Furan Polyester Toner with Ester Wax for Low-Temp Fusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toners for electrostatic image development lack sufficient low-temperature fusing ability and heat-resistant storage properties, and existing biomass-based resins are not suitable for toner applications due to high crystallinity.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition featuring a resin binder with a polyester containing a furan ring and an ester wax as the releasing agent, which is melt-kneaded using an open-roller type kneader to enhance compatibility and properties such as low-temperature fusing ability and heat-resistant storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional resins are used in toners, then storage stability is maintained, but low-temperature fusing ability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the resin binder by incorporating cyclic carbonate units (specifically 45-65 mol% of total carbonate units) with 3-12 membered rings. This structural modification allows the resin to achieve both low-temperature fusing ability (Tg: -50 to 0°C) and storage stability by controlling the glass transition temperature and molecular mobility through ring structure constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite resin system combining polycarbonate units with cyclic carbonate-containing units. The specific composition ratio (cyclic carbonate units: 45-65 mol%, other carbonate units: 35-55 mol%) forms a composite material that synergistically provides both low-temperature fusing properties and heat-resistant storage stability, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If biomass-based resins with furan rings are used, then environmental compatibility is improved, but heat-resistant storage property deteriorates due to high crystallinity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the resin parameters by controlling the glass transition temperature to be between -50 and 0°C and adjusting the cyclic carbonate unit content to 45-65 mol%. These parameter changes ensure the resin maintains amorphous structure with low crystallinity, providing both environmental compatibility (through biomass-derived cyclic carbonate monomers) and heat-resistant storage property (through controlled Tg and low crystallinity)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces local structural features through cyclic carbonate units with specific ring sizes (3-12 members) at controlled concentrations. These local structural modifications prevent excessive crystallization while maintaining the environmental benefits of biomass-based monomers, thus achieving both green chemistry goals and thermal storage stability
3Temperature
If ester waxes are used as releasing agents, then low-temperature fusing ability is improved, but offset resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite resin system where cyclic carbonate-containing polycarbonate (providing low-temperature fusing ability through low Tg) is combined with specific amounts of ester wax (0.1-5 mass% relative to resin). This composite structure allows the ester wax to enhance low-temperature fusing while the controlled concentration and resin matrix prevent excessive offsetting, resolving the contradiction between these two properties
4Strength
If high crystallinity resins are used, then mechanical strength is improved, but low-temperature fusing ability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the resin parameters by controlling the glass transition temperature to -50 to 0°C and limiting crystallinity through the specific cyclic carbonate unit composition (45-65 mol%). This creates an amorphous or low-crystallinity resin structure that prioritizes low-temperature fusing ability while maintaining adequate mechanical strength through molecular chain entanglement and crosslinking, rather than relying on high crystallinity
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 toner exhibits improved low-temperature fusing ability and heat-resistant storage properties, along with high-temperature offset resistance, making it suitable for electrostatic image development applications.
Implementation Method 1
the resin binder contains a polyester A having a furan ring... exhibits improved low-temperature fusing ability and heat-resistant storage properties
Implementation Method 2
the releasing agent contains an ester wax... improved low-temperature fusing ability
Implementation Method 3
melt-kneading components containing a resin binder and a releasing agent with an open-roller type kneader to give a melt-kneaded mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A toner for electrostatic image development containing a resin binder and a releasing agent, wherein the resin binder contains a polyester A having a furan ring, and wherein the releasing agent contains an ester wax, and a method for producing the toner. The toner for electrostatic image development of the present invention can be suitably used in, for example, the development or the like of latent image formed in electrophotography, an electrostatic recording method, an electrostatic printing method, or the like.