Silane Coupling Agent for Recording Medium Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recording media with inorganic particles in the ink receiving layer face issues with dispersion stability, leading to reduced ink absorbability and color development properties, and sometimes result in cracking due to nonuniform dispersion and inadequate interaction with coloring materials and binders.

Innovation Solution

The use of a silane coupling agent with a quaternary ammonium group, imino group, or substituted imino group, and hydroxyl group is introduced to treat inorganic particles, enhancing their dispersion stability and interaction with both the binder and coloring materials, thereby improving ink absorbability and color development properties while suppressing cracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional dispersants are used to disperse inorganic particles in coating liquid, then dispersion stability is improved, but ink absorbability and color development properties are reduced and cracking occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispersion stabilityVSAvoidink absorbability and color development properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the dispersant by specifying a silane coupling agent with particular functional groups (quaternary ammonium group, imino group or substituted imino group, and hydroxyl group). This parameter change in the dispersant's chemical structure enables it to simultaneously improve dispersion stability and maintain ink absorbability and color development properties without causing cracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a silane coupling agent that combines multiple functional groups (quaternary ammonium, imino/substituted imino, and hydroxyl groups) into a single compound. This composite functional structure allows the dispersant to perform multiple functions: stabilizing inorganic particle dispersion, maintaining binder interaction, and preserving ink receiving properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If inorganic particles are dispersed in coating liquid, then ink receiving layer formation is enabled, but nonuniform dispersion causes cracking and reduced performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink receiving layer formationVSAvoiduniformity of inorganic particle dispersion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The silane coupling agent acts as an intermediary substance between the inorganic particles and the coating liquid. Its specific functional groups (quaternary ammonium, imino/substituted imino, and hydroxyl groups) enable it to mediate the interaction, ensuring uniform dispersion of inorganic particles while preventing aggregation and maintaining manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If dispersant is added to improve dispersion stability, then particle distribution is improved, but interaction with binder and coloring materials is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispersion stabilityVSAvoidinteraction with binder and coloring materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The silane coupling agent is designed with multiple functional groups that enable it to perform multiple functions simultaneously: dispersing inorganic particles, interacting with the binder through appropriate functional groups, and maintaining color development properties. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single dispersant effective for all required interactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach significantly enhances the dispersion stability of inorganic particles, leading to improved ink absorbability and color development properties, while effectively preventing cracking in the ink receiving layer.

Implementation Method 1

the inorganic particles have an organosilicon structure having a quaternary ammonium group, an imino group or a substituted imino group, and a hydroxyl group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3253582B1Recording medium and silane coupling agent

Publication Date: 2023.08.23 CANON KK

AI summary

To provide a recording medium in which the ink absorbability and the color development properties of an image to be obtained are high and in which cracking in an ink receiving layer is sufficiently suppressed. A recording medium contains a base material and an ink receiving layer containing inorganic particles and a binder, in which the inorganic particles have an organosilicon structure having a quaternary ammonium group, an imino group or a substituted imino group, and a hydroxyl group.