Ink-Jet Printing of High-Molecular-Weight Polymers in Oil-in-Water Emulsions

Johns, Ashley S.; Bain, Colin D.

Abstract

Ink-jet printing of high-molecular-weight polymers is inhibited by the extensional elasticity of the polymer chains. This article describes how emulsions can be used to print high-molecular-weight polymers at much higher concentrations than is possible in a binary solution. The polymers are dissolved in the dispersed phase of an oil-in-water emulsion. The surface tension of the oil–water interface opposes deformation of the oil droplets during ejection from the nozzle and leads to the extensional strain occurring in the polymer-free continuous phase. We show that a solution of polystyrene (PS) (Mn = 419 kDa, polydispersity index = 1.21) can be printed at an overall concentration of 3.8 wt % in a sodium dodecyl sulfate-stabilized emulsion of methyl benzoate in water, an order of magnitude higher in concentration than previously reported for PS dissolved in binary solutions [Hoath, S. D., Harlen, O. G., and Hutchings, I. M. J. Rheol. 2012, 56 (5), 1109–1127]. Factors influencing the formulation of emulsions for ink-jet printing of polymers are discussed.

Citation

Johns, A. S., & Bain, C. D. (2017). Ink-Jet Printing of High-Molecular-Weight Polymers in Oil-in-Water Emulsions. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 9(27), 22918-22926. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b04454

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 15, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Jun 27, 2017
• Publication Date: Jun 27, 2017
• Deposit Date: Aug 10, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 27, 2018
• Journal: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
• Print ISSN: 1944-8244
• Electronic ISSN: 1944-8252
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 27
• Pages: 22918-22926
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b04454
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1371452