Patent Application
20190354030
The present disclosure relates to toner packages. In particular, the present disclosure relates to toner packages comprising activated carbon for the reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Typical toner packages suffer from excessive VOC emissions in the initial phases of usage which makes it difficult to meet current and projected future emission standards. The present disclosure addresses this issue by providing activated carbon in the toner package to capture emissions. These and other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
In some aspects, embodiments herein relate to toner packages comprising activated carbon and a toner composition, the toner composition comprising toner particles and toner particle surface additives disposed on the toner particles, wherein an amount of activated carbon present in the toner package is sufficient to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
In some aspects, embodiments herein relate to methods of reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emission when printing xerographically comprising printing with a toner package comprising activated carbon, and a toner composition, the toner composition comprising toner particles and toner particle surface additives disposed on the toner particles, wherein an amount of activated carbon present in the toner package is sufficient to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
In some aspects, embodiments relate to toner cartridges configured to reduce emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the cartridges comprising a means for capturing VOC emissions comprising activated carbon.
Embodiments herein provide for the incorporation of activated carbon as part of the toner package. Activated carbon serves to absorb emissions generated in the production process. The activated carbon can reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as toluene, allowing maintenance of the xerographic machine within specification. Typically, such VOC's are slowly released over time as the package is used.
Embodiments herein provide for the presence of activated carbon as part of the toner package with flexibility in how it is incorporated. In some embodiments, activated carbon may be provided in powder or granule form. In some embodiments, it may appear on a support, which may be a filter, other particle, or even impregnated on a surface of the toner cartridge.
In embodiments, there are provided toner packages comprising activated carbon and a toner composition. The toner composition comprises toner particles and toner particle surface additives disposed on the toner particles. An amount of activated carbon is sufficient to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
As used herein, “activated carbon” refers to carbon produced from carbonaceous source materials such as bamboo, coconut husk, willow peat, wood, coir, lignite, coal, and petroleum pitch. Activated carbon also includes activated coke and activated coal. Activated carbon may be made from these and any other porous carbon sources by heating in the absence of oxygen to dehydrate and carbonize (thereby removing volatile components).
“Activation” is the process that produces the requisite porous structure for effective adsorption by oxidation of carbon with water vapor or CO2. Activated carbon attracts non-polar molecules such as hydrocarbons. Typical surface areas for commercial activated carbon may range from about 300 m2/g to 1500 m2/g, though other surface areas are accessible.
Activated carbon is a highly porous adsorptive medium that has a complex structure composed primarily of carbon atoms. The networks of pores in activated carbons are typically channels created within a rigid skeleton of disordered layers of carbon atoms, linked together by chemical bonds, stacked unevenly, creating a highly porous structure of nooks, crannies, cracks and crevices between the carbon layers.
As used herein, an amount of activated carbon “sufficient to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), refers to an amount that can capture to reduce emissions to any desired specification, typically such a desired amount would be greater than 25% capture (i.e., at least 25% capture) and up to 90% capture (while more may be desirable) of VOCs emitted. Thus, for example, “sufficient to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs)” may refer to an amount that can capture at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%, or at least 95%, including all values in between and fractions thereof, of VOCs emitted during operation of a xerographic apparatus.
In embodiments, the activated carbon is present in an amount in a range from about 1 percent by weight of the toner composition to about 50 percent by weight of the toner composition. Other ranges are possible such as from 1 percent by weight of the toner composition to about 10 percent by weight of the toner composition. In embodiments, activated carbon is used in a powdered form as a replacement for a portion of carbon that is usually present in a black toner cartridge. In some such embodiments, 5% of the carbon is replaced with activated carbon, or 10%, or 20%, or 30%, or 40%, or 50%, or 75%, including any value in between and fractions thereof.
In embodiments, the activated carbon has a surface area in a range from about 300 m2/g to about 1,500 m2/g based on readily available commercial sources. Activated carbon sources that control structure, grain size, pore size, and surface area, are all within the purview of those skilled in the art.
In embodiments, the activated carbon comprises two or more different surface areas. For example, a mixture of activated carbon sources may be used to effectively capture different target VOCs. Thus, a first activated carbon source may be used that has a surface area in a range from 300 m2/g to about 800 m2/g while simultaneously using a second activated carbon source that has a surface area in a range from about 1,000 m2/g to about 1,500 m2/g. Any combination of bimodal surface area ranges may be employed. In embodiments, any combination of ranges of three, four, or more sources of activated carbon with varying surface areas may be employed.
In embodiments, the activated carbon may be provided in powdered form. In embodiments, activated carbon may be provided in granule form. The size of the powder or granules may range from 25 microns to about 100 microns, or about 40 microns to about 60 microns, including any subrange encompassed by these ranges. The grain size can be selected to be small enough to be part of the toner or large enough so that it does not release from the package.
In embodiments, the activated carbon may be mesoporous (about 2 nm to about 50 nm), microporous (less than about 2 nm), macroporous (greater than about 50 nm), and combinations thereof. In embodiments, the activated carbon is macroporous. In embodiments, the activated carbon comprises two sources, the first of which is macroporous and the second is mesoporous. In embodiments, the activated carbon comprises two sources, the first of which is macroporous and the second is microporous.
The inside pore of activated carbons allows for the removal of impurities from gaseous and liquid media through adsorption mechanisms. Adsorption generally involves the attachment or adhesion of atoms, ions and molecules (adsorbates) from a gaseous, liquid or solution medium onto the surface of the adsorbent, here the activated carbon. The porosity of activated carbons offers a large surface on which this adsorption can take place. Adsorption occurs in pores slightly larger than the molecules that are being adsorbed, thus allowing a match of the molecule being adsorbed with the pore size of the activated carbon. These molecules are then trapped within the carbon's internal pore structure by Van Der Waals Forces or other bonds of attraction and accumulate onto a solid surface. Therefore, the exact selection of macroporous, mesoporous, and microporous activated carbon can be guided by various VOC sizes in the printing process. For small VOCs, such as toluene, emission of which is by far the biggest constituent, the pore size is less critical. For such small VOCs surface area is typically the more important consideration.
