Graphene Core-Shell Particles for Fuser Member Thermal Conductivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Polymers used in fuser members for electrophotographic printing lack inherent thermal conductivity, necessitating the addition of fillers to enhance thermal conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A fuser member comprising a substrate with a release layer of core-shell particles dispersed in a fluoropolymer, where the core particles are graphene surrounded by a shell layer formed from specific monomers, and an intermediate layer comprising graphene core particles coated with polymers like polypentafluorostyrene or polydivinylbenzene, improving thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If polymers are used as fuser member materials, then ease of manufacture and flexibility are improved, but thermal conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polymer matrices (fluoropolymer, silicone rubber, or fluoroelastomer) with graphene core-shell particles. The polymer provides flexibility and ease of manufacture while the graphene particles provide thermal conductivity, creating a composite material that achieves both properties simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating core-shell particles where the graphene core provides localized thermal conductivity enhancement, while the polymer shell provides localized flexibility and chemical stability. This local differentiation allows the material to simultaneously achieve both thermal conductivity and ease of manufacture.
2Temperature
If fillers are added to polymer matrix, then thermal conductivity is improved, but dispersibility and manufacturing complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by creating core-shell particles where the graphene core is nested within a polymer shell. This nested structure ensures uniform dispersibility of the thermal conductivity-enhancing graphene within the polymer matrix, avoiding aggregation issues while maintaining thermal conductivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by using the polymer shell as an intermediary between the graphene core and the external environment. This shell layer facilitates uniform dispersion of the graphene particles in the polymer matrix while maintaining the thermal conductivity enhancement, thus improving dispersibility without sacrificing thermal performance.
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 core-shell particle configuration significantly enhances thermal conductivity and dispersibility, resulting in improved thermal diffusivity and conductivity compared to unencapsulated graphene particles, suitable for high-speed electrophotographic printing.
Implementation Method 1
The surface of the fuser member requires that the thermal conductivity be within an acceptable range. Many polymers used as materials for fuser members are not inherently thermally conductive and require the addition of fillers into the polymer matrix to impart the proper thermal conductive properties.
Implementation Method 2
The release layer comprises a plurality of core-shell particles dispersed in a fluoropolymer wherein the core particles comprise graphene surrounded by a shell layer
Data Source
AI summary
The present teachings describe a core-shell particle dispersed in a layer of a fuser member, thereby improving thermal conductivity of the fuser member. The core-shell particle includes a graphene core surrounded by a shell layer. The shell layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polypentafluorostyrene, polystyrene and polydivinylbenzene. The core-shell particles can be dispersed in an intermediate layer or release layer of a fuser member.