Toner Composition Using Zr Charge Control Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners for electrostatic image development face issues with environmental stability, uniform chargeability, cleanability, transferability, and durability due to the releasability of charge control agents and the variability of additives, leading to non-uniform toner charges and scattering.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition comprising a polyester resin as the principal component, with a Zr-containing charge control agent, inorganic fine particles, and organic fine particles, where the charge control agent, inorganic fine particles, and organic fine particles have specific number-basis isolation percentages, ensuring stable chargeability and improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a charge control agent is used to stabilize chargeability, then charge stability is improved, but environmental stability deteriorates due to releasability causing non-uniform charges and scattering
Solution Approach 1:
Silica fine particles serve as an intermediary carrier to attach the charge control agent, preventing its direct release while maintaining charge stability. The silica particles mediate between the charge control agent and the toner matrix, allowing controlled interaction without premature release.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining silica fine particles with the charge control agent to create a stable attachment system. This composite approach allows the charge control agent to remain stable within the toner while preventing its release, thus maintaining both charge stability and environmental stability.
2Ease of operation
If inorganic oxide additives are added to improve flowability and chargeability, then flowability is improved, but durability deteriorates due to attachment to developer-carrying members causing filming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the inorganic oxide additive with the charge control agent into a single attached complex on the toner particle surface. This combination prevents the inorganic oxide from detaching and causing filming, while maintaining its flowability-enhancing properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge control agent acts as an intermediary that binds the inorganic oxide additive to the toner particle. This intermediary attachment mechanism prevents the inorganic oxide from directly contacting and adhering to developer-carrying members, thus preventing filming while maintaining durability.
3Ease of operation
If inorganic fine particles are attached to toner particles to improve flowability, then flowability is improved, but uniform chargeability deteriorates due to variability in additive presence over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite structure where inorganic fine particles are attached to the toner particle surface along with the charge control agent. This composite attachment ensures that both components remain in fixed proportions and positions, preventing variability in chargeability over time while maintaining flowability benefits.
4Reliability
If charge control agent is released to improve chargeability, then chargeability is improved, but cleanability deteriorates due to attachment to developer-carrying members causing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potential harm of charge control agent release by attaching it to silica fine particles. This attachment transforms the release mechanism into a controlled interaction, where the charge control agent maintains its charge-imparting function without causing harmful accumulation on developer-carrying members.
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 exhibits enhanced environmental stability, uniform chargeability, cleanability, and durability, with improved transferability and reduced toner scattering, maintaining performance in various humidity environments and during long-term storage.
Implementation Method 1
Toners used in image forming methods as described above, are charged to prescribed quantity and polarity by friction with a carrier in the case of a two-component developer comprising a toner and a carrier, or by friction with a charge-imparting member in the case of a mono-component developer consisting only of a toner
Implementation Method 2
an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photosensitive member utilizing a photoconductor material
Data Source
AI summary
A toner is formed of toner particles including a polyester resin as a principal component, and at least a colorant and a charge control agent, and externally added inorganic fine particles and organic fine particles. The toner has a volume-average diameter of 4 to 10 μm, contains the charge control agent at 0.1 to 1.5%, and has an acid value of 2 to 33 mgKOH/g. The charge control agent exhibits a number-basis isolation percentage of at most 10% with respect to the toner particle. The charge control agent, the inorganic fine particles and organic fine particles exhibit number-basis isolation percentages from the toner particles satisfying a following relationship: 30%>inorganic fine particles>organic fine particles>charge control agent>0%.