Gel Particle Ink Composition for High Sensitivity Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink compositions for inkjet systems have insufficient sensitivity and film strength when cured with active energy rays, and they lack redispersibility and high film strength.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition containing gel particles with ethylenically unsaturated bonds, hydrophilic groups, and a three-dimensional crosslinked structure, including urethane or urea bonds, which enclose a photopolymerization initiator, allowing for high sensitivity curing and excellent film strength, along with a production method that involves emulsifying and gelling steps to achieve these properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ink compositions are used for inkjet systems, then the system is simple and inexpensive, but the sensitivity and film strength when cured with active energy rays are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite gel particles comprising a polymerizable monomer, photopolymerization initiator, and hydrophilic polymer in a three-dimensional crosslinked structure. This composite material approach enables simultaneous achievement of high sensitivity curing and excellent film strength that cannot be obtained with conventional single-component ink compositions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces local quality by creating gel particles with specific functional zones: the photopolymerization initiator is enclosed within the crosslinked structure to provide localized high-sensitivity curing capability, while the hydrophilic polymer provides localized water resistance and redispersibility. This localized functional distribution resolves the contradiction between simplicity and performance.
2Productivity
If the ink composition is designed for high sensitivity curing, then the curing speed improves, but the redispersibility and film strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single gel particle system: the photopolymerization initiator provides high-sensitivity curing, the polymerizable monomer forms the film matrix, and the hydrophilic polymer provides redispersibility and water resistance. This merging of functions within the crosslinked gel structure resolves the contradiction between curing speed and film strength.
3Reliability
If the ink composition uses water and solvent to maintain discharge stability, then the curability by ultraviolet irradiation is maintained, but the sensitivity and redispersibility are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the ink composition by enclosing the photopolymerization initiator within a crosslinked gel structure rather than using it in conventional dissolved form. This parameter change enables high sensitivity curing while maintaining water and solvent compatibility for discharge stability, and provides redispersibility through the hydrophilic polymer component.
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 ink composition achieves high sensitivity curing and excellent film strength, enabling efficient image formation with improved redispersibility and water resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a functional group that generates radicals by irradiation with active energy rays
Implementation Method 2
a functional group that generates radicals by irradiation with active energy rays
Implementation Method 3
a three-dimensional crosslinked structure including at least one bond selected from a urethane bond and a urea bond
Implementation Method 4
an emulsifying step of obtaining an emulsion
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided gel particles which have a polymerizable group, and a three-dimensional crosslinked structure including at least one bond selected from a urethane bond and a urea bond, and enclose a photopolymerization initiator, an ink composition including the gel particles and a production method thereof, a photosensitive composition, and an image forming method.