JP2000144026A - Ink composition for realizing image with excellent print quality and ink jet recording using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an ink composition, which has a high penetrating property and a reduced degree of bubbling and ensures a stable print obtained according to an ink jet recording system, by compounding a colorant, an aqueous solvent, and an acetylene glycol compound. SOLUTION: An acetylene glycol compound of the formula is used. In the formula, R1 and R4 represent each a 1-4C alkyl or a 1-4C alkyl-substituted phenyl; R2 and R4 represent each independently a 1-4C alkyl; A, B, X and Y represent each independently a 3-5C alkyleneoxy; and the sum of (j) and (k) is 2 to 50, with the proviso that either of A or B is preferably propyleneoxy. The compound of the formula is preferable added in an amount of about 0.1 to 10 wt.%. The colorant may be any of dyes and pigments and its amount preferably ranges about 1 to 10 wt.%. The aqueous solvent is composed of a water-soluble organic solvent and water, and its amount preferably ranges about 3 to 30 wt.%.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink composition and a recording method, and more particularly to an ink composition preferably used in a color ink jet recording apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet recording is a method of ejecting ink as fine droplets from fine nozzles to record characters and figures on the surface of a recording medium. A method of converting an electric signal into a mechanical signal using an electrostrictive element as an ink jet recording method, intermittently discharging ink stored in a nozzle head portion to record characters and symbols on the surface of a recording medium, a nozzle head The ink stored in the part is heated rapidly at a part very close to the discharge part to generate bubbles, and the ink is intermittently discharged by volume expansion due to the bubbles,
A method of recording characters and symbols on the surface of a recording medium has been put to practical use.

[0003] The ink used for such ink-jet recording has good drying properties of the print, does not have print bleeding, can print uniformly on various surfaces of the recording medium, and has a mixture of colors in the case of multiple colors. There is a demand for such characteristics as not being present. Here, a particular problem is that when paper is used as the recording medium, the difference in permeability due to the fiber causes
This means that bleeding is likely to occur.

Recently, the use of recycled paper has been expanding. Recycled paper contains various paper components, and if the permeation rate of the ink composition differs for each fiber, it causes bleeding.

Some attempts have been made to improve the permeability of ink compositions, eliminate differences in penetration rates, and prevent bleeding. For example, US Pat. No. 5,156,67
No. 5, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether may be added as described in US Pat. No. 5,183,502, or Surfynol 465 (trade name: Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd.), which is an acetylene glycol surfactant, as described in US Pat. No. 5,183,502. ) Or as described in U.S. Pat.
As in the specification of JP-A No. 56, addition of both diethylene glycol monobutyl ether and Surfynol 465 has been studied. Diethylene glycol mono-n
-Butyl ether is called butyl carbitol and is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,291,580. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,083,372, the use of diethylene glycol ethers in inks is being studied.

In particular, acetylene glycol-based surfactants represented by Surfynol have high permeability. As a result, the ink composition containing the ink composition has high permeability in various recording media, has a short drying time, and can realize an image with little bleeding.

However, the present inventors have confirmed that foaming is likely to occur depending on the composition of the ink composition. The generation of bubbles in the ink flow path of an inkjet recording printer is a very undesirable phenomenon that causes dot missing and the like.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present inventors have now found that foaming is low,
On the other hand, a compound having high permeability maintained by an acetylene glycol-based surfactant was found. The present invention is based on this finding.

That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink composition which imparts high penetrability to an ink composition, has little bubbling, and enables stable printing by an ink jet recording method.

[0010] The ink composition according to the present invention comprises at least a colorant, an aqueous solvent, and a compound represented by the following formula (I).

[0011]

Embedded image (In the above formula, R ₁ and R ₄ are each independently C _1-4
X represents an alkyl group or a C _1-4 alkyl-substituted phenyl group, R ₂ and R ₃ each independently represent a C _1-4 alkyl group, A and B each represent a C _2-5 alkyleneoxy group, And Y represent a C _2-5 alkyleneoxy group, and the sum of j and k is 2 to 50)

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Compound of formula (I) The compound of formula (I) added to the ink composition according to the present invention has the property of a so-called surfactant.
The ink composition to which the compound of the formula (I) is added has high permeability and little foaming.

