Recording liquid for ink jet recording.

0001The present invention relates to a recording liquid suitable for ink jet recording, wherein a pigment is employed.

0002The ink jet recording system has rapidly been popular in recent years by virtue of such features that noise is less, the running cost is low, and color recording is easy. As coloring agents for recording liquids to be employed for ink jet recording, it is common to employ water-soluble dyes such as acid dyes and direct dyes. However, none of them is adequate from the viewpoint of fastness such as light resistance or water resistance. Their improvements are being studied, but none of them is fully satisfactory yet.

0003On the other hand, methods of using pigments as coloring agents have been studied since long ago. A number of patent applications have been made including Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. 12104/1982, No. 147859/1981, No. 147863/1981, No. 147869/1981, No. 157468/1981, No. 21466/1982 and No. 74973/1987.

0004When pigments are employed as coloring agents, the light resistance and water resistance would remarkably be improved over the dyes. However, the recording liquid tends to be poor in the storage stability and, for this reason, has not yet been practically employed.

0005It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording liquid for ink jet recording, which presents a recorded image having high light resistance and water resistance and which is excellent in the storage stability and jetting stability as a recording liquid.

0006The present invention provides a recording liquid for ink jet recording, which comprises an aqueous medium, a pigment and, as a dispersant, at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the following formula (I) to (X): <chemistry id="chem0001" num="0001"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0001.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R¹ is a C₈₋₂₀ alkyl group, m is an integer of from 1 to 3, and M is Na or NH₄, <chemistry id="chem0002" num="0002"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0002.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R² is a C₈₋₂₀ alkyl group, n is an integer of from 1 to 3, and M is Na or NH₄, <chemistry id="chem0003" num="0003"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0003.tif" /></chemistry> wherein each of R³ and R⁴ is a C₆₋₁₆ alkyl or alkenyl group, and M is Na or NH₄, <chemistry id="chem0004" num="0004"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0004.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R⁵ is a C₁₀₋₂₀ alkyl or alkenyl group, and M is Na or NH₄, <chemistry id="chem0005" num="0005"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0005.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R⁶ is a C₆₋₁₆ alkyl or alkenyl group, and M is Na or NH₄, <chemistry id="chem0006" num="0006"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0006.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R⁷ is a C₁₀₋₂₀ alkyl or alkenyl group, and M is Na or NH₄, <chemistry id="chem0007" num="0007"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0007.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R⁸ is a C₁₀₋₂₀ alkyl or alkenyl group, R⁹ is a C₁-₄ alkyl group and R¹⁰ is a C₁₋₃ alkylene group, and M is Na or NH₄, <chemistry id="chem0008" num="0008"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0008.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R¹¹ is a C₆₋₁₈ alkyl group, p is an integer of from 1 to 15, and M is Na or NH₄, <chemistry id="chem0009" num="0009"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0009.tif" /></chemistry> wherein R¹² is a methyl group or a hydrogen atom, q is an integer of 1 or 2, r is an integer of from 1 to 8, and M is Na or NH₄, and <chemistry id="chem0010" num="0010"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0010.tif" /></chemistry> wherein t is an integer of from 1 to 10, R¹³ is a C₁₀₋₂₀ alkyl or alkenyl group, and M is Na or NH₄.

0007In the above formulas (I) to (X), the alkyl group and/or the alkenyl group for R¹ to R¹¹ and R¹³, may be straight-chained or branched so long as their carbon numbers are within the respective ranges. In the case of the alkenyl group, the position of the double bond is not particularly limited. The alkylene group for R¹⁰ may also be straight-chained or branched.

0008The dispersants of the formulas (I) to (X) according to the present invention, may be used alone or in combination as a mixture of at least two members of different formulas or at least two members of the same formula having different substitutes. In a case where a process produces a mixture of at least two members, such a mixture may usually be used as it is.

0009Thus, the dispersant is selected practically from the group consisting of (a) at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas (I) and (II), (b) at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas (III) to (VI), (c) at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula (VII), (d) at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula (VIII), (e) at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula (IX) and (f) at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula (X).

0010The following compounds may be mentioned as specific examples of the dispersants of the formula (I) to (X).

(1) Specific examples of the dispersants of the formulas (I) and (II):

0011<chemistry id="chem0011" num="0011"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0011.tif" /></chemistry>

0012As such compounds, Liporan PB-800 (tradename, manufactured by Lion Corporation, Liporan LB-840 (tradename, manufactured by Lion corporation) and Liporan PJ-400 (tradename, manufactured by Lion corporation) are, for example, commercially available, and they may be suitably employed.

(2) Specific examples of the dispersants of the formulas (III) to (VI):

0013<chemistry id="chem0012" num="0012"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0012.tif" /></chemistry><chemistry id="chem0013" num="0013"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0013.tif" /></chemistry>

0014As such compounds, Rapizol B-80 (manufactured by Nippon Oil and Fats Co., Ltd.), Diaserver PN-1970J (manufactured by Hoechst), Ripal NTD (manufactured by Lion Corporation) and Ripal NCD (manufactured by Lion Corporation) are commercially available, and they may be suitably employed.

