Toner Resin with Aromatic Polyester and Polylactic Acid Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toner resins derived from petroleum resources face depletion and contribute to global warming, while plant-based polylactic acids, though sustainable, have high crystallinity and poor solubility in organic solvents, leading to inefficient processing and waste in toner production.
Innovation Solution
A resin comprising an oligomer segment with a polyhydroxycarboxylic skeleton and an aromatic diol skeleton, combined with a soft segment, is developed through polymerization and elongation, enhancing solubility and flexibility to prevent pulverization and improve low-temperature fixability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If polylactic acid is used as binder resin to replace petroleum resources, then environmental sustainability is improved, but solubility in organic solvents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite binder resin system comprising polylactic acid and a polyester resin containing aromatic rings. This composite approach allows the polylactic acid to provide environmental sustainability while the aromatic polyester component provides solubility in organic solvents and processability, resolving the contradiction between eco-friendliness and manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the molecular structure of the binder resin by incorporating aromatic rings into the polyester component, which changes the solubility parameters of the overall resin system. This structural parameter change enables solubility in organic solvents while maintaining the plant-based sustainability benefits
2Object-affected harmful factors
If polylactic acid is used as binder resin, then environmental sustainability is improved, but pulverization loss in classification process increases
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a composite resin system with aromatic polyester and polylactic acid, the invention achieves a balance between particle strength and flexibility. The aromatic polyester provides structural integrity that prevents pulverization during classification, while the polylactic acid maintains environmental sustainability, thus reducing toner particle waste
3Temperature
If polyester resin is used to achieve low-temperature fixability, then fixability is improved, but molecular weight and glass transition temperature increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the binder resin into two functional components: aromatic polyester that provides low-temperature fixability and polylactic acid that controls the glass transition temperature. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, achieving low fixing temperature while maintaining appropriate Tg
Solution Approach 2:
The composite resin system allows the aromatic polyester segment to lower the fixing temperature through its molecular structure, while the polylactic acid segment maintains the glass transition temperature within the desired range, resolving the contradiction between fixability and compositional 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 new resin improves the solubility and processing efficiency of plant-based materials, reducing waste and maintaining low-temperature fixability while offering stable thermal properties and chargeability.
Implementation Method 1
A resin comprising an oligomer segment with a polyhydroxycarboxylic skeleton and an aromatic diol skeleton, combined with a soft segment, is developed through polymerization and elongation
Data Source
AI summary
A resin for use in toner is provided. The resin comprises an oligomer segment and a soft segment. The oligomer segment comprises a polyhydroxycarboxylic skeleton and an aromatic diol skeleton.