Water-Based Ink Surfactant Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-based inks for ink-jet recording face challenges in stabilizing the dispersion of water-insoluble liquids, which affects their drying properties and overall performance.
Innovation Solution
A water-based ink formulation that includes a water-soluble colorant, water, a water-insoluble liquid, a nonionic surfactant, and an ionic surfactant with the same polarity as the colorant, which stabilizes the dispersion of the water-insoluble liquid, enhancing its drying properties and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a water-insoluble liquid is added to water-based ink to improve drying property, then drying property is improved, but the water-insoluble liquid cannot be stably dispersed in the water-based ink
Solution Approach 1:
A surfactant is introduced as an intermediary substance to mediate between the water-insoluble liquid and water-based ink. The surfactant contains both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups, allowing it to stabilize the interface between water and oil phases, enabling stable dispersion of water-insoluble liquid in water-based ink while maintaining improved drying properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink formulation uses a composite approach by combining water-soluble components (water, colorant) with water-insoluble components (liquid paraffin, etc.) through the use of surfactant, creating a stable emulsion system that exhibits properties of both phases - the drying enhancement from water-insoluble liquid and the stability from water-based continuity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a water-insoluble liquid is added to water-based ink to provide new functions, then functionality is enhanced, but the dispersed state cannot be maintained for a long period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The surfactant acts as a long-term stabilizing intermediary that prevents phase separation during storage. It forms a protective interface around water-insoluble liquid droplets, maintaining the emulsion structure stable over extended storage periods while preserving the functional benefits of the water-insoluble liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the interfacial parameters by introducing surfactant, which alters the surface tension and interfacial energy between water and oil phases. This parameter change enables the system to maintain stability over long storage periods while preserving the functional properties of water-insoluble liquid additives.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If water-insoluble liquid is dispersed in water-based ink, then drying property is improved, but odor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality control by selecting specific types of water-insoluble liquids (such as liquid paraffin with high boiling point and low volatility) that provide drying enhancement while having minimal odor. The surfactant also localizes the water-insoluble liquid in fine dispersed droplets, reducing evaporation and odor emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of chemically inert water-insoluble liquids like liquid paraffin creates an inert environment within the ink formulation that does not readily evaporate or react, thereby maintaining drying properties while minimizing odor generation during storage and usage.
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 maintains the dispersion of water-insoluble liquids in the ink, improving drying properties and stability, while also suppressing odor and maintaining ink quality during recording.
Implementation Method 1
a nonionic surfactant and an ionic surfactant having a polarity same as that of the water-soluble colorant; wherein the water-insoluble liquid is dispersed in the water by the nonionic surfactant and the ionic surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes: a water-soluble colorant; water; a water-insoluble liquid; a nonionic surfactant; and an ionic surfactant having a polarity same as that of the water-soluble colorant. The water-insoluble liquid is dispersed stably in the water by the nonionic surfactant and the ionic surfactant having the polarity same as that of the water-soluble colorant.