Publication Date
8-2006
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Eric Fossum, Ph.D. (Thesis Director); Daniel Ketcha, Ph.D. (Committee Member); Kennteh Turnbull, Ph.D. (Committee Member); Raoug Botros, Ph.D. (Committee Member); and Joseph F. Thomas, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
Commercially available polyethyleneimines varying in molecular weights and viscosities were synthetically modified in order to increase their hydrophobicity when dissolved in water. Used as additives for inkjet industry inks, these polymers have been designed to promote interaction between formulated inks and paper, while increasing the water-fastness of these water-soluble inks once they are dried on bond paper. Waterfastness, the ability of an ink to maintain print integrity once it becomes wet, as well as optical density, solubility, pH, molecular weight, polydispersity and viscosity are amongst the characteristics analyzed. The modifications of these polyethyleneimines (PEis) with alkyl bromides and alkyl epoxides have occurred to various percentages. The work undertaken has also sought to develop a fundamental understanding of the interactions of various additives with the surface of paper, as well as dye molecules. It is the ultimate objective of this project to make inkjet industry prints look like and have the qualities of offset prints such as laser copier prints, posters, pigment-based prints and wallpaper. Initial experiments have allowed the search range of modified PEis to be narrowed in hopes to eventually lead to the production of the ideal polymer ink additive for inkjet ink systems.
Page Count
66
Department or Program
Chemistry
Year Degree Awarded
2006
