Decolorizable Toner Microcapsule Structure for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The aggregation method for producing toners faces challenges in incorporating a large amount of microencapsulated colorants due to exposure and detachment issues on the toner surface, leading to insufficient coloring power and stability.
Innovation Solution
A decolorizable toner is developed with a binder resin and colorant particles containing a color developable compound, color developing agent, and decolorizing agent, encapsulated in a capsule structure with an outer shell, where the binder resin constitutes 60-80% of the toner components, ensuring stable charge and storage properties while enhancing color developability and low-temperature fixability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If microencapsulated colorant is incorporated in large amount to enhance coloring power, then color developability is improved, but component exposure and detachment on toner surface occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The colorant is segmented into microcapsules with core-shell structure, where the hydrophobic binder resin forms the outer shell and the color developable agent is enclosed in the core. This segmentation prevents direct exposure of the colorant components to the toner surface while allowing controlled color development when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite microcapsule structure combining hydrophobic binder resin (outer shell) and color developable agent (core), creating a composite material that maintains both coloring power and surface stability. The composite structure allows the colorant to be incorporated in large amounts without causing exposure or detachment issues.
2Length of moving object
If aggregation method is used to reduce toner particle diameter, then particle size is reduced and shape control is improved, but hydrophilic components are exposed on toner surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by making the outer shell of the microcapsule hydrophobic (using binder resin) while the core contains the color developable agent. This local differentiation of properties prevents hydrophilic component exposure on the toner surface while maintaining the benefits of reduced particle diameter achieved through the aggregation method.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a decolorizable toner including a binder resin and colorant particles which contain a color developable compound, a color developing agent, and a decolorizing agent, and have a capsule structure coated with an outer shell, wherein the binder resin is contained in an amount of 60 to 80% by mass with respect to the total amount of the toner components.