Oxidized Mixed Cyclic Phenol Sulfides for Charge Control Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charge control agents for electrophotography are plagued by issues such as incomplete colorlessness, slow charging risetime, low charge amounts, environmental stability concerns, particularly in hot and humid conditions, and poor dispersibility, leading to unsatisfactory performance and regulatory compliance problems.
Innovation Solution
Development of oxidized mixed cyclic phenol sulfides with specific sodium content levels, which serve as charge control agents in toners, enhancing charging characteristics, stability, and environmental resistance while being free from metals like chromium and zinc, thus ensuring compliance with waste regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional charge control agents (metal complex salts, metal salt compounds) are used, then charge control function is provided, but environmental stability deteriorates in hot and humid conditions and regulatory compliance problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using oxidized mixed cyclic phenol sulfides with specific oxidation levels (average oxidation level of 0.5 to 1.5) and controlled sodium content (50-5000 ppm), replacing conventional metal-based charge control agents. This parameter change achieves both environmental stability in hot/humid conditions and compliance with waste regulations, as the oxidized cyclic phenol sulfide contains no heavy metals while maintaining effective charge control properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material approach by creating oxidized mixed cyclic phenol sulfides that combine phenolic structures with controlled oxidation states and specific sodium content levels. This composite structure integrates multiple functional characteristics: charge control capability, environmental stability, regulatory compliance, and resistance to fogging, achieving a balanced solution that conventional single-function agents cannot provide
2Productivity
If conventional charge control agents are used, then charge control is achieved, but charging risetime increases (charging becomes slow)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes charging speed by precisely controlling the oxidation level (average oxidation level of 0.5 to 1.5) and sodium content (50-5000 ppm) of the cyclic phenol sulfide. These parameter changes enable the charge control agent to achieve quick charging risetime while maintaining stable charge amounts, directly addressing the slow charging issue of conventional agents
3Quantity of substance
If conventional charge control agents are used, then charge control function is provided, but charge amount decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases charge amount while ensuring charge stability through precise parameter control of the oxidized cyclic phenol sulfide, specifically maintaining average oxidation levels between 0.5 and 1.5 and sodium content between 50 and 5000 ppm. This optimized parameter range enables the agent to provide both high charge amounts and stable charging characteristics
4Ease of operation
If conventional charge control agents are used, then charge control is achieved, but dispersibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves dispersibility while maintaining compound stability by controlling the oxidation level and sodium content of the cyclic phenol sulfide. The specific parameter range (oxidation level 0.5-1.5, sodium content 50-5000 ppm) enhances the agent's dispersibility in toner formulations without compromising its chemical stability or charge control effectiveness
5Manufacturing precision
If conventional charge control agents are used, then charge control function is provided, but image quality deteriorates due to fogging and poor fine line reproducibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates fogging and improves fine line reproducibility by precisely controlling the oxidation level (0.5-1.5) and sodium content (50-5000 ppm) of the cyclic phenol sulfide charge control agent. These parameter optimizations ensure high image quality with clear fine lines and no fogging, directly addressing the image quality deterioration caused by conventional agents
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an oxidized mixed cyclic phenol sulfide which is a mixture of the oxidized cyclic phenol sulfide wherein m is 8 and the oxidized cyclic phenol sulfide wherein m is an integer other than 8, the oxidized cyclic phenol sulfide being represented by the following formula (1):wherein R is a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, m is an integer from 4 to 9, and n is 1 or 2; or an oxidized cyclic phenol sulfide of formula (1) wherein m is 8. The present invention also discloses a charge control agent which comprises the above sulfide(s) as the active ingredient; and a toner which comprises the charge control agent, a coloring agent and a binder resin. This charge control agent is particularly useful for color toners, and it speeds up charging risetime, and has a high charge amount and charging characteristics excellent in environmental stability. Further, the charge control agent is safe since it does not have any problem with the waste regulations.