In embodiments, the activated carbon may be provided on a substrate support. In embodiments, the substrate support may be a mesh. In embodiments, the substrate support may be a particle. Exemplary substrates include, without limitation, polymer particulates, such as thermoplastic polymers
In embodiments, the substrate support may be an inner surface of the toner package. Thus, the activated carbon may be slightly embedded on an inner surface of the toner cartridge. In such embodiments the activated carbon may be provided as a surface coating.
In embodiments, there are provided methods of reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emission when printing xerographically comprising printing with a toner package comprising activated carbon and a toner composition, the toner composition comprising: toner particles and toner particle surface additives disposed on the toner particles, wherein an amount of activated carbon is sufficient to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
In embodiments, there are provided toner cartridges configured to reduce emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the cartridge comprising a means for capturing VOC emissions comprising activated carbon.
In operation, the VOC emissions may be controlled at certain rate in mg/hour allowing effective capture. When activated carbon is provided in powdered form, the activated carbon may be fused in the fuser and the VOC's released at this stage of the process. The activated carbon may also be integrated inside the toner package and when agitated similar VOC capture results can be achieved.
In embodiments, the toner particles may comprise a resin. The resin may comprise a polyester, a styrene-acrylate, or combinations thereof. In embodiments, the polyester is amorphous, crystalline, or combinations thereof. In embodiments, the resin comprises a high molecular weight amorphous polyester, a low molecular weight polyester, and a crystalline polyester. In embodiments, the resin comprises from about x to about y by weight of the core.
In embodiments, toner particles may be based on styrene-acrylate systems. Exemplary systems include, without limitation, poly(styrene-alkyl acrylate), poly(styrene-alkyl methacrylate), poly(styrene-alkyl acrylate-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-alkyl methacrylate-acrylic acid), poly(alkyl methacrylate-alkyl acrylate), poly(alkyl methacrylate-aryl acrylate), poly(aryl methacrylate-alkyl acrylate), poly(alkyl methacrylate-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-alkyl acrylate-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), poly(alkyl acrylate-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), poly(methyl methacrylate-butadiene), poly(ethyl methacrylate-butadiene), poly(propyl methacrylate-butadiene), poly(butyl methacrylate-butadiene), poly(methyl acrylate-butadiene), poly(ethyl acrylate-butadiene), poly(propyl acrylate-butadiene), poly(butyl acrylate-butadiene), poly(styrene-isoprene), poly(methylstyrene-isoprene), poly(methyl methacrylate-isoprene), poly(ethyl methacrylate-isoprene), poly(propyl methacrylate-isoprene), poly(butyl methacrylate-isoprene), poly(methyl acrylate-isoprene), poly(ethyl acrylate-isoprene), poly(propyl acrylate-isoprene), poly(butyl acrylate-isoprene), poly(styrene-propyl acrylate), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-methacrylic acid), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylonitrile), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-1,3-diene), poly(styrene-1,3-diene-acrylic acid), poly (styrene-1,3-diene-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-butadiene), poly(methylstyrene-butadiene), poly (styrene-butadiene-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-butadiene-methacrylic acid), poly(styrene-butadiene-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-methacrylic acid), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylononitrile), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-butadiene), poly(styrene-isoprene), poly(styrene-butyl methacrylate), poly(styrene-butyl methacrylate-acrylic acid), poly(butyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate), poly(butyl methacrylate-acrylic acid), poly(acrylonitrile-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid), and mixtures thereof. The alkyl group in the aforementioned polymers may be any alkyl group, and in particular may be a C1-C12 alkyl group, for example including methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl. As the aryl group, any aryl group known in the art may be used.
The toner compositions may include core particles comprising an amorphous polyester resin. The amorphous polyester resin may be formed by reacting a diol with a diacid in the presence of an optional catalyst. Examples of diacids or diesters including vinyl diacids or vinyl diesters utilized for the preparation of amorphous polyesters include dicarboxylic acids or diesters such as terephthalic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, fumaric acid, dimethyl fumarate, dimethyl itaconate, cis, 1,4-diacetoxy-2-butene, diethyl fumarate, diethyl maleate, maleic acid, succinic acid, itaconic acid, succinic acid, succinic anhydride, dodecylsuccinic acid, dodecylsuccinic anhydride, glutaric acid, glutaric anhydride, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, dodecane diacid, dimethyl terephthalate, diethyl terephthalate, dimethylisophthalate, diethylisophthalate, dimethylphthalate, phthalic anhydride, diethylphthalate, dimethylsuccinate, dimethylfumarate, dimethylmaleate, dimethylglutarate, dimethyladipate, dimethyl dodecylsuccinate, and combinations thereof. The organic diacid or diester may be present, for example, in an amount from about 40 to about 60 mole percent of the resin, in embodiments from about 42 to about 52 mole percent of the resin, in embodiments from about 45 to about 50 mole percent of the resin.
Examples of diols which may be utilized in generating the amorphous polyester include 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol, 2,2-dimethylpropanediol, 2,2,3-trimethylhexanediol, heptanediol, dodecanediol, bis(hydroxyethyl)-bisphenol A, bis(2-hydroxypropyl)-bisphenol A, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol, xylenedimethanol, cyclohexanediol, diethylene glycol, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) oxide, dipropylene glycol, dibutylene, and combinations thereof. The amount of organic diol selected can vary, and may be present, for example, in an amount from about 40 to about 60 mole percent of the resin, in embodiments from about 42 to about 55 mole percent of the resin, in embodiments from about 45 to about 53 mole percent of the resin.
