Polymerizable Composition for Direct Imaging Lithography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithographic printing plate precursors face challenges in achieving high sensitivity and printing durability, especially when exposed to short wavelength light or electron beams, and require cumbersome wet development processes, which are environmentally undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A radical polymerizable composition comprising a binder polymer with a functional group having a dipole moment of 3.8 debye or more, a radical polymerizable compound, and a radical polymerization initiator, which forms a photosensitive layer capable of direct plate-making with digital signals using UV or infrared lasers, allowing for on-machine development with aqueous solutions of pH 10 or less.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional lithographic printing plate precursors are used, then image-forming sensitivity is sufficient, but productivity and exposure light source life are limited due to insufficient sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the binder polymer by introducing specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amino groups) with controlled amounts (0.01-10 mmol/g) to enhance the reactivity and sensitivity of the photopolymerizable composition, thereby improving both productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite binder polymer system combining polyethylene oxide backbone with functional group-containing side chains, achieving synergistic effects that simultaneously improve sensitivity, image strength, and environmental compatibility for high-productivity printing
2Ease of operation
If conventional development processes are used, then image strength is maintained, but the process is cumbersome and environmentally undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The photopolymerizable composition self-develops through direct imaging without requiring separate wet development steps, eliminating harmful chemicals and simplifying the process while maintaining image quality and strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical wet development process with a physical/dry imaging process using photopolymerization, substituting harmful chemical development with a cleaner optical-chemical direct imaging method
3Reliability
If short wavelength light or electron beams are used for exposure, then sensitivity could be improved, but printing durability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the exposure parameter by using UV or infrared lasers with specific wavelengths that achieve high sensitivity while maintaining printing durability through controlled photopolymerization of the functional group-containing binder system
Solution Approach 2:
The composite binder polymer structure with polyethylene oxide backbone and functional side chains creates a robust cured network that simultaneously achieves high exposure sensitivity and long-term printing durability
4Ease of operation
If alkali development is used, then developing property is improved, but the process requires high pH solutions that are environmentally harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for alkali development by self-developing through photopolymerization, achieving good developing properties without requiring harmful high pH solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of requiring strong alkali developers into a benefit by designing a system that doesn't need them, using instead mild aqueous solutions or dry imaging methods that achieve equivalent or superior developing properties
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 enhances sensitivity and printing durability while eliminating the need for alkali development and reducing environmental impact by enabling direct, high-sensitivity imaging and durable prints using UV or infrared lasers with aqueous solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a radical polymerizable composition comprising a binder polymer containing a functional group having a dipole moment of 3.8 debye or more, a radical polymerizable compound and a radical polymerization initiator
Data Source
AI summary
A polymerizable composition contains a binder polymer containing a functional group having a dipole moment of 3.8 debye or more and being represented by the formula (1), (2), (3), (4) or (5) as defined herein, a radical polymerizable compound and a radical polymerization initiator.