Inkjet Image Recording Method Suppressing Cissing with Low Surface Energy Films
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image recording methods using inkjet recording techniques often experience a phenomenon called 'cissing', where an ink image recorded earlier repels an ink image recorded later, leading to incomplete or distorted images, especially when using micro-sized ink droplets.
Innovation Solution
An image recording method involving two ink compositions, each containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, a chiral compound, a polymerization initiator, and an organic solvent, where the first ink film is formed with a hexadecane-contacting angle of 45° or less, improving the affinity between the films and reducing cissing by using a surfactant and active energy ray curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If inkjet recording method is used to record images with micro-sized ink droplets, then productivity and image complexity are improved, but cissing occurs where earlier recorded ink images repel later ink images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface energy parameters of the first ink film by controlling its composition and formulation. Specifically, the first ink composition is designed to form a film with reduced surface energy that prevents repulsion of subsequent ink layers, thereby eliminating cissing while maintaining inkjet recording efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite ink compositions where the first ink contains specific additives and materials that modify its surface properties. These composite formulations enable the first ink film to have both good adhesion to the substrate and low surface energy to prevent repulsion of subsequent ink layers
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ink compositions are superimposed to express wide variety of colors, then color expression capability is improved, but cissing occurs that repels subsequent ink images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surface energy parameters of the first ink film through controlled formulation, enabling it to accept subsequent color ink layers without repulsion. This allows full-color imaging with red, green, and blue ink compositions to be superimposed without cissing, achieving both color versatility and image completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The first ink composition is pre-formulated with specific materials that create a receptive surface for subsequent ink layers. This preliminary preparation of the first ink film's surface properties prevents cissing before subsequent color inks are applied, ensuring complete and accurate multi-color images
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
This method effectively suppresses the occurrence of cissing during inkjet recording, ensuring better image quality and adherence of subsequent ink layers, resulting in clear and complete images.
Implementation Method 1
a step of forming a first ink film by irradiating the first ink composition applied onto the substrate with an active energy ray
Implementation Method 2
by using a surfactant and active energy ray curing
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image recording method including a step of preparing at least two ink compositions including a first ink composition that contains a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, a chiral compound, a polymerization initiator, and an organic solvent and a second ink composition that contains a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, a chiral compound, a polymerization initiator, and an organic solvent, a step of applying the first ink composition onto a substrate by an inkjet recording method, a step of forming a first ink film by irradiating the first ink composition applied onto the substrate with an active energy ray, a step of applying the second ink composition onto the first ink film by an inkjet recording method, and a step of forming a second ink film by irradiating the second ink composition applied onto the first ink film with an active energy ray, in which the first ink film has a hexadecane-contacting angle of 45° or less.