Toner production by in situ emulsion polymerization: Investigation of the effect of reaction temperature and stirrer speed

Afshari, Marzieh; Najafi, Mohsen; Ataeefard, Maryam

Toner production by in situ emulsion polymerization: Investigation of the effect of reaction temperature and stirrer speed

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

Marzieh Afshari ¹

Mohsen Najafi ²

Maryam Ataeefard ³

¹ Department of Polymer Engineering, Qom University of Technology, Qom, Iran

² Department of Polymer Engineering, Qom University of Technology, Qom, Iran,

³ Department of Printing Science and Technology, Institute for Color Science and Technology, Tehran, Ira

Abstract

Abstract

Research subject: In recent years, toner-based printers have found many applications for ease of use, economical, high speed and quality. Therefore, many attempts have been made to produce toner by various methods such as suspension polymerization and emulsion aggregation. But in all these methods, despite the proper color properties and particle size, the reaction conversion is low.

Research approach: In the present study, in situ emulsion polymerization method based on styrene and butyl acrylate monomers in the presence of carbon black has been used to produce toner with a conversion above 75%. In this regard, the effect of polymerization reaction temperature and stirrer speed on conversion at different times, particle size and particle size distribution, thermal and color properties of the final product were investigated. Color measurement was performed to evaluate the color characteristics. Also, the microstructure of the synthesized toners was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy.

Main results: The results show that in situ emulsion polymerization method while having the proper conversion of the reaction in the range of 75-90% is well able to create the suitable color characteristics and particle size distribution for the toner. All toners produced had a particle size distribution and a spherical shape that was unaffected by the reaction temperature and stirrer speed. By increasing the polymerization temperature from 70℃ to 80℃, resulted in a higher conversion, but the increase in stirrer speed had a dual effect on the conversion. Sticking of spherical particles with each other was observed by increasing the temperature to 90℃. The sudden addition of a monomers to the reaction media and using batch process resulted in the observation of two glass transition temperatures. This type of toner synthesis can be a guide for future research to produce toner with the highest conversion.

Keywords

Electrophotographic Toner

Carbon black

In-situ emulsion polymerization

Polymerization temperature

Stirrer speed

Color properties

Subjects

Polymerization Enginireeng

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