Ink Composition Acyl Phosphine Initiator Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ink compositions for ink jet recording, especially those using UV curing, face challenges in achieving high sensitivity and flexibility, leading to issues with image quality, durability, and adhesiveness on various recording media, particularly when exposed to vibrations and requiring long exposure times which increase energy radiation and heat.
Innovation Solution
The use of an ink composition comprising an acyl phosphine compound as a polymerization initiator, monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid esters or amides with carboxy groups, and monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid esters or amides with alkylene oxide units, which interact to enhance curing speed and film strength while maintaining flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a photopolymerizable composition including conventional photopolymerization initiators (benzil, benzoin, benzophenone, etc.) is used, then the ink composition can be cured by irradiation of active radiation rays, but the sensitivity is low requiring long exposure time which increases energy radiation and heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the photopolymerization initiator from conventional types (benzil, benzoin, benzophenone) to acyl phosphine compounds. This parameter change results in significantly higher sensitivity to active radiation rays, reducing exposure time while maintaining reliable curing. The acyl phosphine compounds have different electronic structures that enable more efficient absorption and utilization of radiation energy for initiating polymerization.
2Speed
If a multifunctional acrylate is used to improve sensitivity, then the curing speed increases, but the cured image deteriorates flexibility and impact resistance leading to cracking and peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular structure parameter of the polymerizable compound from multifunctional acrylates (which form highly cross-linked three-dimensional structures) to monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid esters or amides. This parameter change reduces the cross-linking density while maintaining adequate curing speed through the high sensitivity of the acyl phosphine initiator. The monofunctional compounds form less dense networks that preserve flexibility and impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining acyl phosphine compounds (as initiators) with monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid esters or amides (as polymerizable compounds). This composite approach leverages the high sensitivity of the initiator while using the flexible, less cross-linked polymer structure to maintain mechanical properties. The combination achieves both fast curing and good durability.
3Reliability
If conventional photopolymerization initiators are used, then the ink composition can be cured, but the sensitivity is insufficient leading to high power consumption and reduced lifetime of the active radiation generator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the initiator parameter from conventional photopolymerization initiators to acyl phosphine compounds. This parameter change dramatically improves the efficiency of energy utilization during curing. The acyl phosphine compounds have higher absorption coefficients and more efficient radical generation from radiation, reducing the total energy required for curing and thereby lowering power consumption and extending generator lifetime.
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 with improved flexibility and adhesiveness, reducing the risk of image cracking and peeling, and extends the lifespan of the active radiation generator by minimizing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an ink composition that it is cured with high sensitivity by irradiation of active radiation rays
Implementation Method 2
monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid esters or amides each having at least one carboxy group in the molecule thereof, and at least one of monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid esters and amides each having an alkylene oxide repeating unit in the molecule thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides (1) an ink composition including a polymerization initiator and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid and monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid esters and amides each having a carboxy group in the molecule, (2) an ink composition including a polymerization initiator, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid and monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid esters and amides each having a carboxy group in the molecule, and a monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid ester or amide having an alkylene oxide repeating unit in the molecule, and (3) an ink composition including a polymerization initiator and a monofunctional (meth)acrylic acid ester or amide having a basic group in the molecule; and an ink jet recording method, a method for producing a planographic printing plate and a planographic printing plate produced by the method for producing a planographic printing plate using the above-mentioned ink compositions.