Toner Ester Compound Low-Temperature Fixing Gloss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toners face challenges with low-temperature fixability and gloss retention in electrostatic latent image formation, as plasticizers can externalize and reduce image quality, while silicone-based toners offer resistance but lack low-temperature fixability.
Innovation Solution
A toner formulation incorporating a binder resin, a specific ester compound with a macromolecular segment and silicon atom, which enhances compatibility and restricts ester compound mobility, maintaining gloss and improving low-temperature fixability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a plasticizer is added to improve low-temperature fixability, then the fixing performance is improved, but the plasticizer becomes externalized over time and gloss declines
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the plasticizer by specifying precise structural features: silicon atom with particular substituents, specific molecular weight range (500-5000), and structural formula requirements. These parameter changes enable the plasticizer to maintain both low-temperature fixability and gloss retention by optimizing the balance between plasticizing capacity and compatibility with binder resin.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite plasticizer system combining silicon atom core structure with specific organic substituents (formula (1) structure). This composite structure integrates the plasticizing function with enhanced compatibility characteristics, preventing externalization while maintaining low-temperature fixing capability.
2Temperature
If the molecular weight of binder resin is reduced to improve low-temperature fixability, then the fixing performance is improved, but the heat resistance during storage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a specifically structured plasticizer as an intermediary substance that mediates between the binder resin and the fixing process. This plasticizer enables low-temperature fixing without requiring reduction of binder resin molecular weight, thereby preserving the heat resistance and storage stability of the binder resin while achieving improved fixing performance.
3Reliability
If a silane coupling agent is used to improve releasability during fixing, then the offset resistance is improved, but the low-temperature fixability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of plasticizer and release agent into a single compound structure (formula (1)). The silicon atom provides plasticizing action for low-temperature fixing, while the macromolecular segment and specific substituents provide release properties, eliminating the need to choose between offset resistance and low-temperature fixability.
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 toner achieves excellent low-temperature fixability with minimal gloss decline and reduced image defects, even under loading conditions, by utilizing a binder resin and ester compound with a high affinity, preventing ester compound externalization and improving interfacial adhesion.
Implementation Method 1
the addition of a plasticizer is therefore used as a method for improving the fixing performance of toner without lowering the Tg of the binder resin. In order to bring about sufficient softening of the toner during fixing, a plasticizer must be used that is highly compatible with the binder resin and that exhibits a large plasticizing capacity.
Implementation Method 2
an excellent resistance to fixing offset and an excellent transferability from the photosensitive member are obtained due to the release effect that is characteristic of silicone resins as a consequence of the siloxane bond produced when the alkoxysilyl group-bearing silane coupling agent undergoes crosslinking.
Data Source
AI summary
A toner comprising a toner particle that contains a binder resin, a resin represented by formula (1), and wax, wherein the wax contains an ester compound that exhibits a compatibility at 100° C. of at least 5.0 mass parts per 100.0 mass parts of the binder resin: wherein in formula (1), P1 represents a macromolecular segment; L1 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; R1 to R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alkyl group, alkoxy group, hydroxy group, or aryl group; m represents a positive integer; and when m is equal to or greater than 2, a plurality of L1's, a plurality of R1's, a plurality of R2's, and a plurality of R3's may be the same as or different from each other.