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The Use of Charcoal and Isopropyl Alcohol as Innovative Alternative Ink for
Whiteboard Markers: A Comparative Analysis Between the Innovation and
Commercialized Ink

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DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.25861.42729

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 Republic of the Philippines Article Type : Original
Research Report
Department of Education Class : Preprint
Schools Division Office of Albay
CAWAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Senior High School Department
Cawayan, Bacacay, Albay

The Use of Charcoal and Isopropyl Alcohol as Innovative Alternative Ink

for Whiteboard Markers: A Comparative Analysis Between the
Innovation and Commercialized Ink

Abstract- Whiteboard marker has been used extensively due to its perceived
safety compared to chalk. Recent reports, however, showed that
commercialized ink imposes health risks in addition to its cost
Corresponding Author efficiency and expensiveness. This study aims to innovate an ink using
Details: charcoal and isopropyl alcohol in comparison to the commercialized
JUSTIN B. BARRAMEDA ink. Quantitative-developmental approach using quasi-experimental
justinbarrameda86@gmail.com method was performed to determine and compare the acceptability
+639095708730 rates of innovated ink vis-a-vis commercialized ink considering color
intensity, consistency, and smell as parameters for assessment. A
General Academic Strand total of 50 randomly selected student-respondents compose the
Grade 12 experimental and comparison groups. Development of innovated ink
Cawayan NHS, Bacacay was basically done through pulverizing the charcoal and pouring the
isopropyl alcohol until the black liquid material is formed. Results
Albay Division revealed the higher levels of acceptability rates from experimental
Department of Education group indicating the usability and feasibility of the innovated ink
Region V compared to the commercialized ink in the comparison group
PHILIPPINES following the statistical analysis of color intensity, consistency, and
smell. This was further supported by the statistical difference in the
mean of responses (p<0.05) connoting the effectiveness of the
innovation over commercialized ink considering the parameters
tested. This study recommends to further pulverize and mix the
charcoal to obtain the intended utmost result, and to test the
innovation in printer cartridges. The study concludes the effectiveness
of the innovated ink as an alternative ink to whiteboard markers.

Keywords: Ink, Charcoal, Whiteboard Marker, Innovation, Organic

I. Introduction marker, this research attempted to develop an

The use of whiteboard marker has been alternative ink that is cheaper and
extensively recognized due to its safety environment-friendly. This state-of-the-art
compared to chalk. Despite its wide use in the bridges the gap between cost-efficient
industry particularly in establishments related innovation and commercialized ink for
to academe and academe-related industries, whiteboard markers.
one general problem often cited along its usage
is the expensiveness of the material, Counteracting the industrial benefits of
specifically of the ink. With the aim to advocate commercialized ink, it normally contains the
for sustainable material innovation that is chemicals xylene and toluene. These chemicals
cheap and cost-friendly, resourcefulness and are hazardous to health and likewise to the
creativity to address the foregoing issue are environment [1]. In this innovation, the use of
critical entry points to the understanding of the organic materials like charcoal and alcohol
problem-context and solution-proposal were tested for its efficacy as an alternative
especially in this time of economic crisis. medium for ink. Charcoal is a product of slow
Parallel to the observation of the context of the pyrolysis burnt by the absence of oxygen [2].
problem on expensive ink for whiteboard The residue of burning is a light black material

Barrameda, J. CAWAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School Department)-301821 1

