Abstract: A method for the preparation of silicium dioxide dispersions is provided, wherein the surface of the silicium dioxide is modified by a treatment with the reaction products, formed in a separate reaction step, of at least one compound of trivalent aluminum or of tetravalent zirconium or a mixture thereof with at least one aminoorganosilane; and the invention also relates to recording sheets for ink jet printing having such a dispersion incorporated in an ink-receiving layer.

Abstract: An inkjet receiver layer is constructed of an alumina-containing layer also containing a binder with an essentially binder-free, colloidal, cationic silica top-coat. The colloidal cationic silica topcoat provides improved image quality (color gamut and gloss) and increased resistance to scratching, while maintaining a high absorption of ink.

Abstract: Printable articles having a single coating/ink receiving layer are disclosed. In addition, printable articles having a single coating/ink receiving layer disposed on the printable article and a second coating layer disposed on the coating/ink receiving layer are disclosed.

Abstract: Formulations comprising novel porous metal oxide particles and binder are particularly suitable for ink receptive coatings, e.g., for ink jet papers and films. The metal oxide particles used in this application have a porous structure that differs significantly from the nonporous silica colloids. The particles have a median particle size in the range of about 0.05 to about 3 microns and porosity such that when an aqueous dispersion of the particles is dried at least 0.5 cc/g of pore volume is from pores having a pore size of 600 ? or less. The particles also have a viscosity derived pore volume of at least 0.5 cc/g.

Abstract: An ink jet recording medium including an ink receiving layer disposed on at least one side of a support, wherein the ink receiving layer is formed by applying an ink receiving layer coating solution. The ink receiving layer coating solution includes a water-soluble resin and a fine silica dispersion that has been prepared by finely dispersing a preliminary silica dispersion. The preliminary silica dispersion includes fumed silica, a cationic polymer having an I/O value of 2.4 or less, and alcohol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing permanent ink-jet images are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a media substrate coated with a porous media coating, wherein the porous media coating comprises inorganic porous particulates, and wherein at least a portion of the inorganic porous particulates have a first reactive group covalently attached thereto. The system further includes an ink-jet ink containing a dye, wherein the dye comprises a second reactive group, and wherein the first reactive group and the second reactive group are configured to react with one another upon contact to form a covalent bond.

Abstract: An image recording element having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, the recording element containing core/shell particles wherein the shell of the particles is an oligomeric or polymeric aluminosilicate complex or an aluminosilicate particulate, the complex and the particulate having a positive charge and being counter balanced by an anion.

Abstract: An ink jet-printing medium comprising a substrate and an ink-receptive layer which has at least one layer and is formed on at least one major surface of the substrate, in which at least one layer of the ink-receptive layer contains fibrous fine powder as a pigment in an amount of at least 20% by weight of the total weight of the whole pigment contained in the layer which contains the fibrous fine powder. This medium can be produced at a low cost and has high printing quality while suppressing the discoloration or fading of the prints.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon, in order, a hydrophilic absorbing layer and a polymeric overcoat layer comprising particles of a substantially amorphous synthetic aluminosilicate. Such recording elements exhibit improved humidity keeping and smudge resistance, while maintaining good differential gloss.

Abstract: An inkjet recording element comprising a support having thereon, in order, a support having thereon a ink-receiving layer comprising a hydrophilic polymer and particles of an aluminosilicate in an amount of less than 30 weight percent solids, based on the total weight of the layer. Such recording elements exhibit improved humidity keeping for print sharpness.

Abstract: An inkjet recording element comprising a support having thereon a subbing layer comprising particles of an aluminosilicate for improved adhesion.

Abstract: An inkjet recording element comprising a support having thereon, in order, a support having thereon an ink-receiving layer comprising a hydrophilic polymer, a polymeric mordant, and particles of an aluminosilicate. Such recording elements exhibit improved humidity keeping.

Abstract: A surface modified fine silica powder which has been treated, preferably, with a treating agent containing an amino group, characterized in that the powder exhibits an adsorption amount for an anion source compound of 150% or more of that of an original powder which has not been treated; and a printing material using the silica powder. The surface modified fine silica powder can provide an excellent printed matter being free from blotting with ink or a cracking of coating film.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, the ink jet recording element containing core/shell particles wherein the shell of the particles consists a metal(oxy)hydroxide complex, Mn+(O)a(OH)b(Ap?)c•xH2O, wherein M is at least one metal ion; n is 3 or 4; A is an organic or inorganic ion; p is 1, 2 or 3; and x is equal to or greater than 0; with the proviso that when n is 3, then a, b and c each comprise a rational number as follows: 0?a<1.5; 0<b<3; and 0?pc<3, so that the charge of the M3+ metal ion is balanced; and when n is 4, then a, b and c each comprise a rational number as follows: 0?a<2; 0<b<4; and 0?pc<4, so that the charge of the M4+ metal ion is balanced.

