Alternative Printer Ink

AN INVESTIGATIVE STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF COCONUT SHELL
(Cocos nucifera) CHARCOAL AS A SOLUTE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN

ALTERNATIVE FOR PRINTER INK
A Research Paper
Presented to the Faculty of
Mary’s Child Science Oriented School
Daraga, Albay
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for
Research/Capstone Project
By
BRIONES, ALEXIA DANIELLE A.
BUENDIA, DOMINIC CARLO O.
DEDUQUE, GIAN LEMUEL D.
LEE, WILLIAM CHARLES A.
April 2023
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ABSTRACT
Title: COCONUT SHELL (Cocos Nucifera) CHARCOAL-

ALTERNATIVE PRINTER INK
Authors: Alexia Danielle Briones

Dominic Carlo Buendia
Gian Lemuel Deduque
William Charles Lee
Type of Document: Unpublished Research Paper

Accrediting Institution Mary’s Child Science Oriented School
Daraga, Albay
Year: March 2023
Summary:
The goal of this study is to develop an alternative printer ink made of coconut charcoal that
addresses the high cost of commercially available printer ink and offers an accessible, reliable
method for making homemade printer ink. It does this by using an experimental and qualitative
approach with the aid of scientific methodology. Through a series of trials that took into account
boldness, opacity, and structural effectiveness, the mixture's efficacy was ascertained. In order to
confirm the acceptance of the alternative printer ink, surveys were also undertaken. Using the
aforementioned criteria, the respondents examined and evaluated the product positively, ranking
it as satisfactory with a percentage of 71.4%. The respondents agreed with the ideas and issues
surrounding the use of the product and reported a high possibility of advocating creating Charcoal-
Alternative Printer Ink.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
CHAPTER 1: THE PROBLEM 3
Introduction 3
Statement of the Problem 11
Formulation of Hypothesis 11
Significance of the Study 12
Scope and Delimitations 13
Definition of Terms 14
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED 18
LITERATURE AND STUDIES
Related Literature 18
Related Studies 24
Theoretical Framework 26
CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 28
Research Design 28
Data Gathering Procedures 28
Materials 35
Statistical Treatment 46
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CHAPTER IV: COCONUT SHELL (COCOS NUCIFERA) 47

CHARCOAL-ALTERNATIVE INK
Effectiveness of the Charcoal-Alternative 47

Printer Ink
Viability of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer

47
Ink in comparison to commercialized printer
Boldness 52
Opacity 53
Structure 53
Effect of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer 53

Ink on a Printer
Acceptability Level for the Charcoal Alternative 56

Printer Ink
CHAPTER V: SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, 60

AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary 60
Findings 61
Conclusion 62
Recommendations 62
Bibliography 64
Appendices 77
Appendix A 78
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Evaluation Rating Sheets 79
Appendix B 84
Equipment and Materials Used (Documentation) 85
Appendix C 86
Data Gathering Procedures (Documentation) 87
Appendix D 109
Results of Each Trial (Documentation) 110
Curriculum Vitae 114

