Antimicrobial Sulfonated Polyester Resin Toner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antimicrobial toners used in printed products are ineffective as they lack sufficient antimicrobial agents post-formation, failing to inhibit microbial growth on surfaces despite initial preservative presence in inks and toners.
Innovation Solution
Development of toner particles comprising sulfonated polyester resin with embedded or deposited silver nanoparticles, which form a core-shell structure, providing sustained antimicrobial properties even after fusion to a substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If organic biocide agents are used as preservatives in toner formulation, then the material is protected prior to use, but the antimicrobial effectiveness is lost after printing and fusion to substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the antimicrobial agent by using metal ions (such as silver ions) instead of organic biocides, and by controlling their release rate through resin encapsulation. This allows the antimicrobial activity to persist on the printed substrate surface after fusion, transforming the temporary preservative effect into a long-lasting antimicrobial coating effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system consisting of metal ions embedded in polymer resin particles, which are then incorporated into the toner formulation. This composite structure allows the metal ions to be delivered and retained on the substrate surface, providing sustained antimicrobial protection that neither the resin nor metal ions could achieve alone in this application context.
2Reliability
If metal ions are incorporated into resin particles for antimicrobial activity, then sustained antimicrobial property is achieved, but the complexity of toner formulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single toner particle structure: the resin matrix provides structural integrity and printing properties, while embedded metal ions provide antimicrobial activity. This combination achieves both printing functionality and sustained antimicrobial protection without requiring separate antimicrobial coating steps, thereby managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer resin acts as an intermediary carrier that encapsulates and controls the release of metal ions. This mediator function allows the metal ions to be delivered gradually to the substrate surface, providing sustained antimicrobial activity while preventing premature release or aggregation, thus managing the complexity of handling reactive metal ions.
3Reliability
If sufficient concentration of antimicrobial agent is present in final toner product, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but the amount of active agent that can be incorporated is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates metal ions into the resin particles during the toner manufacturing process, before the printing and fusion steps. This preliminary incorporation ensures that the antimicrobial agents are already positioned within the toner structure, allowing them to be delivered to the substrate surface in effective concentrations without requiring additional post-printing applications or higher initial loading that would compromise toner performance.
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 silver nanoparticle-infused toner particles effectively inhibit bacterial growth on surfaces, demonstrating antimicrobial activity as evidenced by halos around printed images on agar plates, indicating successful diffusion of silver ions and maintaining efficacy post-fusion.
Implementation Method 1
halos around printed images on agar plates, indicating successful diffusion of silver ions
Implementation Method 2
colloidal silver has been indicated to work as a catalyst disabling a metabolic enzyme of bacteria, fungi and viruses
Data Source
AI summary
Toner particles contain a core-shell resin particle containing at least one (sulfo) polyester containing a metal on nanoparticle, and a shell containing a metal ion nanoparticle.