Nanoparticle based inks and methods of making the same

Abstract

The present invention provides nanoparticle based recording mediums, inks and ink compositions, methods of making nanoparticle based recording mediums and inks, nanoparticles and methods for making nanoparticles, methods for stabilizing colorants against electromagnetic radiation (including radiation in the visible wavelength range), methods for enhancing the substrate independent durability performance of inks, and methods for color density control. The nanoparticle based inks deliver better color, color density control, improved printability, enhanced durability, and increased lightfastness, and are capable of being printed on woven and non-woven fabrics and paper products without special treatment or other limitations.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . A printing process comprising ejecting a recording medium in the form of droplets from an orifice in accordance with a recording signal to form an image on a substrate, the recording medium comprising a liquid vehicle and nanoparticles having a size less than about 1,000 nanometers, the nanoparticles comprising a particle template having at least one colorant layer disposed upon the particle template. 
     
     
         53 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the substrate is a textile, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, cellulose, paper, ceramic, a polymer, a composite, wood, glass, plastic, metal, human skin, animal skin, leather, or a film. 
     
     
         54 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the process an ink-jetting process. 
     
     
         55 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the nanoparticle has a zeta potential of about +20 mV or greater. 
     
     
         56 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the nanoparticle has a zeta potential of about +50 mV or greater. 
     
     
         57 - 170 . (canceled) 
     
     
         171 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the colorant layer is substantially uniformly disposed upon the particle template. 
     
     
         172 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the colorant layer substantially covers the particle template. 
     
     
         173 . The printing process of  claim 52 , further comprising a protective layer disposed upon the colorant layer. 
     
     
         174 . The printing process of  claim 173 , wherein the protective layer is a charged polymer. 
     
     
         175 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the colorant layer further comprises functional additives. 
     
     
         176 . The printing process of  claim 175 , wherein the functional additive is selected from a charge carrier, a thermal oxidation stabilizer, a viscoelastic property modifier, a cross-linking agent, a plasticizer, a charge control additive, a flow control additive, a filler, a surfactant, a chelating agent, a leuco dye, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         177 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the colorant layer further comprises a colorant stabilizer. 
     
     
         178 . The printing process of  claim 177 , wherein the colorant stabilizer is a porphine, a metal, a metal salt, a molecular includant, an ultraviolet radiation screening agent, a reactive species generator, a photoinitiator, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         179 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the particle template contains silica, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide, antimony tin oxide, cerium oxide, copper oxide, indium tin oxide, iron oxide, yttrium oxide, zinc oxide, gold, silver, copper, iron, a copper tin alloy, carbon, sulfur, silicon, fluorosil, poly(melamine formaldehyde), nylon, polyester, polystyrene, a polyamide, borides, carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides, arsenides, oxides, sulfides, selenides, tellurides, fluorides, chlorides, bromides, iodides, alloys thereof, derivatives thereof, copolymers thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         180 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the particle template includes silica or poly(melamine formaldehyde). 
     
     
         181 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the particle template has an average size less than about 50 nanometers. 
     
     
         182 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the nanoparticles have a shape selected from a sphere, crystal, rod, disc, and tube. 
     
     
         183 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the nanoparticles have an average diameter less than about 400 nanometers. 
     
     
         184 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the nanoparticles have a size less than about 100 nanometers. 
     
     
         185 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the colorant layer and the particle template have a zeta potential which are opposite one another. 
     
     
         186 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the colorant layer and the particle template have a zeta potential which are different from one another. 
     
     
         187 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the recording medium is an ink jet ink. 
     
     
         188 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the colorant layer includes a dye. 
     
     
         189 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the nanoparticles have a zeta potential of about +20 mV or greater. 
     
     
         190 . The printing process of  claim 52 , wherein the nanoparticles have a zeta potential of about +50 mV or greater.