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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The development of the printer has a significant history, dating back to the mid-1400s with
the invention of the Gutenberg Press and up to the mid-1900s with Remington-Rand's creation of
the first modern printer. Since then, the use of printers has been a necessity in schools, workplaces,
and even households. These modern printers function by converting digital images and texts into
physical copies through the use of a built-in driver or specialist software that has been created to
translate a file into a language that the printer can comprehend; subsequently, a collection of tiny
dots is used to replicate the image or text on the page. The popularity of inkjet printers grew
because of their ability to print in color. These printers are often used to print high-quality images,
scan documents, and photocopy files.
The use of printers is a convenience to the community as it provides physical copies of
documentation and information created digitally. The value of having information written down
on paper becomes more prevalent as society advances into the twenty-first century, where every
piece of data is recorded and documented. According to an article written by Len Amorada (2022),
students perform better in terms of both comprehension and retention when material is presented
in print. Through the use of print, learning becomes more accessible and engaging for students.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic forcing students to shift into online learning, the use of print
remains relevant in a broad array of classroom settings, with schools and teachers utilizing such
devices as they provide an affordable, low-maintenance, and high-quality method of distributing
work at a fast rate. “As print technologies evolve, it’s important to evaluate the diverse printing
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needs of every classroom and choose printers that will help learners foster creative and critical
thinking skills,” Ed Bonoan, General Manager, Marketing Division at Epson Philippines, tells
Amorada. According to RJ Young (2021), print is a tangible medium that still produces excellent
results for businesses that use it to expand their customer base, proving to be beneficial in corporate
settings as well. Printing technology has also continued to advance and adapt to an ever-changing
environment, despite the increase in new and advanced technologies over the years. Even in the
digital age, where nearly every piece of data and documentation is encoded, printing still proves
to have an enormous benefit in the modern era.
There are a variety of different models of printers, each with its own purpose and
specialization. Hunter Fenollol (2022) states that inkjet printers, printers that utilize ink to print,
are much more common and popular among households than laser printers because they’re
smaller, more affordable, and create richer graphics and color photos. Inkjet printers make use of
small nozzles to discharge the ink from their respective cartridges directly onto the paper.
Compared to the toner cartridges that laser printers use, ink cartridges are much more expensive.
Ink is also used passively for printer maintenance, resulting in the need to replace these ink
cartridges frequently.
Having to purchase new refills frequently is costly, especially in a work environment where
a printer is most often used. Lakisha Davis (2021) states in her article that printer ink is one of the
most expensive liquids in the world, with ink cartridges in the Philippines ranging from ₱275.00
to ₱8,000.00 according to the official Silicon Valley website as of 2022. Lakisha Davis explains
that the reason printer ink is so expensive is because of patents. Patents are a type of intellectual
property that ensures that a person or company can have a monopoly on their innovation for a
certain amount of time without having to worry about competition undercutting them with lower
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prices. This means that they have an exclusive right to an original idea or invention and its
production or distribution.
As it is said, the already high cost of printer ink will continue to increase in price as of 2022
due to the global shortage of raw materials and the increasing demand for supplies and fuel.
According to a statistic by the International Data Corporation (2022), the Philippine printer market
recorded a 9.8% year-on-year and 5.2% quarter-on-quarter growth in the first quarter of 2022. This
statistic proves that despite the ongoing challenges with the global shortage of resources and the
current struggle of financially adjusting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for printer
ink from consumers in the Philippines continues to rise throughout the years, which has become
more prevalent at present where the use of modular learning is utilized in several schools and with
the rise of modern technology in the country. An article by CNN Philippines (2022) states that the
Philippines has placed 56th out of 63 countries in the 2022 International Institute for Management
Development (IMD) World Digital Competitiveness Ranking, which is an improvement from its
58th placing last year. This shows that despite its low ranking in the development of modern
technology, the country continues to improve and advance throughout the years. Proving that the
use of digital devices and modern technology, such as printers, steadily becomes more widespread
within households and work forces in the country.
Despite the high demand for printer ink and its importance in school and corporate settings,
printing costs continue to rise. This could prove challenging for schools and teachers that utilize
these printers to print countless sheets of paper every day. As reported in a statistic by Ryan
McHugh (2022), a typical school will use an average of 2,000 sheets per day. A full school year
in the Philippines consists of 200 to 220 class days in accordance with Republic Act 11480, an act
amending Section 3 of RA No. 7797, otherwise known as “An Act to Lengthen the School
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Calendar from Two Hundred (200) Days to Not More Than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class
Days.” As stated, DepEd announces that the school year 2022-2023 shall consist of 203 days,
meaning that 406,000 sheets of paper will be consumed per school within the year that this research
paper will be published. With roughly 60,750 educational institutions in the Philippines, this would
mean that all of these schools together would be consuming around 24.6 billion sheets of paper a
year, with bond paper prices ranging from ₱168.00 to ₱2,852.00 per pack.
According to an article by PCMag (2009) and Rob Errera (2019), a standard ink cartridge
containing 11 mL of ink can print an average of 220 pages, while a high-capacity ink cartridge
containing 16 mL of ink can print an average of 350 pages. The formula: Cartridge price / Page
Yield + Paper Cost = Cost Per Page will be utilized to calculate how much it would cost to print
one page. Utilizing the information and formula provided, it would cost roughly ₱3 to print per
page. If schools were to print every piece of paper they use in a day, it would cost them ₱6,000.00
at most per day. This is a large amount to pay daily, even in a school setting.
As such, the researchers will be creating black ink that is cheap, accessible, and convenient
enough to be considered a reliable alternative for commercially sold printer ink. Considering that
the study heavily inclines toward lessening the cost of having to purchase commercial printer ink,
the primary materials of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink will be adjusted as such to provide
convenience and accessibility to the intended users, with one such material being charcoal. The
study mainly revolves around this particular ingredient due to its abundance of supply in the
Philippines and its low cost. A research analysis written by Maria Rowena Beatriz Inzon, Ma.
Victoria Espaldon, et al. (2021) found that, on average, 35% of all households in the Philippines
utilize charcoal based on the Household Energy Consumption Survey (HCES) for 1989, 1995, and
2004, with the results being 32.1%, 38.5%, and 34.2%, respectively. Research by Bensel and
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Remegio (2002) reports that there is an estimated range of 1-2 million metric tons per year and 1.2
million metric tons per year (best estimate) of household charcoal consumption. Due to the
material being widely used in the country, it will be highly convenient and easily accessible to be
used as a solute for the ink.
Aside from its attainability, charcoal also contains properties that allow it to easily adsorb
other ingredients once activated. This is due to its huge surface area. Although it does not bind
several atoms and molecules, which is a characteristic of a good adsorbent, due to its large surface
area per unit of mass, it can adsorb a lot of particles. A research by Kristel Anne H. Cruto (2019)
discussed that charcoal can be used as an alternative marker ink with its good absorption, color,
and odor as tested in some writing materials. This presents the possibility and potential for charcoal
to be used as a key ingredient in the production of alternative printer ink.
Additionally, given its sustainability and abundance in tropical nations, the study will
largely use coconut shell (cocos nucifera) charcoal briquettes as the solute rather than hardwood
charcoal lumps.
With the charcoal acting as a solute, the ingredients that will make up the solvent consist
of water, isopropyl alcohol, salt, cooking oil, and vinegar. The use of water will create a liquid
base. Alcohol mixes easily with water and works as an additive to remove any toxic compounds
from the solvent. Isopropyl alcohol, unlike ethanol alcohol, possesses non-toxic qualities that
enable it to dissolve oil based substances and evaporate quickly. Similarly, vinegar will be used as
an additive to disinfect and dissolve any remaining grease or adhesives. This is possible due to the
fact that vinegar has the capacity to break down the bonds of substances it comes into contact with,
which is also used to attain the desired color intensity and consistency of the solvent. Cooking oil
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will be utilized to give the solvent the necessary consistency and viscosity. Given the material's
hydrophilic qualities and the fact that oil and water cannot combine, vinegar will function as a
binding agent between the two ingredients, and the alcohol will also be used as a binding agent to
water and charcoal considering oil is miscible with isopropyl alcohol. Lastly, applying salt will
allow the solvent to attain the necessary solubility. Studies by Wen-Hui Xie, Wan-Ying Shiu,
Donald Mackay (1997) and Abu T M Serajuddin (2007) mention the use of salt in increasing
solubility and other organic compounds. According to a report published by Columbia University
(2007), the addition of salt to solutions causes forced separation of mixed liquids and the
breakdown of emulsions, and it is via this separation that contaminants, oil, and other unwanted
chemicals will be removed from the solvent, which would then be dissolved by the alcohol. The
ingredients used to make the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink are products that are frequently
found in homes to assure accessibility and availability. The reason being that maintaining a printer
and buying printer ink can be prohibitively expensive due to market price inflation over time.
Thus, the research will be conducted to produce Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink, which
can be used by various individuals like students and employees who are in need of printing
documents and want to find a more accessible and cheaper alternative. One of this study’s
objectives is to lower the cost of printing through the use of cheap materials that can be commonly
found in households. The researchers will utilize charcoal as the base ingredient and a solvent that
fits as a component of alternative printer ink.
Statement of the Problem
With the data and evidence presented, the research study aims to produce a Charcoal-
Alternative Printer Ink as an alternative for commercial printer ink in order to create an accessible
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and reliable way to make cheap alternative for printer ink. In order for this study to be possible,
the study aims to provide answers to the following questions:
1. How viable and effective is the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink in comparison to the
commercialized printer ink in terms of:
a. boldness,
b. opacity; and
c. structure?
2. How does the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink affect the printer used?
3. What is the degree of acceptance of the respondents regarding the use of the Charcoal-
Alternative Printer Ink?
Formulation of Hypothesis
1. Null: The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink is a more viable option in comparison to
commercialized printer ink in terms of its quality. The boldness of the ink is just as black
as commercial printer ink. The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink is consistent with the print
quality without the color fading and loss of quality with each print. The print of the
Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink does not contain any gaps and errors that break or alter
the structure of the print.
Alternative: The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink is not a viable option in comparison to
commercialized printer ink in terms of its quality. The boldness of the ink is not fully black
as commercial printer ink. The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink is not consistent with the
print quality as the color fades and loses quality with each print. The print of the Charcoal-
Alternative Printer Ink contains gaps and errors that break or alter the structure of the print.
2. Null: The ink has ample stability and is used without substantial damage to the printer.
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Alternative: The ink is unstable and does substantial damage to the printer.
3. Null: The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink will have a high degree of acceptance among
the respondents.
Alternative: The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink will have a low degree of acceptance
among the respondents.
Significance of the Study
The following are those who can benefit from this study:
Students. The study will benefit students who are in low-income families and cannot
afford commercially sold printer ink. The Charcoal-alternative Printer Ink is a cheaper alternative
to print documents, researches, learning modules, and other academic related papers that require
the use of a printer.
Teachers. The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink will be beneficial to professionals, such as
teachers, who are responsible for creating answer sheets and learning materials.
Household. This helps lessen bills of both parents and children and the money can be
allotted to different other things that are a priority to everyday life.
Businesses. Businesses such as photocopying and Xerox would benefit from the Charcoal-
Alternative Printer Ink. Business revenue increases while lowering the cost of inventory.
Future Researchers. The investigative study may be of help to future researchers as it may
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serve as a guide and basis for future researches with similar or identical discussions with relation
to charcoal and ink.
Scope and Delimitations
The study focuses on creating a cheaper alternative to commercial printer ink with the main
ingredient being charcoal. The research will mainly focus on the production of black ink. The
researchers will utilize charcoal as a solute.. The solvent included in the research is made up of
water, alcohol, cooking oil, vinegar, and salt. The ingredients were chosen due to their properties
as binding agents for the charcoal as well as its accessibility. Furthermore, the researchers will
conduct several trials for the produced ink, with each trial consisting of unique measurements of
the different solvents. Hence, the researchers will assess the ink’s pigment in terms of the boldness,
opacity, and structure of the print.
In determining the acceptability of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer ink, the print will be
validated by teachers from Mary’s Child Science Oriented School within the locality of Daraga
Albay. The printer that will be used is an Epson L120 which features a built-in ink tank that allows
for easy ink refilling. In addition, ten trials were conducted, with each trial being repeated three
times to ensure accurate results, in order to develop a solvent suitable enough to be utilized as ink.
Definition of Terms
Adsorb - To gather (a gas, liquid, or dissolved substance) on a surface in a condensed layer
(Dictionary, n.d). In this study, charcoal is able to adsorb other substances.
Adsorption - The process by which molecules of a substance, such as a gas or a liquid, collect
on the surface of another substance, such as a solid (Dictionary, n.d). In this study, this is the
property of charcoal to make it bind to other substances.

