Resin Particles with Plant-Derived Polyester Domains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toner technologies face challenges in achieving carbon neutrality while maintaining desirable low temperature fixability and cleaning performance, as they largely rely on fossil resources and do not effectively utilize renewable resources.
Innovation Solution
The development of resin particles comprising a crystalline polyester resin with a plant-derived acid component, an amorphous polyester resin, a release agent, and a colorant, where the crystalline polyester resin is present as domains within the amorphous matrix, with specific structural and compositional characteristics to enhance fixability and carbon neutrality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If renewable resources are used as binder resin to achieve carbon neutrality, then carbon neutrality is improved, but low temperature fixability and cleaning performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite resin system combining crystalline polyester resin (30-70 mass%) and amorphous polyester resin (30-70 mass%), where the crystalline phase provides heat-resistant storage stability and the amorphous phase enables low temperature fixability. This composite structure allows simultaneous achievement of carbon neutrality (using plant-derived dicarboxylic acid) and desired toner performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates local crystalline domains within the toner particle that have different properties from the amorphous matrix. The crystalline polyester resin forms discrete domains with average diameter of 0.1-2.0 μm, providing localized heat-resistant storage stability, while the amorphous polyester resin matrix provides low temperature fixability. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between carbon neutrality and performance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If crystalline polyester resin is used to improve heat-resistant storage stability, then storage stability is improved, but low temperature fixability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention carefully controls the parameters of the crystalline polyester resin, specifically using plant-derived dicarboxylic acid with 12 or less carbon atoms and controlling the average domain diameter to 0.1-2.0 μm. These parameter changes ensure the crystalline phase provides heat-resistant storage stability without excessive melting point that would prevent low temperature fixability. The amorphous polyester resin content (30-70 mass%) is also controlled to maintain low temperature fixability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If plant-derived dicarboxylic acid is used to increase carbon radioisotope 14C concentration, then carbon neutrality is improved, but toner properties may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies using plant-derived dicarboxylic acid with 12 or less carbon atoms, which provides sufficient carbon radioisotope 14C concentration (5.4 pMC or greater) for carbon neutrality while maintaining desirable toner properties. The limited carbon chain length ensures the polymer remains flexible enough for low temperature fixability while providing adequate renewable content.
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 provides resin particles that significantly contribute to carbon neutrality, achieve excellent low temperature fixability, and improve heat-resistant storage stability, while maintaining desirable cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
The crystalline polyester resin includes an acid component and an alcohol component as constitutional units... The crystalline polyester resin is present as domains in a matrix of the amorphous polyester resin within each resin particle
Data Source
AI summary
Resin particles each include a crystalline polyester resin, an amorphous polyester resin, a release agent, and a colorant. The crystalline polyester resin includes an acid component and an alcohol component as constitutional units, and the acid component of the crystalline polyester resin includes plant-derived dicarboxylic acid having 12 or less carbon atoms. The crystalline polyester resin is present as domains in a matrix of the amorphous polyester resin within each resin particle, an average major axis of the domains of the crystalline polyester resin is 2.0 micrometers or less, and an average aspect ratio (major axis/minor axis) of the domains is 4.0 or greater. The resin particles have a carbon radioisotope 14C concentration of 5.4 pMC or greater.