Abstract: Ceramic pigment-based, chemically-modified porous coatings can be used for enhancing image permanence of ink-jet image printing. Specifically, a porous coated media sheet, comprising a media substrate, having a porous coating coated thereon comprising a modified ceramic pigment including a fixer group and a stabilizer group, each covalently attached to the ceramic pigment is disclosed. Additionally, a method and system for preparing permanent ink-jet images is also provided.

Abstract: Described is a process for preparing polymer-enrobed pigment particles, which comprises mixing in the presence of finely dispersed pigment particles a solution of a polymer in a first solvent with a second solvent in which the polymer is substantially insoluble. The pigment particle can be specifically modified by judicious selection of the polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cationic shelled particle comprising a colloidal alumina core having a median diameter of between 20 and 2000 nm and a positive charge, a layer on the surface of said core particle having a negative charge and comprising particles of a median diameter of less than 30% of the median diameter of said core particle, and an outer layer of positive charge.

Abstract: A micro-capsulated pigment containing pigment ink being excellent in density, fineness, transparency, and coloring and color rendering properties required for ink solutions and having excellent dispersibility and dispersion stability with time due to the reduced particle size is provided. At least a color material with at least part of the surfaces of pigment particles covered with polyhydroxyalkanoate, and a medium for dispersion of the color material are used to obtain the pigment ink.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising relatively low alkali cationic colloidal silicas and ink jet recording sheets prepared from such coatings is described. The coating comprises binder and cationic colloidal silica preferably having an average particle size in the range of about 1 to about 300 nanometers and which has a solids to alkali metal ratio of at least the sum of AW(?0.013SSA+9), AW being the atomic weight of alkali metal present in the colloidal silica and SSA being the specific surface area of the silica. It has been discovered that if the alkali metal, e.g., sodium, content of colloidal silica is reduced, coatings prepared from such colloidal silica and applied to conventional ink jet recording sheet supports provide a specular gloss of at least 30 at 60° C., even at a relatively high silica solids to binder solids ratio of 1:1 or greater.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising a relatively low alkali-containing colloidal silica and glossy ink jet recording sheets prepared from such coatings is described. The coating comprises binder and colloidal silica, e.g., having an average particle size in the range of about 1 to about 300 nanometers. The low alkali colloidal silica of this invention comprises ammonia, polydispersed colloidal silica, or both. Polydispersed silicas having a particle size distribution such that the median particle size is in the range of 15 to 100 nanometers and 80% of the particles span a range of at least about 30 to about 70 nanometers are preferred. It has been discovered that coatings prepared from such colloidal silica and applied to conventional ink jet recording sheet supports have a specular gloss of at least 30 at 60° C., and excellent printability at silica solids to binder solids ratio of 1:1 or greater.

Abstract: A recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, said recording element containing core-shell particles wherein said core comprises an inorganic or organic particle and said shell comprises an organosilane or a hydrolyzed organosilane derived from a compound having the formula: Si(OR)aZb wherein R is hydrogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms; Z is an alkyl group having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms or aryl group having from about 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, with at least one of said Z's having at least one primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary nitrogen atom; a is an integer from 1 to 3; and b is an integer from 1 to 3; with the proviso that a+b=4; and with the further proviso that the amount of organosilane shell material is such that Ratio R, which is the number of micromoles of organosilane used to shell the core particle

Abstract: An improved ink jet recording element is disclosed comprising a subbed polyester support, and an ink receiver layer containing a cationic compound, characterized in that between said support and said ink receiver layer there is an additional adhesion promoting layer present comprising a binder and a cationically modified silica.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer of a polymeric network formed by a chemical reaction between a wet-strength polymer, amino-functionalized inorganic particles and a hydrophilic polymer other than a wet-strength polymer.

Abstract: An ink recording element is described comprising a support having thereon at least one image-receiving layer comprising polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, wherein the polymeric particle is stabilized by a hydrophobically-capped oligomeric acrylamide dispersant.