composed of carbon. One of the characteristics of used oil affects the color intensity and
of carbon is its ability as a binding agent product quality of the innovated ink [8]. In
material. For this reason, carbon is adhered the study conducted by Reference [9], they
and suspended to any surface, yet used charcoal added to different ingredients as
non-permanent and non-preserved [3]. an agent for printer ink. The study found out
Therefore, it can be smudged in a humid that the innovated ink was properly marked on
environment and can be washed off from any paper without any indication of wet sections
surface. This property of carbon runs similar to when printed. Although small characters
the feature of commercialized ink of turned out to be not completely black, the
whiteboard marker that is friction-less on researchers concluded the possibility of
non-porous surface, and non-permanent. The making ink from charcoal. Moreover, study of
grounds of the reviewed literature hold Reference [10] revealed that the quality of
significant evidence that charcoal can be used charcoal ink is comparable to the quality of
as an alternative main ingredient in developing permanent ink. They further supported the
an environment-friendly and cost effective ink previous claims that the use of charcoal ink is
that is purely organic. Alcohol, on the other safer due to absence of chemicals like toluene
hand, is a non-toxic solvent. Its volatilizes and urethane causing irritation to users.
easily [4] and leaves the solute on the surface.
Also, it is a very effective cleansing agent that Following the context of the present study,
removes almost all stains including ink. With Reference [11] indicated that isopropyl alcohol
the use of alcohol, it is a good solvent which evaporates quickly and often used as a solvent.
can be utilized as an additive to charcoal to It can dissolve compounds like oil and
actualize the characteristics of innovated ink chloroform which the universal solvent, the
that is non-permanent and usable for water, cannot. Therefore, the use of isopropyl
whiteboard markers. alcohol is an effective agent to clean screens.
While some additives in commercialized ink
Related Works can cause harmful side effects, the use of
According to Reference [5], black was the first isopropyl alcohol was found to have no adverse
color used by prehistoric humans in cave medical side effects detrimental to someone’s
paintings. The ink used of prehistoric people health [12]. Also, Reference [13] indicated the
was primarily made of a single pigment taken industrial use of isopropyl alcohol particularly
from raw charcoal. as a disinfectant, sanitizer, and a clearing
solution.
For many years, harmonic with the advances
in technology, the evolution of ink for writing The literature holds significant amount of
has progressed drastically to meet the evidences to justify the possibility of using
demands of the people and the industry. charcoal and alcohol as alternative whiteboard
Non-permanent inks for whiteboard started to marker ink. Based from the reviewed related
dominate the classrooms to replace works, it showed that there were no literature
chalkboards. This was in accordance to the accounts on the use of combined charcoal and
concern on health-risks brought about by isopropyl alcohol on developing alternative
chalk dusts. In addition, it has more appeal, whiteboard marker ink. Thus, the current
and cleanses easily [6]. However, these study attempted to develop the innovation as
non-permanent inks from whiteboard come its state-of-the-art. This study aims to develop
with distinguishable disadvantages given their an alternative whiteboard marker ink using
many benefits. Reference [7] indicated that charcoal and isopropyl alcohol. Specifically,
whiteboard markers are more dangerous since this research aims to answer the following
the non-permanent ink emits a petroleum research goals: (a) plan an innovative
chemical called Xylene that can cause skin procedure in developing an alternative ink from
irritation, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. charcoal and isopropyl alcohol; (b) determine
the respondents’ acceptability rate of innovated
There were attempts to address the problem of and commercialized ink in terms of color
commercialized ink by developing innovations intensity, consistency, and smell; (c) determine
using charcoal ink as an alternative. In one the significance of difference in the
study using charcoal added to used engine oil, acceptability rates of respondents between
it took 2 working days to develop the innovated ink from charcoal and isopropyl
innovation. Findings revealed that the quantity alcohol and commercialized ink; and (d)

Barrameda, J. CAWAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School Department)-301821 2

propose suggestions to further enhance the Data Gathering Procedures
quality of the innovated ink from charcoal and The attainment of the primary aim of the
isopropyl alcohol. The researchers believed research was supervised by answering the
that the current study was beneficial to the specific research goals.
consumers, students and school personnel,
business establishments, and future For research goal 1, on the plan of innovative
researchers. procedure to develop the alternative ink,
developmental approach was conducted.
II. Research Methodology Materials were collected and planned out a
The study employed quantitative- procedural design to actualize the ink
developmental approach. Specifically, it was innovation.
conducted through quasi-experimental
method to compare the acceptability rates of For research goal 2, on the acceptability rates
target respondents on color intensity, of the randomly selected grade 10 students,
consistency, and smell between the innovated the 4-point Likert scale was administered for 1
ink (experimental group), and commercialized week along with the letter to the respondents
ink (comparison group). This research indicating the purpose of the study. Before
surveyed the acceptability rate of randomly administering the instrument, the randomly
selected 50 Grade 12 students (25 in selected 50 Grade 12 student-respondents
experimental, 25 in comparison) in a were divided into 2 groups, 25 each,
secondary school at Cagraray island using a corresponding to experimental and comparison
4-point Likert scale. groups. Then, each group was allowed to test
the innovated and commercialized ink using a
whiteboard marker. The Likert scale was given
Materials for the Innovation and retrieved. Data treatment used descriptive
The innovation for alternative ink primarily statistics using mean. To describe the
used charcoal and 70% isopropyl alcohol. The acceptability rates of the respondents on
charcoal used was made from the burning of innovated ink and commercialized ink, the
dry tree branches using an oven. It was burnt scale below was used to determine the
in 200 degree Celcius of high temperature descriptive equivalent of the computed means.
around 30 minutes until the charcoal was
formed. Hammer and used cloth were used to Table 1. Descriptive equivalent of the range of
pound the charcoal. Strainer was used to means of proportion of acceptability rates [15].
remove the pulverized charcoal from its black
liquid material. Transferring the black liquid Point Scale Descriptive Equivalent
material to whiteboard marker utilized funnel. 4 4.00 – 3.26 Very Acceptable
Paper was used to test the ink quality of the 3 3.25 – 2.51 Acceptable
innovation. 2 2.50 – 1.76 Quite Acceptable
1 1.75 – 1.00 Not acceptable

