Photopolymerizable Inkjet Ink Reducing Skin Sensitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photopolymerizable inkjet inks face issues with skin sensitization, high viscosity, and environmental concerns due to the use of toxic monomers and solvents, which affect the strength and appearance of cured coating films, and require energy-intensive drying processes.
Innovation Solution
A non-aqueous photopolymerizable composition comprising diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, a polymerization initiator, and a polyether-modified polysiloxane compound, which reduces skin sensitization risks, achieves low viscosity, and enhances coating film strength and appearance, while being environmentally friendly and energy-efficient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional (meth)acrylic acid esters are used as monomers, then low cost and availability are achieved, but skin sensitization and toxicity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the monomer by selecting specific (meth)acrylic acid esters with particular molecular characteristics (such as ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, hexyl methacrylate) that have lower skin sensitization potential while maintaining the essential polymerization properties needed for ink functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining multiple components including the selected low-sensitization monomer, polymerization initiator, and optional additives to achieve both safety and performance requirements simultaneously
2Force
If water is blended to reduce viscosity, then inkjet ejection is improved, but penetration and drying on non-absorbent bases fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter through molecular design by selecting monomers with appropriate chain lengths and structures (such as longer alkyl chains in butyl, hexyl methacrylates) that inherently provide lower viscosity while maintaining non-aqueous composition for reliable performance on various substrates
3Force
If organic solvent is used to reduce viscosity, then inkjet ejection is improved, but environmental pollution and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the organic solvent component from the ink formulation, replacing it with a non-aqueous monomer system that achieves appropriate viscosity through molecular structure selection rather than solvent addition, thereby eliminating environmental pollution and energy-intensive drying
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter through monomer molecular structure design rather than through solvent composition, selecting monomers with appropriate chain lengths and structures that provide inherent low viscosity without requiring volatile organic solvents
4Strength
If polymerization reactivity is increased to improve coating film strength, then durability is improved, but skin sensitization risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the monomer by selecting specific (meth)acrylic acid esters with particular molecular characteristics that balance polymerization reactivity for adequate film strength while having lower skin sensitization potential, such as monomers with specific alkyl chain lengths and structures
5Shape
If high glossiness is achieved by forming uniform surface, then appearance is improved, but scratch resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite formulation combining the selected low-sensitization monomer with polymerization initiator and optional additives that work synergistically to achieve both surface uniformity for high glossiness and adequate crosslinking for scratch 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 composition provides a safe, low-viscosity ink with improved coating film strength and appearance, eliminating skin sensitization concerns and reducing environmental impact, and allows for efficient curing without the need for energy-intensive drying processes.
Implementation Method 1
photopolymerizable composition, photopolymerizable inkjet ink
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
To provide a non-aqueous photopolymerizable composition, which contains: a polymerizable monomer; a polymerization initiator; and a polyether-modified polysiloxane compound represented by the following general formula (1): <General Formula (1)> (CH3)3Si-O-[Si(CH3)2-O]a-[Si(CH3)(X)-O]b-Si(CH3)3 where X represents R(C2H4O)c(C3H6O)d-R', R is a single bond or an alkylene group, R' is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and a to d each denote an average polymerization degree including a case where either c or d is 0.