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Adhesive - A substance that causes something to adhere (Dictionary, n.d.).
Alcohol - A colorless, limpid, volatile, flammable (Dictionary, n.d.). In this study, alcohol is one
of the main ingredients in the solvents used in the solution of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink.
Bind - To combine with, form a bond with, or be taken up by a chemical or chemical structure
(Dictionary, n.d). In the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink, the different ingredients were binded by
a binding agent.
Cartridge - Any small container for powder, liquid, or gas, made for ready insertion into some
device or mechanism (Dictionary, n.d.). In this study, the cartridge contains the Charcoal-
Charcoal - Is a black substance obtained by burning wood without much air (Collins Dictionary,
n.d). It is a combustible material used in generating energy. It is the main ingredient used in the
production of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink because of its abundance and chemical
properties.
Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink - Refers to the substance that the researchers will produce.
Consistency - The condition of cohering or holding together and retaining form; solidity or
firmness (Dictionary, n.d.) In this study, this is one of the traits of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer
Ink.
Cooking Oil - A purified fat taken from plant material that is commonly used in cooking, e.g.
olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, etc. (Wiktionary, n.d). In this study, alcohol is one of the main
ingredients in the solvents used in the solution of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink.
Emulsifier - An agent that forms or preserves an emulsion (Dictionary, n.d). In the Charcoal-
Alternative Printer Ink, charcoal acts as the emulsifier.

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Emulsion - Any colloidal suspension of a liquid in another liquid (Dictionary, n.d). In the
Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink, charcoal acts as the emulsifier.
Funnel - A cone-shaped utensil with a tube at the apex for conducting liquid or other substance
through a small opening, as into a bottle, jug, or the like (Dictionary, n.d) It is used for the funneling
of the solvents through a smaller container.
Grease - Fatty or oily matter in general; lubricant (Dictionary, n.d.). In the Charcoal-Alternative
Printer Ink, grease is the unwanted substance in the making of the ink.
Pestle - A tool for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar (Dictionary, n.d) In this study, this
is used for turning the charcoal into fine powder.
Miscible - Capable of mixing in any ratio without separation of two phases (Dictionary, n.d) In
the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink, isopropyl alcohol and cooking oil are miscible with each
other.
Mortar - A receptacle of hard material, having a bowl-shaped cavity in which substances are
reduced to powder with a pestle (Dictionary, n.d) In this study, this apparatus is used for containing
the solute while being pounded by the pestle.
Paper - A piece of paper containing a written or printed statement (Merriam-Webster n.d) This is
where the output of ink will be placed.
Pigment - A dry insoluble substance, usually pulverized, which when suspended in a liquid vehicle
becomes a paint, ink, etc. (Dictionary, n.d). In this study, the pigment is the color of the ink.
Printer - An output device that produces a paper copy of alphanumeric or graphic data (Dictionary,
n.d). In this study, the printer was used as the main apparatus for the Charcoal-Alternative Printer
Ink.
Salt - A crystalline compound, sodium chloride, NaCl, occurring as a mineral, a constituent of

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seawater, etc., and used for seasoning food, as a preservative, etc. (Dictionary, n.d). In the
Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink, salt is one of the ingredients used because it is a binding agent.
Solvent - A usually liquid substance capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other
substances (Merriam-Webster, n.d). In this study, the solvent is used in the solution of the
Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink.
Solubility - The quality or property of being soluble; relative capability of being dissolved
(Dictionary, n.d).
Solute - The substance dissolved in a given solution (Dictionary, n.d). In this study, charcoal is
used as the solute in the solution of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink.
Strainer - A filter, sieve, or the like for straining liquids (Dictionary, n.d). This apparatus was
used to filter out any remaining bits of charcoal.
Vinegar - A solution of a medicinal substance in dilute acetic acid, or vinegar (Dictionary, n.d.).
In this study, vinegar is one of the ingredients in the solvents used in the solution of the Charcoal-
Viscosity - The property of a fluid that resists the force tending to cause the fluid to flow
(Dictionary, n.d).
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CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES
This chapter of the research paper considers the related literature and studies relevant to
the product, “Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink,” and aims to expound the nature and context behind
the research project. Though the research is not focused centrally around the framework of a printer
and how it operates printer ink, the review first surveys relevant literature from the overlapping
fields of the similar qualities between charcoal and manufactured commercial printer ink as the
research data are all previously conducted research studies of the same relevance, and the
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overarching aim is to examine the compiled works and data and provide evidence on proving the
goal of the study.
Review of Related Literature
Charcoal is an odorless, tasteless, fine black powder or porous black solid consisting of
carbon and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from
animal and vegetation substances as described by M. Abdollahi and A. Hosseini (2014). Since the
earliest signs of prehistoric man's civilization, charcoal has been a necessity for civilization to
thrive and prosper. In an article published by Joe Schwarcz PhD (2017), the use of charcoal besides
being a source of heat was discovered around 30,000 BC, when our ancestors utilized it as a
pigment for drawing on the walls of caves. In the course of time, society continues to discover new
ways to utilize the material, such as the act of smelting metals through the use of burning charcoal.
Another is the creation of "gunpowder," which was a significant engineering breakthrough at the
time and would ultimately be used to produce explosives. In the medical field, charcoal is often
used to eliminate foul odors from wounds. The discovery of "activated charcoal" has resulted in
the development of water filters, air purification systems, and gas masks in the modern age as a
result of technological progress and advancement.
Despite the prevalence of modern fuel sources such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and
electric stoves, charcoal remains relevant as a source of energy. An analysis by Regional Business
Insights (2023) observed the trends in the charcoal market and segmented it into metallurgical fuel,
food and agriculture, filtration, industrial, and others, with the food and agricultural industries most
likely dominating and being a major contributor to the charcoal market for its barbeque and food
consumption. The increase in demand for potable water and water filtration systems is also said to
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be a major contributor to the consumption of charcoal due to the increase in industrial wastewater.
Major companies responsible for the production of charcoal include Kingsford, Royal Oak, Fire
and Flavor, Cook International, and many other charcoal manufacturing related companies.
Charcoal consumption, however, is not limited to only regions where electricity is
restricted. Research conducted by Catherine Nabukalu and Reto Gieré (2019) on the use of
charcoal as an energy source in Uganda stated that they have observed charcoal to still be essential
for cooking, despite its abundance in electrified urban areas. The ubiquity of charcoal and its
dominance in the energy consumption sector are also observed in other areas of Africa, despite the
availability of electricity. Brazil, being the largest producer and consumer of charcoal, continues
to utilize charcoal despite 90% of the population having access to electricity. Similarly, Germany
and Mainland China are well known for their diverse modern energy resources and widespread
access to electricity, and yet these two countries persist in being the world’s biggest producers and
importers of charcoal.
It is also important to mention that Latin American and African countries dominate the
majority of the charcoal market share. This is supported by another article by Catherine Nabukalu
and Reto Gieré (2020), wherein Brazil continues to be the world's largest producer of wood
charcoal, producing over 6 million tons annually, which is followed by Nigeria and Ethiopia, with
each producing above 3 million tons annually. Industrialized countries in Europe and North
America often use charcoal in leisurely activities such as partaking in barbecues and starting
campfires, while semi-arid countries such as Egypt and Somalia primarily use charcoal as a means
of cooking and doing heavy industry such as iron-ore smelting.