Research Instruments for Acceptability For research goal 3, on the significance of

Rates difference of acceptability rate, t-test for means
To test the acceptability rates of the sampled was used. This was conducted using the data
respondents on the use of innovated ink taken from the acceptability rates of
vis-a-vis the commercialized ink, the respondents in the innovated ink and
researcher used a 4-point Likert type commercialized ink. Since the consolidated
instrument with sub-categories on color data were tested through means, t-test was
intensity, consistency, and smell. Each utilized as the desirable statistics used for test
sub-category consisted of 5 items adapted and of difference.
modified from Reference [14]. With a total of 15
For research goal 4, on the suggestions to
items, the data generated by the Likert scale
improve the innovation, assessment based
were tabulated using means following the
from the acceptability rate of the innovated ink
descriptive remarks taken from the numerical
was set as springboard for the enhancement of
rates. The collected data were treated using
the innovation for sustainability and material
appropriate descriptive and inferential
improvement.
statistics.

Barrameda, J. CAWAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School Department)-301821 3

 III. Results and Discussion B. Respondents’ Acceptability Rate of
The discussions of the results below were the Innovated and Commercialized Ink in
salient findings of the study on the Terms of Color Intensity,
development and testing of the innovation. Consistency,and Smell

A. Planned Procedure for the Development The innovation of alternative ink utilized the
of Ink Innovation Using Charcoal and combined charcoal and 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Isopropyl Alcohol Based on the findings, the color intensity,
This alternative whiteboard marker ink was consistency, and smell of alternative ink
developed from charcoal made of burnt tree revealed an “acceptable” rate from the
branches and 70% isopropyl alcohol. student-respondents. In terms of color
Innovated plan started with the pounding and intensity,the mean of the indicators is 3.166
crashing of charcoal into smaller pieces until with corresponding descriptive equivalent
powdery material is achieved using hammer of“acceptable” by the subjects. Meanwhile, the
and used cloth. A 70% isopropyl alcohol was indicator stated as “the innovated ink creates
added to the powdered charcoal and stirred an appealing deep black color” is the preferred
well to get the right liquid texture. A strainer and most accepted characteristic of the
was used to separate the grind material of innovation based from the assessment of the
charcoal from its black liquid material. Funnel respondents. This connotes the usability of the
was also used to carefully transfer the black ink innovation to be used as an alternative ink
liquid material in an empty bottle of used to the commercialized ones. On the other hand,
whiteboard marker. It was shaken to evenly agreement was also shown indicating the
incorporate the innovated ink and was tested sustainability of the innovated ink regarding
for analysis. The plates below showed the its intensity,visibility, no wet marks, and found
sequence of innovated plan in developing the to satisfy the the subjects.This finding runs
innovated ink from charcoal and isopropyl parallel to the ones provided by Reference [16]
alcohol. revealing that the innovated ink from charcoal
also sustained its mark on paper without any
indication of wet sections when printed. This
parallelism in the literature and current
finding implied the measurement of the
charcoal ink innovation as alternative ink.

