Toner Composition for Moisture-Resistant Image Density Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toner particles containing a specific pigment with a compound represented by structural formula (1) exhibit reduced tinting strength due to aggregation and increased hydrophilicity, leading to fogging and image density non-uniformity in hot and humid environments, despite rosin treatment to improve colorant dispersibility.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a compound represented by structural formula (2) into the toner particles at a content of 0.3 mass ppm or more, which interacts with formula (1) to reduce hydrophilicity and stabilize the charge quantity, thereby suppressing moisture adsorption and image defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rosin treatment is applied to improve colorant dispersibility, then tinting strength is improved, but hydrophilicity is not reduced, leading to moisture adsorption and image defects
Solution Approach 1:
A silane coupling agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the pigment particles and the binder resin. The silane coupling agent has both hydrophobic characteristics and functional groups that can bond to pigment surfaces, acting as a mediator that reduces moisture adsorption while maintaining good dispersibility and tinting strength
Solution Approach 2:
The surface properties of pigment particles are modified by changing the chemical parameters through silane treatment. This changes the surface energy and hydrophilicity of the pigment, reducing its tendency to adsorb moisture while preserving its coloring properties
2Reliability
If compound (1) is used as colorant, then weather resistance is improved, but aggregation occurs and tinting strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent serves as a mediator that prevents direct aggregation of pigment particles containing compound (1). It creates a spacing effect and provides steric hindrance that keeps pigment particles separated, maintaining high tinting strength while preserving the weather resistance of compound (1)
Solution Approach 2:
A composite structure is formed where silane-modified pigment particles are dispersed in a binder resin matrix. This composite approach combines the weather resistance of compound (1) with the dispersibility and moisture resistance provided by the silane treatment and binder system
3Reliability
If compound (1) is used as colorant, then weather resistance is improved, but image density non-uniformity occurs in hot and humid environments
Solution Approach 1:
The silane coupling agent acts as a protective intermediary layer on pigment particles, preventing moisture from reaching and interacting with compound (1). This maintains uniform charge distribution and prevents image density non-uniformity while preserving the inherent weather resistance of compound (1)
Solution Approach 2:
The surface charge properties and hydrophobicity of pigment particles are modified through silane treatment, changing the electrostatic parameters that govern charge distribution during toner formation. This prevents charge rising speed differences that lead to image density non-uniformity
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 solution effectively suppresses fogging and image density non-uniformity in hot and humid conditions while maintaining tinting strength by stabilizing the compound (1) with (2), ensuring improved image quality.
Implementation Method 1
the compound represented by structural formula (1) has a specific property of forming an intermolecular hydrogen bond, and thus has a specific property of being likely to aggregate due to a hydrogen bond
Implementation Method 2
an intermolecular hydrogen bond is formed by a carbonyl group and an imino group
Data Source
AI summary
A toner comprising a toner particle comprising a binder resin, wherein the toner particle comprises a compound represented by a following structural formula (1) and a compound represented by a following structural formula (2), and a content of the compound represented by the following structural formula (2) comprised in the toner is 0.3 mass ppm or more,