Abstract: Colorant, dispersants, dispersions, and inks are provided which include crosslinked polymeric nanoparticles (hereafter “PNPs”) having a mean diameter in the range of from 1 to 50 nanometers, the PNPs including as polymerized units at least one multi-ethylenically-unsaturated monomer. Also provided are methods for preparing colorants, dispersants, dispersions, and inks which include PNPs.

Abstract: A method for forming an aqueous carbon black dispersion including providing a reaction mixture including carbon black having a DBP uptake of greater than 90 cc/100 g of the carbon black, a monovalent ion persulfate, an aqueous medium, and, in some embodiments, a strong acid; subjecting the reaction mixture to a first temperature of from 40° C. to 90° C. for from 2 hours to 24 hours; neutralizing the reaction mixture to a pH greater than 7.0, and, in certain embodiments, subjecting the neutralized reaction mixture to a second temperature of from 20° C. to 40° C. higher than the first temperature for from 2 hours to 12 hours is provided. In an alternative aspect carbon black having a particle diameter less than 18 nanometers in diameter and a DBP uptake of less than 70 cc/100 g carbon black is provided. The aqueous carbon black dispersion so formed and an aqueous inkjet ink containing the aqueous carbon black dispersion are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are improved coatings, polymeric dispersions, and polymeric composites, which include crosslinked polymeric nanoparticles (hereafter “PNPs”). Also provided are methods for forming improved coatings, polymeric dispersions, and polymeric composites, which include PNPs. The PNPs have polymerized units of at least one multi-ethylenically-unsaturated monomer have a mean diameter of from 1 to 50 nanometers. PNPs having polymerized units of at least one multi-ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and at least one surface-active monomer are also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming an aqueous carbon black dispersion including providing a reaction mixture including carbon black having a DBP uptake of greater than 90 cc/100 g of the carbon black, a monovalent ion persulfate, an aqueous medium, and, in some embodiments, a strong acid; subjecting the reaction mixture to a first temperature of from 40° C. to 90° C. for from 2 hours to 24 hours; neutralizing the reaction mixture to a pH greater than 7.0, and, in certain embodiments, subjecting the neutralized reaction mixture to a second temperature of from 20° C. to 40° C. higher than the first temperature for from 2 hours to 12 hours is provided. In an alternative aspect carbon black having a particle diameter less than 18 nanometers in diameter and a DBP uptake of less than 70 cc/100 g carbon black is provided. The aqueous carbon black dispersion so formed and an aqueous inkjet ink containing the aqueous carbon black dispersion are also provided.

Abstract: A method for oxidizing an organic pigment including dispersing the pigment in an aqueous medium and exposing the dispersed pigment to ultrasonic radiation, whereby the exposed pigment exhibits from 3 to 10 microequivalents of carboxylic acid, or salts thereof, per square meter of pigment surface.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a polymeric binder for water-resistant ink jet inks, wherein the binder has an acid component in the range from about 1 to about 10 wt. % of the polymer, a glass transition temperature in the range from about −20° C. to about 25° C., and an average particle diameter in the range from about 250 to about 400 nm and a particle size distribution such that essentially all the particles have a diameter in the range from 130 to 450 nm. The binder comprises monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylates, methacrylates, styrene, substituted styrene, fluoromethacrylates, vinyl acrylates, vinyl acetates, acrylamides, substituted acrylamides, methacrylamides, substituted methacrylamides, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for oxidizing an organic pigment including dispersing the pigment in an aqueous medium and exposing the dispersed pigment to ultrasonic radiation, whereby the exposed pigment exhibits from 3 to 10 microequivalents of carboxylic acid, or salts thereof, per square meter of pigment surface.

Abstract: Provided are improved coatings, polymeric dispersions, and polymeric composites, which include PNPs. Also provided are methods for forming improved coatings, polymeric dispersions, and polymeric composites, which include PNPs. The PNPs have polymerized units of at least one multi-ethylenically-unsaturated monomer have a mean diameter of from 1 to 50 nanometers. PNPs having polymerized units of at least one multi-ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and at least one surface-active monomer are also provided.

Abstract: Colorant, dispersants, dispersions, and inks are provided which include PNPs having a mean diameter in the range of from 1 to 50 nanometers, the PNPs including as polymerized units at least one multi-ethylenically-unsaturated monomer. Also provided are methods for preparing colorants, dispersants, dispersions, and inks which include PNPs.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a polymeric binder for water-resistant ink jet inks, wherein the binder has an acid component in the range from about 1 to about 10 wt. % of the polymer, a glass transition temperature in the range from about −20° C. to about 25° C., and an average particle diameter in the range from about 250 to about 400 nm and a particle size distribution such that essentially all the particles have a diameter in the range from 130 to 450 nm. The binder comprises monomers selected from the group consisting of acrylates, methacrylates, styrene, substituted styrene, fluoromethacrylates, vinyl acrylates, vinyl acetates, acrylamides, substituted acrylamides, methacrylamides, substituted methacrylamides, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an image enhancing agent having a polymeric core including an image-enhancing compound chemically bound thereto and a polymeric shell surrounding the core and compound. The agent may be used for enhancing MRI images, by introducing gadolinium or other appropriate material into the core. Generally, the core is formed from an acid monomer and an esterified monomer. Preferably, a cross-linking monomer is included in the core.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of high surface area, low-swelling macroporous polymeric adsorbents is disclosed. The use of organic sulfonic acids to provide postcrosslinking of macroporous copolymers eliminates the need for traditional organic swelling solvents and Lewis-acid catalysts used to provide conventional macronetted polymers. In particular, methanesulfonic acid provides macroporous polymeric adsorbents having high surface area and porosity, low levels of residual vinyl groups, and free of residual contaminants from conventional Lewis-acid/Friedel-Crafts reactions.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of high surface area, low-swelling macroporous polymeric adsorbents is disclosed. The use of organic sulfonic acids to provide postcrosslinking of macroporous copolymers eliminates the need for traditional organic swelling solvents and Lewis-acid catalysts used to provide conventional macronetted polymers. In particular, methanesulfonic acid provides macroporous polymeric adsorbents having high surface area and porosity, low levels of residual vinyl groups, and free of residual contaminants from conventional Lewis-acid/Friedel-Crafts reactions.