Ink-jet Recording Medium Dual-layer Structure Ozone Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording media face issues with cracking of the ink-receiving layer, inadequate ozone resistance, and the bronze phenomenon, which affect image quality and durability.
Innovation Solution
A recording medium structure is developed with a dual-layer ink-receiving layer, where the first layer contains a cationic polymer with a sulfonyl group and glycol, and the second layer lacks or has a minimal amount of such polymer, using gas-phase method silica and a binder, to enhance ozone resistance and prevent cracking and bronze formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas-phase method silica and cationic polymer are used in the ink-receiving layer, then ozone resistance of the image is improved, but cracking occurs in the ink-receiving layer
Solution Approach 1:
The ink-receiving layer is divided into multiple layers with different compositions. The lower layer contains gas-phase method silica and cationic polymer for ozone resistance, while the upper layer has reduced cationic polymer content to prevent cracking, thus segmenting the functional requirements across different layers
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the ink-receiving layer have different compositions tailored to local requirements. The lower layer near the support has high cationic polymer content for ozone resistance, while the upper layer near the ink ejection surface has low cationic polymer content to prevent cracking during drying
2Reliability
If cationic polymer is used in the ink-receiving layer, then ozone resistance is improved, but bronze phenomenon occurs in the image
Solution Approach 1:
The cationic polymer is localized primarily in the lower layer of the ink-receiving layer, away from the upper surface where the image is formed. This local concentration strategy provides ozone resistance where needed while minimizing the polymer's presence at the image-forming interface, thereby suppressing the bronze phenomenon
3Productivity
If drying speed is increased, then productivity is improved, but cracking occurs in the ink-receiving layer
Solution Approach 1:
The ink-receiving layer is segmented into layers with different drying characteristics. The upper layer with low cationic polymer content dries faster without cracking, while the lower layer with high cationic polymer content provides structural support, allowing overall faster drying while preventing cracking
Solution Approach 2:
The upper layer is designed with low cationic polymer content before the drying process begins, creating a crack-resistant surface layer that allows rapid water evaporation without inducing stress cracks in the underlying high-polymer layer
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 solution effectively inhibits cracking of the ink-receiving layer, improves ozone resistance, and suppresses the bronze phenomenon, ensuring high image quality and durability.
Implementation Method 1
Silica can form a porous structure showing high ink-absorbing properties
Implementation Method 2
silica is roughly classified based on the production process into wet method and dry method (gas-phase method)... gas-phase method silica has a particularly large specific surface area and thereby shows particularly high ink-absorbing properties
Implementation Method 3
the silica has a low refractive index and thereby makes the transparency of the ink-receiving layer high
Data Source
AI summary
A recording medium includes a base (a), a second ink-receiving layer (b), and a first ink-receiving layer (c) in this order. The first ink-receiving layer (c) contains gas-phase method silica, a binder, a cationic polymer having a sulfonyl group, and glycol. The second ink-receiving layer (b) contains gas-phase method silica and a binder and (1) does not contain any cationic polymer having a sulfonyl group or (2) contains a cationic polymer having a sulfonyl group in an amount not higher,than 0.1 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the gas-phase method silica.