JP2005238814A - Inkjet recording medium/method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet recording medium which gives a feel of uniform gloss over the whole blank and image parts when the medium is printed in a pigmented ink and shows high scuff resistance and makes an image scuff hardly conspicuous, in case the medium is scathed, and an inkjet recording method. <P>SOLUTION: The inkjet recording medium has a surface layer containing an inorganic fine particle with an average index of refraction of 2.1 to 2.9 and a binder, formed on a support. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet recording medium and an inkjet recording method.

  In recent years, there has been remarkable progress in inkjet recording systems. Inkjet recording is a system in which an ink liquid containing a color material is ejected from a thin nozzle onto an inkjet recording medium to form an image. Therefore, a water-soluble dye that is soluble in water has been used as a color material from the beginning. Ink-jet recording media have also emerged, so-called swollen or void-type recording media that incorporate dyes into ink-jet recording media along with ink liquids to improve image quality. Development has been promoted with the goal of improving image quality such as prevention, image resistance, light resistance, ozone fading, and so on. However, with dyes, since the durability of the dyes themselves is low, it has not been possible to obtain images that require high image storage stability.

  On the other hand, with the aim of high image storability, an ink jet using an ink liquid using a pigment as a coloring material has been proposed. This is an ink in which pigment is dispersed, and the pigment itself has high light resistance and ozone fading resistance. Therefore, the image preservability of the obtained image is compared with that using a dye. And can be significantly increased. However, in the ink using the pigment, the pigment does not soak into the ink jet recording medium and deposits on the surface. As a result, the gloss is different between the image portion made of the pigment and the white portion where the ink is not placed. A large image quality problem such as roughening of the surface at the density portion and a problem of poor scratching properties such as scratching when rubbed have emerged.

  In order to solve this problem, in general, an ink jet recording medium having an uneven surface, diffusing reflected light to make the difference in gloss inconspicuous, and reducing the contact area is used for pigment ink. However, as a result of making the surface uneven, there is a drawback that only a rough and rough image can be obtained.

As an attempt to improve uniform gloss, a method of functionally separating a pigment fixing layer and a solvent absorption layer (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2), and arranging spherical particles having a refractive index of 1.65 or more on the surface. According to the above, an ink jet recording medium having a high gloss of 60 ° (see, for example, Patent Document 3), a protective layer and an ink-receiving layer having a two-layer structure, titanium oxide and colloidal silica are placed in the protective layer, and image color and coating film There is an attempt to increase the strength (for example, see Patent Document 4). Certainly this method increases the strength of the coating film and makes it more resistant to rubbing, etc., but even with these methods, there is a difference in gloss in the image obtained using the pigment ink, especially the difference in gloss between the white background and the image area. The present situation is that non-uniform gloss is given and a uniform gloss image cannot be obtained.
JP 2000-127613 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-211113 JP 2001-328341 A JP 2001-10212 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a uniform gloss feeling over a white background and an image portion when printed with pigment ink, and has high scratch resistance, An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording medium and an ink jet recording method capable of obtaining an image that is not noticeable even if scratched.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following configurations.

(Claim 1)
An ink jet recording medium comprising a surface layer containing inorganic fine particles having an average refractive index of 2.1 to 2.9 and a binder on a support.

(Claim 2)
2. The ink jet recording medium according to claim 1, wherein a product of a surface roughness Ra (μm) of the surface layer and an average refractive index of the inorganic fine particles is 1.7 μm or less.

(Claim 3)
3. The ink jet recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic fine particles in the surface layer are at least one selected from titanium oxide, cerium oxide and zirconium oxide.

(Claim 4)
The ink jet recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the surface layer contains a cationic polymer.

(Claim 5)
The inkjet recording medium according to claim 1, further comprising a solvent absorption layer between the surface layer and the support.

(Claim 6)
The solvent absorption layer has a porous layer containing inorganic fine particles having an average refractive index of 1.3 to 1.7 and an average particle diameter of 1 to 200 nm and a binder. The inkjet recording medium according to any one of the above.

(Claim 7)
The inkjet recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the porous layer contains a cationic polymer.

(Claim 8)
The inkjet recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the support is resin-coated paper.

(Claim 9)
An ink jet recording method comprising: recording an image by discharging an ink containing at least a water-soluble solvent and a pigment onto the ink jet recording medium according to claim 1.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, an ink jet recording medium and an ink jet which can obtain a uniform glossy feeling over a white background and an image portion when printed with a pigment ink, and have a high scratch resistance and, for example, an image that is not noticeable even if scratched. A recording method can be provided.

  As a result of diligent research, the inventor has not only increased scratch resistance due to an ink jet recording medium having a surface layer containing inorganic fine particles having an average refractive index of 2.1 to 2.9 and a binder on a support. In addition, the present inventors have found that an ink jet recording medium can be obtained in which a uniform glossiness is obtained over a white background and an image portion, and an image which is not noticeable even if it is scratched is obtained.

  Further, when the product of the surface roughness of the surface layer and the average refractive index of the inorganic fine particles of the surface layer is 1.7 μm or less, the gloss value increases, and an image close to the silver salt can be obtained visually. By providing a solvent absorption layer between the bodies, it is possible to prevent image quality deterioration due to ink overflow during ink jet recording.

  Further, the solvent absorption layer has a porous layer containing inorganic fine particles having an average refractive index of 1.3 to 1.7 and an average particle diameter of 1 to 200 nm and a binder, thereby further increasing the ink absorption capacity. Therefore, ink overflow can be further prevented, and by incorporating silica in the surface layer, the ink absorption speed can be increased, so that deterioration in image quality due to ink overflow during ink jet recording can be prevented. By adding a cationic polymer to the surface layer, it is possible to improve the fixability of the pigment and improve water resistance and bleeding, and by adding a cationic polymer to the porous layer, it is contained in the porous layer. Since the dispersibility of the inorganic fine particles can be increased, the surface roughness can be lowered and the gloss can be increased. Moreover, water resistance can be further improved by using resin-coated paper as a support.

  The present invention will be described in detail below.

[Surface layer]
(Inorganic fine particles)
The inorganic fine particles (also referred to as inorganic filler) used for the surface layer are inorganic fine particles having an average refractive index of 2.1 to 2.9.

  In the present invention, the average refractive index means the refractive index when the inorganic fine particles are composed of one kind. In the case of a plurality of types, the refractive index is averaged by the mass fraction of each inorganic fine particle, and can be calculated by the mass fraction from the refractive index of each individual inorganic fine particle and the composition ratio of the inorganic fine particles. For example, the average refractive index of inorganic fine particles having a composition of titanium oxide (refractive index = 2.76): silica (refractive index = 1.44) = 2: 1 (mass ratio) is (2.76 × 2/3). ) + (1.44 × 1/3) = 2.32. Regarding the refractive index of inorganic fine particles, many measured values are published in publicly known literature.