Polycondensation catalysts which may be utilized in forming either the crystalline or amorphous polyesters include tetraalkyl titanates, dialkyltin oxides such as dibutyltin oxide, tetraalkyltins such as dibutyltin dilaurate, and dialkyltin oxide hydroxides such as butyltin oxide hydroxide, aluminum alkoxides, alkyl zinc, dialkyl zinc, zinc oxide, stannous oxide, or combinations thereof. Such catalysts may be utilized in amounts of, for example, from about 0.01 mole percent to about 5 mole percent based on the starting diacid or diester used to generate the polyester resin. In embodiments, suitable amorphous resins include polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, polyolefins, polyethylene, polybutylene, polyisobutyrate, ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polypropylene, combinations thereof, and the like. Examples of amorphous resins which may be utilized include alkali sulfonated-polyester resins, branched alkali sulfonated-polyester resins, alkali sulfonated-polyimide resins, and branched alkali sulfonated-polyimide resins. Alkali sulfonated polyester resins may be useful in embodiments, such as the metal or alkali salts of copoly(ethylene-terephthalate)-copoly(ethylene-5-sulfo-isophthalate), copoly(propylene-terephthalate)-copoly(propylene-5-sulfo-isophthalate), copoly(diethylene-terephthalate)-copoly(diethylene-5-sulfo-isophthalate), copoly(propylene-diethylene-terephthalate)-copoly(propylene-diethylene-5-sulfo-isophthalate), copoly(propylene-butylene-terephthalate)-copoly(propylene-butylene-5-sulfo-isophthalate), copoly(propoxylated bisphenol-A-fumarate)-copoly(propoxylated bisphenol A-5-sulfo-isophthalate), copoly(ethoxylated bisphenol-A-fumarate)-copoly(ethoxylated bisphenol-A-5-sulfo-isophthalate), and copoly(ethoxylated bisphenol-A-maleate)-copoly(ethoxylated bisphenol-A-5-sulfo-isophthalate), wherein the alkali metal is, for example, a sodium, lithium or potassium ion.
In embodiments, as noted above, an unsaturated amorphous polyester resin may be utilized as a latex resin. Examples of such resins include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,827, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Exemplary unsaturated amorphous polyester resins include, but are not limited to, poly(propoxylated bisphenol co-fumarate), poly(ethoxylated bisphenol co-fumarate), poly(butyloxylated bisphenol co-fumarate), poly(co-propoxylated bisphenol co-ethoxylated bisphenol co-fumarate), poly(1,2-propylene fumarate), poly(propoxylated bisphenol co-maleate), poly(ethoxylated bisphenol co-maleate), poly(butyloxylated bisphenol co-maleate), poly(co-propoxylated bisphenol co-ethoxylated bisphenol co-maleate), poly(1,2-propylene maleate), poly(propoxylated bisphenol co-itaconate), poly(ethoxylated bisphenol co-itaconate), poly(butyloxylated bisphenol co-itaconate), poly(co-propoxylated bisphenol co-ethoxylated bisphenol co-itaconate), poly(1,2-propylene itaconate), and combinations thereof.
In embodiments, a suitable polyester resin may be an amorphous polyester such as a poly(propoxylated bisphenol A co-fumarate) resin having the following formula (I):
wherein m may be from about 5 to about 1000. Examples of such resins and processes for their production include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,827, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
An example of a linear propoxylated bisphenol A fumarate resin which may be utilized as a latex resin is available under the trade name SPARII from Resana S/A Industrias Quimicas, Sao Paulo Brazil. Other propoxylated bisphenol A fumarate resins that may be utilized and are commercially available include GTUF and FPESL-2 from Kao Corporation, Japan, and EM181635 from Reichhold, Research Triangle Park, N.C., and the like.
In embodiments, the resins utilized as the resin coating may have a glass transition temperature of from about 30° C. to about 80° C., in embodiments from about 35° C. to about 70° C. In further embodiments, the resins utilized as the resin coating may have a melt viscosity of from about 10 to about 1,000,000 Pa*S at about 130° C., in embodiments from about 20 to about 100,000 Pa*S.
The crystalline resins, which are available from a number of sources, can be prepared by a polycondensation process by reacting an organic diol, and an organic diacid in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst. Generally, a stoichiometric equimolar ratio of organic diol and organic diacid is utilized, however, in some instances, wherein the boiling point of the organic diol is from about 180° C. to about 230° C., an excess amount of diol can be utilized and removed during the polycondensation process. The amount of catalyst utilized varies, and can be selected in an amount, for example, of from about 0.01 to about 1 mole percent of the resin. Additionally, in place of the organic diacid, an organic diester can also be selected, and where an alcohol byproduct is generated.
Examples of organic diols include aliphatic diols with from about 2 to about 36 carbon atoms, such as 1,2-ethanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol, and the like; alkali sulfo-aliphatic diols such as sodio 2-sulfo-1,2-ethanediol, lithio 2-sulfo-1,2-ethanediol, potassio 2-sulfo-1,2-ethanediol, sodio 2-sulfo-1,3-propanediol, lithio 2-sulfo-1,3-propanediol, potassio 2-sulfo-1,3-propanediol, mixture thereof, and the like. The aliphatic diol is, for example, selected in an amount of from about 45 to about 50 mole percent of the resin, and the alkali sulfo-aliphatic diol can be selected in an amount of from about 1 to about 10 mole percent of the resin.
