The compositions comprise a pigment compound that is configured to be jetted on a ceramic substrate during a ceramic inkjet process to impart a color effect to the ceramic substrate, and a reduction agent which, when exposed to a firing temperature, reacts with the pigment compound to cause a reduction reaction. In some embodiments, the pigment compound comprises jettable copper particles, which can cause the fired composition to take on a red or oxblood color, which can be used for decoration.