  Examples of such inorganic fine particles include titanium oxide (rutile type, refractive index = 2.76), titanium oxide (anatase type, 2.52), zinc oxide (2.02), zirconium oxide (2.40), and oxidation. Examples include cerium (2.21), ferric trioxide (2.9), and antimony oxide (2.19). Among these, one selected from titanium oxide, cerium oxide and zirconium oxide is preferable from the viewpoint of securing a white background on the surface of the recording medium. If the average refractive index is in the range of 2.1 to 2.9, the inorganic fine particles having a lower refractive index than the individual inorganic fine particles, for example, α-alumina (refractive index: 1.8), γ -Combined use of alumina (same as 1.7), alumina (same as 1.56), magnesium hydroxide (same as 1.52), silica (same as 1.44), and tin oxide (same as 2.093) can do. In particular, titanium oxide is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of cost because it has a high refractive index and brings about a large effect in a small amount.

  The product of the surface roughness Ra (μm) of the surface layer and the average refractive index is preferably 1.7 μm or less. Even if the product is larger than 1.7 μm, a uniform gloss can be obtained on a white background and an image, but if it is 1.7 μm or less, the 60 ° gloss value is increased, and a better gloss can be obtained. The surface roughness in the present invention can be measured using RST / PLUS manufactured by WYKO. The surface roughness is preferably as small as possible from the viewpoint of preventing light scattering. Although light scattering is affected by the surface roughness and the refractive index of the surface layer, in the present invention, it is preferable to make the surface roughness particularly small because fine particles having a high refractive index are used for the surface layer as described above. It is preferable that the product has a constant value of 1.7 μm or less.

  The average primary particle diameter of inorganic fine particles having an average refractive index of 2.1 to 2.9 is required to be 1 to 200 nm. The average primary particle diameter is not particularly limited as long as the average primary particle diameter is within this range, but the range of 5 to 80 nm is particularly preferable. By setting the average primary particle diameter to 1 nm or more, the gap through which the surface ink passes increases, and thus ink absorption is further improved. Ink overflow can be further prevented. If it is smaller than 200 nm, the surface roughness becomes small, so that the gloss can be further improved.

(binder)
A conventionally known hydrophilic resin is used as the binder for the surface layer. Examples of known hydrophilic resins include gelatin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, pullulan, polyvinyl alcohol or derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, dextran, dextrin, water-soluble polyvinyl butyral, and the like.

  The amount of the binder added is not limited as long as it does not desorb the inorganic particles in the surface layer, but it is used in the range of 1 to 200% by mass with respect to the inorganic fine particles. Preferably it is 5 to 50%. If it is larger than 1%, the bonding of the surface layer becomes strong and the scratch resistance is further improved. If it is less than 200%, the ink absorbency is enhanced, and ink overflow can be further prevented.

  Various additives can be added to the coating solution for forming the surface layer. Such additives include, for example, cationic polymers, crosslinking agents, surfactants (cations, nonions, anions, amphoterics), white background color adjusting agents, fluorescent whitening agents, antifungal agents, viscosity adjusting agents, low boiling points. Organic solvents, high-boiling organic solvents, latex emulsions, anti-fading agents, UV absorbers, polyvalent metal compounds (water-soluble or water-insoluble), matting agents, silicone oils, etc. It is preferable for improving water resistance and moisture resistance later.

  As the cationic polymer, a cationic polymer having a primary to tertiary amino group and a quaternary ammonium base is used, but there is little discoloration or deterioration of light resistance with time, and the mordability of the dye is sufficiently high. From the above, a cationic polymer having a quaternary ammonium base is preferable.

  A preferable cationic polymer is obtained as a homopolymer of the monomer having the quaternary ammonium base, a copolymer with other monomers, or a condensation polymer.

Examples of cationic polymers include polyethyleneimine, polyallylamine, polyvinylamine, dicyandiamide polyalkylene polyamine condensate, polyalkylene polyamine dicyandiamide ammonium salt condensate, dicyandiamide formalin condensate, epichlorohydrin-dialkylamine polycondensate, diallyldimethylammonium chloride SO ₂ copolymer, polyvinyl imidazole, vinyl pyrrolidone / vinyl imidazole copolymer, polyvinyl pyridine, polyamidine, chitosan, cationized starch, vinyl benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride polymer, (2-methacryloyloxy) trimethyl ammonium chloride polymer And dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate polymer.

  The thickness of the surface layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 100 μm from the viewpoint of coating film formation. In this range, a uniform coating film can be obtained without causing a coating failure or the like. More preferably, it is 0.01-0.3 micrometer or 1.2-100 micrometers from a viewpoint of preventing the interference fringe of light, More preferably, it is 0.02-0.3 micrometer or 1.2-20 micrometers.

  In order to increase the ink absorption capacity and obtain a high-density image, it is preferable to provide a solvent absorption layer between the surface layer and the support. The solvent absorption layer is roughly classified into a swelling layer and a porous layer.

(Porous layer)
(Inorganic fine particles)
The porous layer is formed by mixing inorganic fine particles and a water-soluble binder and is characterized by forming voids in the layer. The inorganic fine particles used for the porous layer are inorganic fine particles having an average refractive index of 1.3 to 1.7 and an average particle diameter of 1 to 200 nm.

  The average refractive index of the inorganic fine particles used for the porous layer is synonymous with the average refractive index of the inorganic fine particles used for the surface layer. The average particle diameter is obtained by converting a circle-converted average particle diameter obtained from an average value of projected areas (determined for at least 100) of a transmission electron microscope (TEM) photograph into a spherical shape.

  Examples of such inorganic fine particles include γ-alumina (refractive index: 1.7), alumina (same as 1.56), magnesium hydroxide (same as 1.52), silica (same as 1.44), and the like. Can be mentioned. Among these, silica fine particles or alumina particles are preferable because the voids can be increased, so that a large amount of solvent can be absorbed. Particularly preferred are silica particles. As silica fine particles, silica synthesized by an ordinary wet method, silica synthesized by a vapor phase method, and the like are preferably used, but fine particle silica synthesized by a vapor phase method is particularly preferable because of increasing the number of voids.

  Wet silica is synthesized by precipitation or gel method using sodium silicate or the like as a raw material. The average particle size of wet silica is required to be 1 to 200 nm. If the average particle size is within this range, there is no particular limitation on the lower limit for the primary particle size of each wet silica, but it is 3 nm or more from the viewpoint of the production stability of silica particles, and 200 nm from the viewpoint of the transparency of the film. The following is preferable.

  Vapor phase method silica is synthesized by combustion method using silicon tetrachloride or the like and hydrogen as raw materials.

  As for the particle diameters of wet silica and vapor phase process silica, the average primary particle diameter is preferably 1 to 200 nm, more preferably 1 to 50 nm. If the average primary particle size is within this range, there is no particular limitation on the lower limit for the primary particle size of each silica, but the coefficient of variation in the primary particle size distribution is preferably 0.4 or less, more preferably 0.01 to 0.4. When the coefficient of variation is larger than 0.4, the porosity is reduced. If the particle size is in this range, the surface surface is less affected and a higher gloss is obtained. The coefficient of variation in the primary particle size distribution of silica or the like is determined by observing the cross section or surface of the void layer with an electron microscope, obtaining the particle size of 1000 arbitrary primary particles, and calculating the standard deviation of the particle size distribution as the number average particle size Calculated as the value divided by the value. Here, each particle size is represented by a diameter assuming a circle equal to the projected area.

