Abstract: A process for making a latex emulsion suitable for use in a toner composition includes contacting a resin with a solid neutralizing agent in the absence of an organic solvent to form a mixture either via a co-feeding process or a pre-blend mixture, and adding a solid or aqueous surfactant to the pre-blend mixture or prior to melt mixing the mixture.

Abstract: Pyrophoric nanoparticles and methods of producing the same are provided herein. An exemplary method of producing pyrophoric nanoparticles can include providing a first aqueous solution comprising at least one metal salt and an aliphatic polyether; providing a second solution comprising a metal hydride reducing agent; continuously combining the first and second solutions to produce nanoparticles in a liquid phase; separating the nanoparticles from the liquid phase; and drying the nanoparticles to form pyrophoric nanoparticles. The pyrophoric nanoparticles can have a diameter ranging from about 1 nm to about 50 nm.

Abstract: Solvent-free extrusion processes are disclosed that are suitable for forming high bio-based polyester latexes that may be utilized in forming a toner, as well as other commercial products.

Abstract: A process for making a latex emulsion suitable for use in a toner composition includes contacting at least one amorphous polyester resin with an organic solvent to form a resin mixture, adding a neutralizing agent, and deionized water to the resin mixture, removing the solvent from the formed latex, separating the solvent from water, and recycling the solvent from the resin mixture for utilization in a subsequent phase inversion emulsion process.

Abstract: A phase change composition including at least one crystalline polyester and at least one acrylate monomer. Examples of suitable crystalline polyesters include aliphatic crystalline polyesters and polylactones. A method of making the phase change composition, and a method for applying the phase change composition to a substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing a photochromic polyester, the method including: a) providing a reaction solution having at least one ester monomer, a photochromic compound having or functionalized to have at least one hydroxyl group, and a metal-free catalyst; b) reacting the at least one ester monomer and the photochromic compound using the metal-free catalyst to produce a polymeric product, where the polymeric product has a photochromic polyester; and c) separating the polymeric product from the reaction solution. A photochromic polyester includes a photochromic compound covalently linked to a polyester and the polyester is obtained by polymerizing a lactone.

Abstract: Various solvent-assisted extrusion processes are disclosed that are suitable for forming high yield, low coarse content, polyester latexes that may be utilized in forming a toner.

Abstract: An enzymatic polymerization method of covalently linking a colorant to a polyester to produce a colorant-polyester compound, the method including the steps of: (a) providing a reaction solution comprised of an ester monomer, a colorant having or functionalized to have a hydroxyl group, and an enzymatic catalyst; (b) reacting the ester monomer and the colorant using the enzymatic catalyst to produce a polymeric product, wherein the polymeric product includes a colorant-polyester compound; and (c) separating the polymeric product from the reaction solution. A colorant-polyester compound includes a colorant covalently linked to a polyester and the polyester is obtained by polymerizing a lactone.

Abstract: Toners are provided, which possess low melt properties capable of producing a low gloss finish. The toners include a core and a shell. The shell includes a crystalline resin. The core may include at least one amorphous resin, an optional crystalline resin, an optional wax, and an optional colorant.

Abstract: Described is a continuous process for preparing nanodispersions including providing a composition comprising a liquid and a solute; heating the composition to dissolution of the solute to form a solution comprising the solute dissolved in the liquid; directing the heated solution through a continuous tube wherein the continuous tube has a first end for receiving the solution, a continuous flow-through passageway disposed in an ultrasonic heat exchanger, and a second end for discharging a product stream; treating the heated solution as the solution passes through the continuous flow-through passageway disposed in the ultrasonic heat exchanger to form the product stream comprising nanometer size particles in the liquid; optionally, collecting the product stream in a product receiving vessel; and optionally, filtering the product stream.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there is a method of making a polyester. The method can include providing a monomer solution, the monomer solution including one or more cyclic esters in a concentration ranging from about 1 to about 100% and one or more solvents in a concentration ranging from about 99% to about 0%. The method of making a polyester can also include providing a packed-bed reactor including one or more immobilized enzymes, wherein the packed-bed reactor has an inlet and an outlet. The method can further include circulating the monomer solution through the packed-bed reactor to generate a solution enriched with polyester, such that the one or more immobilized enzymes convert the one or more cyclic esters to polyester in the packed-bed reactor during circulation and collecting the solution enriched with polyester exiting through the outlet.

Abstract: Various solvent-assisted extrusion processes are disclosed that are suitable for forming high yield, low coarse content, polyester latexes that may be utilized in forming a toner.

Abstract: A screw extruder is presented including a feed hopper for receiving materials and a body member having at least one supply port and at least one outlet port. The screw extruder also includes a screw positioned within the body member and movable along a channel defining a longitudinal axis. The screw extruder further includes a drive shaft for rotatably driving the screw along the channel. The screw extruder may be configured to mix the materials received via the feed hopper with a series of one or more forward, neutral, and reverse kneading elements.

Abstract: A process for making a latex emulsion suitable for use in a toner composition includes contacting at least one amorphous polyester resin with an organic solvent to form a resin mixture, adding a neutralizing agent, and deionized water to the resin mixture, removing the solvent from the formed latex, separating the solvent from water, and recycling the solvent from the resin mixture for utilization in a subsequent phase inversion emulsion process.

Abstract: A process for making a latex emulsion suitable for use in a toner composition includes contacting at least one polyester resin optionally with an organic solvent to form a resin mixture, adding a primary amine, optionally a surfactant, and deionized water to the mixture.

Abstract: A process for making a latex emulsion suitable for use in a toner composition includes contacting at least one amorphous polyester resin with a viscosity reducing additive in the absence of an organic solvent to form a resin mixture either via an extruder or batch process, and adding a surfactant, neutralizing agent, and deionized water to the resin mixture.

Abstract: A method of making toner particles, including: mixing, at less than about 17° C. and without homogenizing, a resin emulsion with a coagulant, a colorant, an optional wax, and optional additives, to form pre-aggregated particles in a slurry; heating the slurry to form aggregated toner particles; freezing aggregation of the particles in the slurry once at a desired aggregated particle size; and further heating the aggregated particles in the slurry to coalesce the aggregated particles into toner particles.

Abstract: A method of making toner particles, including: mixing, at less than about 17° C. and without homogenizing, a resin emulsion with a coagulant, a colorant, an optional wax, and optional additives, to form pre-aggregated particles in a slurry; heating the slurry to form aggregated toner particles; freezing aggregation of the particles in the slurry once at a desired aggregated particle size; and further heating the aggregated particles in the slurry to coalesce the aggregated particles into toner particles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a macro-photoinitiator comprising a photoinitiator covalently bound to a polymer. Also disclosed herein is a process for the enzymatic polymerization of monomers and photoinitiators performed at atmospheric pressure and relatively low temperatures to form the macro-photoinitiator.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for enzymatic polymerization to produce polyester resins suitable for use in manufacturing toners. In embodiments, crystalline copolymers, which are polyesters, may be synthesized from lactones, cyclic anhydrides, cyclic carbonates, and combinations thereof. These crystalline copolymers, in turn, may be utilized in the synthesis of toner particles.