Generation of inkjet droplet of suspension in polymer solution

Abstract

In the present study the generation of inkjet drops of suspensions of spherical particles in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solution in 1-heptanol is investigated experimentally. The particle size was 2 mu m and the particle volume fraction was in the range of 0-0.18. The molecular weight of PVP was 1,300 kg/mol and the concentration was 0-4,000 ppm. The diffusive wave spectroscopy measurement shows that the PVP solution has a weak elasticity. The extensional viscosity measurement reveals that both the polymer solution and the suspension show strain hardening behavior. The jetting experiments show that the drop velocity of the suspension is larger than that of the polymer solution without particles. The difference in drop velocity is ascribed to the combined effect of the extensional viscosity and shear viscosity. The drop size of the suspension is larger than the drop size of the polymer solution without particles at the same driving voltage even though the viscosity of the suspension is larger. This difference is ascribed to the change in the free surface shape near the nozzle exit due to the viscosity difference and the increased inertial term due to the density increase by the addition of particles. Because the surface tensions of the fluids tested here are the same, the effect of surface tension force cannot be examined even though the force analysis shows that the surface tension force is larger than the other forces such as extensional and convective forces.