Alumina or alumina hydrate may be crystalline or amorphous, and any shape such as irregular particles, spherical particles, and acicular particles can be used. In the recording medium, the ratio of the inorganic fine particles to the binder of the porous layer is preferably 2 to 50 times in terms of mass ratio. When the mass ratio is twice or more, the porosity of the porous layer is good, it is easy to obtain a sufficient void volume, and excessive binder can be prevented from swelling and closing the void during ink jet recording. On the other hand, when this ratio is 50 times or less, it is preferable that cracking hardly occurs when the porous layer is applied as a thick film. A particularly preferable ratio of the inorganic fine particles to the binder is 2.5 to 20 times, and 5 to 15 times is more preferable from the viewpoint of resistance to breakage of the dry coating film.

In order to obtain a porous layer having a high porosity, the specific surface area measured by the BET method is preferably 100 m ² / g or more. Moreover, it is preferable that the minimum of a specific surface area is 40 m < ² > / g or more from a viewpoint from which the luster close | similar to a photograph is acquired. The BET method referred to in the present invention is a method for measuring the specific surface area by a method for determining the surface area per 1 g from the gas phase adsorption isotherm.

In particular, the porous layer according to the present invention preferably has a capacity of 15 to 40 ml / m ² per unit area. This capacity refers to the volume of bubbles generated when a unit volume of the coating film is applied to water, the volume of water that can be absorbed by the coating film, or the ink jet recording medium finally obtained. It is defined as the amount of liquid transfer when the contact time is 2 seconds as measured by the liquid absorbency test method (Bristow method) of paper and paperboard specified in TAPPI 51.

(binder)
As the binder for the porous layer, those used as the binder for the surface layer can be used. For example, gelatin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, pullulan, polyvinyl alcohol or derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol, hydroxyethyl cellulose, dextran, dextrin, water-soluble Polyvinyl butyral etc. can be mentioned.

  Various additives can be added to the coating solution for forming the porous layer. Such additives include, for example, cationic polymers, crosslinking agents, surfactants (cations, nonions, anions, amphoteric), white background tone modifiers, fluorescent brighteners, antifungal agents, viscosity modifiers, low boiling points. Examples include organic solvents, high boiling point organic solvents, latex emulsions, anti-fading agents, ultraviolet absorbers, polyvalent metal compounds (water-soluble or water-insoluble), matting agents, silicone oils, etc. Among them, cationic polymers are inorganic. This is particularly preferable because it promotes the dispersion of the fine particles and smoothes the porous layer, resulting in an effect of reducing the surface Ra.

  As the cationic polymer, the same cationic polymer that may be used in the surface layer may be used.

In order to improve light resistance or to improve bleeding and water resistance, a polyvalent metal compound may be used. For example, it is used in sulfates such as Al ³⁺ and Zr ²⁺ , chlorides, nitrates, acetates and the like. In addition, inorganic polymer compounds such as basic polyaluminum hydroxide and zirconyl acetate are also included as examples of preferable water-soluble polyvalent metal compounds. These water-soluble polyvalent metal ions are generally used in a range of 0.05 to 20 mmol, preferably 0.1 to 10 mmol, per 1 m ^{2 of} recording paper.

  In the porous layer which concerns on the inkjet recording medium of this invention, you may contain the organic polymer which has an epoxy group with a polyvalent metal compound. By using an organic polymer having an epoxy group in the porous layer, the ink absorption rate can be increased. This is because the swelling of polyvinyl alcohol is suppressed by crosslinking, and the ink absorption rate due to the voids is not inhibited.

  Furthermore, in order to prevent cracking during coating production, an amino acid may be contained in addition to the polyvalent metal compound and the organic polymer having an epoxy group.

  The porous layer according to the present invention may contain a compound having a plurality of carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds.

  Specific examples of the compound having a plurality of non-aromatic carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds in the molecule include resins obtained by copolymerizing butadiene alone or other polymerizable monomers, diallyl phthalate resins, unsaturated polyester resins, furans. Resins, resins such as C5 petroleum resin, terpene resin, cyclopentadiene resin, diallyl phthalate, triallyloxy-1,3,5-triazinepentaerythritol tetra (meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, divinyl Examples include polymers having a plurality of polymerizable groups such as benzene, but are not limited to these examples. The molecular weight of the compound having a plurality of carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds is preferably 1000 or more from the viewpoint of odor and the like, and more preferably 10,000 or less from the viewpoint of ink absorbability.

  Among these compounds, a polymer containing a butadiene or isoprene monomer is preferable, and polybutadiene having a terminal modified with a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, maleic anhydride, or the like, or styrene, acrylonitrile, (meth) acrylic acid ester. Examples thereof include polybutadiene, polyisoprene and the like, which are copolymerized with the above, among which polybutadiene or polyisoprene is particularly preferable.

  The ink jet recording medium of the present invention may contain a urea compound in order to further improve cracking during coating and ink absorbability. Specific examples of urea compounds that may be contained include urea, biuret, semicarbazide hydrochloride, biurea, 1-methylurea, 1,1-dimethylurea, 1,3-dimethylurea, 1,1,3-trimethyl. Urea, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylurea, 1-ethylurea, 1,1-diethylurea, 1,3-diethylurea, 1,1,3-triethylurea, 1- (n-propyl) urea 1- (n-butyl) urea, 1- (tert-butyl) urea, 1-allylurea, 1,3-diallylurea, 1-phenylurea, 1,1-diphenylurea, 1,3-diphenylurea, 1- (o-tolyl) urea, 1- (m-tolyl) urea, phenylacetylurea, 1- (benzyl) urea, 1-hydroxyurea, 1,3-bis (trimethylsilyl) urea, bis (pentamethylene) urea , - imidazolone, barbituric acid, 1,3-dicyclohexyl urea, nitrosoureas, di cyan Zia spermidine, hydantoin and the like, may be used in combination of two or more thereof. Of these, urea is preferred.

  In the ink jet recording medium of the present invention, a fluorosurfactant may be contained in any layer in order to adjust the surface tension of the coating solution. The fluorosurfactant may be any of anion type, cation type, nonion type, and betaine type, and may be a low molecule or a polymer. For example, perfluoroalkyl sulfonate, perfluoroalkyl carboxylate, perfluoroalkenyl sulfonate, perfluoroalkenyl carboxylate, perfluoroalkyl ethylene oxide adduct, perfluoroalkenyl polyoxyethylene ether, perfluoroalkyl fourth Examples include quaternary ammonium salts, perfluoroalkenyl quaternary ammonium salts, perfluoroalkylaminosulfonates, perfluoroalkenyl betaines, perfluoroalkyl group-containing oligomers, perfluoroalkyl phosphate esters, etc., selected as appropriate or mixed Can be used.