20
As it is said, the widespread use of charcoal as a main energy source in countries is an
indication of lack of access to stable electricity and gas ovens, thus the use of charcoal
demonstrates its usefulness, affordability, and accessibility compared to other modern alternatives
of energy sources.
The Philippines is also a major contributor of charcoal production. A statistic by P&S
Intelligence states that the Philippine charcoal market is valued at $500 million in 2019 and is
expected to reach $688.2 million by 2030. In both domestic and commercial settings, the nation
has a long history of producing large quantities of charcoal, which contributes significantly to the
dynamics of the country's need for the traditional fuel source. Based on the Household Energy
Consumption Survey (HCES) statistics for 1989, 1995, and 2004, Victoria O. Espaldon, Leonardo
M. Florece, et al. (2021) discovered that 35% of all homes in the Philippines use charcoal as their
primary source of fuel, with 32.1%, 38.5%, and 34.2%, respectively. As a result of the high demand
for a cheap and convenient energy source, the consumption of charcoal in the Philippines is still
increasing at an average yearly rate of 4.43%. Charcoal is still a common fuel source regardless of
the fact that the nation already has access to electricity and rising production of liquefied petroleum
gas.
In spite of its extensive use internationally, governments all around the world have taken
initiative to regulate and monitor the production of charcoal due to the harmful effects it brings to
the environment, resulting in its restrained market growth. An article by the United Nations
Environment Programme (2020) discusses the sustainability of charcoal. The article distinguishes
between "renewable" charcoal, which is created through tree farming, and "non-renewable"
charcoal, which is produced by deforestation. In tropical nations like Brazil and Nigeria, where the
majority of the world's charcoal is produced, the constant manufacturing of charcoal has resulted
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in a loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation. In low- and middle-income nations, high
charcoal consumption is frequently caused by poverty and a lack of modern energy alternatives.
And because of their gender roles, women and children are more likely to be exposed to these
polluting fuels, which has a negative effect on their health. To combat this, in addition to making
investments in modern alternatives, charcoal may be manufactured using different materials rather
than wood. A main component of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink that the researchers will
make will be made from one of these resources, coconut shells. According to a market analysis by
the International Coconut Community (2021), the Philippines' production of coconut shells
increased from 315/MT in 2019 to 493/MT in 2021. In line with House Law No. 8246, which
specifies that the manufacturing, transportation, and sale of raw wood charcoal shall be prohibited
beginning in 2020, this demonstrates the growing use of alternative charcoal products in place of
conventional hardwood charcoal lumps.
Aside from charcoal being the main ingredient to make the Charcoal-Alternative Printer
ink, one of the materials chosen is isopropyl alcohol. In the healthcare setting, “Alcohol” refers to
two water-soluble chemical compounds—ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol—that have
generally underrated germicidal characteristics (“Isopropyl Alcohol FAQs”, 2020). The two are
often mistaken for the same thing. Despite the fact that ethanol and isopropyl are both small
molecules, the two are identical except for where the alcohol group is located on their chemical
structures. Both solvents can be found in different purity grades, however isopropyl alcohol is
more frequently used to disinfect electronic devices than ethanol in wet laboratories.
Isopropyl is a clear, colorless liquid that is a major component of rubbing alcohol as well
as household items such as cleaners, disinfectants, and hand sanitizers as stated by Ivan N. Co and
Kyle J. Gunnerson (2019). Alcohol is utilized in numerous ways on a daily basis over time. It is a
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commonly used solvent with a wide range of applications across diverse fields. Its main use in
industry and medicine are as a solvent and as a chemical intermediate. In the medical field,
isopropyl alcohol is used as an antiseptic to prepare your skin before injections and for minor
wounds and scrapes as it is extremely antimicrobial against bacteria.
An article from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (1992) states that
Isopropyl alcohol has been called the first petrochemical. It can be prepared via three different
methods: indirect hydration of propylene, direct hydration of propylene, and catalytic
hydrogenation of acetone. Indirect hydration, also called the sulfuric-acid process, was the only
method used to produce isopropanol worldwide until the first commercial direct-hydration process
was introduced in 1951. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Direct hydration is
less corrosive than indirect hydration mediated by sulfuric acid. However, the direct method
requires a pure propylene feed, in contrast to the indirect process, which can use a dilute refinery
stream (Lee et al., 2003).
Salts like sodium chloride can be added to separate this compound from aqueous solutions.
This process of separating isopropyl alcohol is known as salting out. As a result, isopropyl alcohol
is separated to form a distinct layer that can be removed from the solution.
Acetic acid, which can range in concentration from 5 to 20% in vinegar, is combined with
water, a small amount of additional chemicals, and flavorings. Vinegar is alcohol, specifically
ethanol, that has been left out to mix with oxygen and created bacterial fermentation as stated by
Ocean Robbins (2020).Throughout history, humans have used vinegar as a kitchen staple and for
medicinal purposes. Vinegar consumption dates at least from 500 BC, when Babylonians used it
as a condiment and as a preservative. Due to its antibacterial properties, its acidic nature – the
23
strongest known acid before sulfuric acid was described – facilitated its use as a preservative. This
antimicrobial activity was used to treat wounds and as a general antiseptic; vinegar was even
applied to wounds during World War 1. This preserving use resulted in the development of the
pickling industry, which became widespread among the Greeks. However, vinegar turned into a
by-product during the production of various fermented beverages such as wine and beer.
According to an article by Elisabeth Anderson and Joe Zagorski (2022) states that cooking
oils are lipids (fats) made from plants, animals, or synthetic compounds used when frying, baking,
and preparing foods for consumption. Using any food available, people in various regions began
processing vegetable oils thousands of years ago in order to produce oils for a range of cooking
needs. Early humans discovered how to heat oily plant products in the sun, on a fire, or in an oven
until the plants exuded oil that could be gathered. As mentioned in an article by Purti (2019), the
soy oil was produced as early as 2000 BC by the Chinese and Japanese, while the southern
Europeans had begun to produce olive oil by 3000 BC. A different method was done in Mexico
and North America, where peanuts and sunflower seeds were roasted and beaten into a paste before
being boiled in water. As a result, the oil that rose to the surface was then skimmed off. On the
contrary, the Africans grated and beat palm kernels and coconut meat and then boiled the resulting
pulp, skimming the hot oil off the boiling water. With evolving technology, some oils have become
available until only recently. Some seeds that were considered to be waste up until now have now
been converted into oil.
Review of Related Studies
The study on the feasibility of charcoal as an alternative to ink has also been investigated
by past researchers with each of their studies utilizing a different solvent to mix with the charcoal.
24
One of such studies was conducted by Pauline Madelo, Prince Jagdon, et al. (2019) wherein they
conducted seven trials using different varieties of solvents. For each trial, three grams of the finely
pounded charcoal would be mixed with different solvents. The most effective solvents that were
tested made use of ethyl and isopropyl alcohol because the ink lasted for 120 hours and 48 hours
respectively. It is through this study that the possibility of isopropyl and ethyl alcohol acting as a
solvent becomes noted.
In the research report of Barrameda (n.d) wherein they produced an alternative ink for
whiteboard markers made out of charcoal and isopropyl alcohol. They chose charcoal because it
is environmentally friendly, while also being cost effective. This is related to the present study
because it tackles the problem of expensive commercial printer ink and producing an alternative
that is cheaper.
One study utilized tea bags and cornstarch to create printer ink. Tea bags contain tannin
which is a compound most commonly used in painting and using ink. To extract the tannin in these
bags, 5 used tea bags were put in boiling water. Vinegar was also used to strengthen the color of
the ink. “Vinegar, especially dilute acetic acid solution which is an important reagent and industrial
chemistry, primarily used in the production of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate is a compound
used as a basis in the manufacture of photographic film and the base film is a transparent substance
that acts as a support medium for photosensitive emulsion. then given a filler substance i.e.
cornstarch.” Emulsifiers, specifically CMC, were used to unite tannin dyestuff with water as the
solvent (“Tea Bag Residue as Safe Ink” n.d).
In the research study of Venise Cruz (2014), used engine oil and cooking oil was the solvent
used as the binding agent for the charcoal to create an alternative to whiteboard marker ink. By
25
mixing the used engine oil and the cooking oil together with the pounded charcoal, Cruz was able
to attain the desired color and appearance of the ink, albeit short-lasting. Stephanie J. Gallego
(2019) conducted a similar study, using used engine oil and cooking oil as a solvent for charcoal,
with the results being similar to that of Cruz’s research. There are also simpler and shorter methods
on how to create ink with charcoal, as it is stated in an article written by Nicole Ramage (2019),
charcoal ash, white vinegar, and distilled water is needed to create the ink.
Cornstarch, vinegar, and used cooking oil were also used as additives in creating black pen
ink. The primary ingredient was pulverized charcoal, or the ashes of burnt charcoal, which would
be mixed with the rest of the ingredients alongside distilled water until clumps of the charcoal
disappeared. After several tests with various sample ink formulations, all of them are inferior
compared to commercial pen ink (“Pen Ink From Pulverized Charcoal,” 2015). It was revealed
through this study that vinegar and cooking oil may act as an additional additive to improve the
consistency and stability of the ink, which would then be applied into this study.
Further studies have implemented much more complex substances as the solvents such as
using vodka and oil as the binding agent for soot. In an article published by Jo Irons (2019), it is
explained that MIT scientist Anirudh Sharma created a device that would collect PM2.5, a fine
particulate matter from burning fossil fuels, and turn it into printer and marker ink. Their product,
named Air-Ink, made a set of marker pens which was commercially produced via Kickstarter.
Now, artists all over the world are using the pens to create murals and street art.
These studies conducted by various researchers proved that the creation of alternative ink
varies from research to research, each with its own set of procedures and materials. Due to the
convenience of commercially available printer ink, alternative printer ink is not utilized and is not
26
as well-known among the people in the Philippines, leading them to spend much more into buying
an expensive yet limited resource.
Theoretical Framework
This study utilized adsorption theory. According to the adsorption theory, adhesion is
caused by molecular interaction between two materials and the resulting surface forces. “A bond
develops from the adsorption of adhesive molecules on the substrate and the resulting attractive
forces.” (Stammen & Dilger, 2013). Charcoal has properties that are useful in the medical field.
One such property of charcoal is that it can bind and adsorb toxins. According to an article by
Mayo Clinic (n.d), Activated charcoal is used for emergency treatment for certain kinds of
poisoning. This makes charcoal a viable main ingredient because it can bind to other substances
and as a result it can make a solution without having other substances separate.
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Figure 1. Theoretical Paradigm
CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This study investigated the efficiency and efficacy of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink
as a substitute for black printer ink using charcoal, cooking oil, vinegar, alcohol, and water. The
researchers will also keep track of any conditions that might affect the experiment’s expected
outcome.
Research Design
This study utilized an experimental and qualitative approach, which was carried out with
the assistance of scientific methodology, in the development of a new product and the assessment
of said product's effectiveness under real-time consumer conditions. Under this study concept, the
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researchers developed the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink to address issues such as the high cost
of printer inks. As such, the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink acts as the research's independent
variable since the study established precise measurements and estimations of the amount of solvent
required to create the necessary qualities of black printer ink. The previously mentioned variable
is also the basis for the text's appearance and the respondents' acceptability, thus serving as the
dependent variable. Additionally, the control variable of the study was the printer used, which is
an Epson L120.
Data Gathering Procedures
The researchers gathered the needed materials for the experiment and assessed them each
on whether or not they were suitable to be used for the production of the Charcoal-Alternative
Printer Ink. Each chosen additive has a corresponding function that is appropriate for creating the
ink. Using the materials gathered, the researchers developed black printer ink using charcoal. Ten
trials were conducted, each with varying degrees of success. For each trial, different amounts of
charcoal, cooking oil, vinegar, alcohol, salt, and water were utilized. Following each trial, the
produced ink was then loaded into the printer to begin printing. The researchers used several text
formatting options in the print, including lowercase, capitalized, bold, italicized, and standard. The
following factors are taken into account when comparing the viability of the Charcoal-Alternative
Printer Ink to commercial ink: efficacy in terms of boldness, opacity, and structure.
In the initial trial, two charcoal briquettes were used as the standard, which had been
thoroughly crushed inside the mortar until no more solid pieces remained. The charcoal was then
mixed with 2 tablespoons of water to make grinding simpler. The additives—3 mL of cooking oil,
1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 tablespoon alcohol, and 1 teaspoon of salt—were added after the charcoal
29
had been thoroughly mixed. They were then combined until liquified. Afterwards, the solution was
strained twice to eliminate any particles that could have remained in the mixture. Using a syringe,
the solution was then tested to see if it could fill an average of 10 to 15 mL of ink, which is
commonly observed in printers. Afterwards, 13 mL of the solution was then loaded into the ink
cartridge of the printer and printed with lowercase, capitalized, bold, italicized, and standard text.
The initial trial resulted in a thick, vivid black ink with a few solid particles visible on the surface.
The text printed was striped, barely visible, and obscure. After a brief system check, the printer
continues to function after applying the created solution.
The measurements of water and cooking oil were adjusted during the second trial. The
amount of water and cooking oil were increased to produce a more aqueous mixture, which
decreased the mixture's viscosity. The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink was produced using the
same process. Two crushed charcoal briquettes were placed inside the mortar with the remainder
of the ingredients: 2 ½ tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of alcohol, 3 mL of cooking oil, 1
tablespoon of vinegar, and 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. Even after being thoroughly crushed, a few solid
particles were still seen on the surface of the solution; therefore, the solution was strained twice
before being poured into the ink cartridge. 15 mL of solution was produced, enough to fill and be
poured into the ink cartridge of the printer. It was then printed on coupon bond paper with text in
lowercase, uppercase, bold, italicized, and standard. The second trial produced a watery solution
with a gray appearance; the text was not visible, and the print was slightly damp. The charcoal was
separated from the water as a result of dilution, and particles could be seen at the bottom of the
container. A quick system check revealed that the printer had ceased working after using the
created solution. The printer was taken in for repair by the researchers, who were told that the
solution had clogged the pipe tube and pipe valve and caused the printer to cease working.
30
The measurements of vinegar, alcohol, and salt were adjusted during the third trial. The
amount of salt and alcohol was kept to a minimum to reduce the viscosity brought on by the
dilution process. Two crushed charcoal briquettes were put inside the mortar together with the
additives: 2 tablespoons of water, 2 tablespoons of alcohol, 3 mL of cooking oil, 1 tablespoon of
vinegar, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Afterwards, the solution was strained twice to eliminate any
particles that could have remained in the solution. 15 mL of solution was produced, enough to fill
and be poured into the ink cartridge of the printer. It was then printed on coupon bond paper with
text in lowercase, uppercase, bold, italicized, and standard. No solid particles could be seen on the
solution's surface, giving it a vivid black appearance. While the lettering of the print was clearly
legible, its structure was inconsistent, and its hue was pale gray. Afterwards, a quick system check
revealed that the printer had ceased working after using the created solution. The printer was taken
in for repair by the researchers, who were told that the solution had blocked the pipe tube and pipe
valve and caused the printer to cease working.
The measurements of vinegar and alcohol were adjusted during the fourth trial. Two
crushed charcoal briquettes were put inside the mortar together with the additives: 2 tablespoons
of water, 1 tablespoon of alcohol, 3 mL of cooking oil, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and ½ teaspoon
of salt. Afterwards, the solution was strained twice to eliminate any particles that could have
remained in the solution. 13 mL of solution was produced, enough to fill and be poured into the
ink cartridge of the printer. The mixture of the solution was thin, heterogeneous, and mostly water-
dominated. Yet there were still visible floating particles and black spots inside the container. As
the solution was transparent and mostly composed of water, printing a sample was not possible
since it was not feasible enough.

