Cross-linked Polymeric Toner Additive for Charge Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toner compositions and processes face challenges in improving toner flow and reducing bias charge roller contamination, particularly for low-melt electrophotographic toners, while also aiming to reduce or eliminate the use of titania additives due to cost and regulatory considerations.
Innovation Solution
A cross-linked polymeric toner surface additive is developed, comprising a copolymer with a high carbon-to-oxygen ratio and a surfactant with low surface tension, which is applied through an emulsion aggregation process to create toner particles with enhanced mechanical robustness and charge stability, reducing the need for titania additives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If titania additives are used in toner compositions, then charge stability and toner flow are improved, but production cost increases and regulatory compliance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes titania additives from the toner composition entirely, extracting the problematic component while maintaining toner performance through alternative surfactant-based surface additives. This eliminates the need for expensive and regulated titania while preserving charge stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing inorganic titania with organic surfactants having specific molecular structures and properties. This substitution maintains the functional benefits of charge stability while eliminating cost and regulatory issues associated with titania.
2Reliability
If titania additives are used in toner compositions, then charge stability and toner flow are improved, but contamination of bias charge roller increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts titania from the toner formulation, eliminating the source of bias charge roller contamination while maintaining charge stability through alternative surfactant-based surface additives that do not cause the same contamination issues.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional surfactants are used in emulsion aggregation process, then toner particles are formed, but mechanical robustness and charge stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surfactant parameters by selecting specific molecular structures with appropriate hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions, achieving both ease of particle formation and enhanced mechanical robustness and charge stability through optimized surfactant properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite surfactant systems combining different molecular components that work synergistically during emulsion aggregation to produce toner particles with superior mechanical properties and charge stability while maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 solution improves toner flow and charge stability, reduces contamination, and lowers production costs by eliminating the need for titania, while maintaining or exceeding the performance of previous toner compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant, wherein the surfactant has a minimum surface tension at critical micelle concentration of less than about 30 mN/m
Implementation Method 2
Cross-linked polymeric latex prepared with a low surface tension surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
A polymeric composition including a copolymer comprising a first monomer having a high carbon to oxygen ratio of from about 3 to about 8; a second monomer comprising two or more vinyl groups, wherein the second monomer is present in the copolymer in an amount of from greater than about 8 percent by weight to about 40 percent by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer; and optionally, a third monomer comprising an amine, wherein the third monomer is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 1.5 percent by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer; and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant has a minimum surface tension at critical micelle concentration of less than about 30 mN/m. A toner including the copolymer as a toner surface additive. An emulsion aggregation toner process including the copolymer as a toner surface additive.