  Among the above fluorosurfactants, it is preferable to use a cationic fluorosurfactant, a nonionic fluorosurfactant, or a betaine fluorosurfactant.

  The porous layer may contain a volatile acid or a salt thereof and a water-soluble polyvalent metal compound. By using a volatile acid or a salt thereof in the porous layer, the pH of the porous layer coating solution can be preferably adjusted. The volatile acid means an acid that volatilizes easily with moisture and volatilizes without being decomposed at normal pressure. Specific examples include lower fatty acids having 10 or less carbon atoms such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid, carbonic acid, and acetic acid. Among these, carbonic acid and acetic acid are preferable from the viewpoints of volatility, acidity, handleability, and the like.

  In the present invention, the volatile acid may be used in the form of a salt with a cationic compound. Specific examples include salts with alkali metal ions such as sodium ion, potassium ion and lithium ion, salts with alkaline earth metal ions such as magnesium ion, calcium ion and barium ion, aluminum ion, zirconium ion and zinc ion. Salts with metal ions and complex ions containing these metal ions, salts with inorganic or organic ammonium ions such as triethanolammonium ion and pyridinium ion, salts with other organic compounds and polymers having a cationic group, etc. Is mentioned.

  The porous layer according to the present invention may be a single layer or a multilayer. In the case of a multilayer configuration, it is preferable to apply all the layers simultaneously from the viewpoint of reducing manufacturing costs.

  The swelling type solvent absorbing layer needs to have a swelling layer exhibiting a high swelling property with respect to ink droplets. In this swelling layer, a hydrophilic binder exhibiting ink liquid swellability is used as a main component of the swelling layer. Examples of hydrophilic binders preferably used include gelatin or gelatin derivatives, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (average molecular weight is preferably about 200,000 or more), pullulan, polyvinyl alcohol or derivatives thereof, polyethylene glycol (average molecular weight is preferably 100,000 or more). Carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, dextran, dextrin, polyacrylic acid and salts thereof, agar, κ-carrageenan, λ-carrageenan, ι-carrageenan, xanthene gum, locust bean gum, alginic acid, gum arabic, JP-A-7-195826 And polyalkylene oxide copolymerizable polymers described in JP-A-7-9757, water-soluble polyvinyl butyral, or carboxyl groups described in JP-A-62-245260 It can be mentioned polymers such as a copolymer having repeat alone or of these vinyl monomers vinyl monomer having a sulfonic acid group. These hydrophilic binders may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The effect of the present invention can be sufficiently obtained by using both a porous layer and a swollen layer as the solvent absorption layer. However, since the porous layer has a higher solvent absorption rate, it is porous from the viewpoint of ink overflow. A layer is preferred.

  The film surface pH of the ink jet recording medium of the present invention is preferably 3 to 10. As a result, the pigment in the ink is less likely to agglomerate, and the density and saturation can be improved. The film surface pH of the recording medium can be adjusted using various known additives such as a pH adjusting agent. In the present invention, the film surface pH of the recording medium is determined by dropping 0.05 ml of pure water onto the solvent absorption layer of the recording medium and measuring the pH.

[Support]
As the support used for the ink jet recording medium of the present invention, a water-absorbing support (for example, paper) or a non-water-absorbing support can be used. From the viewpoint of obtaining a higher-quality print, non-water-absorbing support is possible. An ionic support is preferred.

  As the non-water-absorbing support preferably used, for example, polyester film, diacetate film, triatesate film, polyolefin film, acrylic film, polycarbonate film, polyvinyl chloride film, polyimide film, cellophane, Examples thereof include a transparent or opaque film made of a material such as celluloid, or a resin-coated paper in which both surfaces of a base paper are coated with a polyolefin resin coating layer, so-called resin-coated paper. Particularly preferred is resin-coated paper.

  When applying the water-soluble coating solution on the support, the support is subjected to corona discharge treatment, subbing treatment or the like for the purpose of increasing the adhesive strength between the surface and the coating layer. Is preferred. Furthermore, the inkjet recording medium of the present invention may be a colored support.

  The resin-coated paper laminated with polyethylene, which is the most preferred representative of polyolefin, will be described below.

  The base paper used for the resin-coated paper is made from wood pulp as a main raw material and, if necessary, paper making using synthetic pulp such as polypropylene or synthetic fibers such as nylon or polyester in addition to wood pulp. As wood pulp, for example, any of LBKP, LBSP, NBKP, NBSP, LDP, NDP, LUKP, NUKP can be used, but more LBKP, NBSP, LBSP, NDP, LDP with more short fibers are used. Is preferred. However, the ratio of LBSP or LDP is preferably 10 to 70% by mass.

  The pulp is preferably a chemical pulp (sulfate pulp or sulfite pulp) with few impurities, and a pulp having a whiteness improved by bleaching is also useful.

  In the base paper, sizing agents such as higher fatty acids and alkyl ketene dimers, white pigments such as calcium carbonate, talc and titanium oxide, paper strength enhancing agents such as starch, polyacrylamide and polyvinyl alcohol, fluorescent whitening agents, polyethylene glycols A water retaining agent such as a dispersant, a softening agent such as quaternary ammonium, and the like can be appropriately added.

  The freeness of the pulp used for papermaking is preferably 200 to 500 ml as defined by CSF, and the fiber length after beating is a 24 mesh residual mass% defined by JIS-P-8207, and 42 30-70 mass% of sum with the mass% of a mesh remainder is preferable. In addition, it is preferable that the mass% of 4 mesh remainder is 20 mass% or less.

The basis weight of the base paper is preferably 30 to 250 g, particularly preferably 50 to 200 g. The thickness of the base paper is preferably 40 to 250 μm. The base paper can be given a high smoothness by subjecting it to a calendar process at the paper making stage or after paper making. The density of the base paper is generally 0.7 to 1.2 g / cm ³ (according to the method defined in JIS-P-8118). Furthermore, the base paper stiffness is preferably 20 to 200 g under the conditions specified in JIS-P-8143. A surface sizing agent may be applied to the surface of the base paper. As the surface sizing agent, the same sizing agents that can be added to the base paper can be used. The pH of the base paper is preferably 5 to 9 when measured by a hot water extraction method defined in JIS-P-8113.

  The polyethylene covering the front and back surfaces of the base paper is mainly low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), but some other LLDPE, polypropylene, etc. can also be used.

  The layer on the coated layer side is preferably one in which rutile or anatase type titanium oxide is added to polyethylene to improve opacity and whiteness, as is widely done in photographic paper. The titanium oxide content is 1 to 20% by mass, preferably 2 to 15% by mass, based on polyethylene.

  The polyethylene-coated paper can be used as glossy paper, or when the polyethylene is melt-extruded and coated on the surface of the base paper, a matte surface or silk-like surface obtained by ordinary photographic photographic paper by performing a so-called molding process Those having a fine grain surface can also be used in the present invention.

  The amount of polyethylene used on the front and back of the base paper is selected so as to optimize the film thickness of the coating composition and the curl at low humidity and high humidity after providing the back layer, but the coating composition according to the present invention It is preferable that the polyethylene layer on the side to be coated is 20 to 40 μm, and the back layer side is 10 to 30 μm.