In the above formula (I), R ₁ and R ₄ are
Each independently represents a C _1-4 alkyl group or a C _1-4 alkyl-substituted phenyl group. Here, this alkyl group may be linear or branched. Thus, specific examples of R ₁ and R ₄ include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl,
sec-butyl and tert-butyl.

R ₂ and R ₃ each independently represent a C _1-4 alkyl group. This alkyl group may be linear or branched.

A and B each represent a C _2-5 alkyleneoxy group, wherein the alkylene may be linear or branched. Further, this A and B
J and k, which represent the number of repetitions of the part, are sums of 2
５０50. More preferably, the sum is 5 to 35
And most preferably in the range of 10-20.

Further, X and Y represent a C _2-5 alkyleneoxy group, wherein the alkylene may also be linear or branched.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, formula (I)
Preferably, either A or B therein is propyleneoxy.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, formula (I)
The compound represented by the formula (I) preferably has an HLB value of 7 or more. However, even when the HLB value of the compound represented by the formula (I) is less than 7, the composition is controlled so that the overall HLB value of the surfactant added to the ink composition is 7 or more. Thus, an ink composition having good characteristics can be obtained. Therefore, compounds represented by the formula (I) having an HLB value of less than 7 are also included in the present invention.

The amount of the compound represented by the formula (I) to be added to the ink composition may be appropriately determined within a range in which a good image with little bleeding is realized.
It is preferably about 0% by weight, more preferably about 0.2 to 5% by weight, and most preferably 0.3 to 1.0% by weight.
It is about.

In some printers, the ink composition is stored in an ink tank filled with polyurethane foam, but the compound of the above formula (I) is easily adsorbed on the polyurethane foam. Has properties. Therefore, in some cases, it is preferable to add the compound of the formula (I) to the ink composition in a slightly excessive amount in consideration of the amount adsorbed on the polyurethane foam.

Except for the addition of the compound of formula (I), the ink composition used in the present invention may be substantially the same as a conventionally known ink composition for ink jet recording. That is, it may be an ink composition comprising a colorant, an aqueous solvent, and other components.

The colorant may be either a dye or a pigment. The amount of the pigment added to the ink composition is preferably 1
About 10 to 10% by weight, more preferably 3 to 7% by weight
It is about.

In the present invention, the aqueous solvent as the basic solvent of the ink composition comprises an aqueous organic solvent and water. The water-soluble organic solvent improves the solubility of glycol ethers and ink components having low solubility in water contained in the ink, and further improves the permeability to a recording medium, such as paper, or prevents nozzle clogging. For example, alkyl alcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as ethanol, methanol, butanol, propanol and isopropanol, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether Acetate, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-n-
Propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-iso-
Propyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-iso
-Propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, 1-methyl-1-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol mono -T-
Butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether,
Dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether,
Glycol ethers such as dipropylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, formamide, acetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sorbit, sorbitan, acetin, diacetin, triacetin, sulfolane, and the like. The amount of the water-soluble organic solvent added to the ink composition is preferably about 3 to 30% by weight, and more preferably about 5 to 15% by weight.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ink composition may further comprise a penetrant in addition to the compound of the formula (I). Preferred specific examples of the penetrant include:
Examples include diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, triethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, and dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether. With these additions, an image with less blur can be realized. Further, the amount added in the ink composition is preferably about 3% by weight to 30% by weight.

Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ink composition comprises, as its components, a preservative, an antioxidant, a conductivity adjuster, a pH adjuster, a viscosity adjuster, a surface tension adjuster, an oxygen absorber, An additive such as an anti-clogging agent for the nozzle can be included.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable to add a water-soluble glycol to the ink composition in order to suppress drying of the ink composition on the front surface of the nozzle. Examples thereof include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 2000 or less,
1,3-propylene glycol, isopropylene glycol, isobutylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, glycerin, mesoerythritol, pentaerythritol, etc. Is mentioned.

Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
In order to suppress drying of the ink composition on the front surface of the nozzle, it is preferable to add a saccharide to the ink composition. Preferred saccharides include monosaccharides and polysaccharides, and more specifically glucose, mannose, fructose, ribose, xylose, arabinose, lactose, galactose, aldonic acid, glucitolose, maltose, cellobiose, sucrose, trehalose, maltotriose. In addition, alginic acid and its salts, cyclodextrins, and celluloses can be used. The amount of the saccharide added to the ink composition is preferably about 0.05% to 30% by weight. Glucose, mannose, fructose,
Ribose, xylose, arabinose, lactose, galactose, aldonic acid, glucitolose, maltose,
More preferable addition amount of cellobiose, sucrose, trehalose, maltotriose, etc. is 3% by weight to 20% by weight.
It is about. Alginic acid and its salts, cyclodextrins and celluloses are preferably added in such an amount that the viscosity of the ink does not become too high.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to add another surfactant in order to control the permeability of the ink composition into a recording medium. The surfactant to be added preferably has good compatibility with other components of the ink composition, and among the surfactants, those having high permeability and high stability are particularly preferable. Specific examples thereof include amphoteric surfactants and nonionic surfactants. As an amphoteric surfactant, lauryl dimethyl amino acetate betaine,
2-alkyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethylimidazolinium betaine, coconut oil fatty acid amidopropyldimethylaminoacetic acid betaine, polyoctylpolyaminoethylglycine, and other imidazoline derivatives. Nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene dodecyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl allyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether Ethers such as ethylene alkyl ether and polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleic acid,
Esters such as polyoxyethylene oleate, polyoxyethylene distearate, sorbitan laurate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan sesquiolate, polyoxyethylene monooleate, polyoxyethylene stearate, etc. Fluorinated surfactants such as a fluorine alkyl ester and a perfluoroalkyl carboxylate are exemplified.

Specific examples of preservatives and fungicides include sodium benzoate, sodium pentachlorophenol, sodium 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, sodium sorbate, sodium dehydroacetate, 1,2-dibenzide Sothiazolin-3-one (ICI
Proxel CRL, Proxel BDN, Proxel GXL, Proxel XL-2, Proxel TN).

Examples of the pH adjuster, dissolution aid and antioxidant include amines such as diethanolamine, triethanolamine, propanolamine and morpholine, and modified products thereof, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide. Inorganic salts, such as ammonium hydroxide, quaternary ammonium hydroxide (such as tetramethylammonium), carbonates such as potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and lithium carbonate, and other phosphates; or N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, urea, Ureas such as thiourea and tetramethylurea, allohanates such as allohanate and methyl allohanate, biurets such as biuret, dimethyl biuret and tetramethyl biuret,
L-ascorbic acid and its salts.

Further, commercially available antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers and the like can also be used. Examples include Ciba Geigy's Tinuvin 328, 900, 1130, 384,
292, 123, 144, 622, 770, 292, I
rgacor252, 153, Irganox101
0, 1076, 1035, MD1024, etc., or lanthanide oxides.

Further, as the viscosity modifier, rosins,
Alginic acids, polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, polyacrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum arabic and the like can be mentioned.

The ink composition according to the present invention is used in a recording system using the ink composition. Examples of the recording method using the ink composition include an ink jet recording method, a recording method using a writing instrument such as a pen, and various other printing methods. In particular, the ink composition according to the present invention is preferably used for an ink jet recording method.

Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable to use a nozzle having a water-repellent surface tip as a nozzle for discharging ink droplets. According to a more preferred embodiment, it is preferable to control the composition of the ink composition so that the contact angle of the ink composition with respect to the water-repellent surface at the tip of the nozzle is 50 ° or more.

Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the ink composition is ejected by the electrostrictive element and the ink composition is not ejected, the electrostrictive element applies the ink composition inside the nozzle when the ink composition is not ejected. It is preferable that the ink droplet is slightly moved so as not to be ejected from the front surface of the nozzle. In the case of an ink composition having a relatively large amount of a solid component such as a pigment, if the ink droplet is not ejected for a long time, the ink may dry and thicken on the front surface of the nozzle, causing a phenomenon in which printing is disturbed. . By the fine movement operation as described above, such printing disturbance can be effectively prevented. In this fine movement operation, the addition amount of the pigment component is 3% by weight to 15%.
It is effective for ink compositions of about 5% by weight, preferably about 5% to 10% by weight.

