Ink Composition with Acidic Dispersant for UV Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet recording technologies face challenges in achieving high sensitivity curing with radiation, flexibility, and adhesion to substrates, while maintaining low viscosity for efficient inkjet discharge, and existing solutions like N-vinyllactam-based inks are highly viscous and difficult to discharge.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition comprising N-vinyllactam, a polymerization initiator, a basic compound, a colorant, and an acidic dispersant, with a high N-vinyllactam content and a radical polymerization inhibitor, which is cured using UV radiation from a UV-emitting diode with specific wavelength and intensity, ensuring excellent flexibility and adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If N-vinyllactam-based ink composition is used to achieve high sensitivity curing and excellent flexibility, then curability and flexibility are improved, but viscosity increases making inkjet discharge difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing a specific basic compound (hindered amine type) that interacts with N-vinyllactam to reduce viscosity while maintaining high curability. This parameter change allows the ink to achieve both excellent flexibility and inkjet dischargeability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink composition system combining N-vinyllactam (for flexibility and curability) with a basic compound (for viscosity control) and acidic dispersant (for stability). This composite approach resolves the contradiction by having each component address specific requirements
2Stability of the object's composition
If high N-vinyllactam content is used to improve flexibility and adhesion, then film flexibility is improved, but storage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The basic compound acts as an intermediary that stabilizes the N-vinyllactam in storage, preventing premature polymerization while allowing flexibility enhancement. The hindered amine structure specifically mediates between stability requirements and flexibility requirements
3Reliability
If conventional ink composition is used to maintain storage stability, then storage stability is maintained, but curability sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the basic compound suppresses polymerization during storage (stable state) but allows rapid curing when UV irradiation occurs (active state). This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between storage stability and curability sensitivity
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 long-term storage stability, high sensitivity curing, and excellent flexibility and adhesion to substrates, enabling efficient inkjet recording with improved image quality and reduced viscosity for effective discharge.
Implementation Method 1
an ink composition comprising (A) an N-vinyllactam, (B) a polymerization initiator... which is cured using UV radiation from a UV-emitting diode
Data Source
AI summary
An ink composition is provided that includes (A) an N-vinyllactam, (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a basic compound, (D) a colorant, and (E) a dispersant, the content of the N-vinyllactam (A) being at least 15 wt % of the total weight of the ink composition, and the dispersant (E) being an acidic dispersant. There is also provided an inkjet recording method that includes (a1) a step of discharging the ink composition onto a recording medium, and (b1) a step of curing the ink composition by irradiating the discharged ink composition with actinic radiation. Furthermore, there is provided a printed material recorded by the inkjet recording method.