31
The measurements of vinegar and water were adjusted during the fifth trial. The amount of
water and vinegar was kept to a minimum to reduce the viscosity brought on by the dilution
process. Two crushed charcoal briquettes were put inside the mortar together with the additives: 1
tablespoon of water, 1 tablespoon of alcohol, 3 mL of cooking oil, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and ½
teaspoon of salt. Afterwards, the solution was strained twice to eliminate any particles that could
have remained in the solution. 11 mL of solution was produced, enough to fill and be poured into
the ink cartridge of the printer. The solution was black, but since the ink was too thick and viscous,
no printed paper could be produced. The substance was lumpy enough that the researchers have
determined it is unusable to print a document due to the potential damage it may cause to the
printer tubes, such as clogging.
The measurement of water was adjusted during the sixth trial. The amount of water used
was increased to reduce the viscosity of the solution. Two crushed charcoal briquettes were put
inside the mortar together with the additives: 2 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of alcohol, 3
mL of cooking oil, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Afterwards, the solution was
strained twice to eliminate any particles that could have remained in the solution. 12 mL of solution
was produced, enough to fill and be poured into the ink cartridge of the printer. It was then printed
on coupon bond paper with text in lowercase, uppercase, bold, italicized, and standard. Several
buoyant particles remained visible in the solution. In addition, compared to the fifth trial, the
solution was overdiluted and had a darker tint. The text of the printed document was not legible,
with only streaks of black being visible. During the printing process, the printer suddenly stopped
functioning. A quick system check revealed that the printer had ceased working after using the
created solution. The printer was taken in for repair by the researchers, who were told that the
solution had dried and blocked the pipe tube, causing the printer to cease working.
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The measurement of charcoal, water, and alcohol was adjusted during the seventh trial.
The amount of water used was increased to lessen the viscosity of the solution, and the amounts
of charcoal and alcohol were increased to prevent the liquid from being too diluted. Three crushed
charcoal briquettes were put inside the mortar together with the additives: 2 tablespoons of water,
2 tablespoons of alcohol, 3 mL of cooking oil, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and ½ teaspoon of salt.
Afterwards, the solution was strained twice to eliminate any particles that could have remained in
the solution. 15 mL of solution was produced, enough to fill and be poured into the ink cartridge
of the printer. It was then printed on coupon bond paper with text in lowercase, uppercase, bold,
italicized, and standard. The solution produced impressive results on the seventh test. It resulted
in a smooth and homogeneous mixture that was pigmented darkly enough for the text to be eligible.
The color of the text is somewhat lighter than that of commercially available ink, but both exhibited
entire and full text. A quick system check revealed that the printer sustained no issues or damages
after using the solution.
The measurement of charcoal, vinegar, and salt was adjusted during the eighth trial.
Increased amounts of salt, vinegar, and charcoal were utilized to make the solution's color more
intense. Four crushed charcoal briquettes were put inside the mortar together with the additives: 2
tablespoons of water, 2 tablespoons of alcohol, 3 mL of cooking oil, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and
1 teaspoon of salt. Afterwards, the solution was strained twice to eliminate any particles that could
have remained in the solution. 15 mL of solution was produced, enough to fill and be poured into
the ink cartridge of the printer. The ink has an intense dark black hue, but it lacked the necessary
liquid characteristics. The sample text could not be printed on a piece of paper because the solution
was too thick in consistency.

