Synchrotron X-ray Microtomography: A New Tool to Characterize the Interaction Between Paper and Toner

Abstract

The interaction between paper and toner depends on paper properties (roughness, paper surface, and tension) and toner properties (granulometry and chemical composition). Deepening the knowledge on fixation and adhesion of toner onto the paper substrate is crucial to improve the end-use properties of paper dedicated to electrophotographic printing. The aim of this article is to introduce and describe a new tool to visualize and analyze this interaction. Three-dimensional (3D) imaging is a key tool used to investigate such a phenomenon. For this reason, synchrotron x-ray microtomography (SXRM) was applied to characterize the toner-paper interaction in a noninvasive and nondestructive manner. To validate the feasibility of such means in a 3D context, the obtained data are compared to those obtained by traditional two-dimensional (2D) imaging systems such as optical profilometry and environmental scanning electron microscopy. SXRM emerges as a crucial tool to get a detailed characterization of the ink layer and of the ink-paper interaction. This is a powerful technique to complete studies carried out by classical means.