[0036]

EXAMPLES The structures of compounds 1 to 10 of the formula (I) used in the following examples are as shown in the following table.

[0037]

[Table 1] In the table, the following abbreviations were used. That is, EO: ethylene oxide group, PO: propylene oxide group,
BO: butylene oxide group, PTO: pentylene oxide group.

Preparation of Ink Composition An ink composition having the following composition was prepared according to a conventional method.

Example 1 3.0% by weight of a water-soluble pigment (average particle size: 75 nm, surface of which is subjected to a dispersion treatment by oxidation to have functional groups such as carbonyl group and carboxyl group) Compound 1 1.2% by weight Polyethylene glycol monobutyl ether 1.2% by weight 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol 3.0% by weight 1,5-pentanediol 3.0% by weight 0.9% by weight of triethanolamine Deionized water Remaining amount Example 2 Acid Blue 9 5.0% by weight Compound 2 of formula (I) 0.5% by weight Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether 2.0% by weight Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 10.0% by weight Glycerin 6.0 Weight% neopentyl glycol 5.0 weight% ion exchange water remaining amount Example 3 water-soluble pigment 5.0 weight% (average (A particle diameter of 105 nm, the surface of which is subjected to a dispersion treatment by oxidation to have a carbonyl group and a carboxyl group.) Compound 3 of formula (I) 1.0% by weight Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 7.0% by weight Glycerin 6.0% by weight % 1,5-pentanediol 5.0% by weight Triethanolamine 0.8% by weight Deionized water Remaining Example 4 Water-soluble pigment 5.0% by weight (average particle diameter 80 nm, pigment dispersed with acrylic dispersant) Compound of formula (I) 4 0.8% by weight 1,6-hexanediol 5.0% by weight Tripropylene glycol 2.0% by weight 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone 2.0% by weight % Sodium benzoate 0.1% by weight Ion-exchanged water Remaining Example 5 Water-soluble pigment 3.0% by weight (average particle size 85 nm, surface subjected to dispersion treatment by oxidation And a carbonyl group and a carboxyl group) Compound (I) 5 0.8% by weight Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 10.0% by weight Propylene glycol 5.0% by weight Sodium hydroxide 0.1% by weight Triethanol Amine 1.0% by weight Deionized water Remaining Example 6 Water-soluble pigment 5.5% by weight (average particle size 90 nm, pigment dispersed with acrylic dispersant) Compound 6 of formula (I) 6 0.8 % By weight Polyethylene glycol 7.0% by weight Triethylene glycol 3.0% by weight Deionized water Remaining Example 7 I. Direct Yellow 132 5.0% by weight Compound 7 of formula (I) 1.6% by weight Triethylene glycol monobutyl ether 10.0% by weight Glycerin 5.0% by weight Trimethylolpropane 5.0% by weight Triethanolamine 0.1 Weight% Deionized water Remaining Example 8 C.I. I. Acid Blue 9 5.5 wt% Formula (I) compound 8 1.0 wt% Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 5.0 wt% Diethylene glycol 5.0 wt% sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 0.2% by weight Ion-exchanged water Balance carried Example 9 Water-soluble pigment 3.0% by weight (average particle diameter 65 nm, surface subjected to dispersion treatment by oxidation, carbonyl group and carboxyl group attached) Compound 9 of formula (I) 9 0.6% by weight diethylene glycol Monobutyl ether 10.0% by weight 1,4-butanediol 3.0% by weight Diethylene glycol 5.0% by weight Triethanolamine 0.5% by weight Deionized water Remaining Example 10 Water-soluble pigment 5.5% by weight (average) Particle size 95 nm, pigment dispersed with acrylic dispersant) Compound of formula (I) 10 0.9 % By weight Triethylene glycol 5.0% by weight 1,5-pentanediol 5.0% by weight Triethanolamine 0.6% by weight Deionized water Remaining Example 11 Direct Blue 199 3.5% by weight Triethylene glycol monobutyl ether 10.0% by weight Glycerin 11.0% by weight Diethylene glycol 9.4% by weight Compound 1 of the formula (I) 1.2% by weight Triethanolamine 0.6% by weight Benzotriazole 0.01% by weight Proxel XL-20. 3% by weight EDTA 0.02% by weight ion-exchanged water Remaining Example 12 The procedure of Example 11 was repeated, except that the compound 2 of the formula (I) was changed to 1.2% by weight instead of the compound 1 of the formula (I). The composition was the same. Example 13 The composition was the same as that of Example 11 except that the compound 3 of the formula (I) was changed to 1.4% by weight instead of the compound 1 of the formula (I). Example 14 Acid Red 254 2.25% by weight Triethylene glycol monobutyl ether 10.0% by weight Glycerin 10.0% by weight Diethylene glycol 9.4% by weight Compound of formula (I) 4 0.5% by weight Triethanolamine 0. 6% by weight Potassium hydroxide 0.1% by weight Urea 3.5% by weight Benzotriazole 0.01% by weight Proxel XL-2 0.3% by weight Ion exchanged water Remaining Example 15 Instead of compound 4 of formula (I) The composition was the same as that of Example 14 except that the compound 5 of the formula (I) was 1.6% by weight. Example 16 The composition was the same as that of Example 14 except that Compound 6 of Formula (I) was replaced by 1.0% by weight instead of Compound 4 of Formula (I). Example 17 Direct Yellow 132 1.47% by weight Direct Yellow 86 0.93% by weight Triethylene glycol monobutyl ether 10.0% by weight Glycerin 10.0% by weight Diethylene glycol 9.4% by weight Compound 7 of the formula (I) 0% by weight Triethanolamine 0.1% by weight Benzotriazole 0.01% by weight Proxel XL-2 0.3% by weight Deionized water Remaining Example 18 Instead of compound 7 of formula (I), formula (I) The composition was the same as that of Example 16 except that the content of Compound 8 was 1.3% by weight. Example 19 The composition was the same as that of Example 16 except that the compound 9 of the formula (I) was changed to 1.5% by weight instead of the compound 7 of the formula (I). Example 20 The composition was the same as that of Example 16 except that the compound 10 of the formula (I) was changed to 1.5% by weight instead of the compound 7 of the formula (I).