33
The measurement of charcoal, water, alcohol, and cooking oil was adjusted during the ninth
trial. Increased amounts of charcoal and alcohol were used to give the ink's hue more vibrancy.
Water was decreased to compensate for the alcohol that was added. Moreover, more cooking oil
is added to the solution to reduce its thickness and allow smoother movement. Five crushed
charcoal briquettes were put inside the mortar together with the additives: 1 tablespoon of water,
3 tablespoons of alcohol, 4 mL of cooking oil, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and ½ teaspoon of salt.
Afterwards, the solution was strained twice to eliminate any particles that could have remained in
the solution. 13 mL of solution was produced, enough to fill and be poured into the ink cartridge
of the printer. The ninth solution had little to no liquid due to the charcoal concentration and
darkness of the combination. The researchers concluded that the combination may clog the printer
and was thus unlikely to be used as printer ink.
Lastly, the measurement of charcoal, salt, cooking oil, and alcohol was adjusted during the
tenth trial. The ratio of salt and alcohol to cooking oil has been altered in order to lessen the
solution's greasiness. Four crushed charcoal briquettes were put inside the mortar together with the
additives: 2 tablespoons of water, 2 ½ tablespoons of alcohol, 3 mL of cooking oil, 2 tablespoons
of vinegar, and 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. Afterwards, the solution was strained twice to eliminate any
particles that could have remained in the solution. 14 mL of solution was produced, enough to fill
and be poured into the ink cartridge of the printer. It was then printed on coupon bond paper with
text in lowercase, uppercase, bold, italicized, and standard. The solution was not adequately
pigmented, despite the fact that its consistency was comparable to that of the seventh trial. When
printed on coupon bond paper, the text was not sufficiently clear and consistent to be legible, as it
had irregular gaps in its structure and inconsistent hues in its color. Afterwards, a quick system
check revealed that the printer had ceased working after using the created solution. The printer
34
was taken in for repair by the researchers, who were told that the solution had blocked the pipe
tube and pipe valve and caused the printer to cease working.
The Munsell Color Scale, which ranges the darkness from 0-10, or from pitch black to pure
white, was used by the researchers to measure how black the printed text of the Charcoal-
Alternative Printer Ink is. This color scale was used on each trial that had printed and discernable
text.
As the procedure progressed, an evaluation sheet was created using Google Forms to assess
the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink’s acceptability, effectiveness, and sustainability. 14 teachers
from Mary's Child Science Oriented School were selected as respondents and were given the
survey after the researchers had briefly presented the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink and its
implications in practical settings. The researchers took images as part of the data collecting
procedure for documentation.
Materials
The following supplies and components will be needed for the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink,
and each trial will include precise material measurements of:
Trial 1
Materials Amount Purpose
Charcoal briquettes 2 briquettes Provides the pigment of the ink

35
Water 2 tablespoons Liquid base
Cooking oil 1 mL Necessary for consistency and

viscosity
Vinegar 1 tablespoon Binding agent, disinfect and

dissolves any remaining grease or
adhesives
Alcohol 1 tablespoon Binding agent for cooking oil and

water
Salt 1 teaspoon Increases solubility
Printer 1 pc Device to print
Funnel 1 pc Used in pouring the solution into

the ink cartridge
Strainer 1 pc To remove excess pieces and

solid particles
Glass bowl 1 pc Where the solution is mixed
Mortar and pestle 1 pc Grinds the charcoal briquettes into
fine powder
36
Trial 2
Water 2 ½ tablespoons Liquid base

viscosity

adhesives

water
Salt ½ teaspoon Increases solubility

the ink cartridge
Strainer 1 pc To remove excess pieces and solid

particles

37
fine powder
Trial 3

viscosity
Vinegar 2 tablespoons Binding agent, disinfect and

adhesives
Alcohol 1 teaspoon Binding agent for cooking oil and

water

the ink cartridge
38
Strainer 1 pc To remove excess pieces and solid

particles
fine powder
Trial 4

viscosity

adhesives

water

39

the ink cartridge

solid particles
Mortar and pestle 1 pc Grinds the charcoal briquettes
into fine powder
Trial 5
Water 1 tablespoon Liquid base

viscosity

adhesives

water

40

the ink cartridge

solid particles
into fine powder
Trial 6

viscosity

dissolves any remaining grease
or adhesives
41
Alcohol 1 tablespoon Binding agent for cooking oil

and water

the ink cartridge

solid particles
into fine powder
Trial 7

viscosity
42

or adhesives
Alcohol 2 tablespoons Binding agent for cooking oil

and water

the ink cartridge

solid particles
into fine powder
Trial 8

43

viscosity

or adhesives

and water
Salt 1 teaspoon Increases solubility

the ink cartridge

solid particles
into fine powder
Trial 9

44
Water 1 tablespoon Liquid base

viscosity

or adhesives

and water
Funnel 1 pc Used in pouring the solution

into the ink cartridge

solid particles
into fine powder
Trial 10
45

viscosity

or adhesives
Alcohol 2 ½ tablespoons Binding agent for cooking oil

and water
Salt 1 ½ teaspoon Increases solubility
Funnel 1 pc Used in pouring the solution

into the ink cartridge

solid particles
into fine powder

46
Statistical Treatment
To determine the degree of acceptance of the respondents towards the use of the alternative
printer ink, the researchers used the Likert scale and percentage to interpret the gathered data.
The Likert scale was used to determine if the respondents agreed or disagreed with the use
of the alternative printer ink as a viable substitute to commercially available ink. The Likert scale
has four different categories: strongly disagree, disagree, agree, and strongly agree where the
respondents can choose from. If the respondents strongly disagree or disagree, they are unsatisfied
by the performance of the alternative printer ink. If the respondents chose ‘strongly agree’ or
‘agree’, they were satisfied with the performance of the alternative printer ink.
After gathering the data using the Likert scale, the researchers used percentage to
determine the frequency of the responses. The computation is represented by the given formula :
Where:
P, F, and N represent the percentage of acceptance, frequency, and number of respondents
respectively.
The Likert scale and percentage were used as a guide to decide if the community’s degree
of acceptance of the product is positive or negative.

