Liquid Ejection Head Si-Transition Metal Oxide Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection heads face issues with droplet ejection direction variation and reduced droplet size due to liquid adherence and solidification, leading to poor resistance to ink, which causes peeling of the organic liquid repellent layer from the nozzle substrate.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head with a nozzle substrate featuring a surface treatment layer composed of a Si-containing oxide layer including a transition metal, such as Hf, Ta, or Zr, which forms a passive layer and enhances adhesiveness to the organic liquid repellent layer, reducing peeling and improving resistance to ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an organic liquid repellent layer is formed on the nozzle substrate surface, then droplet ejection property is improved, but the layer peels off due to poor adhesion and resistance to ink
Solution Approach 1:
An oxide layer containing Si and a transition metal (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, In, Sn, Sb, Te, W, Os, Ir, or Pt) is introduced as an intermediary layer between the nozzle substrate and the organic liquid repellent layer. This oxide layer serves as a mediator that enhances adhesion and provides resistance to ink, preventing peeling of the liquid repellent layer while maintaining droplet ejection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface structure is designed as a composite system consisting of three layers: the nozzle substrate, the oxide layer containing Si and transition metal, and the organic liquid repellent layer. This composite structure combines the benefits of each layer - the substrate provides structural support, the oxide layer provides adhesion and chemical resistance, and the organic layer provides liquid repellency, collectively solving the peeling problem.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a liquid repellent layer is formed to prevent liquid adherence, then droplet ejection direction stability is improved, but the layer peels due to poor resistance to ink
Solution Approach 1:
The oxide layer containing Si and transition metal acts as a protective intermediary between the ink and the organic liquid repellent layer. This intermediate oxide layer provides chemical stability and resistance to ink corrosion, preventing the degradation that would otherwise cause peeling and loss of droplet ejection direction control.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxide layer changes the chemical and physical parameters of the surface between the substrate and the organic liquid repellent layer. By introducing this intermediate oxide layer with specific compositional parameters (Si plus transition metal content of 3-15 atomic percent), the system achieves both adhesion enhancement and ink resistance, maintaining the stability of droplet ejection direction.
3Strength
If the surface treatment layer enhances adhesion, then peeling resistance is improved, but the layer must be chemically resistant to acidic and alkaline liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The oxide layer's chemical composition parameters are specifically designed to achieve both adhesion and chemical resistance. The content of Si plus transition metal is controlled at 3-15 atomic percent, which optimizes the balance between adhesion to the organic liquid repellent layer and resistance to acidic and alkaline liquids. This parameter optimization ensures the surface treatment layer maintains its integrity in corrosive environments while providing strong adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxide layer is designed as a composite material system combining Si and transition metals. This composite composition provides synergistic effects - Si provides the base oxide structure for adhesion, while the transition metal components enhance chemical resistance to acidic and alkaline liquids. The combination creates a surface treatment layer that simultaneously achieves both adhesion enhancement and corrosion resistance.
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 enhances the adhesiveness and resistance of the surface treatment layer to ink, maintaining the organic liquid repellent layer's integrity and ensuring reliable droplet ejection, even when exposed to acidic or alkaline liquids.
Implementation Method 1
an oxide layer including Si and a transition metal capable of forming a passive layer
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head is provided. The liquid ejection head includes a nozzle substrate to eject a droplet of a liquid from a nozzle thereof; a surface treatment layer, which is located on the surface of the nozzle substrate and which is an oxide layer including silicon (Si) and a transition metal capable of forming a passive layer; and an organic liquid repellent layer located on the surface treatment layer.