Pigment Composition Polymer Incorporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing pigment compositions, particularly those involving polymers, are inadequate for forming modified pigments with improved dispersibility and stability in inkjet ink compositions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving combining a polymer, preferably with an ammonium salt of a carboxylic acid group, with a pigment and heating the mixture to form a pigment composition, which is then dispersed in an aqueous medium to create a stable aqueous pigment dispersion for use in inkjet ink compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If polymers are attached to pigment surfaces using conventional grafting methods, then pigment dispersibility is improved, but the process complexity increases and requires specific surface functional groups
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the approach from surface chemistry modifications to bulk polymer incorporation. By incorporating polymer into the bulk of the pigment particles during the pigment formation process, the method avoids complex surface grafting procedures and eliminates the need for specific surface functional groups, thereby simplifying the overall process while maintaining improved dispersibility
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer is incorporated into the pigment bulk during the pigment formation process rather than as a subsequent surface modification step. This preliminary incorporation ensures the polymer is present from the beginning, simplifying the overall process by combining what would otherwise be separate steps into one integrated procedure
2Stability of the object's composition
If polymer molecular weight is kept low to maintain solubility, then pigment stability is improved, but polymer coating effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the surface adsorption mechanism with bulk incorporation. Instead of relying on polymer chains adsorbing to the pigment surface (which requires low molecular weight for solubility), the polymer is incorporated into the bulk of the pigment particles, allowing the use of higher molecular weight polymers that provide better coating effectiveness while maintaining pigment stability
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional pigment preparation methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but pigment composition homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the polymer incorporation step with the pigment formation process into a single integrated operation. By combining these steps, the method maintains manufacturing simplicity while ensuring homogeneous distribution of polymer throughout the pigment composition, as the polymer is incorporated during the formation process rather than added separately
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
This method produces pigment compositions with higher levels of attached polymer and smaller pigment particle sizes, enhancing the stability and performance of inkjet ink compositions.
Implementation Method 1
heating the mixture to a temperature of between about 70° C. and 250° C. to form the pigment composition
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a pigment composition comprising the steps of combining a polymer and a pigment to form a mixture and heating the mixture to a temperature of between about 70° C. and 250° C. to form the pigment composition. The method may further comprise the step of dispersing the pigment composition in an aqueous medium to form an aqueous pigment dispersion. The pigment compositions and aqueous pigment compositions can be used in an inkjet ink composition, which is also disclosed.