Comparative Example 1 Water-soluble pigment 5.0% by weight (average particle size 90 nm, surface is subjected to dispersion treatment by oxidation, and carbonyl group and carboxyl group are added) 2-pyrrolidone 3.0% by weight Polyethylene glycol 1000 3.0% by weight (molecular weight 1000) Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 1.0% by weight Dispersant 3.0% by weight Deionized water Remaining comparative example 2 Water-soluble dye FB2 5.5% by weight (CI Food black 2) Glycerin 10.0% by weight Sodium dioctylsulfonisuccinate 0.8% by weight 5.0% by weight of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether 5.0% by weight 2-pyrrolidone 5.0% by weight Ion-exchanged water Remaining comparative example 3 Water-soluble dye FB2 2.5% by weight (CI Food Black 2) Diethylene glycol 10.0% by weight Diethylene Glycol nonyl phenyl ether 2.0% by weight Deionized water Remaining example 4 The same as Example 11 except that 0.8% by weight of polyethylene glycol nonyl phenyl ether was added instead of compound 1 of formula (I). The composition was used. Comparative Example 5 The composition was the same as that of Example 14 except that 0.7% by weight of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate was added instead of the compound 4 of the formula (I). Comparative Example 6 Example 1 except that 0.8% by weight of sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate was added instead of the compound 7 of the formula (I).
The same composition as in Example 7 was used.

Evaluation Test The performance of the above ink composition was evaluated as follows.

The printing was performed by an ink jet printer M
J-930C (manufactured by Seiko Epson Corporation).

Test 1 : Bleeding of mixed color of black ink and color ink The solid color ink composition was printed on 12 kinds of recording papers shown in the following table, and the characters were printed thereon with the black ink composition. . Color bleeding at the boundary between the two colors was visually observed. The results were evaluated according to the following criteria.

