Water-Based Ink Jet Ink Composition Balancing Wetting and Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-based inks for inkjet recording on low- or non-absorbent recording media suffer from poor image quality due to uneven ink distribution and clogging issues, which are exacerbated by the addition of poorly water-soluble organic compounds that destabilize pigment and resin particle dispersion.
Innovation Solution
A water-based inkjet ink composition containing a pigment, resin particles, a silicone-based surfactant, and an acetylene glycol-based surfactant with an HLB value of 9 to 14, maintained at a pH of 8 to 10, improves wetting and spreading on low- or non-absorbent media while stabilizing pigment and resin particle dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If poorly water-soluble organic compounds are added to improve wetting and spreading on low- or non-absorbent recording media, then image quality is improved, but pigment and resin particle dispersion becomes unstable causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific intermediary substance (polymer compound with carboxyl group) that mediates between the poorly water-soluble organic compound and the pigment/resin particles. This intermediary maintains particle dispersion stability even when poorly water-soluble compounds are present, preventing clogging while allowing the organic compound to improve wetting and spreading for better image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink composition by specifying a polymer compound with carboxyl groups (COOH) in particular amounts relative to the poorly water-soluble organic compound. This parameter change (adding carboxyl-containing polymer) creates a chemical environment that stabilizes particle dispersion while maintaining the wetting benefits of the poorly water-soluble organic compound.
2Manufacturing precision
If silicone-based surfactant is added to enhance wetting performance, then spreading on non-absorbent media is improved, but particle aggregation increases reducing clogging recoverability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining silicone-based surfactant with a polymer compound containing carboxyl groups. This composite material approach allows the silicone-based surfactant to provide excellent wetting and spreading performance while the carboxyl-containing polymer component prevents particle aggregation, thereby maintaining clogging recoverability despite the presence of silicone-based surfactant.
3Manufacturing precision
If ink composition is optimized for low-absorbent media to improve image quality, then adhesion is enhanced, but viscosity increases causing ejection instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of key components, specifically controlling the amount of poorly water-soluble organic compound and carboxyl-containing polymer within specific ranges. This parameter optimization achieves sufficient adhesion strength for low-absorbent media while keeping viscosity at levels that maintain ejection stability, preventing both poor adhesion and ejection instability.
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 composition achieves excellent image quality and clogging recoverability by maintaining hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance, preventing particle aggregation, and enhancing ink adhesion and abrasion resistance.
Implementation Method 1
The surfactant contains a silicone-based surfactant and an acetylene glycol-based surfactant having an HLB value of 9 to 14
Implementation Method 2
contains a pigment, resin particles, a surfactant, and a poorly water-soluble low-molecular-weight organic compound that is either an alkanediol or a glycol ether and that has a solubility in water of 10 g/100 g of water or less
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet ink composition according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a water-based ink jet ink composition. The ink jet ink composition is used for recording on a recording medium that is a low-absorbent recording medium or a non-absorbent recording medium. The ink jet ink composition contains a pigment, resin particles, a surfactant, and a poorly water-soluble low-molecular-weight organic compound that is either an alkanediol or a glycol ether and that has a solubility in water of 10 g/100 g of water or less. The surfactant contains a silicone-based surfactant and an acetylene glycol-based surfactant having an HLB value of 9 to 14. The ink jet ink composition has a pH of 8 to 10.