Examples of organic diacids or diesters selected for the preparation of the crystalline polyester resins include oxalic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, napthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, naphthalene-2,7-dicarboxylic acid, cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, malonic acid and mesaconic acid, a diester or anhydride thereof; and an alkali sulfo-organic diacid such as the sodio, lithio or potassium salt of dimethyl-5-sulfo-isophthalate, dialkyl-5-sulfo-isophthalate-4-sulfo-1,8-naphthalic anhydride, 4-sulfo-phthalic acid, dimethyl-4-sulfo-phthalate, dialkyl-4-sulfo-phthalate, 4-sulfophenyl-3,5-dicarbomethoxybenzene, 6-sulfo-2-naphthyl-3,5-dicarbometh-oxybenzene, sulfo-terephthalic acid, dimethyl-sulfo-terephthalate, 5-sulfo-isophthalic acid, dialkyl-sulfo-terephthalate, sulfoethanediol, 2-sulfopropanediol, 2-sulfobutanediol, 3-sulfopentanediol, 2-sulfohexanediol, 3-sulfo-2-methyl-pentanedial, 2-sulfo-3,3-dimethylpentanediol, sulfo-p-hydroxybenzoic acid, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-amino ethane sulfonate, or mixtures thereof. The organic diacid is selected in an amount of, for example, from about 40 to about 50 mole percent of the resin, and the alkali sulfoaliphatic diacid can be selected in an amount of from about 1 to about 10 mole percent of the resin. There can be selected for the third latex branched amorphous resin an alkali sulfonated polyester resin. Examples of suitable alkali sulfonated polyester resins include, the metal or alkali salts of copoly(ethylene-terephthalate)-copoly-(ethylene-5-sulfo-isophthalate), copoly(propylene-terephthalate)-copoly(propylene-5-sulfo-isophthalate), copoly(diethylene-terephthalate)-copoly(diethylene-5-sulfo-isophthalate), copoly(propylene-diethylene-terephthalate)-copoly(propylene-diethylene-5-sulfo-isophthalate), copoly(propylene-butylene-terephthalate)-copoly(propylene-butylene-5-sulfo-isophthalate), copoly-(propoxylated bisphenol-A-fumarate)-copoly(propoxylated bisphenol-A-5-sulfo-isophthalate), copoly(ethoxylated bisphenol-A-fumarate)-copoly(ethoxylated bisphenol-A-5-sulfo-isophthalate), and copoly(ethoxylated bisphenol-A-maleate)-copoly(ethoxylated bisphenol-A-5-sulfo-isophthalate), and wherein the alkali metal is, for example, a sodium, lithium or potassium ion.
Examples of crystalline based polyester resins include alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-co-poly(ethylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(propylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(butylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(pentylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(octylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(ethylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly (propylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-co-poly(butylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(pentylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isopthaloyl)-copoly(hexylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(octylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(ethylene-succinate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl-copoly(butylene-succinate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(hexylene-succinate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(octylene-succinate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(ethylene-sebacate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(propylene-sebacate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(butylene-sebacate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(pentylene-sebacate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(hexylene-sebacate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(octylene-sebacate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(ethylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(propylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(butylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(pentylene-adipate), alkali copoly(5-sulfo-isophthaloyl)-copoly(hexylene-adipate), poly(octylene-adipate); and wherein alkali is a metal of sodium, lithium or potassium, and the like. In embodiments, the alkali metal is lithium.
The crystalline resin may be present, for example, in an amount of from about 5 to about 50 percent by weight of the toner components, in embodiments from about 10 to about 35 percent by weight of the toner components. The crystalline resin can possess various melting points of, for example, from about 30° C. to about 120° C., in embodiments from about 50° C. to about 90° C. The crystalline resin may have a number average molecular weight (Mn), as measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of, for example, from about 1,000 to about 50,000, in embodiments from about 2,000 to about 25,000, and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of, for example, from about 2,000 to about 100,000, in embodiments from about 3,000 to about 80,000, as determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography using polystyrene standards. The molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of the crystalline resin may be, for example, from about 2 to about 6, in embodiments from about 3 to about 4.
In embodiments, toner particles may comprise hybrid styrene-acrylate polyester with beta-carboxyethyl acrylate (also named as 3-(prop-2-enoyloxy)propanoic acid, or b-CEA or β-CEA) styrene-acrylate shell latex for improved particle formation and morphology. In an exemplary embodiment, 1.5 pph β-CEA styrene-acrylate latex may be used in such hybrid toners with styrene-acrylate shells. Such toners may have a core and a shell, wherein the core comprises a first resin comprising a styrene acrylate copolymer, and an amorphous resin, and the shell comprises a second resin comprising in an amount of from about 0.05 pph to about 2.5 pph by weight of the shell. The second resin may also comprise a styrene acrylate copolymer.
Such toners may be prepared by emulsion aggregation (EA). The small amounts of β-CEA (i.e., from about 0.05 pph to about 2.5 pph) present in the shell is beneficial for the EA process helping to improve the resin flow in the toner coalescence. Without the presence of β-CEA in the shell may result in poor toner particle properties with respect to size, the geometric standard deviation (GSD), fines, and coarse. With more than 2.5 pph of β-CEA present in the shell may cause the coalescence process to be too slow for the shell latex resulting in poor toner particle properties, such as a rough and incomplete shell that does not encompass the entire toner particle.
In embodiments, the amount of β-CEA present in the second resin in the shell may be from about 1 pph to about 2 pph, from about 0.3 pph to about 1.7 pph, or from about 0.5 pph to about 1.5 pph by weight of the second resin.