Abstract: A thermal transfer ink is provided, which includes: at least one dye (a); at least one dye selected from the group including dye (b), dye (c) and a mixture thereof; and a medium; wherein (a) is a dye having a pyrazolone methine skeleton, (b) is a dye having a quinophthalone skeleton, and (c) is a dye having an aminopyrazole azo skeleton.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an ink jet recording medium comprises a flexible substrate and a coating composition coated on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the coating composition comprises the product formed from the contact between fumed silica particles and at least one aminoorganosiloxane. The invention also pertains to a method for the preparation of such an ink jet recording medium and to methods for the preparation of a coating composition and a dispersion useful in the preparation of such an ink jet recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating for inkjet media, which includes at least one hydrophobic filler particle; and a binder. Another embodiment of the invention provides an inkjet media, which includes the above-described coating coated on a substrate. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of inkjet printing, which includes inkjet printing at least one inkjet ink onto a substrate coated with the above-described coating.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to systems and coated substrates for ink-jet ink printing. The coated media substrate can comprise a substrate, having coated thereon, a porous coating, wherein the porous coating comprises an alumina particulate having an active ligand covalently attached thereto or adsorbed thereon. Preferably, the alumina particulate is an aluminum oxide having surface hydroxyls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating material for producing a porous ink-absorbent coating on a substrate to be used in ink-jet printers, comprising radiation curable material and particulate material in a liquid carrier, wherein the weight ratio of particulate material to radiation curable material is greater than 1:1. Also disclosed is a process for preparing a coated substrate using such a coating material. Advantageously, the coating material of the present invention does not crack upon curing, and conveniently forms a porous coating having a glossy surface, while retaining a porous structure for ink-absorption.

Abstract: A media sheet which can be used with a new system and method of the present invention is provided. Specifically, a media sheet can comprise a substrate, a porous dye-receiving layer deposited on the substrate, and a porous ionic layer deposited on the porous dye-receiving layer. Thus, when the ink-jet ink is printed onto the media sheet, ink-jet ink passes substantially through the porous ionic layer and onto the porous dye-receiving layer forming an ink-jet ink-containing media sheet. A fluid sealant composition having an opposite polarity than the ionically-charged surfaces can then be applied. Upon application of the fluid sealant to the ink-jet ink-containing media sheet, an interpolymer complex is formed sealing the ink-jet ink in the media sheet.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording medium including: a substrate; and an ink receiving layer coated on a surface of the substrate and including an inorganic filler, a polyvinyl alcohol, a cationic core-shell latex with a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 50° C., and a zirconium compound.

Abstract: An ink jet recording medium comprising a water-impermeable substrate, a first porous layer formed on the substrate, and a second porous layer formed on the first porous layer, wherein the psychometric lightness (L*) at a black solid printed portion with a black dye ink is at most 5.0.

Abstract: An inkjet recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer comprising non-silicon-containing inorganic oxide particles, the particles having their surfaces treated with a silane coupling agent having a hydrophilic, organic moiety.

Abstract: Silica-based, chemically-bonded porous coatings, synthesized via the reaction of organo silanes with silica, are used as coatings for inkjet image printing. Silica is used as the base material in all cases, due to its favorable chemical properties of the surface, and the favorable pore structure. The silane-silica reaction product substantially retains the original pore structure of the pre-reacted silica. The disclosed embodiments solve the problems in the prior art in that any catalytic activity of the silica surface towards image fade is eliminated by the chemical modification of silica. This improves the image fade and humid fastness properties of the coating.

Abstract: The invention provides a porous resin film having a good absorption of water content as a solvent for aqueous ink or aqueous paste and a recording medium comprising the porous resin film. The recording medium is characterized by the capability of absorbing an ink without density unevenness even during ink jet recording if the ejected amount of ink is great. The invention lies in a porous resin film comprising: a thermoplastic resin in an amount of 30 to 90% by weight; and an inorganic and/or organic finely divided powder in an amount of 10 to 70% by weight, wherein the inorganic and/or organic finely divided powder is surface-treated with a surface treating agent (A) made of a copolymer of diallylamine salt or alkyl diallylamine salt (a1) with a nonionic hydrophilic vinyl monomer (a2) and an anionic surface treating agent (B), and the porous resin film has a liquid absorption capacity of not smaller than 0.5 ml/m2 as measured by “Japan TAPPI No. 51-87”.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous dispersion containing at least two powder types selected from one or more metal oxide powders and/or one or more non-metal oxide powder. The present invention also provides a coating composition containing this dispersion, an inkjet recording medium containing the coating composition, and methods of making the same.

Abstract: Paper coating compositions are provided for use with thermal ink-jet color printers, such as Hewlett-Packard Company's DeskJet® printer. The organic pigment present in the paper is modified by the addition of a metal-charge complex which causes anionic colorants in the ink to be precipitated on the surface of the paper. Printing any of the ink-jet ink sets onto the specially-prepared paper improves resolution, color retention, waterfastness, smear-fastness, image retention and image density while decreasing image bleed in ink-jet printing.

Abstract: An ink jet printing method, having the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element having a support having thereon a fusible, porous, image-receiving layer of non-porous polymeric particles having a core/shell structure of a polymeric, hydrophobic core covered with a polymeric, hydrophobic shell, the Tg of the polymeric, hydrophobic core being at least about 25° C. higher than the Tg of the polymeric, hydrophobic shell; C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition of water, a humectant, and a water-soluble dye; and D) printing on the overcoat layer using the inkjet ink in response to the digital data signals.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to systems and coated substrates for ink-jet ink printing. The coated media substrate can comprise a substrate, having coated thereon, a porous coating, wherein the porous coating comprises silica having crown compounds covalently attached thereto. The system utilizes a coated media substrate wherein the coating is functionalized with crown compounds, and further provides an ink-jet ink composition that has an affinity for the crown compounds.

