Core-Shell Toner with Silver Nanoparticle Shell

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preparing toner particles with metal nanoparticles, such as silver, face challenges in achieving narrow particle size distribution and surface localization, which are crucial for antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, while also being cost-effective and suitable for various substrates.

Innovation Solution

The development of core-shell toner particles with silver nanoparticles in the shell portion, where the binder resin core is formed without metal nanoparticles, allowing for controlled particle size and distribution, and the shell is formed by adding a metal-containing solution to create a layer with silver nanoparticles that can be localized on the surface upon deposition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If metal nanoparticles are incorporated into toner particles during the binder resin aggregate formation, then the toner particles contain metal nanoparticles throughout the structure, but this results in broad particle size distribution and poor surface localization control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetal nanoparticle distributionVSAvoidparticle size distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The toner particle is segmented into core and shell regions with distinct functions. The core contains binder resin aggregates formed first, and the shell is formed subsequently by adding metal-containing solution. This segmentation allows independent control of core formation (affecting particle size distribution) and shell formation (affecting metal nanoparticle localization), resolving the contradiction between nanoparticle incorporation and particle size uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The binder resin aggregates are formed in advance before adding the metal-containing solution. This preliminary action establishes the core structure and particle size distribution first, then the metal nanoparticles are added in a subsequent step to form the shell. This sequential approach prevents metal nanoparticles from interfering with the aggregate formation process while ensuring controlled particle size distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If metal nanoparticles are added to achieve surface localization, then antimicrobial properties are enhanced, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial propertyVSAvoidtoner preparation process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shell formation process combines multiple functions: it delivers metal nanoparticles to the toner particle surface, provides structural completion to the particle, and enables antimicrobial properties. By merging these functions into a single step of adding metal-containing solution, the process complexity is minimized while achieving reliable surface localization of metal nanoparticles for enhanced antimicrobial activity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional toner preparation methods are used, then manufacturing is simple, but print quality and image development consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner productionVSAvoidimage development consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The toner preparation process is segmented into distinct stages: binder resin aggregate formation, followed by shell formation with metal nanoparticle addition. This segmentation allows optimization of each stage independently - the aggregate formation ensures narrow particle size distribution for consistent image development, while the shell formation adds functional properties. The segmented approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving image development consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables the delivery of silver nanoparticles onto substrates with enhanced antimicrobial properties, improved print quality, and cost-effectiveness, while allowing for non-contact deposition and reduced contamination, making it suitable for diverse applications including diagnostic and antibacterial uses.

Implementation Method 1

a known plasmonic biosensor 100 can include silver nanoparticles 103 formed over a glass substrate 102. A corresponding characteristic Plasmon extinction spectrum 101 is shown. A higher refractive index of the biomolecule than a surrounding buffer solution can force a red-shift in the Ag spectrum 101′. When a ligand analyte 107 binds on the functionalized nanosilver surface 105, the spectrum is further redshifted by Δλ

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface plasmon resonance:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNon-contact deposition:

Data Source

PatentUS10444650B2Emulsion aggregation toner for sensor and antibacterial applications

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 XEROX CORP

AI summary

Provided is a toner that has a plurality of toner particles. Each toner particle can include a binder resin core and a shell disposed about the binder resin core. The binder resin core can include at least one binder resin. The shell can include a plurality of metal nanoparticles. The binder resin core can be prepared by forming an aggregate of the binder resin in which metallic nanoparticles are not present.