Ozone-Blocking Material for Lithographic Printing Plate Precursor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithographic printing plate precursors sensitive to infrared radiation are vulnerable to ambient ozone, leading to reduced imaging sensitivity and on-press durability, especially when stored for extended periods before exposure and processing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an ozone-blocking material with a molecular weight of at least 200 and up to 1500 into the infrared radiation-sensitive image-recording layers, which forms a barrier layer or micellar membrane around infrared dyes, protecting them from ozone degradation and maintaining imaging sensitivity and on-press developability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrared radiation-sensitive dyes are incorporated into the image-recording layer to provide IR sensitivity, then imaging sensitivity to infrared radiation is improved, but the dyes become vulnerable to ozone degradation, reducing on-press durability
Solution Approach 1:
An ozone-blocking material is introduced as an intermediary substance between the infrared radiation-sensitive dye and the ambient ozone. This material specifically blocks ozone from reaching and degrading the dye molecules, while allowing the dye to maintain its infrared sensitivity and imaging functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The image-recording layer is formulated as a composite material system containing both the infrared radiation-sensitive dye and the ozone-blocking material. This composite structure combines the IR sensitivity of the dye with the ozone protection of the blocking material, achieving both imaging performance and environmental stability.
2Loss of time
If the precursor is stored for extended periods before exposure and processing, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but ozone exposure during storage degrades the infrared dyes, reducing imaging sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The ozone-blocking material is incorporated into the precursor formulation in advance, creating a protective barrier before the precursor is exposed to storage conditions. This preliminary protective action prevents ozone degradation during extended storage periods, maintaining imaging sensitivity throughout the storage period.
Solution Approach 2:
The ozone-blocking material serves as a protective cushion against ozone exposure before any actual imaging or processing occurs. This beforehand protection allows the precursor to withstand extended storage in ambient conditions without degradation of the infrared-sensitive dyes.
3Reliability
If conventional ozone protection methods such as filters in imaging apparatus are used, then ozone degradation is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ozone protection function is extracted from the complex imaging system (platesetter) and transferred to the precursor material itself through the incorporation of ozone-blocking material. This eliminates the need for additional filters or modifications to the imaging apparatus, simplifying the overall system while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The precursor becomes self-protecting against ozone degradation through the built-in ozone-blocking material. The precursor takes care of its own protection without requiring external intervention or complex imaging system modifications, making the system simpler and more cost-effective.
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 ozone-blocking material effectively enhances the resistance of infrared dyes to degradation, maintaining imaging speed and on-press developability, thereby extending the press life and ensuring consistent printing performance even after ozone exposure.
Implementation Method 1
which forms a barrier layer or micellar membrane around infrared dyes, protecting them from ozone degradation
Implementation Method 2
one or more infrared radiation-sensitive image-recording layers disposed on the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A lithographic printing plate precursor has an infrared radiation-sensitive image-recording layer containing an IR absorber, and an ozone-blocking material of 1500 or less molecular weight and has structure (I), (II), or (III): (I) wherein R is a hydrocarbon having 14-30 carbon atoms; m is 1 or 2; n is 2-6; the sum of m and n is >3 and <8; and A is a multivalent organic moiety free of R and OH groups and has a valence m + n; (II) wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl groups of 14-22 carbon atoms, and o is 1-3; R3C(=O)NR4R5 (III) wherein R3 is an alkenyl with a C=C bond within a carbon-carbon chain of 16-30 carbons, and R4 and R5 are hydrogen or unsubstituted alkyls of 1-4 carbon atoms. Such ozone-blocking materials can be used to protect infrared radiation-sensitive dyes that may be degraded by ozone and thus improve imaging sensitivity.