Reactive Charge Control Agents for Stable Emulsion-Aggregation Toner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emulsion aggregation toners face challenges in achieving stable charging performance across various environmental conditions due to the use of titanium dioxide, which poses health risks and is subject to regulatory restrictions, while conventional internal charge control agents face difficulties in incorporation and stability during the EA process.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of reactive charge control agents, such as positive charging compounds like amine, ammonium, and phosphonium compounds, along with reactive anchoring compounds, onto the surface of toner particles during the emulsion aggregation process, providing improved charge performance and environmental stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If titanium dioxide is used as charge control agent, then charge performance is improved, but health risks and regulatory restrictions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates titanium dioxide from the charge control agent formulation, replacing it with organic charge control agents that do not pose health risks. This removes the harmful substance while maintaining the charge control function through alternative chemical compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs conventional organic charge control agents that are safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives to titanium dioxide. These agents provide the necessary charge control performance without the health and regulatory issues associated with titanium dioxide.
2Reliability
If conventional internal charge control agents are used, then charge control function is provided, but incorporation difficulty and stability issues occur during EA process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates charge control agents into the toner particles during the emulsion aggregation process itself, rather than adding them separately afterward. This preliminary incorporation ensures uniform distribution and stable integration of the charge control agents within the particle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the charge control agent incorporation step with the existing emulsion aggregation process. By combining these operations, the charge control agents are integrated into toner particles as part of the standard manufacturing workflow, eliminating separate processing steps and improving manufacturing ease.
3Productivity
If titanium dioxide is used to improve charge performance, then charge speed and stability enhance, but environmental and health concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes titanium dioxide from the formulation and replaces it with organic charge control agents that provide charge speed and stability without environmental harm. This extraction eliminates the harmful substance while preserving the functional benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the charge control agent from inorganic (titanium dioxide) to organic compounds. This parameter change maintains the charge control functionality while improving environmental compatibility and eliminating health risks.
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 charge speed and stability across a wide range of humidity conditions, reducing the need for titanium dioxide and addressing environmental and health concerns associated with traditional charge control agents.
Implementation Method 1
the reactive charge control agent comprises at least one positive charging compound, wherein the at least one positive charging compound comprises a member selected from the group consisting of an amine compound having at least 3 carbon atoms, an ammonium compound having at least 3 carbon atoms, a phosphonium compound having at least 3 carbon atoms, a boronium compound having at least 3 carbon atoms
Implementation Method 2
at least one reactive anchoring compound, wherein the at least one reactive anchoring compound comprises a member selected the group consisting of amino, epoxy, carboxylic, hydroxyl, silanol, cyanide, anhydride, aldehyde, ketone, vinyl, and combinations thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An emulsion aggregation toner including a toner particle comprising at least one resin; an optional colorant; an optional wax; and a reactive charge control agent comprising at least one positive charging compound comprising a member selected from the group consisting of an amine compound having at least 3 carbon atoms, an ammonium compound having at least 3 carbon atoms, a phosphonium compound having at least 3 carbon atoms, a boronium compound having at least 3 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof; at least one reactive anchoring compound comprising a member selected the group consisting of amino, epoxy, carboxylic, hydroxyl, silanol, cyanide, anhydride, aldehyde, ketone, vinyl, and combinations thereof; and wherein the charge control agent optionally further comprises a negative charging compound comprising a member selected from the group consisting of aromatic carboxylic acid, silanol, phenol, pyranone, furanone, and combinations thereof.