Toner Resin Composition for Uniform Pseudo-Composite Particles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The production of toners using crystalline and non-crystalline polyester resins in electrophotography faces challenges such as uneven composition, broad charge distribution, image fogging, and staining due to early aggregation of crystalline polyester resin particles, leading to issues under high temperature and humidity conditions.
Innovation Solution
A toner formulation is developed using a binder resin comprising a non-crystalline polyester resin and a crystalline polyester resin, with specific molecular weight ranges and aliphatic unsaturated dicarboxylic acid-derived components to control the miscibility and aggregation of resin particles, forming pseudo-composite particles with a uniform composition and sufficient mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If crystalline polyester resin is used in toner production, then low temperature fixing capability is improved, but resin particle aggregation occurs early leading to uneven composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-crystalline polyester resin as an intermediary substance that mixes with the crystalline polyester resin during particle formation. This intermediary resin prevents premature aggregation of the crystalline resin particles by providing a compatible matrix, thereby maintaining composition uniformity while preserving the low temperature fixing capability of the crystalline resin component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite binder resin system combining crystalline polyester resin (for low temperature fixing) with non-crystalline polyester resin (for composition uniformity). This composite material approach allows the toner to achieve both low temperature fixing capability and composition uniformity by leveraging the complementary properties of the two resin types in a synergistic combination.
2Strength
If crystalline polyester resin aggregates early, then binding strength is improved, but toner charge distribution becomes broad and fog increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring uniform distribution of crystalline and non-crystalline resin components throughout the toner particle structure. The non-crystalline resin creates a homogeneous matrix that locally distributes the crystalline resin particles, preventing clustering and ensuring consistent charge distribution while maintaining adequate binding strength through the combined resin system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If toner composition is uneven, then phase separation occurs, but image quality deteriorates due to fog and staining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves homogeneity by incorporating non-crystalline polyester resin with the crystalline polyester resin to form a uniform mixed structure. This homogeneous composition prevents phase separation and eliminates the formation of resin-rich clusters that would otherwise cause image fog and staining, while the combined resin system maintains sufficient binding strength.
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 achieves a uniform toner composition and improved mechanical strength, reducing image fogging and staining, while maintaining low temperature fixing capabilities and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
control the miscibility and aggregation of resin particles
Implementation Method 2
aggregation of crystalline polyester resin particles
Implementation Method 3
aggregation and coalescing method
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a toner for electrostatic charge image development, which includes a binder resin that includes a non-crystalline polyester resin and a crystalline polyester resin, and a colorant, wherein in a measurement of an acetone-soluble fraction of the toner by gel permeation chromatography, in which W1 represents the total area of an elution curve of the acetone-soluble fraction, F(0-10) represents an eluate corresponding to from the beginning of the elution to 10% elution of W1 over time, and F(80-100) represents an eluate corresponding to from 80% elution to 100% elution of W1 over time, the amount of an aliphatic unsaturated dicarboxylic acid-derived component of the resins contained in the eluate F(0-10) is in the range of from about 0 mol % to about 10 mol % relative to the total amount of the acid-derived components of the resins contained in the eluate F(0-10), and the amount of the aliphatic unsaturated dicarboxylic acid-derived component of the resins contained in the eluate F(80-100) is in the range of from about 20 mol % to about 60 mol % relative to the total amount of the acid-derived components of the resins contained in the eluate F(80-100).