Three-Layer Polymer Ink Particles for Abrasion and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording inks with polymer particles fail to simultaneously achieve high storage stability, discharge stability, and abrasion resistance required for commercial and office printing applications, as existing solutions either compromise on storage stability or discharge stability when trying to enhance abrasion resistance.
Innovation Solution
The development of an ink with polymer particles comprising a three-layer structure: an uncrosslinked first layer, a crosslinked second layer with ionizable groups, and a third layer with hydrophilic and hydrophobic units, which provides stable dispersion and film formation for improved storage and discharge stability, and abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If polymer particles with crosslinking are used to improve abrasion resistance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but storage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer particle is divided into three distinct layers: a core layer (first layer), a middle layer (second layer), and an outer layer (third layer). Each layer has specific functions - the core provides structural integrity, the middle layer with crosslinking provides abrasion resistance, and the outer layer with hydrophilic groups provides storage stability and prevents aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the polymer particle have different crosslinking densities and chemical compositions. The middle layer has high crosslinking density for abrasion resistance, while the outer layer has low crosslinking density with hydrophilic groups for storage stability. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of both properties.
2Stability of the object's composition
If polymer particles with hydrophilic groups are used to improve storage stability, then storage stability is improved, but discharge stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer particle structure separates the hydrophilic groups (in the outer layer) from the discharge interface (inner core and middle layer). This segmentation allows the outer layer to interact with water for storage stability while the inner layers maintain structural integrity for discharge stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The middle layer acts as an intermediary between the hydrophilic outer layer and the inner core. It provides a transition zone that maintains the structural integrity needed for discharge stability while allowing the outer layer to provide storage stability through hydrophilic interactions.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple polymer particles are used to maintain ease of manufacture, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer particle structure uses a nested configuration where the core, middle layer, and outer layer are arranged concentrically. This nested structure can be formed through controlled emulsion polymerization processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the complex functional differentiation needed for high image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer particle is a composite structure combining different polymer segments with different properties (crosslinked and non-crosslinked regions, hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups). This composite approach maintains manufacturability through standard polymerization techniques while achieving superior image quality through the combined properties of different material regions.
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 three-layer polymer particle structure achieves high storage stability, discharge stability, and abrasion resistance, ensuring consistent ink performance and image quality in ink-jet recording.
Implementation Method 1
The second polymer is crosslinked, i.e. (as also explained further below) a tetrahydrofuran-insoluble fraction of the second polymer is higher than 25%
Implementation Method 2
the units forming the third layer are chemically bonded to at least one of the first layer and the second layer through chemical bonds
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an ink for ink-jet recording having high storage stability and high discharge stability and providing high abrasion resistance to the resulting image. The ink for ink-jet recording includes polymer particles. The polymer particles each include a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer from the inside to the outside in this order. The first layer is formed of an uncrosslinked first polymer, the second layer is formed of a crosslinked second polymer having ionizable groups, and the third layer is formed of units each having a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part.