Abstract: A recording sheet for ink jet printing described, which consists of a support having coated onto said support at least one ink receiving layer consisting of one or more binders and a mixture of different water insoluble, inorganic oxides of the elements aluminium or silicium, oxide/hydroxides of the element aluminium or aluminium silicates, wherein at least one of said oxides, oxides/hydroxides or silicates has a pore volume of ≧40 ml/100 g and is present in an amount of at least 8 weight percent relative to the total amount of all the water insoluble, inorganic oxides, oxide/hydroxides or silicates and that the primary particles of the mixture component with the largest volume have an equivalent sphere diameter of less than 20 nm and the primary particles of the mixture component with the smallest volume have an equivalent sphere diameter that is at least {fraction (1/20)} of the equivalent sphere diameter of the primary particles of the mixture component with the largest volume.

Abstract: An ink jet printing method having the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer of porous polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, the porous polymeric particles being prepared in the presence of an anionic or ationic dispersant, and the image-receiving layer containing a surfactant having a charge opposite to that of the dispersant used to make the porous polymeric particles, the surfactant being present in an amount from about 0.04 parts to about 0.30 parts by weight of the dispersant; C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition; and D) printing on the ink jet recording element using the ink jet ink composition in response to the digital data signals.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon a fusible, porous, image-receiving layer having non-porous polymeric particles having a core/shell structure having a polymeric, hydrophobic core covered with a polymeric, hydrophobic shell, the Tg of the polymeric, hydrophobic core being at least about 25° C. higher than the Tg of the polymeric, hydrophobic shell.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an ink recording element comprising a support having thereon at least one ink receiving layer, the layer comprising wrinkled particles. The present invention also includes a method of forming a print comprising providing an ink recording element comprising at least one ink receiving layer capable of accepting an ink image, the layer comprising wrinkled particles and printing on the ink recording element utilizing a printer.

Abstract: Media coatings for use on substrates for ink jet printing include a cationically modified clay, a cationically modified silica and a binder. Alternatively, the media coatings also include additional additives. The ratio of cationically modified clay to cationically modified silica varies in the coating formulation from about 1% to about 99%. Desirably, the ratio of the cationically modified clay to cationically modified silica varies from about 10% to about 50%. More desirably, the ratio of cationically modified clay to cationically modified silica varies from about 25% to about 35%. The ratio of the total cationically modified clay and cationically modified silica to binder varies from about 20% to about 80%. Desirably, the ratio of the total cationically modified clay and cationically modified silica to binder varies from about 65% to about 75%.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer having: (a) inorganic particles having a primary particle size of from about 7 to about 40 nm in diameter which may be aggregated up to about 500 nm; (b) colloidal particles having a mean particle size of from about 20 to about 500 nm; and (c) water-insoluble, cationic, polymeric particles having at least about 20 mole percent of a cationic mordant moiety.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element comprising a substrate having thereon a porous image-receiving layer having a) organic particles encapsulated with an organic polymer having a Tg of less than about 100° C.; and b) water-insoluble, cationic, polymeric particles.

Abstract: A coating fluid for forming a coating on a support for use in printing comprises an aqueous liquid having dispersed therein (a) from 2 to 50% of an inorganic oxide selected from aluminum oxide and silica the % being by weight based on the combined weight of aqueous liquid and inorganic oxide and (b) from 1 to 50% by weight based on the weight of oxide (a) of a composition comprising a polymer containing negatively charged groups and a cationic surfactant. The composition may be formed from a polymer containing maleic acid units and a surfactant containing a quaternary nitrogen atom. The polymer may be a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing a maleic acid containing monomer with another ethylenically unsaturated monomer or monomers and where the molar ratio of maleic acid containing monomers to other monomers is from 1:1 to 1:5.

Abstract: An ink jet printing method having the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with ink jet recording element having a substrate having thereon a porous image-receiving layer of a) organic particles encapsulated with an organic polymer having a Tg of less than about 100 ° C.; and b) water-insoluble, cationic, polymeric particles; C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition; and D) printing on the image-receiving layer using the inkjet ink composition in response to the digital data signals.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink-jet recording material which comprises a support and a layer containing at least one of a polymer latex and a resin emulsion in combination with solid fine particles, and at least one layer containing fumed silica formed on the above-mentioned layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image-transfer medium for ink-jet printing, comprising a base material, and a releasing layer and a transfer layer, both, provided on the base material, wherein the transfer layer comprises fine particles of a water-insoluble thermoplastic resin, a water-insoluble thermoplastic resin binder and a crosslinking agent coated with a thermoplastic resin.