In embodiments, the amount of β-CEA present in the first resin in the core may be from about 0 pph to about 10 pph of β-CEA by weight of the first resin, such as from about 3 pph to about 10 pph, from about 3 pph to about 8 pph, or from about 3 pph to about 5 pph by weight of the first resin. In one embodiment, no β-CEA is present in the first resin. The first resin may contain a lower amount of β-CEA, such as less than 3 pph by weight of the first resin, or having the same β-CEA content as in the second resin, or a higher β-CEA amount than that in the second resin. However, to avoid over spherodization of the core, it may not be desirable to improve the flow of the core latex in the core by lowering the amount of β-CEA present in the core. For example if the Tg and molecular weight of the first resin in the core is relatively low, lower β-CEA in the core may result in overspherodization of the core of the toner for embodiments where a non-spherical toner is desired. The term “spherodization” means that the overall toner particle circularity increases. It is desired that the circularity can be controlled, in embodiments within the range of about 0.93 and about 0.99. However, if the coalescence of the core is too rapid, then the circularity of the toner particle may not be easily controlled as it grows too rapidly. In a production scale, it is desirable that the target circularity of the toner particle to be reached within the time frame of from about 90 minutes to about 4 hours. If the coalescence process is faster than 90 minutes it may be difficult to monitor and stop the circularity increase. On the other hand, if the coalescence process is longer than 4 hours, then toner production throughput may suffer.
In embodiments, the amount of β-CEA in the first resin is higher than the amount of β-CEA in the second resin. In embodiments, the amount of β-CEA in the first resin is lower than the amount of β-CEA in the second resin.
The first and second resins may be the same or different. Illustrative examples of specific polymers for the first and second resins include, for example, poly(styrene-alkyl acrylate), poly(styrene-alkyl methacrylate), poly(styrene-alkyl acrylate-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-alkyl methacrylate-acrylic acid), poly(alkyl methacrylate-alkyl acrylate), poly(alkyl methacrylate-aryl acrylate), poly(aryl methacrylate-alkyl acrylate), poly(alkyl methacrylate-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-alkyl acrylate-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), poly(alkyl acrylate-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), poly(methyl methacrylate-butadiene), poly(ethyl methacrylate-butadiene), poly(propyl methacrylate-butadiene), poly(butyl methacrylate-butadiene), poly(methyl acrylate-butadiene), poly(ethyl acrylate-butadiene), poly(propyl acrylate-butadiene), poly(butyl acrylate-butadiene), poly(styrene-isoprene), poly(methylstyrene-isoprene), poly(methyl methacrylate-isoprene), poly(ethyl methacrylate-isoprene), poly(propyl methacrylate-isoprene), poly(butyl methacrylate-isoprene), poly(methyl acrylate-isoprene), poly(ethyl acrylate-isoprene), poly(propyl acrylate-isoprene), poly(butyl acrylate-isoprene), poly(styrene-propyl acrylate), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-methacrylic acid), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylonitrile), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-1,3-diene), poly(styrene-1,3-diene-acrylic acid), poly (styrene-1,3-diene-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-butadiene), poly(methylstyrene-butadiene), poly (styrene-butadiene-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-butadiene-methacrylic acid), poly(styrene-butadiene-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-methacrylic acid), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylononitrile), poly(styrene-butyl acrylate-acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), poly(styrene-butadiene), poly(styrene-isoprene), poly(styrene-butyl methacrylate), poly(styrene-butyl methacrylate-acrylic acid), poly(butyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate), poly(butyl methacrylate-acrylic acid), poly(acrylonitrile-butyl acrylate-acrylic acid), and mixtures thereof. The alkyl group in the aforementioned polymers may be any alkyl group, and in particular may be a C1-C12 alkyl group, for example including methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl. As the aryl group, any aryl group known in the art may be used.
In embodiments, the first resin and the second resin may be, independently, styrene-alkyl acrylate, more particularly a styrene-butyl acrylate polymer such as a styrene-butyl acrylate polymer.
In embodiments, the first resin and the second resin each include a styrene monomer and an acrylic monomer. In embodiments, the first resin further comprises at least one cross-linker. In embodiments, the second resin further comprises at least one cross-linker.
As used herein, the term “styrene monomer” refers to styrene per se, as well as styrene containing one or more substitutions, such as 3-chlorostyrene, 2,5-dichlorostyrene, 4-bromostyrene, 4-tert-butylstyrene, 4-methoxystyrene and the like.
As used herein, the term “acrylic acid monomer” refers to acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and β-CEA. As used herein, the term “acrylic ester monomer” refers to esters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Acrylic ester monomers include, but are not limited to, butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, propyl acrylate, propyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate. In certain embodiments, the acrylic ester monomer is n-butyl acrylate.
In embodiments, the styrene monomer is present in the core in an amount of from about 30 to about 90, or from about 70 to about 90 weight percent by weight of the core resin.
In embodiments, the acrylic ester monomer is present in the core in an amount of from about 10 to about 70, or from about 10 to about 30 weight percent by weight of the core resin.
In embodiments, the styrene monomer is present in the shell in an amount of from about 30 to about 90, or from about 70 to about 90 weight percent by weight of the shell.
In embodiments, the acrylic ester monomer is present in the shell in an amount of from about 10 to about 70, or from about 10 to about 30 weight percent by weight of the shell.
In embodiments, the first resin includes styrene and n-butyl acrylate.
In embodiments, the second resin includes styrene and n-butyl acrylate.
The first resin may have a mean particle size of from about 100 nm to about 250 nm, from about 100 nm to about 140 nm, from about 140 nm to about 200 nm, or from about 140 to about 250 nm.
