Particle composition, recording method, and recording apparatus using the particle compositon

Abstract

A composition comprises a non-aqueous solvent containing reverse micelle particles formed of block polymers having amphipathic properties. A particle composition and a composition wherein particles are dispersed, which exhibits excellent dispersion properties and can form superbly uniform particles, is provided. Further, display elements, a recording method, and recording apparatus, which employ the composition having excellent dispersion properties and forming superbly uniform particles, are provided.

1 . A composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent and reverse micelle particles formed of block polymers having amphipathic properties, 
 wherein an amphipathic block polymer has a repeated unit structure of polyvinyl ether,    wherein said composition contains a functional material, and    wherein said functional material is contained in said reverse micelle particles.    
   
   
       2 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said amphipathic block polymer is a block polymer having three or more block segments.  
   
   
       3 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said block polymer has a repeated unit structure represented by  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein R 1  is selected from a straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl group with a straight chain with a carbon number between one and eighteen, -Ph, -Pyr, -Ph-Ph, -Ph-Pyr, —(CH(R 5 )—CH(R 6 )—O) p —R 7 , and —(CH 2 ) m —(O) n —R 7 , and wherein a hydrogen atom of an aromatic ring may be replaced with a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with a carbon number between one and four, and wherein a carbon atom of the aromatic ring may be replaced with a nitrogen atom; and  
       wherein p denotes an integer between 1 and 18, m denotes an integer between 1 and 36, and n is 0 or 1; and  
       wherein R 5  and R 6  are independently selected from —H or —CH 3 ; and  
       wherein R 7  is formed of —H, a straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkyl group with a carbon number between 1 and 18, -Ph, -Pyr, -Ph-Ph, -Ph-Pyr, —CHO, —CH 2 CHO, —CO—CH═CH 2 —CO—C(CH 3 )═CH 2 , —CH 2 COOR 8 , wherein when R 7  is other than a hydrogen atom, a hydrogen atom combined with a carbon atom within R 7  may be replaced with a straight-chain or branched alkyl group with a carbon number between one and four, —F, —Cl, or —Br, and a carbon atom of an aromatic ring may be replaced with a nitrogen atom; and  
       wherein R 8  is —H or an alkyl group with a carbon number between one and five, wherein Ph represents a phenyl group, and Pyr represents a pyridyl group.  
     
   
   
       4 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein an average particle diameter of said reverse micelle particles is equal to or less than 200 nm, and a dispersion index of the reverse micelle particles is not more than 0.2.  
   
   
       5 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said non-aqueous solvent is an organic solvent.  
   
   
       6 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said functional material is a color material.  
   
   
       7 . A recording method comprising a step of recording on a medium using a composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent and reverse micelle particles formed of block polymers having amphipathic properties, 
 wherein an amphipathic block polymer has a repeated unit structure of polyvinyl ether,    wherein said composition contains a functional material, and    wherein said functional material is contained in said reverse micelle particles.    
   
   
       8 . A recording apparatus capable of recording on a medium using a composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent and reverse micelle particles formed of block polymers having amphipathic properties, 
 wherein an amphipathic block polymer has a repeated unit structure of polyvinyl ether,    wherein said composition contains a functional material, and    wherein said functional material is contained in said reverse micelle particles.    
   
   
       9 . An ink composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent and reverse micelle particles formed of block polymers having amphipathic properties, 
 wherein an amphipathic block polymer has a repeating unit structure of polyvinyl ether,    wherein said composition contains a functional material, and    wherein said functional material is contained in said reverse micelle particles.    
   
   
       10 . An electrophoretic composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent and reverse micelle particles, which exhibit electrophoresis, 
 wherein said reverse micelle particles are formed of block polymers having amphipathic properties,    wherein an amphipathic block polymer has a repeated unit structure of polyvinyl ether,    wherein said composition contains a functional material, and    wherein said functional material is contained in said reverse micelle particles.    
   
   
       11 . A wet toner composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent and reverse micelle particles, which exhibit electrophoresis, 
 wherein said reverse micelle particles are formed of block polymers having amphipathic properties,    wherein an amphipathic block polymer has a repeated unit structure of polyvinyl ether,    wherein said composition contains a functional material, and    wherein said functional material is contained in said reverse micelle particles.    
   
   
       12 . A composition comprising a pigment in reverse micelle particles, which are formed of block polymers having amphipathic properties, 
 wherein the reverse micelle particles are dispersed in a non-aqueous solvent, and    wherein an amphipathic block polymer has a repeated unit structure of polyvinyl ether.    
   
   
       13 . A recording method comprising a step of recording on a medium using a composition comprising a pigment in reverse micelle particles, which are formed of block polymers having amphipathic properties, 
 wherein the reverse micelle particles are dispersed in a non-aqueous solvent, and    wherein an amphipathic block polymer has a repeated unit structure of polyvinyl ether.    
   
   
       14 . A recording apparatus capable of recording on a medium using a composition comprising a pigment in reverse micelle particles, which are formed of block polymers having amphipathic properties, 
 wherein the reverse micelle particles are dispersed in a non-aqueous solvent, and    wherein an amphipathic block polymer has a repeated unit structure of polyvinyl ether.