Core-Shell Toner Resin Gel Migration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polyester EA ultra low melt toners exhibit high peak gloss and poor charging characteristics due to crystalline resin migration during coalescence, necessitating improved toner formulations with enhanced fusing properties and reduced gloss.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition comprising amorphous and crystalline polyester resins, combined with a crosslinked polymer gel, where the gel is strategically located in the core or shell to prevent crystalline resin migration and improve charging properties, including the use of copolymers such as styrene and acrylates, and stabilizers with carboxylic acid functionality to enhance compatibility and emulsion polymerization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crystalline polyester resin is used in toner composition, then fusing properties are improved, but peak gloss increases and charging characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a core-shell structure where the core contains crystalline polyester resin for fusing properties, while the shell contains amorphous polyester resin to prevent crystalline resin migration to the surface. This spatial differentiation allows the crystalline resin to provide fusing performance in the core while the amorphous shell maintains surface properties that reduce peak gloss and improve charging characteristics.
2Reliability
If crystalline resin migrates to toner surface during coalescence, then fusing properties are enhanced, but charging characteristics become poor
Solution Approach 1:
The amorphous polyester resin shell acts as an intermediary layer between the crystalline resin core and the external environment. This shell prevents direct contact and migration of crystalline resin to the toner surface, thereby maintaining the charging characteristics while preserving the fusing properties provided by the crystalline core.
3Reliability
If amorphous and crystalline polyester resins are combined, then fusing properties are improved, but peak gloss remains unacceptably high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses local quality by concentrating crystalline resin in the core for fusing performance while placing amorphous resin in the shell to control surface optical properties. This spatial distribution allows the amorphous shell to scatter light and reduce peak gloss while the crystalline core maintains fusing effectiveness.
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 particles achieve desirable charging and gloss properties with reduced peak gloss and improved fusing characteristics, maintaining ultra low melt properties and enhanced A-zone charging performance, while preventing crystalline resin migration to the toner surface.
Implementation Method 1
a gel including a crosslinked polymer including copolymers of styrene and acrylates, copolymers of styrene and butadiene, copolymers of styrene and methacrylates, copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, copolymers of methacrylates and acrylic acid, copolymers of acrylates and acrylonitriles, copolymers of methylstyrene and butadiene, copolymers of methacrylates and butadiene, copolymers of acrylates and butadiene, copolymers of styrene and isoprene, copolymers of methylstyrene and isoprene, copolymers of methacrylates and isoprene, copolymers of acrylates and isoprene, and combinations thereof
Implementation Method 2
These toners may be formed by aggregating a colorant with a latex polymer formed by emulsion polymerization
Implementation Method 3
These toners may be formed by aggregating a colorant with a latex polymer formed by emulsion polymerization
Implementation Method 4
emulsion/aggregation/coalescence processes for the preparation of toners
Data Source
AI summary
Toner particles are provided which may, in embodiments, include a gel. In embodiments, the toner particles may have a core-shell configuration, with the gel in the core, the shell, or both. The gel may prevent a crystalline resin in the core of the toner particles from migrating to the toner surface.