  Furthermore, the polyethylene-coated paper support preferably has the following characteristics.

1) Tensile strength: strength specified by JIS-P-8113, preferably 20-300N in the vertical direction and 10-200N in the horizontal direction 2) Tear strength: as defined by JIS-P-8116 The longitudinal direction is preferably 0.1 to 2N and the lateral direction is preferably 0.2 to 2N. 3) Compression elastic modulus: ≧ 1030 N / cm ²
4) Surface Beck smoothness: 500 seconds or more is preferable as a glossy surface under the conditions specified in JIS-P-8119, but may be less than this for so-called molded products. 5) Back surface Beck smoothness: JIS- 100 to 800 seconds are preferable under the conditions specified in P-8119. 6) Opacity: Transmittance of light in the visible range is 20% or less, particularly 15% under the measurement conditions of linear light incidence / diffuse light transmission conditions. 7) Whiteness: Hunter whiteness as defined in JIS-P-8123, preferably 90% or more. Further, when measured by JIS-Z-8722 (non-fluorescent) and JIS-Z-8717 (containing fluorescent agent) and displayed by the color display method defined in JIS-Z-8730, L ^* = 90 to 98, a ^* = − 5 to +5, b ^* = − 10 to +5 are preferable.

An undercoat layer is preferably provided on the solvent absorption layer (porous layer) side of the support for the purpose of improving the adhesion with the solvent absorption layer. The binder for the undercoat layer is preferably a hydrophilic polymer such as gelatin or polyvinyl alcohol, or a latex polymer having a Tg of −30 to 60 ° C. These binders are used in the range of 0.001 to ² g per 1 m ^{2 of} the ink jet recording medium. In the undercoat layer, a small amount of a conventionally known antistatic agent such as a cationic polymer can be contained for the purpose of antistatic.

[Back layer]
A back layer may be provided on the surface of the support opposite to the porous layer side for the purpose of improving slipperiness and charging characteristics. The binder for the back layer is preferably a hydrophilic polymer such as gelatin or polyvinyl alcohol, a latex polymer having a Tg of −30 to 60 ° C., an antistatic agent such as a cationic polymer, various surfactants, and an average. A matting agent having a particle size of about 0.5 to 20 μm can also be added. The thickness of the back layer is generally 0.1 to 1 μm, but in the case where the back layer is provided for preventing curling, it is generally in the range of 1 to 20 μm. The back layer may be composed of two or more layers.

  In coating the back layer, it is preferable to use a surface treatment such as corona treatment or plasma treatment on the support surface.

[Method for producing inkjet recording medium]
The coating method of each coating solution can be appropriately selected from known methods. For example, gravure coating method, roll coating method, rod bar coating method, air knife coating method, spray coating method, extrusion coating method, curtain A coating method or an extrusion coating method using a hopper described in US Pat. No. 2,681,294 is preferably used.

〔ink〕
In the inkjet recording method of the present invention, an image containing at least water, a water-soluble solvent and a colorant is ejected onto the inkjet recording medium of the present invention to form an image.

  In the present invention, it is particularly preferable to use a pigment ink as a colorant from the viewpoint of image storage stability. As the pigment used in the pigment ink, insoluble pigments, organic pigments such as lake pigments, carbon black and the like can be preferably used.

  The insoluble pigment is not particularly limited. Dioxazine, thiazole, phthalocyanine, diketopyrrolopyrrole and the like are preferable.

  Specific pigments that can be preferably used include the following pigments.

  Examples of the magenta or red pigment include C.I. I. Pigment red 2, C.I. I. Pigment red 3, C.I. I. Pigment red 5, C.I. I. Pigment red 6, C.I. I. Pigment red 7, C.I. I. Pigment red 15, C.I. I. Pigment red 16, C.I. I. Pigment red 48: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 53: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 57: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 122, C.I. I. Pigment red 123, C.I. I. Pigment red 139, C.I. I. Pigment red 144, C.I. I. Pigment red 149, C.I. I. Pigment red 166, C.I. I. Pigment red 177, C.I. I. Pigment red 178, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Red 222.

  Examples of the pigment for orange or yellow include C.I. I. Pigment orange 31, C.I. I. Pigment orange 43, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 12, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 13, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 14, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 15, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 17, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 74, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 93, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 94, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 138, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Yellow 180.

  Examples of the pigment for green or cyan include C.I. I. Pigment blue 15, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 2, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 3, C.I. I. Pigment blue 16, C.I. I. Pigment blue 60, C.I. I. And CI Pigment Green 7.

  For these pigments, a pigment dispersant may be used as necessary. Examples of pigment dispersants that can be used include higher fatty acid salts, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ester sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, sulfosuccinates. Acid salt, naphthalene sulfonate, alkyl phosphate, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether phosphate, polyoxyalkylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, glycerin ester, sorbitan ester, polyoxyethylene fatty acid amide, amine Activators such as oxides, or styrene, styrene derivatives, vinyl naphthalene derivatives, acrylic acid, acrylic acid derivatives, maleic acid, maleic acid derivatives, itaconic acid, itaconic acid derivatives, fumaric acid, fumaric acid derivatives Block copolymer comprising a monomer of the above, may be mentioned random copolymers and salts thereof.

  As a method for dispersing the pigment, various dispersing machines such as a ball mill, a sand mill, an attritor, a roll mill, an agitator, a Henschel mixer, a colloid mill, an ultrasonic homogenizer, a pearl mill, a wet jet mill, and a paint shaker can be used. It is also preferable to use a centrifugal separator or a filter for the purpose of removing the coarse particles of the pigment dispersion.

  The average particle size of the pigment particles in the pigment ink is selected in consideration of stability in the ink, image density, glossiness, light resistance, etc. In addition, the image forming method of the present invention improves glossiness, textures. It is preferable to select the particle size as appropriate from the viewpoint of improvement. In the present invention, the reason for improving the glossiness or texture is not clear at this stage, but in the formed image, the pigment is in a desirable state dispersed in the film in which the thermoplastic resin is melted. I guess it is related. For the purpose of high-speed processing, the thermoplastic resin must be melted and formed into a film in a short time, and the pigment must be sufficiently dispersed in the film. At this time, it is considered that the surface area of the pigment has a great influence, and therefore there is an optimum region for the average particle diameter.

  The water-based ink composition which is a preferable form as the pigment ink preferably uses a water-soluble organic solvent in combination. Examples of the water-soluble organic solvent that can be used in the present invention include alcohols (for example, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, secondary butanol, tertiary butanol, pentanol, hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl). Alcohol), polyhydric alcohols (for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexanediol, pentanediol, glycerin, hexanetriol, thiodiglycol Etc.), polyhydric alcohol ethers (for example, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol) Ether monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether , Triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, propylene glycol monophenyl ether, etc.), amines (for example, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, N-methyldiethanolamine, N-ethyldiethanolamine, mole) Phosphorus, N-ethylmorpholine, ethylenediamine, diethylenediamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, polyethyleneimine, pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, tetramethylpropylenediamine, etc.), amides (eg, formamide, N, N-dimethylformamide, N , N-dimethylacetamide, etc.), heterocyclic rings (for example, 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, cyclohexylpyrrolidone, 2-oxazolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, etc.), sulfoxides ( For example, dimethyl sulfoxide etc.), sulfones (for example, sulfolane etc.), urea, acetonitrile, acetone etc. are mentioned. Preferable water-soluble organic solvents include polyhydric alcohols. Furthermore, it is particularly preferable to use a polyhydric alcohol and a polyhydric alcohol ether in combination.