(3) Specific examples of the dispersant of the formula (VII):

0015<maths id="math0001" num=""><img file="EP0448055A2_D0014.tif" /></maths>

0016As such compounds, Diaserver SC-T (tradename, manufactured by Hoechst), Diapon T (tradename, manufactured by Nippon Oil and Fats Co., Ltd.), Diapon LM (tradename, manufactured by Nippon Oil and Fats Co., Ltd.) and Ripotac TE (tradename, manufactured by Lion Corporation) are commercially available, and they may be suitably employed.

(4) Specific examples of the dispersant of the formula (VIII):

0017<chemistry id="chem0014" num="0014"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0015.tif" /></chemistry>

0018As such compounds, Newcol 560SF (tradename, manufactured by Nippon Nyukazai K.K.) and Sannol NP-1930 (tradename, manufactured by Lion Corporation) are commercially available, and they may suitably be employed.

(5) Specific examples of the dispersant of the formula (IX):

0019<chemistry id="chem0015" num="0015"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0016.tif" /></chemistry>

0020As such compound, Newcol 707SF (tradename, Nippon Nyukazai K.K.) is commercially available, and this can suitably be employed.

(6) Specific examples of the dispersant of the formula (X):

0021<chemistry id="chem0016" num="0016"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0017.tif" /></chemistry>

0022As such compound, Ripal MSC (tradename, manufactured by Lion Corporation) is commercially available, and it may suitably be employed.

0023In the recording liquid of the present invention, these dispersants are contained alone or as a mixture in an amount within a range of from 30 to 90% by weight, preferably from 30 to 60% by weight, relative to the weight of the pigment.

0024In the recording liquid of the present invention, the pigment may be of azo type, phthalocyanine type or quinacridone-type, or carbon black. Particularly preferred are Pigment Yellow-74 and -154, Pigment Red-5 and -122 and Pigment Blue-15.

0025For the recording liquid of the present invention, the type of the dispersant is preferably selected depending upon the type of the pigment. For example, when an azo type pigment is employed as the pigment, it is preferred to use, as the dispersant, at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas (I) to (VI). It is particularly preferred to employ at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas (I) and (II), at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula (III), or at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula (IV).

0026When the pigment is a quinacridone-type pigment, it is preferred to use, as the dispersant, at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas (I) to (VI). It is particularly preferred to use at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas (I) and (II), or at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula (IV).

0027When the pigment is a phthalocyanine-type pigment, it is preferred to use, as the dispersant, at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas (I) to (III) and (VII).

0028When the pigment is carbon black, it is preferred to use, as the dispersant, at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas (I) to (VI). It is particularly preferred to use at least one member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formulas (I) and (II).

0029The dispersants of the formulas (I) and (II) may suitably be used for any types of pigments.

0030The content of the pigment is usually within a range of from 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably from 1 to 7% by weight, based on the total weight of the recording liquid.

0031The aqueous medium to be used for the recording liquid of the present invention, comprises water and a water-soluble organic solvent such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (#200), polyethylene glycol (#400), glycerol, N-methyl-pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-imidazolidine, ethylene glycol monoallyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether or diethylene glycol monomethyl ether. Among them, particularly preferred as the water-soluble organic solvent is glycerol, ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol. The water-soluble organic solvent is used usually in an amount of from 0 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the recording liquid.

0032Further, it is possible to improve the drying property after printing and the printing quality by incorporating from 0.5 to 20% by weight of a surfactant to the recording liquid of the present invention.

0033It is also possible to further improve the jetting stability by incorporating urea or caprolactam to the recording liquid of the present invention.

0034Now, the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to Examples. However, it should be understood that the present invention is by no means restricted to such specific Examples.

EXAMPLE 1

0035<tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0018.tif" /></tables>

0036The above identified components were put into a container and subjected to pulverization treatment for 20 hours together with 130 mℓ of glass beads having an average diameter of 0.5 mm by means of a sand grinder (manufactured by Igarashi Kikai Seizo K.K.). The mixture was press-filtered through a teflon filter with a pore diameter of 3 µm and then subjected to deaeration treatment by means of a vacuum pump and a supersonic washing machine to obtain a recording liquid.

0037Using the obtained recording liquid, ink jet recording was conducted on electrophotographic paper (manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.) by means of an ink jet printer (IO-735, manufactured by Sharp Corporation), whereby evaluation of various properties was conducted in accordance with the following methods (a), (b) and (c).

(a)

Light resistance of the recorded image

0038The printed matter was irradiated for 100 hours by means of a xenon fade meter (manufactured by Suga Shikenki K.K.), whereupon discoloration was minimum.

(b)

Storage stability

0039The recording liquid was sealed in a teflon container and stored at 60°C for 2 months, whereupon no gelation or precipitation was observed.

(c)

Jetting stability

0040Jetting was conducted continuously at room temperature for 48 hours. During the continuous operation, high quality printing was carried out under a stabilized condition.