The second resin may have a mean particle size of from about 100 nm to about 250 nm, from about 100 nm to about 140 nm, from about 140 nm to about 200 nm, or from about 140 to about 250 nm.
In some embodiments, toner compositions disclosed herein may comprise a coagulant. In some embodiments, the coagulants used in the present process comprise aluminum sulfate, poly metal halides, such as polyaluminum chloride (PAC), or polyaluminum sulfo silicate (PASS). For example, the coagulants provide a final toner having a metal content of, for example, about 400 to about 10,000 parts per million. In another feature, the coagulant comprises a poly aluminum chloride providing a final toner having an aluminum content of about 400 to about 10,000 parts per million.
In embodiments, the toner particles may further comprise a shell, the shell being disposed about the core of the toner particle. The shell may comprise a polyester. The shell may be added to the core.
In embodiments there are provided toner compositions comprising toner particles. In some such embodiments, the toner particles may comprise an emulsion aggregation (EA) toner particle, the EA toner particle comprising a core comprising a resin, a wax, a coagulant and an optional colorant and a shell disposed about the core. Such compositions comprise surface additives disposed on the surface of the EA toner particle.
In embodiments, the wax may be included in the toner particle, such as a paraffin wax. Other waxes may be used within the parameters defined herein. Thus, in embodiments, a wax with appropriate melting properties may be a polymethylene wax, a polyethylene wax, or a Fischer-Tropsch wax. In embodiments, combinations of any of the foregoing waxes may be employed. A wax may be included in the core and/or shell particles of the toner. The wax can include any of the various waxes conventionally used in emulsion aggregation toner compositions. Suitable examples of waxes include polyethylene, polymethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene/amide, polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene, and polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene/amide. Other examples include, for example, polyolefin waxes, such as polyethylene waxes, including linear polyethylene waxes and branched polyethylene waxes, and polypropylene waxes, including linear polypropylene waxes and branched polypropylene waxes; paraffin waxes; Fischer-Tropsch waxes; amine waxes; silicone waxes; mercapto waxes; polyester waxes; urethane waxes; modified polyolefin waxes (e.g., a carboxylic acid-terminated polyethylene wax or a carboxylic acid-terminated polypropylene wax); amide waxes, such as aliphatic polar amide functionalized waxes; aliphatic waxes consisting of esters of hydroxylated unsaturated fatty acids; high acid waxes, such as high acid montan waxes; microcrystalline waxes, such as waxes derived from distillation of crude oil; and the like. By “high acid waxes” it is meant a wax material that has a high acid content. The waxes can be crystalline or non-crystalline, as desired. By “crystalline polymeric waxes” it is meant that a wax material contains an ordered array of polymer chains within a polymer matrix that can be characterized by a crystalline melting point transition temperature, Tm. The crystalline melting temperature is the melting temperature of the crystalline domains of a polymer sample. This is in contrast to the glass transition temperature, Tg, which characterizes the temperature at which polymer chains begin to flow for the amorphous regions within a polymer.
To incorporate the wax into the toner, it is desirable for the wax to be in the form of one or more aqueous emulsions or dispersions of solid wax in water, where the solid wax particle size is usually in the range of from about 100 to about 500 nm.
The toner compositions may contain the wax in any amount of from, for example, about 3 to about 15% by weight of the toner, on a dry basis. For example, the toners can contain from about 5 to about 11% by weight of the wax.
In embodiments, the toner compositions may comprise surface additives comprise a charge control agent and flow aid additives as desired. For example, the toner can include positive or negative charge control agents in any desired or effective amount, in one embodiment in an amount of at least about 0.1 percent by weight of the toner, and in another embodiment at least about 1 percent by weight of the toner, and in one embodiment no more than about 10 percent by weight of the toner, and in another embodiment no more than about 3 percent by weight of the toner. Examples of suitable charge control agents include, but are not limited to, quaternary ammonium compounds inclusive of alkyl pyridinium halides; bisulfates; alkyl pyridinium compounds, including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,672, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference; organic sulfate and sulfonate compositions, including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,390, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference; cetyl pyridinium tetrafluoroborates; distearyl dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; aluminum salts such as BONTRON E84™ or E88™ (Hodogaya Chemical); and the like, as well as mixtures thereof. Such charge control agents can be applied simultaneously with the shell resin described above or after application of the shell resin.
There can also be blended with the toner particles other external additive particles, including flow aid additives, which can be present on the surfaces of the toner particles. Examples of these additives include, but are not limited to, other metal oxides, such as tin oxide; colloidal and amorphous silicas, such as AEROSIL®, metal salts and metal salts of fatty acids including zinc stearate, cerium oxides, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof. Each of these additional external additives can be present in any desired or effective amount, in one embodiment at least about 0.1 percent by weight of the toner, and in another embodiment at least about 0.25 percent by weight of the toner, and in one embodiment no more than about 5 percent by weight of the toner, and in another embodiment no more than about 3 percent by weight of the toner. Suitable additives include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,590,000, 3,800,588, and 6,214,507, the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference. Again, these additives can be applied simultaneously with the shell resin described above or after application of the shell resin.
The toner particles of the present embodiments exhibits a dielectric loss of about 10 to about 45, from about 5 to about 35, or from about 5 to about 60. The toner particles of the present embodiments exhibits a gloss from about 10 ggu to about 60 ggu, from about 20 ggu to about 70 ggu, or from about 30 ggu to about 70 ggu on plain paper. The toner particles of the present embodiments have an average particle size of from about 4 μm to about 10 μm, from about 4 μm to about 7 μm, or from about 4 μm to about 20 μm. The toner particles of the present embodiments have an average circularity of from about 0.93 to about 0.99, from about 0.96 to about 0.98, or from about 0.95 to about 0.99. The toner particles of the present embodiments have a shape factor of from about 120 to about 140, from about 110 to about 130, or from about 105 to about 150. The toner particles of the present embodiments have a volume geometric standard deviation for (D84/D50) in the range of from about 1.15 to about 1.25, from about 1.15 to about 1.30, or from about 1.20 to about 1.25. The toner particles of the present embodiments have a number geometric standard deviation for (D16/D50) in the range of from about 1.15 to about 1.25, from about 1.15 to about 1.30, or from about 1.20 to about 1.25.
