Biobased-Chemical Toner Prepared from Palm oil Derivatives

Abstract

One of major challenge in bio-toner making was how to increase the amount of bio content. Palm oil based alkyd polyester was synthesized through step growth polymerization, mixed with styrene monomer (Sty) and butyl-acrylate (Ac) as co-monomer to produce the hybrid latex. Different levels of alkyd polyester incorporation were studied. Flocculation process was carried out using the hybrid latex with different alkyd resin percentage mixed with other additives like coagulant, wax, charge control agent, and pigment to produce bio-chemical toner, Palmotone™ CPT. The increasing intensity of OH stretching peak from pure Sty-Ac latex (standard) to highest alkyd polyester containing latex showed alkyd resin was well incorporated into styrene acrylic system. Besides, bio-based content analysis (ASTM D6866) revealed that percentage of renewable carbon to total carbon is increasing when alkyd polyester level increased. In addition, it was proven in this paper that the desirable properties in chemical toners are still achievable with the usage of palm oil based alkyd polyester. Furthermore, incorporation of bio-based materials will create a great versatility and hence serves various requirements in chemical toner applications, covering wide range of printers and copiers in the market. Higher level of incorporation is still under further study.