47
CHAPTER 4
COCONUT SHELL (COCOS NUCIFERA) CHARCOAL-ALTERNATIVE INK
This chapter presents the analysis and interpretation of data gathered with the main
objective of creating a Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink which will be used by students and
professional fields, while also being a cheaper alternative to commercialized printer ink.
Effectiveness of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink
This section explains the findings on the precision based from the series of experiments
conducted on the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink as it will be the foundation of its effectiveness.
In addition, this portion also provides the assessment of the respondents on the acceptability,
usability, and sustainability of the product.
Viability of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink
Figure 2. Trial 7 Coconut Shell (Cocos Nucifera) Charcoal-Alternative Ink (Full print)
48
Figure 2.1. Trial 7 Coconut Shell (Cocos Nucifera) Charcoal-Alternative Ink (Text print)
49
Figure 2.3. Commercialized Printer Ink (Full print)

50
Figure 2.4. Commercialized Printer Ink (Text print)

51
52
Boldness
Text printed using commercial printer ink is slightly bolder than text printed with the
Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink. The commercialized ink under thorough observation has no
visible grays or fades in terms of its boldness. It has near-perfect boldness and no issues regarding
its color. The ink of the full print is whole and complete. The fully colored shape is fully black and
covers all its intended proportions. The text boldness of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink is
equivalent to that of commercial printer ink and is practically unnoticeable, but it has a lighter
shade of black and isn't as perfect as the boldness of commercial ink.
Figure 3. Munsell Color Scale
The Charcoal-Alternative Ink’s full print is similar to that of commercial printer ink, but
its boldness is a bit faded. According to the Munsell Color Scale, through observation, the
commercialized printer ink text has a boldness level of 10, and the full print also has a boldness
level of 10. The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink’s printed text has a boldness level equal to that
of the commercial printer ink, making its boldness level 10. The full print has a different boldness
from its text counterpart. Its boldness level, when compared through the color chart, has a boldness
53
level ranging from a level of 7 up to 10, or 30% to 0%. This is because the full print has fade marks
through the paper.
Opacity
The commercialized ink’s text is completely opaque. There are no visible fades or grays
present. The commercialized ink’s full print is opaque and whole. There are no dips in color, and
they are completely filled. The Charcoal-Alternative Print Ink’s text is opaque and is printed
completely all throughout the text. The opacity of the full print is faded and lighter than that of the
commercial ink.
Structure
The structure of the commercialized ink’s text is flawless and seamless; there are no visible
white or faded gaps shown in its printed text. The structure of the full print is whole and complete;
it also has no visible white or faded gaps. It has a complete structure. The Charcoal-Alternative
Printer Ink’s text has complete structure and has no visible issues in the printing of the letters. The
Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink’s full print has little structure and has wide, visible white gaps in
between. The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink has less structure when compared to the complete
and whole print of the commercialized printer ink.
Effect of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink on a Printer
Every unsuccessful trial of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink, regardless of the
Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink's composition and with each trial having a varied measurement
of the constituents in each mixture, had the same negative effect on the printer utilized. When the
researchers conducted the first trial, the ink on the printed paper showed that it had faded, and the
54
ink continued to fade with the next print cycle and so on, until the ink was no longer visible on the
paper.
Figure 4.1. Nozzle check pattern of a clogged printer

55
Figure 4.2. Nozzle check pattern of a fully functional printer
The researchers removed the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink from the printer and then
replaced it with commercial printer ink and performed a head cleaning and a nozzle check on the
printer. The head cleaning and nozzle check were performed through the printing preferences
settings under the maintenance tab. The nozzle check showed that the black nozzle was no longer
visible on the printed paper. This is a clear indication that the nozzle is clogged and needs cleaning.
This is due to the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink’s impurities, which caused a clog that
effectively rendered the black cartridge of the printer incapable of printing. Figure 4.2 shows the
nozzle check pattern of a fully functional printer. Figure 4.1 shows the nozzle check pattern of a
printer that needs cleaning, as indicated by the missing patterns in the black print. This is further
supported by a printer repair mechanic when the printer underwent maintenance at a printer repair
shop. The printer repair mechanic stated that the nozzle was clogged and that it needed to be
cleaned.
56
Acceptability Level for the Charcoal Alternative Printer Ink
This section depicts how the respondents viewed the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink as a
viable ink to be used as a substitute for commercialized printer ink.
Figure 5.1.
Figure 5.2.
57
Figure 5.3.
Figure 5.4.
Figure 5.5.
58
The charts reveal the assessment of the Charcoal-Alternative Ink. The first two charts show
that the ink has appropriate boldness and is convenient to use. With that, the average consumer
will consider the options and will be weighing them in the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink’s favor.
Also, the majority of the respondents agreed on the practicality of the ink in terms of its price.
Making the ink a very potent competitor for commercialized printer ink in terms of its boldness,
convenience, and price. As stated in the fourth chart, the majority of the respondents agree that the
Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink can serve as a good alternative to commercialized ink. While also
having a high rating in terms of sustainability.

59
Figure 5.6.
The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink showed a high degree of willingness among the
respondents, with 42.9% of the respondents saying they are willing to try the Charcoal-Alternative
Printer Ink. Combined with the overall rating of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink which the
majority of the respondents found satisfactory, this makes it a product that will satisfy the needs
of the consumer while also having a high level of willingness to use the ink instead of commercial
ink. The respondents overall had a positive reaction to the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink.A
60
CHAPTER 5
SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter contains the summary, findings, conclusions and recommendations of the
study in relation to the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink.
SUMMARY
This study aims to produce a Charcoal Alternative Printer Ink to provide a cheaper
alternative to commercialized printer ink.
This study sought to answer the following questions:
1. How viable and effective is the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink in comparison to the
commercialized printer ink in terms of:
a. boldness,
b. opacity; and
c. structure?
2. How does the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink affect the printer used?
3. What is the degree of acceptance of the respondents regarding the use of the alternative
ink?
This study utilized an experimental qualitative approach for it sought to create a charcoal
ink substance that may serve as an alternative product instead of the commercialized printer ink.
The researchers produced an alternative printer ink with coconut charcoal as its main ingredient,
61
which will be used ideally by people from professional or academic settings, such as students and
teachers alike. The effectiveness of the product was determined through a series of tests that took
into account the following criteria which are the boldness, opacity, and structure of the print.
Surveys were also conducted in order to validate the acceptability of the Charcoal-Alternative
Printer Ink. Moreover, the degree of acceptability was evaluated by 14 professionals who answered
survey questionnaires that intend to answer the amount of papers the respondents print in a week
on average, the likelihood of trying to make the product, its effectiveness, and the overall
impression of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink.
FINDINGS
The following are the findings drawn from the data obtained:
1. The boldness and opacity of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink compared to the
commercial ink is less vivid and leans more towards a grayish color as observed in the
printed text during trial 7. The structure of the printed text was complete; however, its
full print counterpart had stripes and gaps.
2. Considering that charcoal does not dissolve in polar solvents like water, the solution
clogged the tubes of the printer connecting from the ink cartridge to the pump. This
prevented the ink from flowing through, which caused little to no ink to be induced out
onto the coupon bond paper.
3. 71.4% of the respondents gave the product an overall rating of satisfactory. In addition,
the survey also showed that 35.7% of the respondents are very willing to try the product
as an alternative to commercial printer ink.

