Toner and method of formation using fly ash-rich carbon

A method of producing toner, comprising:

• preparing a latex;
• preparing a pigment comprising fly ash having a nanoparticle size;
• and
• combining the latex, the pigment comprising the fly ash, and polyethylene wax in an emulsion aggregation process to form the toner;
• wherein the emulsion aggregation process comprises steps of:
• a) dispersing a mixture of the polyethylene wax, the pigment comprising the fly ash, and the latex in deionized water using a mechanical stirrer to achieve a homogeneous suspension;
• b) adding zinc oxide, nitric acid, and deionized water in sequence to the homogeneous suspension until the pH reaches about 2;
• c) continuously stirring the mixture of step b) and adding Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA);
• d) increasing the temperature of the mixture in step c) to an elevated temperature and maintaining the mixture at the elevated temperature for about an hour to form a product mixture;
• e) neutralizing the product mixture with NaOH solution and cooling the product mixture, and
• f) centrifuging, washing with deionized water and drying the product mixture to form the toner.