Toner Production Using Surface Tension Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of toners with an organosilicon compound condensate on the surface using the emulsion aggregation method faces issues such as adherence of the condensate to the reaction vessel and toner aggregation, which hinders continuous production.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the condensation of an organosilicon compound in a surfactant-containing aqueous medium with a surface tension of at least 35.0 mN/m and the presence of a metal salt with a divalent metal ion, which inhibits adherence to the vessel and aggregation by facilitating the transfer of the organosilicon compound condensate to the toner particle surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the emulsion aggregation method is used to produce toner with organosilicon compound condensate on the surface, then the toner performance is improved, but the condensate adheres to the reaction vessel and toner aggregation occurs, hindering continuous production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoner performanceVSAvoidcontinuous production
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface tension parameter of the aqueous medium to at least 35.0 mN/m by adjusting surfactant concentration, which fundamentally alters the interfacial properties to prevent condensate adherence to the reaction vessel and inhibit toner aggregation, thereby enabling continuous production while maintaining improved toner performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the organosilicon compound condensate is formed on the core particle surface by reacting a silane coupling agent, then the toner performance is enhanced, but the condensate adheres to the reaction vessel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoner performanceVSAvoidcondensate adherence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface tension parameter of the aqueous medium to at least 35.0 mN/m through surfactant adjustment, which changes the interfacial energy characteristics and prevents the organosilicon compound condensate from adhering to the reaction vessel wall, thereby eliminating the harmful adherence effect while preserving the performance enhancement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the toner is produced in an aqueous medium with low surface tension, then the dispersion stability is improved, but the organosilicon compound condensate adheres to the reaction vessel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispersion stabilityVSAvoidcondensate adherence
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the surface tension parameter to at least 35.0 mN/m by adjusting surfactant concentration, which balances the competing requirements: maintaining sufficient dispersion stability while preventing condensate adherence to the reaction vessel through controlled interfacial properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If the condensation reaction is carried out in the aqueous medium, then the organosilicon compound condensate is formed on the toner particle surface, but the toner undergoes aggregation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecondensate formationVSAvoidtoner aggregation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the surface tension parameter of the aqueous medium to at least 35.0 mN/m, which modifies the interfacial conditions during the condensation reaction to prevent toner aggregation while allowing the organosilicon compound condensate to form properly on the toner particle surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach effectively prevents the adherence of the organosilicon compound condensate to the reaction vessel and inhibits toner aggregation, ensuring continuous production and efficient transfer of the condensate to the toner particle surface.

Implementation Method 1

the surface tension of the aqueous medium in the condensation step is at least 35.0 mN/m

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

a condensation step of condensing an organosilicon compound given by formula (1) below in a surfactant-containing aqueous medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

the presence of a metal salt with a divalent metal ion, which inhibits adherence to the vessel and aggregation by facilitating the transfer of the organosilicon compound condensate to the toner particle surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS10310396B2Method of producing toner
Publication Date: 2019.06.04 CANON KK

AI summary

A first aspect is a toner production method in which an organosilicon compound is condensed in a surfactant-containing aqueous medium with a specific surface tension, in which a resin particle is dispersed, to produce a toner having the condensate of the organosilicon compound on the surface of the resin particle, and a second aspect is a toner production method in which an organosilicon compound is condensed in an aqueous medium which has a surfactant and a specific metal salt and in which a resin particle is dispersed, to produce a toner having the condensate of the organosilicon compound on the surface of the resin particle.