Toner Resin Metal Ion Coordination for Color Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toner particles with smaller diameters require higher colorant concentrations for stable image color, but this leads to reduced light transmittance and limited color reproducibility due to light reflection and scattering by the colorant.
Innovation Solution
A toner formulation incorporating an amorphous polyester resin with urethane bonds, a crystalline polyester resin, and a metal ion that forms coordinate bonds with the colorant, supporting the colorant on the resin surface, which enhances light resistance and maintains high light transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the concentration of colorant is increased to ensure stable image color concentration in smaller toner particles, then color stability is improved, but light transmittance is reduced and color reproducibility deteriorates due to light reflection and scattering
Solution Approach 1:
A metal ion complexing agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the colorant and the binder resin. The metal ion forms a complex with the colorant through coordinate bonds, anchoring the colorant on the resin surface. This intermediary structure allows the colorant to be effectively supported without requiring high concentrations, thereby maintaining light transmittance while ensuring stable color concentration in smaller toner particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where the colorant-metal ion complex is integrated with the binder resin. The metal ion complex acts as a functional component that combines the colorant's coloring function with the resin's binding function, forming a unified composite material that achieves both color stability and light transmittance in smaller toner particles.
2Reliability
If the concentration of colorant is increased, then image color concentration is stabilized, but chroma deteriorates and color reproducibility range is limited due to light reflection and scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The metal ion complexing agent serves as a mediator that optimizes the distribution and fixation of colorant molecules on the resin surface. This intermediary mechanism ensures uniform colorant dispersion and stable coordination, achieving consistent color concentration without excessive colorant loading, thereby preserving chroma and expanding color reproducibility range.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical state of the colorant by forming coordinate bonds with metal ions. This parameter change in the colorant's chemical environment transforms it from a free-standing pigment to a coordinated complex, which alters its optical properties to reduce light scattering and maintain chroma while ensuring color stability.
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 improved light resistance and expanded color reproducibility while maintaining high light transmittance, addressing the limitations of smaller toner particles.
Implementation Method 1
a metal ion forming a chemical bond with the binder resin; at least one colorant forming a coordinate bond with the metal ion and being supported on the binder resin through the metal ion
Implementation Method 2
when the colorant has a low light transmittance, light may be reflected or scattered by the colorant
Implementation Method 3
light may be reflected or scattered by the colorant
Data Source
AI summary
A toner for electrostatic use includes a binder resin including an amorphous polyester resin having a urethane bond and a crystalline polyester resin, a metal ion forming a chemical bond with the binder resin, at least one colorant forming a coordinate bond with the metal ion and being supported on the binder resin through the metal ion, and at least three elements selected from an iron element, a silicon element, a sulfur element, and a fluorine element while including at least one of an iron element, a silicon element, and a sulfur element, wherein an amount of the iron element is about 1000 ppm to about 10000 ppm as an element concentration, an amount of the silicon element is about 1000 ppm to about 5000 ppm as an element concentration, and an amount of the sulfur element is about 500 ppm to about 3000 ppm as an element concentration.