In some embodiments, toner particles disclosed herein may be formed in the presence of surfactants. For example, surfactants may be present in a range of from about 0.01 to about 20, or about 0.1 to about 15 weight percent of the reaction mixture. Suitable surfactants include, for example, nonionic surfactants such as dialkylphenoxypoly-(ethyleneoxy) ethanol, available from Rhone-Poulenc as IGEPAL CA-210™, IGEPAL CA-520™, IGEPAL CA-720™, IGEPAL CO-890™, IGEPAL CO-720™, IGEPALCO-290™, IGEPAL CA-210™, ANTAROX 890™ and ANTAROX 897™. In some embodiments, an effective concentration of the nonionic surfactant may be in a range of from about 0.01 percent to about 10 percent by weight, or about 0.1 percent to about 5 percent by weight of the reaction mixture.
Suitable anionic surfactants may include, without limitation sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium dodecylnaphthalene sulfate, dialkyl benzenealkyl, sulfates and sulfonates, adipic acid, available from Aldrich, NEOGEN R™, NEOGEN SC™, available from Kao, Dowfax 2A1 (hexa decyldiphenyloxide disulfonate) and the like, among others. For example, an effective concentration of the anionic surfactant generally employed is, for example, about 0.01 percent to about 10 percent by weight, or about 0.1 percent to about 5 percent by weight of the reaction mixture
In some embodiments, anionic surfactants may be used in conjunction with bases to modulate the pH and hence ionize the aggregate particles thereby providing stability and preventing the aggregates from growing in size. Such bases can be selected from sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide and the like, among others.
Examples of additional surfactants, which may be added optionally to the aggregate suspension prior to or during the coalescence to, for example, prevent the aggregates from growing in size, or for stabilizing the aggregate size, with increasing temperature can be selected from anionic surfactants such as sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium dodecylnaphthalene sulfate, dialkyl benzenealkyl, sulfates and sulfonates, adipic acid, available from Aldrich, NEOGEN R™, NEOGEN SC™ available from Kao, and the like, among others. These surfactants can also be selected from nonionic surfactants such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, methalose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, propyl cellulose, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, carboxy methyl cellulose, polyoxyethylene cetyl ether, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene octyl ether, polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether, dialkylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol, available from Rhone-Poulenac as IGEPAL CA-210™, IGEPAL CA-520™, IGEPAL CA-720™, IGEPAL CO-890™, IGEPAL CO-720™, IGEPAL CO-290™, IGEPAL CA-210™, ANTAROX 890™ and ANTAROX 897™. For example, an effective amount of the anionic or nonionic surfactant generally employed as an aggregate size stabilization agent is, for example, about 0.01 percent to about 10 percent or about 0.1 percent to about 5 percent, by weight of the reaction mixture.
In some embodiments acids that may be utilized in conjunction with surfactants to modulate pH. Acid may include, for example, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, citric acid, trifluoroacetic acid, succinic acid, salicylic acid and the like, and which acids are in embodiments utilized in a diluted form in the range of about 0.5 to about 10 weight percent by weight of water or in the range of about 0.7 to about 5 weight percent by weight of water.
Toner compositions disclosed herein may further comprise a pigment or colorant. In such embodiments, the activated carbon would be provided in immobilized form, such as impregnated on an inner surface of the toner cartridge. Colorants or pigments as used herein include pigment, dye, mixtures of pigment and dye, mixtures of pigments, mixtures of dyes, and the like. For simplicity, the term “colorant” as used herein is meant to encompass such colorants, dyes, pigments, and mixtures, unless specified as a particular pigment or other colorant component. In embodiments, the colorant comprises a pigment, a dye, mixtures thereof, carbon black, magnetite, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, red, green, blue, brown, mixtures thereof, in an amount of about 1% to about 25% by weight based upon the total weight of the composition. It is to be understood that other useful colorants will become readily apparent to one of skill in the art based on the present disclosures.
In general, useful colorants include, but are not limited to, Paliogen Violet 5100 and 5890 (BASF), Normandy Magenta RD-2400 (Paul Uhlrich), Permanent Violet VT2645 (Paul Uhlrich), Heliogen Green L8730 (BASF), Argyle Green XP-111-S (Paul Uhlrich), Brilliant Green Toner GR 0991 (Paul Uhlrich), Lithol Scarlet D3700 (BASF), Toluidine Red (Aldrich), Scarlet for Thermoplast NSD Red (Aldrich), Lithol Rubine Toner (Paul Uhlrich), Lithol Scarlet 4440, NBD 3700 (BASF), Bon Red C (Dominion Color), Royal Brilliant Red RD-8192 (Paul Uhlrich), Oracet Pink RF (Ciba Geigy), Paliogen Red 3340 and 3871 K (BASF), Lithol Fast Scarlet L4300 (BASF), Heliogen Blue D6840, D7080, K7090, K6910 and L7020 (BASF), Sudan Blue OS (BASF), Neopen Blue FF4012 (BASF), PV Fast Blue B2G01 (American Hoechst), Irgalite Blue BCA (Ciba Geigy), Paliogen Blue 6470 (BASF), Sudan II, III and IV (Matheson, Coleman, Bell), Sudan Orange (Aldrich), Sudan Orange 220 (BASF), Paliogen Orange 3040 (BASF), Ortho Orange OR 2673 (Paul Uhlrich), Paliogen Yellow 152 and 1560 (BASF), Lithol Fast Yellow 0991 K (BASF), Paliotol Yellow 1840 (BASF), Novaperm Yellow FGL (Hoechst), Permanerit Yellow YE 0305 (Paul Uhlrich), Lumogen Yellow D0790 (BASF), Suco-Gelb 1250 (BASF), Suco-Yellow D1355 (BASF), Suco Fast Yellow D1165, D1355 and D1351 (BASF), Hostaperm Pink E (Hoechst), Fanal Pink D4830 (BASF), Cinquasia Magenta (DuPont), Paliogen Black L9984 9BASF), Pigment Black K801 (BASF) and particularly carbon blacks such as REGAL 330□ (Cabot), Carbon Black 5250 and 5750 (Columbian Chemicals), and the like or mixtures thereof.