  One or more water-soluble organic solvents may be used in combination. The total amount of the water-soluble organic solvent added to the ink is 5 to 60% by mass, preferably 10 to 35% by mass.

  The ink composition may be prepared by adding various known additives such as viscosity according to the purpose of improving ejection stability, print head and ink cartridge compatibility, storage stability, image storage stability, and other various performances as necessary. Adjusting agents, surface tension adjusting agents, specific resistance adjusting agents, film forming agents, dispersants, surfactants, ultraviolet absorbers, antioxidants, anti-fading agents, anti-fouling agents, rust inhibitors, etc. are appropriately selected and used. For example, polystyrene, polyacrylic acid esters, polymethacrylic acid esters, polyacrylamides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, or a copolymer thereof, urea resin, melamine resin, etc. Organic latex fine particles, liquid paraffin, dioctyl phthalate, tricresyl phosphate, silicone oil and other oil droplet fine particles, Various surfactants of thione or nonion, ultraviolet absorbers described in JP-A-57-74193, JP-A-57-87988 and JP-A-62-261476, JP-A-57-74192, JP-A-57-87989, 60-72785, 61-146591, anti-fading agents described in JP-A-1-95091 and 3-13376, JP-A-59-42993, 59-52689, 62- 280069, 61-242871, and JP-A-4-219266, etc., optical brighteners, pH adjusters such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, etc. Can be mentioned.

  The ink composition has a viscosity at the time of flight of preferably 40 mPa · s or less, and more preferably 30 mPa · s or less. The ink composition has a surface tension during flight of preferably 20 mN / m or more, and more preferably 30 to 45 mN / m.

  According to the recording method of the present invention, an image having good storability can be obtained in which the gloss of the white background and the image portion is uniform.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example is given and this invention is demonstrated in detail, this invention is not limited to these. Unless otherwise specified, “%” in the examples represents “mass%”.

Example << Preparation of Inkjet Recording Medium >>
[Preparation of Inkjet Recording Medium 101]
The thickness of 170 g / m polyethylene coated paper ² of the both surfaces of the base paper coated with polyethylene (surface layer side polyethylene-coated layer containing 8% of anatase type titanium oxide, 0.05 g / m ² also on the surface layer side The following surface layer coating solution 1 is applied with a wire bar and dried on the opposite side, with a back layer containing 0.2 g / m ² of latex having a Tg of about 80 ° C. An inkjet recording medium 101 having a surface layer of 3.2 g / m ² was produced.

(Preparation of surface layer coating solution 1)
Titanium oxide aqueous dispersion (TSK-5, solid content 30) uniformly dispersed in advance in 120 g of an aqueous solution of 10% cationic polymer P-1 aqueous solution (containing 10% n-propanol and 2% ethanol) %, Manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.) was added with stirring at 3000 rpm at room temperature.

  Next, 250 g of an 8% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol having a polymerization degree of 2400 (Pura224 made by Kuraray) was mixed with 500 g of the dispersion while stirring at 40 ° C., and the pH was adjusted to 4.5. The surface layer coating solution 1 was prepared by adjusting the total amount to 1000 g.

[Preparation of inkjet recording media 102 and 103]
Inkjet recording media 102 and 103 were obtained in the same manner as the production of the inkjet recording medium 101 except that the pH of the surface layer coating solution was changed to 5.5 and 6.5, respectively.

[Preparation of inkjet recording medium 104]
The thickness of 170 g / m polyethylene coated paper ² of the both surfaces of the base paper coated with polyethylene (surface layer side polyethylene-coated layer containing 8% of anatase type titanium oxide, 0.05 g / m ² also on the surface layer side The following surface layer coating solution 2 is applied with a wire bar and dried on the opposite side, with a back layer containing 0.2 g / m ² of latex having a Tg of about 80 ° C. An inkjet recording medium 104 having a surface layer of 3.2 g / m ² was produced.

(Preparation of surface layer coating solution 2)
Gas phase method in which the average particle size of primary particles uniformly dispersed in 120 g of 10% cationic polymer P-1 aqueous solution (containing 10% n-propanol and 2% ethanol) is about 7 nm. 133 g of silica dispersion (pH 2.6, containing 0.5% ethanol) containing 30% silica (produced by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd .; Aerosil 300), titanium oxide aqueous dispersion (TSK-5, solid content 30%, Ishihara) 267 g of Sangyo Co., Ltd.) was added with stirring.

  Next, 0.5 mm zirconia beads were added, sand mill dispersion was performed, zirconia beads were removed by filtration, and the whole amount was finished with pure water so that the inorganic fine particle content was 20%.

  Next, 250 g of an 8% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA224 made by Kuraray) having a polymerization degree of 2400 was mixed with 500 g of the above dispersion while stirring at 40 ° C., and the pH was adjusted to 4.2. The total amount was adjusted to 1000 g to prepare surface layer coating solution 2.

[Preparation of Inkjet Recording Medium 105]
In the production of the inkjet recording medium 104, an inkjet recording medium 105 was obtained in the same manner except that the surface layer coating solution 3 obtained by removing only the cationic polymer from the surface layer coating solution 2 was used.

[Preparation of Inkjet Recording Medium 106-109]
In producing the inkjet recording medium 104, instead of the titanium oxide dispersion of the surface layer coating solution 2, zirconium oxide (zirconia NZ-A, manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.), γ-alumina (primary particle size 30 nm) Inkjet recording medium except that gas phase method silica (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd .; Aerosil 300) was added in combination as shown in Table 1 so as to have the same solid content. 106-109 were produced.

[Preparation of inkjet recording medium 201]
A polyethylene-coated paper in which both sides of a base paper having a thickness of 170 g / m ² are coated with polyethylene (the polyethylene coating layer on the porous layer side contains 8% of anatase-type titanium oxide, and 0.05 g / has a gelatin subbing layer of m ^2, Tg is about 80 ° C. the latex in a back layer) containing 0.2 g / m ² on the opposite side, the following porous layer coating liquid 1 by wire bar coating, After drying, a 20 g / m ² porous layer was applied. Next, the surface layer coating solution 1 was applied onto the porous layer and dried to produce an inkjet recording medium 201 having a surface layer of 3.0 g / m ² .

