Copper Phthalocyanine Pigment Crystal Control via Fluid Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing copper phthalocyanine pigments face challenges in controlling crystal type and particle size, leading to suboptimal color characteristics, transparency, and durability due to energy-intensive processes that alter crystal growth and agglomeration, particularly when attempting to use α-type crystals in aromatic organic solvents.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a fluid processing apparatus where processing surfaces approach and separate, forming a thin film fluid to produce copper phthalocyanine microparticles with crystal types different from α-type, such as β-, γ-, and ε-types, with controlled absorption and transmission spectra, and particle sizes ranging from 1 nm to 600 nm, using a combination of solvents including aromatic and poor solvents to stabilize the desired crystal forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the solvent method is used to produce copper phthalocyanine, then the crystal type can be controlled, but large particles form due to uncontrolled crystal growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming copper phthalocyanine particles with desired crystal structures (β, γ, or ε-type) before final pigment formation. The process controls crystal growth in advance using specific solvents and conditions, then maintains these pre-formed crystal structures through the pigment production process, preventing subsequent uncontrolled growth into large particles.
2Volume of moving object
If the solvent milling method or solvent salt milling method is used, then particle size can be reduced, but crystal growth and crushing occur in parallel requiring large energy input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the crystal growth control step from the particle size reduction process. Instead of using energy-intensive milling that simultaneously crushes and grows crystals, the method separately controls crystal formation in a preliminary step, then uses gentle dispersion techniques to achieve desired particle sizes without forcing crystal growth and crushing to occur simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If the α-type copper phthalocyanine crystal is used in aromatic organic solvents, then the desired absorption spectrum can be achieved, but the crystal structure becomes unstable and grows uncontrollably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by not using α-type crystals in aromatic solvents, but instead employing β-, γ-, or ε-type copper phthalocyanine crystals that maintain structural stability in these solvents. These alternative crystal types are processed in aromatic organic solvents to achieve the desired absorption spectrum characteristics without suffering from the instability and uncontrolled growth that plagues α-type crystals in the same solvent environment.
4Volume of moving object
If strong force is applied to copper phthalocyanine during processing, then particle size can be controlled, but the pigment characteristics such as color tone, transparency, and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling processing conditions including solvent type, temperature, and processing time to achieve desired particle sizes without applying excessive force. The method uses specific solvent systems and controlled dispersion parameters to gently reduce particle size while preserving the integrity of the copper phthalocyanine pigment molecules and their optical properties.
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
This approach allows for the production of copper phthalocyanine pigments with improved solvent resistance and spectroscopic characteristics, achieving better color tone and durability without requiring high energy, and enabling the expression of α-type absorption spectra in a stable manner.
Implementation Method 1
processing surfaces being capable of approaching to and separating from each other and displacing relative to each other... pressure of force to move in the direction of approaching... is balanced with pressure of force to move in the direction of separation thereby keeping a minute space in the distance between the processing surfaces, the minute space kept between two processing surfaces being used as a flow path of the fluid to be processed, thereby forming a thin film fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are: a copper phthalocyanine pigment which contains at least one kind of copper phthalocyanine microparticles whose crystal type is any of two kinds of β- and γ-type crystals and that exhibits, in a region of 380 nm to 780 nm, an absorption spectrum shape extremely similar to that of α-form copper phthalocyanine microparticles; and a process for the production of the copper phthalocyanine microparticles. Also provided are: a copper phthalocyanine pigment which contains at least one kind of coper phthalocyanine microparticles whose crystal type is any of two kinds of β- and γ-type crystals and that exhibits a wavelength (λ-max) of shorter than 478 nm in the transmission spectrum in a region of 380 nm to 780 nm, said wavelength (λ-max) being a wavelength at which the maximum transmittance appears; and a process for the production of the copper phthalocyanine microparticles.