o Marker Pen Chemistry

“What does a marker pen consist of?”

“How does a marker pen work?”
Introduction: Marker Pen
 Def’n: a pen which has its
own ink-source, and has usually
a tip made of a porous, pressed
fibers; such as felt or nylon.

Invented by Sidney Rosenthal

in 1953

M. Pen predecessors: Inks &

dyes from different colored
juices of plants and animal
extracts

Img src: http://www.ehow.com/how_6068660_fix-felt-tip-pens.html

TRIVIA: What is the common name for this compound
which Greeks and Egyptians use to make red ink?

Clue: It is formed when iron combines readily with oxygen. Fe2O3

Img src: http://www.cavemanrocketry.com/metaalpowder_cid153.html?

cPath=153&language=en
 Marker Pen Composition

 airtight plastic tube (impermeable by air)

 long stick of porous material (soaked in ink)
 marker pen ink:
- colorant
- solvent
- resin
Colorant

 The colorant is the dye or

pigment which gives the ink color
- dyes are water soluble
- pigments are generally
insoluble in water or non-polar
solvents

Img_src:http://www.sha
mimco.net/pigment
%20dye.html
 ethanol

 Solvent- liquid carrier that

dissolves and transports ink
colorant and ink resin through
isopropanol the porous material.

 Before, xylene and toluene

were used as solvents.
Nowadays, the solvent of
choice is either ethanol or
isopropanol.

Solvent
 Resin
 A resin is a glue-like polymer which
ensures that ink colorant "sticks" to the
surface once the solvent evaporates.

 A polymer is a very high molecular-
weight compound made up of a large
number of simpler molecules
called monomers.

While ink resin is naturally "sticky," the Example of resin

ink solvent keeps it free and fluid inside
the porous material.

Img src: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pine_resin.jpg

TRIVIA: Ethanol and isopropanol both belong to what
common functional group?

Img src: http://www.nano-reef.com/corals/?

coral=3
Applications:
* Permanent Marker
-hydrophobic. The resin used
is very non-polar, thus the
ink doesn’t dissolve in water.

* Non-permanent Marker
-It uses a resin which is
readily dissolved in water.

* Highlighter
-uses “fluorescent colorant”
Img_src:http://newdaiso.en.m -It is a type of marker pen
ade-in- with a colorant having a
china.com/product/AMexoNy fluorescent color.
TbphL/China-Fluorescent-
Marker-Highlighters-
Precautions/ Warnings:

 Disposal of excess ink by manufacturers causes

environmental threats.

 They should not be burned because hazardous products will

form, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur
oxides, amines and oxides of nitrogen.

 Xylene and toluene can result in mild headaches to loss of

consciousness when constantly inhaled.

 For permanent marker removal: Alcohol, deodorant, baking

soda, vinegar, toothpaste, detergent, etc can be used.
 o Sources from the Web
 http://www.ehow.com/about_5070622_contained-per
manent-marker.html
 http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/
marker
 http://www.ehow.com/list_6701233_permanent-mark
er-ingredients.html
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felt-tip_pen