Another parameter tested was the consistency

of the innovated ink assessed at 3.08 overall
average. This rate corresponds to the
descriptive equivalent of “acceptable” which
means the subjects perceived that the
innovated ink was able to sustain its stability
when used.Furthermore, this attests to the fact
that the innovated ink can be erased easily, not
scruffy, easily dries, and the subjects were
satisfied by its viscosity. However, cast of
assessment showed that it has limited
acceptability in terms of sustainability of color
consistency through prolong usage. This is
explained by the particles of charcoal as the
main factor why the innovated ink does fade
easily. Hence, it is important to pulverize
smoothly the charcoal for the innovated ink to
not fade easily.

Plate 1. The planned procedure for the The smell of the innovated ink was also
development of the innovated ink evaluated as one of the parameters tested. Like
using a charcoal and isopropyl the previous parameters, this has also an
alcohol (from a to g). average of 3.062 with descriptive equivalent of
“acceptable” based from the assessment of the

Barrameda, J. CAWAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School Department)-301821 4

subjects. The smell of the innovated ink Table 4. Smell. The summary of the
revealed to manifest a pleasant and distinctive respondents’ evaluation of the
smell that has high tolerance from the users. innovation following the smell of the
Likewise, the smell is perceived as ink color.
non-chemical based which causes less strong
aroma bearable for the student-respondents. Indicators M Descriptive
Moreover, Reference [17] also indicated that Equivalent
this type of aroma does not produce any 1. Think produces a 3.17 Acceptable
negative side effects. pleasant smell.
2. The ink has a 3.06 Acceptable
Tables 2, 3, and 4 show the result of evaluation distinctive smell.
from the participants who tested the innovated 3. The smell of the 3.06 Acceptable
ink using the parameters of color intensity, ink does not make
me dizzy.
consistency, and smell.
4. The smell of the 3.06 Acceptable
Table 2. Color Intensity. The summary of the ink has no
disturbing effect to
respondents’ evaluation of the
the user.
innovation following the intensity of
5. The ink has an 2.96 Acceptable
the ink color. overall tolerable
smell.
Indicators M Descriptive Total Average 3.062 Acceptable
Equivalent
1. The ink creates an 3.32 Very Acceptable
The overall usability of the innovated ink was
appealing deep
black color to the
found to be acceptable based from the
eyes. assessment of the student-respondents who
2. The ink sustains its 3.17 Acceptable tested the innovation across 3 parameters;
intensity after a intensity, consistency, and smell. This
while. connotes that the innovation is an effective
3. The ink is visible 3.06 Acceptable alternative ink to the commercialized
from a distance. whiteboard marker with minimal alterations in
4. The intensity of the 3.15 Acceptable the engineering of the product particularly on
ink does not the sustainability of the ink in prolong usage.
produce wet Nevertheless, accounts showed the
marks. effectiveness of the charcoal and isopropyl
5. The intensity of the 3.13 Acceptable
alcohol as effective media in innovating organic
ink has satisfied
me.
and usable ink.
Average 3.166 Very
acceptable C. Significance of Difference in the
Acceptability Rates of Respondents
Table 3. Consistency. The summary of the Between Innovated Ink From Charcoal
respondents’ evaluation of the and Isopropyl Alcohol and
innovation following the consistency Commercialized Ink
of the ink color.
The comparison of acceptability rates between
Indicators M Descriptive innovated ink and commercialized ink was
Equivalent calculated. The result of t-test revealed a
1. The ink can be 3.19 Acceptable statistical difference (p<0.05) suggesting
erased easily. variances in the acceptability rates of 2
2. The ink is not 3.15 Acceptable products tested. The result was consistent
messy. across all 3 parameters tested as to intensity,
3. The ink does not 2.89 Quite acceptable consistency, and smell. Reviewing the overall
fade easily.
mean of the products revealed that the
4. The ink easily dries 3.06 Acceptable
when used.
innovation was highly accepted by the subjects
5. The viscosity of the 3.11 Acceptable compared to commercialized whiteboard ink.
ink has satisfied me. This further testifies for the truthfulness of the
Average 3.08 Acceptable previous assumption on the effectiveness of the
innovation over the commercialized ink with
respect to the perceptions of the