EXAMPLE 2

0041Preparation of recording liquids and evaluation of various properties were conducted in the same manner as in Example 1 except that in Example 1, instead of compound No. 1-1, compound No. 2-5, No. 3-1, No. 4-1, No. 5-1 and No. 6-1 were used, respectively, whereby good results were obtained.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

0042A recording liquid was prepared by using Discol 30 (manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku K.K.) i.e. a naphthalene sulfonic acid-formalin condensation product-type dispersant instead of compound No. 1-1 in Example 1, and evaluation was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby precipitate formed at 60°C in three days, and in the continuous jetting at room temperature, jetting became impossible in 15 hours.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

0043A recording liquid was prepared by using Pronon 204 (manufactured by Nippon Oil and Fats Co., Ltd.) i.e. an oxyethylene-oxypropylene block polymer type dispersant instead of compound No. 1-1 in Example 1, and evaluation was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby precipitate formed at 60°C in 7 days, and in the continuous jetting at room temperature, jetting became impossible in 20 hours.

EXAMPLE 3

0044<tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0019.tif" /></tables>

0045With the above composition, a recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and various properties were evaluated in accordance with the methods (a), (b) and (c), whereby good results were obtained with respect to the respective properties.

EXAMPLE 4

0046Preparation of a recording liquid was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1 using the same composition as in Example 3 except that instead of compound No. 1-2, compound No. 2-10, No. 3-3, No. 4-2, No. 5-3 or No. 6-3 was used, and evaluation of the various properties was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby good results were obtained in each case.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3

0047A recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 by using the same composition as in Example 3 except that instead of compound No. 1-2, Polynus PS-1 (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation) i.e. a polystyrene-sodium sulfonate-type dispersant, was used, and evaluation of various properties was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby precipitate formed at 60°C in 4 days, and in the continuous jetting at room temperature, jetting became impossible in 13 hours.

EXAMPLE 5

0048<chemistry id="chem0017" num="0017"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0020.tif" /></chemistry>

0049With the above composition, a recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and evaluation of various properties were conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby good results were obtained as in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 6

0050A recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 by using the same composition as in Example 5 except that instead of compounds No. 1-4 and No. 1-6, compounds No. 3-2 and No. 3-4 were used, and evaluation of various properties was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby good results were obtained.

EXAMPLE 7

0051<chemistry id="chem0018" num="0018"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0021.tif" /></chemistry>

0052With the above composition, a recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and evaluation of various properties were conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby good results were obtained as in Example 1.

EXAMPLES 8 to 11

0053A recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 by using the same composition as in Example 7 except that the dispersants were changed as identified in the following Table instead of compounds No. 1-1, No. 1-3 and No. 1-7, and evaluation of various properties was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby good results were obtained in each case. <tables id="tabl0003" num="0003"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0022.tif" /></tables>

EXAMPLE 12

0054<tables id="tabl0004" num="0004"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0023.tif" /></tables>

0055With the above composition, a recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and evaluation of various properties were conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby good results were obtained as in Example 1.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4

0056A recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 by using the same composition as in Example 12 except that instead of compound No. 2-1 in Example 12, Discol 30 (manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku K.K.) i.e. a naphthalene sulfonic acid-formalin condensation product-type dispersant was used, and evaluation of various properties was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby precipitate formed at 60°C in 3 days, and in the continuous jetting at room temperature, jetting became impossible in 15 hours.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 5

0057A recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 by using the same composition as in Example 12 except that instead of compound No. 2-1 in Example 12, Pronon 204 (Nippon Oil and Fats Co., Ltd.) i.e. an oxyethylene-oxypropylene block polymer type dispersant was used, and evaluation of various properties was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby precipitate formed at 60°C in 7 days, and in the continuous jetting at room temperature, jetting became impossible in 20 hours.

EXAMPLE 13

0058<tables id="tabl0005" num="0005"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0024.tif" /></tables>

0059With the above composition, a recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and evaluation of various properties was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby good results were obtained.

EXAMPLE 14

0060A recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 using the same composition as in Example 13 except that instead of compounds No. 2-6 and No. 2-8, the following compounds were used as the dispersants, and evaluation of various properties was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby good results were obtained in each case. <tables id="tabl0006" num="0006"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0025.tif" /></tables> EXAMPLE 7 <tables id="tabl0007" num="0007"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0026.tif" /></tables>

0061With the above composition, a recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and evaluation of various properties was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, whereby good results were obtained.

EXAMPLE 18

0062With Composition A or Composition B as identified below, a recording liquid was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 by using various dispersants and pigments as identified in the following Table, and the storage stability of the recording liquid was examined at 60°C for 3 months. Comparative results are shown in the Table.

Composition A:

0063<tables id="tabl0008" num="0008"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0027.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0009" num="0009"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0028.tif" /></tables>

Composition B:

0064<tables id="tabl0010" num="0010"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0029.tif" /></tables> Amount x is 3g when the pigment is Pigment Yellow-74 or carbon black, 2.5 g when the pigment is Pigment Blue-15, and 4 g when the pigment is Pigment Red-122. <tables id="tabl0011" num="0011"><img file="EP0448055A2_D0030.tif" /></tables>