62
4. Trial 7 showed the most promising results compared to other trials since it produced
clear, legible black print without incurring any short- or long-term printer damage. As a
result, the measurements of the materials used in trial 7 were the ideal amounts required
to produce Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study led to the following conclusions:
1. The product effectively serves its intended purpose considering that the boldness, opacity,
and structure are comparable to commercialized ink sold in stores. The fact that the
aforementioned criteria received excellent ratings from the respondents indicates that the
product is efficient and has the potential to serve as a replacement to expensive commercial
printer ink.
2. The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink did not display any long term effect on the printer,
however, the product requires improvement as it displayed short term effects like clogging
of the tubes.
3. It can be concluded that the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink was highly accepted by the
community based on the respondents' likelihood to try the product and an overall
impression of satisfaction.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations are made forth in considering the findings and
conclusions of this study:

63
1. Seeing that the resulting color of the product is not as vivid and dark in comparison to
commercial printer ink, future researchers may include additional materials that can be
utilized to enhance the pigment or the color of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink.
2. Test to determine if the Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink still functions with different
printer brands and models with differing structures.
3. The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink has received positive feedback from the responders,
who are teachers from Mary’s Child Science Oriented School. Through the coordination
of the head of a school and company for effective demonstration and orientation of the
product, it can be promoted to students, teachers, and other people in academic and
professional settings.
4. Future researches may employ wood charcoal as the primary component to see if there
are changes in the quality of the alternative ink because Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink
uses coconut charcoal as the key element for the hue of the ink.
5. Future exploration on the usage of coconut charcoal as alternative printer ink or ink in
general may be conducted by future researchers.

64
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APPENDICES
77
APPENDIX A
78
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE OF THE ACCEPTANCE LEVEL OF CHARCOAL-

ALTERNATIVE PRINTER INK
79
80
81
82
83
APPENDIX B
84
EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS USED DOCUMENTATION

85
APPENDIX C
86
PRODUCTION OF THE CHARCOAL-ALTERNATIVE INK DOCUMENTATION

87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
APPENDIX D
111
RESULTS OF EACH TRIAL

112
113
114
TRIAL INK PRINT RESULT
1 Thick, vivid, black ink Striped text, very faded, FAIL

Few solid particles on top Lines are barely visible
2 Gray, diluted, visible particles Text not visible, paper was wet FAIL
3 Vivid black ink, fine mixture Legible, inconsistent structure, SUCCESS

No particles gray hue
4 Extremely diluted, visible N/A FAIL

particles, heterogenous mixture
5 Black, thick, and lumpy N/A FAIL
6 Over-diluted, darker tint, several Streaks of black FAIL

floating particles
7 Smooth homogenous mixture, Lighter hue, complete structure, SUCCESS

dark pigment clearly legible
8 Intense dark black pigment, N/A FAIL

thick and lumpy
9 High charcoal concentration, N/A FAIL

dark pigment
10 Smooth mixture, lighter Illegible, irregular gaps in FAIL

pigment, structure, inconsistent hues
115
CURRICULUM VITAE
NAME: Alexia Danielle A. Briones
PLACE OF BIRTH: Sta. Rosa, Manila
DATE OF BIRTH: December 26, 2004
RESIDENCE: 1005 5th St. Our Lady’s Village, Bitano, Legazpi city
CIVIL STATUS: Single
RELIGION: Roman Catholic
NATIONALITY: Filipino
CONTACT NO: 09770123353
EMAIL ADDRESS: alexia26danielle@gmail.com
PARENTS:
Father: Niño Lope M. Briones
Mother: Liezl L. Alvarez
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT:
Elementary: Mary’s Child Science Oriented School
Junior High School: Mary’s Child Science Oriented School
Sunshine International School
Senior High School: Mary’s Child Science Oriented School
Track: Academic Track
Strand: Science. Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

(STEM)
116
CURRICULUM VITAE
NAME: Dominic Carlo O. Buendia
PLACE OF BIRTH: Muscat, Oman
DATE OF BIRTH: February 5, 2005
RESIDENCE: 10 Anson Subd. Purok 1, Cabangan, Camalig, Albay
CONTACT NO: 09394928761
EMAIL ADDRESS: dominiccarlobuendia@ gmail.com
PARENTS:
Father: Nelson R. Buendia
Mother: Bvet O. Buendia
Elementary: Millennium International School

Palm Crest International School
Junior High School: Romarinda International School

(STEM)
117
CURRICULUM VITAE
NAME: Gian Lemuel Deduque
PLACE OF BIRTH: Legazpi, Albay
DATE OF BIRTH: July 14, 2004
RESIDENCE: 260# Cecilia St. Doña Cecilia Subd., Maroroy, Daraga,
Albay
CONTACT NO: 09054616085
EMAIL ADDRESS: gldeduque@gmail.com

PARENTS:
Father: Leonardo D. Deduque
Mother: Angeles D. Deduque
Elementary: Piamont Science Oriented School

(STEM)
118
CURRICULUM VITAE
NAME: William Charles Lee
PLACE OF BIRTH:
DATE OF BIRTH:
RESIDENCE:
RELIGION:
CONTACT NO:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
PARENTS:
Father:
Mother:
Elementary: Mary’s Child Science Oriented School

(STEM)

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AN INVESTIGATIVE STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF COCONUT SHELL

(Cocos nucifera) CHARCOAL AS A SOLUTE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN

Presented to the Faculty of

Mary’s Child Science Oriented School

In Partial Fulfillment of the

BRIONES, ALEXIA DANIELLE A.

BUENDIA, DOMINIC CARLO O.

DEDUQUE, GIAN LEMUEL D.

LEE, WILLIAM CHARLES A.

Title: COCONUT SHELL (Cocos Nucifera) CHARCOAL-

Authors: Alexia Danielle Briones

Type of Document: Unpublished Research Paper

Alternative Printer Ink.

CHAPTER 1: THE PROBLEM 3

Statement of the Problem 11

Significance of the Study 12

Scope and Delimitations 13

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED 18

LITERATURE AND STUDIES

CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 28

Data Gathering Procedures 28

CHAPTER IV: COCONUT SHELL (COCOS NUCIFERA) 47

Effectiveness of the Charcoal-Alternative 47

Viability of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer

Effect of the Charcoal-Alternative Printer 53

Acceptability Level for the Charcoal Alternative 56

CHAPTER V: SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, 60

Evaluation Rating Sheets 79

Equipment and Materials Used (Documentation) 85

Data Gathering Procedures (Documentation) 87

Results of Each Trial (Documentation) 110

Curriculum Vitae 114

Background of the Study

scan documents, and photocopy files.

The use of printers is a convenience to the community as it provides physical copies of

devices as they provide an affordable, low-maintenance, and high-quality method of distributing

to have an enormous benefit in the modern era.

within households and work forces in the country.

used as a solute for the ink.

to be used as a key ingredient in the production of alternative printer ink.

fits as a component of alternative printer ink.

Statement of the Problem

the study aims to provide answers to the following questions:

commercialized printer ink in terms of:

Alternative Printer Ink?

1. Null: The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink is a more viable option in comparison to

the structure of the print.

Alternative: The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink is not a viable option in comparison to

among the respondents.

Significance of the Study

the use of a printer.

Teachers. The Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink will be beneficial to professionals, such as

allotted to different other things that are a priority to everyday life.

to charcoal and ink.

Scope and Delimitations

opacity, and structure of the print.

Adsorb - To gather (a gas, liquid, or dissolved substance) on a surface in a condensed layer

(Dictionary, n.d). In this study, charcoal is able to adsorb other substances.

property of charcoal to make it bind to other substances.

Adhesive - A substance that causes something to adhere (Dictionary, n.d.).

Alternative Printer Ink.

Alternative Printer Ink, charcoal acts as the emulsifier.

Charcoal-Alternative Printer Ink, charcoal acts as the emulsifier.