Trans-Cinnamic Diester Toner for Ultra-Low Melt Fusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultra-low melt (ULM) polyester-based toner products have a minimum fusing temperature (MFT) benchmark of about −20° C, but achieving a crease fix MFT of −30° C or lower is challenging without degrading electrical performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating small crystalline molecules, such as trans-cinnamic diesters, into toner compositions with amorphous resin and optional waxes, coagulants, and pigments to form emulsion aggregation toner particles, which reduces the MFT while maintaining electrical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If crystalline polyester resin is added to reduce crease fix MFT, then fusing temperature is reduced, but electrical performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing trans-cinnamic diester components with specific molecular structures (formula I) into the crystalline polyester resin system. This chemical parameter modification allows achieving lower crease fix MFT (below -30°C) while maintaining electrical performance through optimized molecular compatibility and controlled crystallinity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining trans-cinnamic diester (formula I), crystalline polyester resin, and amorphous resin in specific weight ratios. This composite approach allows the crystalline component to provide low-temperature fusing while the amorphous component and specific molecular structure of diester maintain electrical charging properties.
2Temperature
If more crystalline resin is added to achieve super low melt, then crease fix MFT is reduced further, but conductivity degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of trans-cinnamic diester (formula I) within the crystalline polyester resin, maintaining it at 5-50 wt% of the crystalline resin. This controlled concentration ensures sufficient crystallinity for low MFT while preventing excessive conductivity degradation by balancing crystal formation with amorphous phase continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality differentiation by having trans-cinnamic diester (formula I) specifically distributed within the crystalline polyester domains while maintaining compatibility with the amorphous resin matrix. This localized molecular arrangement allows the crystalline regions to provide low-temperature melting while the interfacial regions maintain electrical conductivity pathways.
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 reduces the crease fix MFT to −40° C or lower, enhancing fusing latitude and maintaining toner charging properties, thus improving printing efficiency and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating small crystalline molecules, such as trans-cinnamic diesters, into toner compositions with amorphous resin... reduces the MFT
Implementation Method 2
The aggregated toner particles are heated to enable coalescence/fusing, thereby achieving aggregated, fused toner particles
Data Source
AI summary
An emulsion aggregation toner composition is disclosed that includes toner particles with at least one small crystalline molecule, such as a trans-cinnamic diester, at least one amorphous resin, optional waxes, coagulants, pigments, and combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the small crystalline molecule is biodegradable and can be made using raw materials derived from renewable resources. Such small crystalline molecules are also compatible with amorphous binder resins, to provide toner compositions with reduced minimum fusing temperatures without sacrificing electrical performance. Processes for preparing emulsion aggregation toner compositions are also described.