(Preparation of porous layer coating solution 1)
Gas phase method in which the average particle size of primary particles uniformly dispersed in 120 g of 10% cationic polymer P-1 aqueous solution (containing 10% n-propanol and 2% ethanol) is about 7 nm. 400 g of silica dispersion (pH 2.6, containing 0.5% ethanol) containing 30% silica (Aerosil 300 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.), 3.6 g boric acid and 0.8 g borax were stirred at room temperature at 3000 rpm. While adding. Subsequently, 0.5 mm zirconia beads were added, sand mill dispersion was performed, zirconia beads were removed by filtration, and the whole amount was finished with pure water so that the inorganic fine particle content was 20%, to obtain a dispersion.

  Next, 250 g of an 8% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA224 made by Kuraray) having a polymerization degree of 2400 is mixed with 500 g of the dispersion while stirring at 40 ° C., and the pH is adjusted to 6.2. The total amount was adjusted to 1000 g to prepare a porous layer coating solution 1.

[Preparation of inkjet recording medium 202]
In the production of the inkjet recording medium 201, an inkjet recording medium 202 was produced in the same manner except that the following porous layer coating liquid 2 was used instead of the porous layer coating liquid 1.

(Preparation of porous layer coating solution 2)
500 g of alumina hydrate (manufactured by Sasol, Dispersal HP18) was dispersed in 10 L of pure water, 1 mol / L hydrochloric acid was added to this dispersion to adjust to pH 4, and this was stirred at 95 ° C. for 2 hours. Subsequently, 11 mol / L sodium hydroxide aqueous solution was added, it adjusted to pH10, and also stirred for 8 hours. After stirring, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, the pH was adjusted to 7 to 8, desalted, and acetic acid was added for peptization. After concentration until the solid content becomes 17%, a 9% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (manufactured by Kuraray Industrial Co., Ltd., PVA117) is mixed so that the solid content ratio of alumina and polyvinyl alcohol is 10: 1 by mass, The mixture was stirred to obtain a porous layer coating solution 2.

[Preparation of inkjet recording medium 203]
In the production of the inkjet recording medium 201, an inkjet recording medium 203 was produced in the same manner except that the following porous layer coating solution 3 was used instead of the porous layer coating solution 1.

(Preparation of porous layer coating solution 3)
Gas phase method silica (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) having an average particle diameter of about 7 nm of primary particles uniformly dispersed in advance in 120 g of 8% anionic polymer dispersant (Johncrill 70, manufactured by Johnson Polymer Co., Ltd.) 400 g of silica dispersion (pH 2.6, containing 0.5% ethanol), 3.6 g of boric acid, and 0.8 g of borax were added at room temperature with stirring at 3000 rpm. Subsequently, 0.5 mm zirconia beads were added, sand mill dispersion was performed, zirconia beads were removed by filtration, and the whole amount was finished with pure water so that the inorganic fine particle content was 20%, to obtain a dispersion.

  Next, 250 g of an 8% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol having a polymerization degree of 3500 (Pura224 manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) was mixed with 500 g of the above dispersion while stirring at 40 ° C., and the pH was adjusted to 6.2. The total amount was adjusted to 1000 g to prepare a porous layer coating solution 3.

[Preparation of inkjet recording medium 204]
In the production of the inkjet recording medium 201, an inkjet recording medium 204 was produced in the same manner except that the surface layer coating liquid obtained by removing only the cationic polymer from the surface layer coating liquid 1 was used.

[Preparation of inkjet recording medium 205]
An inkjet recording medium 205 was produced in the same manner as in the production of the inkjet recording medium 203 except that the surface layer coating liquid obtained by removing only the cationic polymer from the surface layer coating liquid 1 was used.

[Preparation of inkjet recording media 206 to 208]
In the production of the inkjet recording medium 201, inkjet recording media 206 to 208 were obtained in the same manner except that the pH of the surface layer coating solution 1 was changed to 5.0, 5.5, and 6.5, respectively.

[Production of Inkjet Recording Medium 209 to 219]
In the production of the inkjet recording medium 201, the inkjet recording media 209 to 219 were obtained in the same manner except that the surface layer coating solution 1 was changed to the surface layer coating solution 2 and further changed to the inorganic fine particles shown in Table 2. .

[Preparation of inkjet recording medium 220]
A polyethylene-coated paper in which both sides of a base paper having a thickness of 170 g / m ² are coated with polyethylene (the polyethylene coating layer on the porous layer side contains 8% of anatase-type titanium oxide, and 0.05 g / has a gelatin subbing layer of m ^2, a Tg of about 80 ° C. of the latex on the other side with a back layer) containing 0.2 g / m ^2, the porous layer coating liquid 1 by wire bar coating, dried Then, a 20 g / m ² porous layer was applied to produce an inkjet recording medium 220.

[Preparation of inkjet recording medium 301]
The both surfaces of the thickness of 170 g / m ² base paper contained 8% of anatase type titanium oxide polyethylene-coated paper coated with polyethylene (in polyethylene-coated swelling layer side, the swelling layer side of 0.05 g / m ² Gelatin The undercoat layer has a back layer containing 0.2 g / m ² of latex having a Tg of about 80 ° C. on the opposite side, and the following swollen layer coating solution is applied with a wire bar and dried to give 20 g / m ² A swelling layer was applied. Next, the surface layer coating solution 1 was applied on the swelling layer and dried to prepare an inkjet recording medium 301 having a surface layer of 3.0 g / m ² .

(Preparation of swelling layer coating solution)
A swelling layer coating solution having the following composition was prepared.

800ml of pure water
40 g of phenylcarbamoylated gelatin (amino group blocking ratio = about 88%)
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (K-90) 25g
Polyethylene oxide (average molecular weight about 100,000) 12g
Surfactant-2 0.7g
Surfactant-3 0.3g
Hardener-1 2.1g

[Preparation of inkjet recording media 302 to 305]
In the production of the ink jet recording medium 301, as shown in Table 3, the surface layer coating solution used in the ink jet recording media 102, 104, 215, and 218 was applied on the swelling layer produced with the ink jet recording medium 301 and dried. Except for the above, inkjet recording media 302 to 305 were produced in the same manner.

<Preparation of ink>
(Preparation of pigment dispersion)
(Preparation of yellow pigment dispersion 1)
C. I. Pigment Yellow 128 20%
Styrene-acrylic acid copolymer (molecular weight 10,000, acid value 120) 12%
Diethylene glycol 15%
Ion exchange water 53%
Each of the above additives was mixed and dispersed using a horizontal bead mill (Ashizawa Co., Ltd., System Zetamini) filled with 0.3 mm zirconia beads at a volume ratio of 60% to obtain Yellow Pigment Dispersion 1. The average particle size of the obtained yellow pigment was 112 nm.

(Preparation of magenta pigment dispersion 1)
C. I. Pigment Red 122 25%
Jonkrill 61 (acrylic-styrene resin, manufactured by Johnson Polymer)
18% solids
Diethylene glycol 15%
Ion exchange water 42%
Each of the above additives was mixed and dispersed using a horizontal bead mill (manufactured by Ashizawa, System Zetamini) filled with 0.3 mm zirconia beads at a volume ratio of 60% to obtain a magenta pigment dispersion 1. The average particle size of the obtained magenta pigment was 105 nm.