Barrameda, J. CAWAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School Department)-301821 5

 student-respondents. Nonetheless, thorough from the ground material. Moreover, the need
studies need to be conducted to establish the to use other types of alcohol is recommended to
reliability of the result considering other determine which solvent is more appropriate
respondents. and effective when combined to the pulverized
charcoal. Altering the procedure on the
Table 5. Significance of Difference. development of innovated ink is also proposed
Comparison of acceptability rates of to deduce the utmost potential of the
respondents between innovated ink innovation as an alternative ink.
and commercialized ink.
Conclusions
M of Responses The study was conducted to address the
p-val Significan
Categories Innova Commercial foregoing issues of health-risks and economic
ue ce
tion ized Ink
Color 3.17 2.44 0.00 Significant
crisis brought by the use of commercialized ink.
Intensity In this study, an innovated ink from charcoal
Consistency 3.08 2.38 0.00 Significant and isopropyl alcohol was made as an
Smell 3.06 2.35 0.00 Significant alternative source of organic ink for whiteboard
Overall 3.10 2.39 0.00 Significan markers. The innovated ink was assessed
Mean t
through quasi-experimental design
consolidating the perception of randomly
D. Suggestions to Improve the Quality of selected students from an island school in
the Innovation Cagraray island, Philippines.
Based on the research findings, I can conclude
Based on the respondents’ evaluation of the that the respondents preferred the alternative
innovation following the consistency of the ink whiteboard marker ink than the
color, one of the drawbacks was observed in commercialized whiteboard marker ink. Some
the indicator “The ink does not fade easily” of their feedbacks about the alternative
with quite acceptable rate. This indicates the product include the aroma that the isopropyl
lack of solid acceptance rate from the pool of alcohol produce and the color is more intense
respondents who assessed the innovation and visible than the commercialized
further attesting the need to improve the whiteboard marker ink. The evidences
innovation to sustain the consistency of ink’s presented earlier proved that users can have
opaqueness after prolonged use. an alternative that is more beneficial in terms
To improve the ink quality to sustain its of characteristic of the product.
opaqueness, it is recommended to further
pulverize the charcoal and control the amount Acknowledgments
of alcohol to establish its viscosity. Selection This research would not have been possible
of other forms of good quality charcoal is also without the guidance and help of several
recommended and other sources of alcohol as individuals and institutions who contributed
solvent. Making and documenting a perfect and extended their valuable assistance in the
ratio of all the substances used in the preparation of this study. The researcher
development of the ink is needed to trace the would like to express his gratitude to the
level of ink opaqueness. following:
Recommendation for Future Study To Sir Michael B. Bibon, his research teacher,
For future studies concerning the for sharing guidance, knowledge and expertise
sustainability and continuity of the innovation, in the field of research development;
it is recommended to test the efficacy of the
innovated ink for ink cartridges in printers, To Sir Nelson B. Bataller, school head of
and other devices that make use of ink for Cawayan National High School, for the
printing. continuous support and guidance, and for
allowing the researcher to index his research
As to the improvement of the current paper in the international journal for
innovation, it is suggested to use other publication;
resources and materials that would enhance
the quality of the innovated ink for wider To Sir Kuya Reymund, who gave time, effort
acceptability rate from potential users. and continuing support, reminding and
Pulverization of the charcoal is also needed cheering on him to finish the study;
using advanced technology to saturate the ink

Barrameda, J. CAWAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School Department)-301821 6

To his classmate, Jay Mar Barcenas, for giving [10] V. Angeles, E. Hermosa, A. Manguilin, V. Pones,
him constructive criticism and helping him R. Palomares, “Charcoal as an Alternative
improve the research contents; Ink to Carbon Black for Permanent Marker”
Dr. Pablo Olivarez High School, Olivarez
College. 2016
To Cawayan National High School, for giving
opportunities to share his skills or expertise, [11] Ibid. (4)
and granting him permission to develop his
study; and [12] E.Pires, E. Tartari, F. Rodregues& D. Pittet
Lastly, to my beloved parents, Mr. Allan B. “ Ethanol-based handrubs: safe for patients
Barrameda and Mrs. Nora B. Barrameda, who and health care worker” American Journal of
gave financial support, understanding, and Infection Control. Vol. 44, Issue 8, pp.
care on this endeavor, and for giving 858-859, 2016.
unconditional love, assistance and
encouragement in order for him to complete [13] R.Walls, “Isopropyl Alcohol” Essentials of
Medical Biochemistry, 2011.
this research study.
[14] H. Taherdoost, “What is the Best Response
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Barrameda, J. CAWAYAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (Senior High School Department)-301821 7

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