Bio-based Polyester Toner Resin Using Thymol Derivatives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toner production methods rely on petroleum-based reagents, posing health and environmental risks, necessitating the development of more sustainable alternatives.
Innovation Solution
The use of a polyester resin comprising a polyhydroxylated thymol derivative, derived from thymol and glycerine carbonate, which is copolymerized with polyacidic monomers to create a bio-based toner with properties similar to conventional polyester toners, reducing environmental impact while maintaining performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If petroleum-based reagents are used in toner production, then conventional polyester toners with desired performance characteristics can be produced, but health risks and environmental damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing petroleum-based reagents with bio-based alternatives. Specifically, it uses polyhydroxylated thymol derivatives (from renewable thymol resources) combined with polyacidic monomers to create polyester resins that maintain desired performance characteristics while reducing environmental harm. This parameter substitution resolves the contradiction by achieving both ecological safety and functional reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite polyester resin materials by combining polyhydroxylated thymol derivatives with polyacidic monomers. This composite approach allows the material to inherit beneficial properties from both components: the renewable, eco-friendly thymol derivative provides sustainability, while the polyacidic monomers ensure proper toner performance characteristics such as melting temperature and image quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bio-based reagents are used to reduce environmental impact, then health safety improves, but performance characteristics such as melting temperature and image gloss may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully adjusts chemical composition parameters to achieve optimal performance. By controlling the ratio and selection of polyhydroxylated thymol derivatives and polyacidic monomers, the invention tunes the melting temperature and other performance characteristics to match conventional toners, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while using eco-friendly materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite polyester resin formed by combining polyhydroxylated thymol derivatives with polyacidic monomers enables the material to achieve both ecological benefits and performance requirements. The synergistic interaction between components ensures that image gloss, melting behavior, and other critical parameters meet the precision standards required for commercial toner applications.
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 bio-based toner resin offers a lower environmental footprint and improved health safety while maintaining the performance characteristics of conventional polyester toners, such as suitable melting temperatures and image gloss, making it a viable sustainable alternative for imaging devices.
Implementation Method 1
a polyester resin comprising a polyhydroxylated thymol derivative which may be used to make polyester resins for use in toner particles
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a polyester toner resin comprising a polyhydroxylated thymol derivative that may be used in manufacturing an emulsion aggregation (EA) toner for imaging devices.