(Preparation of Cyan Pigment Dispersion 1)
C. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 25%
Jonkrill 61 (acrylic-styrene resin made by Johnson Polymer)
15% solids
Glycerin 10%
Ion exchange water 50%
The above additives were mixed and dispersed using a horizontal bead mill (manufactured by Ashizawa Corporation, System Zetamini) filled with 0.3 mm zirconia beads at a volume ratio of 60% to obtain cyan pigment dispersion 1. The average particle diameter of the obtained cyan pigment was 87 nm.

(Preparation of Black Pigment Dispersion 1)
Carbon black 20%
Styrene-acrylic acid copolymer (molecular weight 7000, acid value 150) 10%
Glycerin 10%
Ion exchange water 60%
Each of the above additives was mixed and dispersed using a horizontal bead mill (manufactured by Ashizawa Co., Ltd., System Zetamini) filled with 0.3 mm zirconia beads at a volume ratio of 60% to obtain a black pigment dispersion 1. The average particle size of the obtained black pigment was 75 nm.

[Preparation of pigment ink]
(Preparation of dark yellow ink 1)
Yellow pigment dispersion 1 25%
20% ethylene glycol
Diethylene glycol 10%
Surfactant (Surfinol 465, Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 0.1%
Ion exchange water 44.9%
Each of the above compositions was mixed and stirred, and filtered through a 1 μm filter to prepare yellow dark ink 1. The average particle size of the pigment in the ink was 120 nm and the surface tension was 36 mN / m.

(Preparation of magenta dark ink 1)
Magenta pigment dispersion 1 25%
Ethylene glycol 15%
Diethylene glycol 20%
Surfactant (Surfinol 465, Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 0.1%
Ion exchange water 54.9%
The above compositions were mixed and stirred, and filtered through a 1 μm filter to prepare magenta dark ink 1. The average particle size of the pigment in the ink was 113 nm and the surface tension was 35 mN / m.

(Preparation of magenta light ink 1)
Magenta pigment dispersion 1 3%
Ethylene glycol 25%
Diethylene glycol 10%
Surfactant (Surfinol 465, Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 0.1%
Ion exchange water 61.9%
The above compositions were mixed and stirred, and filtered through a 1 μm filter to prepare magenta light ink 1. The average particle size of the pigment in the ink was 110 nm, and the surface tension was 37 mN / m.

(Preparation of cyan dark ink 1)
Cyan pigment dispersion 1 10%
20% ethylene glycol
Diethylene glycol 10%
Surfactant (Surfinol 465, Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 0.1%
Ion-exchanged water 59.9%
The above compositions were mixed and stirred, and filtered through a 1 μm filter to prepare cyan dark ink 1. The average particle size of the pigment in the ink was 95 nm, and the surface tension was 36 mN / m.

(Preparation of cyan light ink 1)
Cyan pigment dispersion 1 2%
Ethylene glycol 25%
Diethylene glycol 10%
Surfactant (Surfinol 465, Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 0.2%
Ion exchange water 62.8%
The above compositions were mixed and stirred, and filtered through a 1 μm filter to prepare cyan light ink 1. The average particle diameter of the pigment in the ink was 92 nm, and the surface tension was 33 mN / m.

(Preparation of black dark ink 1)
Black pigment dispersion 1 20%
20% ethylene glycol
Diethylene glycol 10%
Surfactant (Surfinol 465, Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 0.1%
Ion exchange water 49.9%
Each of the above compositions was mixed and stirred and filtered through a 1 μm filter to prepare a dark black ink 1. The average particle diameter of the pigment in the ink was 85 nm, and the surface tension was 35 mN / m. << Evaluation >>
Each ink prepared above is packed in each color ink cartridge, and this is loaded into an ink jet printer MC2000 (manufactured by Seiko Epson Corp.). On the ink jet recording medium prepared above, an output image issued by the Japan Standards Association High-definition color digital standard image data “Bride” was output.

  The obtained image was evaluated by the following method. The results of evaluation are shown in Tables 1-3.

(Ra)
Using RST / PLUS manufactured by WYKO, the surface roughness Ra of the white background portion was measured with an objective lens 10 times and an internal lens 0.5 times.

(Ink overflow)
The ink overflow was observed visually, and the following four grades were evaluated.

◎: No ink overflow location ○: Slight ink overflow location but no effect on image quality △: Ink overflow slightly, image quality is clearly degraded ×: Ink overflow , Dripping (60 ° gloss)
The surface of the white background was measured for 60 ° glossiness according to JIS-Z-8741 using a variable angle gloss meter (VGS-1001DP) manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd.

(Glossy discomfort)
Visual evaluation was performed by 15 persons to determine whether the gloss of the white background portion in the dress of the high-definition color digital standard image data “Bride” and the image portion of the other dress color could be distinguished, and the following four grades were evaluated.

◎: Number of people who felt that there was a difference in gloss ○: 1-2 people who felt that there was a difference in gloss △: Number of people who felt that there was a difference in gloss ×: 3-10 people 11-15 people who felt there was a difference (water resistance)
The formed image was immersed in water at 25 ° C. for 90 minutes, then allowed to stand for 2 days, naturally dried, and the occurrence of film peeling was observed. This operation was sequentially repeated and judged according to the criteria described below.

○: No film peeling was observed after repeated immersion up to the fifth time. Δ: Film peeling occurred after repeated immersion up to the second to fourth times. ×: Film peeling occurred during the first immersion (scratch resistance).
The image was rubbed five times with Kimwipe S-200 (manufactured by Crecia), visually evaluated for the degree of surface scratches and color fading, and evaluated in the following three stages.

○: Neither scratches nor color fading is observed △: Scratches are slight and color fading is observed ×: Scratches are present and color fading is also greatly recognized

  As is apparent from Tables 1 to 3, it can be seen that the ink jet recording medium of the present invention is superior in glossiness, smoothness, glossiness between the white background and the image area, and scratch resistance as compared with the comparative ink jet recording medium.

Claims (9)

An ink jet recording medium comprising a surface layer containing inorganic fine particles having an average refractive index of 2.1 to 2.9 and a binder on a support. 2. The ink jet recording medium according to claim 1, wherein a product of a surface roughness Ra (μm) of the surface layer and an average refractive index of the inorganic fine particles is 1.7 μm or less. 3. The ink jet recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic fine particles in the surface layer are at least one selected from titanium oxide, cerium oxide and zirconium oxide. The ink jet recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the surface layer contains a cationic polymer. The inkjet recording medium according to claim 1, further comprising a solvent absorption layer between the surface layer and the support. The solvent absorption layer has a porous layer containing inorganic fine particles having an average refractive index of 1.3 to 1.7 and an average particle diameter of 1 to 200 nm and a binder. The inkjet recording medium according to any one of the above. The inkjet recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the porous layer contains a cationic polymer. The inkjet recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the support is resin-coated paper. An ink jet recording method comprising recording an image by ejecting an ink containing at least a water-soluble solvent and a pigment onto the ink jet recording medium according to claim 1.