The branched copolyester was synthesized and its molecular weight, Tg, 1/2 method temperature (T1/2) and rheological properties were characterized for the application of toner binder. The linear copolyester had low molecular weight and melt elasticity obtained by dimethylterephthalate (DMT), ethylene glycol (EG) and 2,2-bis(4-(2-hydroxypropoxy) phenyl)propane (HPP). The branched copolyesters prepared with various branching agents such as 2- (hydroxymethyl)-2-ethylpropane-1,3-diol (trimethylol propane, TMP), 2,2-bi(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (pentaerythritol, PER), 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic anhydride (trimellitic anhydride, TMA) and glycerol to improve the physical properties of the linear copolyester. The effect of branching agents on the molecular weight and melt elasticity of the branched copolyester was examined. The branched copolyesters prepared by adding over 15 mol% of branching agent showed relatively high molecular weight and melt elasticity, and T1/2 value of 140 ℃. Therefore, the highly branched copolyesters were deemed suitable as a hot-melt toner of laser print process.

분지화된 폴리에스테르계 공중합체를 제조하고, 공중합체의 분자량, 용융점도, Tg, 1/2 method temperature(T1/2) 및 레올로지 특성을 고찰하여 레이저 프린터 토너 바인더로의 적용을 검토하였다. 디메틸테레프탈레이트(DMT), 에틸렌글리콜(EG), 2,2-bis(4-(2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl)propane(HPP)으로 제조한 선형공중합체는 분자량이 낮고, 용융탄성이 낮아 이를 개선하기 위하여 분지제로 3 또는 4 관능기를 가진 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-ethylpropane-1,3-diol(trimethylol propane, TMP), 2,2-bi(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol(pentaerythritol, PER), 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic anhydride(trimellitic anhydride, TMA), 글리세롤 등을 첨가하여 분지화된 공중합체를 제조하였다. 분지제의 함량과 종류에 따른 열적, 레올로지 특성을 고찰하였다. 분지제의 함량이 15 mol% 이상 첨가한 공중합체는 140 ℃ 정도의 T1/2 값을 가지고, 높은 분자량과 용융탄성을 나타내어 토너를 융착 인쇄하는 레이저 프린터의 핫멜트 토너로서 적당하였다.

Keywords: hot-melt toner; melt elasticity; branched copolyester; branching agents; chain-entanglement.