Additional useful colorants include pigments in water based dispersions such as those commercially available from Sun Chemical, for example SUNSPERSE BHD 6011X (Blue 15 Type), SUNSPERSE BHD 9312X (Pigment Blue 15 74160), SUNSPERSE BHD 6000X (Pigment Blue 15:3 74160), SUNSPERSE GHD 9600X and GHD 6004X (Pigment Green 7 74260), SUNSPERSE QHD 6040X (Pigment Red 122 73915), SUNSPERSE RHD 9668X (Pigment Red 185 12516), SUNSPERSE RHD 9365X and 9504X (Pigment Red 57 15850:1, SUNSPERSE YHD 6005X (Pigment Yellow 83 21108), FLEXIVERSE YFD 4249 (Pigment Yellow 17 21105), SUNSPERSE YHD 6020X and 6045X (Pigment Yellow 74 11741), SUNSPERSE YHD 600X and 9604X (Pigment Yellow 14 21095), FLEXIVERSE LFD 4343 and LFD 9736 (Pigment Black 7 77226) and the like or mixtures thereof. Other useful water based colorant dispersions include those commercially available from Clariant, for example, HOSTAFINE Yellow GR, HOSTAFINE Black T and Black TS, HOSTAFINE Blue B2G, HOSTAFINE Rubine F6B and magenta dry pigment such as Toner Magenta 6BVP2213 and Toner Magenta EO2 which can be dispersed in water and/or surfactant prior to use.
Other useful colorants include, for example, magnetites, such as Mobay magnetites MO8029, MO8960; Columbian magnetites, MAPICO BLACKS and surface treated magnetites; Pfizer magnetites CB4799, CB5300, CB5600, MCX6369; Bayer magnetites, BAYFERROX 8600, 8610; Northern Pigments magnetites, NP-604, NP-608; Magnox magnetites TMB-100 or TMB-104; and the like or mixtures thereof. Specific additional examples of pigments include phthalocyanine HELIOGEN BLUE L6900, D6840, D7080, D7020, PYLAM OIL BLUE, PYLAM OIL YELLOW, PIGMENT BLUE 1 available from Paul Uhlrich & Company, Inc., PIGMENT VIOLET 1, PIGMENT RED 48, LEMON CHROME YELLOW DCC 1026, E.D. TOLUIDINE RED and BON RED C available from Dominion Color Corporation, Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, NOVAPERM YELLOW FGL, HOSTAPERM PINK E from Hoechst, and CINQUASIA MAGENTA available from E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, and the like. Examples of magentas include, for example, 2,9-dimethyl substituted quinacridone and anthraquinone dye identified in the Color Index as CI 60710, CI Dispersed Red 15, diazo dye identified in the Color Index as CI 26050, CI Solvent Red 19, and the like or mixtures thereof. Illustrative examples of cyans include copper tetra(octadecyl sulfonamide) phthalocyanine, x-copper phthalocyanine pigment listed in the Color Index as CI74160, CI Pigment Blue, and Anthrathrene Blue identified in the Color Index as DI 69810, Special Blue X-2137, and the like or mixtures thereof. Illustrative examples of yellows that may be selected include diarylide yellow 3,3-dichlorobenzidene acetoacetanilides, a monoazo pigment identified in the Color Index as CI 12700, CI Solvent Yellow 16, a nitrophenyl amine sulfonamide identified in the Color Index as Foron Yellow SE/GLN, CI Dispersed Yellow 33 2,5-dimethoxy-4-sulfonanilide phenylazo-4′-chloro-2,4-dimethoxy acetoacetanilide, and Permanent Yellow FGL. Colored magnetites, such as mixtures of MAPICOBLACK and cyan components may also be selected as pigments.
The following Examples are being submitted to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure. These Examples are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Also, parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, “room temperature” refers to a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 25° C.
This Examples shows the feasibility of reducing the initial toluene release from a toner cartridge.
A test print cartridge contained approximately 240 grams of magnetic carrier particles (source of VOC toluene from washing) having a size of about 42 microns. The cartridge had around 25 grams of carbon toner of a diameter of about 5.5 microns. Approximately 5 grams of activated carbon was added to the toner sump. The activated carbon had a particle size of around 50 microns and an estimated surface area of about 1,000 m2/g. An operational test was performed just after addition of the activated carbon. The xerographic apparatus was run over two 500 sheet runs monitoring the VOC output. A cartridge with and without activated carbon was used. The results are summarized in Table 1 below as toluene peak at varying times.
The results indicate a reduction of VOC's of around 70% for the cartridge containing about 5 grams of activated carbon compared to a package without treatment.