Evaluation A: Invisible bleeding Evaluation B: Slight bleeding is observed but does not deteriorate the entire image Evaluation C: Bleeding is evident Evaluation D: Bleeding is remarkable.

The results were as shown in the table below.

[0046]

[Table 2]

[0047]

[Table 3]

Test 2 : Recovery from nozzle clogging The ink composition was filled in the head, printing was performed, and it was confirmed by printing that the ink was ejected from each nozzle. Then, put the head at 40 ° C without capping the head.
Left for a week. After the standing, printing was performed again, and the number of cleaning operations required until the ejection of all nozzles became possible was determined according to the following criteria.

Evaluation A: 1 time Evaluation B: 2 to 3 times Evaluation C: 4 times or more The results were as shown in the following table.

[0050]

[Table 4]

[0051]

[Table 5]

Test 3 : Foam stability test based on JIS K3362 In an environment of 25 ° C., 200 ml of ink was allowed to flow from a height of 900 mm into a graduated tube over a period of 30 seconds from a height of 900 mm, and then generated. The height of the foam was measured. The results were evaluated according to the following criteria.

Evaluation A: The height of the foam after 5 minutes is 150 mm or less. Evaluation B: The height of the foam after 5 minutes is 150 or more and less than 200 mm. Evaluation C: The height of the foam after 5 minutes is 200 mm. The above results were as shown in the table below.

[0054]

[Table 6]

[0055]

[Table 7]

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2C056 FC01 2H086 BA04 BA53 BA55 BA59 BA60 BA62 4J039 BC07 BC08 BC09 BC12 BC13 BC20 BC36 BC53 BC54 BC55 BE01 BE02 BE12 BE22 CA03 CA06 EA44 GA24

Claims (15)

[Claims] An ink composition comprising at least a coloring agent, an aqueous solvent, and a compound represented by the following formula (I). Embedded image (Wherein, R ₁ and R ₄ each independently represent a C _1-4 alkyl group or a C _1-4 alkyl-substituted phenyl group, and R ₂ and R ₃ each independently represent a C _1-4 alkyl group. A and B represent a C _2-5 alkyleneoxy group, X and Y represent a C _2-5 alkyleneoxy group, and the sum of j and k is 2 to 50) 2. The ink composition according to claim 1, wherein either A or B is propyleneoxy. 3. The compound represented by the formula (I) having an HLB value of 7
The ink composition according to claim 1 or 2, which is as described above. 4. An amount of the compound represented by the formula (I) of 0.1% by weight.
The ink composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is contained in a range of from 10 to 10% by weight. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the colorant is a dye or a pigment.
5. The ink composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The ink composition according to claim 1, further comprising a water-soluble emulsion when the colorant is a pigment. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble emulsion is 1% by weight to 10%
The ink composition according to claim 6, which is contained in the range of% by weight. 8. The water-soluble emulsion has a particle size of 0.2 μm.
The ink composition according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein m is equal to or less than m. 9. A recording method for printing on a recording medium by adhering an ink composition, wherein the ink composition is an ink composition.
A method using the ink composition according to any one of Items 1 to 8. 10. An ink jet recording method for ejecting droplets of an ink composition and attaching the droplets to a recording medium to perform printing, wherein the ink composition is any one of claims 1 to 8. An ink jet recording method using the ink composition described in the above. 11. The ink jet recording method according to claim 10, wherein droplets of the ink composition are ejected from a nozzle having a tip of a water-repellent surface. 12. The ink jet recording method according to claim 10, wherein an ink composition having a contact angle of 50 ° or more with a water-repellent surface at the tip of the nozzle is used. 13. When the droplet of the ink composition is discharged by the electrostrictive element and the ink composition is not discharged, the electrostrictive element moves slightly so that the ink composition does not discharge the ink droplet from the front surface of the nozzle. The inkjet recording method according to claim 9, wherein the recording is performed. 14. The ink jet recording method according to claim 13, wherein an ink composition containing a coloring agent in a range of 3% by weight to 15% by weight is used. 15. A recorded matter recorded by the ink jet recording method according to any one of claims 9 to 14.