Inks comprising linear ABSCS'B'A' or BASCS'A'B' alkylene oxide/siloxane block copolymers

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to ink compositions and ink jet printing processes. More specifically, the present invention is directed to aqueous ink compositions particularly suitable for the production of high quality images on print substrates. One embodiment of the present invention is directed to an ink composition comprising water, a colorant, and an ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer wherein A and A′ are blocks containing one or more ethylene oxide repeat monomer units, B and B′ are blocks containing one or more propylene oxide repeat monomer units, C is a block comprising one or more repeat monomer units of an alkylsiloxane, a dialkylsiloxane, an alkyl aryl siloxane, or a diarylsiloxane, S is an optional spacer group between the A or B block and the C block, and S′ is an optional spacer group between the C block and the A′ or B′ block. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a set of inks for printing multicolor images in an ink jet printer, said ink set comprising (1) a first ink having a first color and comprising water and a first colorant; and (2) a second ink having a second color different from the first color and comprising water, a colorant, and an ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer wherein A and A′ are blocks containing one or more ethylene oxide repeat monomer units, B and B′ are blocks containing one or more propylene oxide repeat monomer units, C is a block comprising one or more repeat monomer units of an alkylsiloxane, a dialkylsiloxane, an alkyl aryl siloxane, or a diarylsiloxane, S is an optional spacer group between the A or B block and the C block, and S′ is an optional spacer group between the C block and the A′ or B′ block, wherein dry time of the ink containing the block copolymer is decreased and/or intercolor bleed between the first ink and the second ink is reduced when the second ink is printed adjacent to, on top of, or underneath the first ink on a print substrate. Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a multicolor ink jet printing process which comprises: (1) incorporating into an ink jet printer a first ink having a first color and comprising water and a first colorant; (2) incorporating into the ink jet printer a second ink having a second color different from the first color and comprising water, a colorant, and an ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer wherein A and A′ are blocks containing one or more ethylene oxide repeat monomer units, B and B′ are blocks containing one or more propylene oxide repeat monomer units, C is a block comprising one or more repeat monomer units of an alkylsiloxane, a dialkylsiloxane, an alkyl aryl siloxane, or a diarylsiloxane, S is an optional spacer group between the A or B block and the C block, and S′ is an optional spacer group between the C block and the A′ or B′ block; (3) causing droplets of the first ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a substrate; and (4) causing droplets of the second ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto the substrate, wherein dry time of the ink containing the block copolymer is decreased and/or intercolor bleed between the first ink and the second ink is reduced when the second ink is printed adjacent to, on top of, or underneath the first ink on the substrate.

[0003] Ink jet printing is a non-impact printing method which produces droplets of ink that are deposited on a print substrate in response to electronic digital data signals. Ink jet systems generally are of two types: continuous stream and drop-on-demand. In continuous stream ink jet systems, ink is ejected in a continuous stream under pressure through at least one orifice or nozzle. The stream of ink is periodically perturbed by pressure regulation in accordance with digital signals, causing it to break up into droplets at a fixed distance from the nozzle. At the break-up point, the charged ink droplets pass through an electrical field which adjusts the trajectory of each ink droplet to direct it to a gutter for ink circulation or to a specific location on a print substrate to produce an image. In a drop-on-demand system, an ink droplet is expelled from a nozzle directly onto a print substrate in accordance with digital data signals. Generally, a droplet is not formed or expelled unless it is to be placed on a print substrate.

[0004] Drop-on-demand systems are simpler than continuous stream systems since they do not require ink recovery, charging, or deflection. There are three types of drop-on-demand ink jet systems. One type of drop-on-demand system has an ink-filled channel or passageway having a nozzle on one end and a piezoelectric transducer near the other end to produce pressure pulses according to digital data signals. Multiple ink nozzles are used to deliver ink droplets onto a print substrate in an imagewise fashion. Several printheads and inks are used in a multicolor piezoelectric ink jet printing system. High resolution images can be obtained with this system. Examples of this system include the Epson 600, 800, and 1200 Ink Jet printers.

[0005] Another type of drop-on-demand ink jet printing system is called acoustic ink jet printing, which can be operated at high frequency and high resolution. Acoustic ink jet printing uses a focused acoustic beam formed with a spherical lens illuminated by a plane wave of sound created by a piezoelectric transducer. The focused beam reflected from a surface exerts a pressure onto the surface of the liquid ink, resulting in ejection of small droplets of ink onto a print substrate. An array of nozzles and corresponding transducers are used in an acoustic ink jet printing process to produce images on a print substrate in an imagewise fashion. Different types and configurations of acoustic printheads and substrate arrangements are possible. In a multicolor ink jet printing process, several acoustic ink jet printheads are used to deliver different inks onto a print substrate. Aqueous inks can be used in this drop-on-demand acoustic ink jet printing system. Examples of acoustic ink jet printing systems are disclosed in, for example K. A. Krause, “Focusing Ink Jet Head,” IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol 16, No. 4, Sep. 1973, pp. 1168-1170, and in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,308,547, 4,697,195, 5,028,937, 5,041,849, 4,751,529, 4,751,530, 4,751,534, 4,801,953, and 4,797,693, the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference. The use of focused acoustic beams to eject droplets of controlled diameter and velocity from a free-liquid surface is also described in J. Appl. Phys., vol. 65, no. 9 (May 1, 1989) and references therein, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference.

[0006] Another type of drop-on-demand printing system is thermal ink jet printing. Thermal or bubble jet drop-on-demand ink jet printers have found broad applications as output for personal computers in the office and in the home. In thermal ink jet printing processes, the printhead typically comprises one or more ink jet ejectors, as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,601,777, 4,532,530, 4,412,224, 4,410,899, 4,251,824, 4,532,530, 4,601,777, 4,840,674, 5,145,518, 5,281,261, and 5,531,818, the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference. Each ejector includes a channel communicating with an ink supply chamber, or manifold, at one end and an opening at the opposite end, referred to as a nozzle. A thermal energy generator, usually a resistor, is located in each of the channels at a predetermined distance from the nozzles. The resistors are individually addressed with a current pulse to vaporize the ink momentarily within the respective channel to form a bubble that expels an ink droplet. As the bubble grows, the ink rapidly bulges from the nozzle and is momentarily contained by the surface tension of the ink as a meniscus. This phenomenon is temporary, and the ink is quickly propelled toward a print substrate. As the bubble begins to collapse, the ink still in the channel between the nozzle and the bubble starts to move towards the collapsing bubble, causing a volumetric contraction of the ink at the nozzle and resulting in the separation from the nozzle of the bulging ink as a droplet. The acceleration of the ink out of the nozzle while the bubble is growing provides the momentum and velocity for propelling the ink droplet in a substantially straight direction toward a print substrate, such as a piece of paper, transparency, textile, or the like. Some important properties of the ink in this context include desirable viscosity and surface tension, adequate drop velocity, good latency and frequency response, minimum heater deposits (kogation), and no soft threshold voltage problems. Because the droplet of ink is emitted only when the resistor is actuated, thermal ink jet printing is a drop-on-demand system.

[0007] In a drop-on-demand ink jet printing apparatus, the printhead typically comprises a linear array of ejectors, and the printhead (with or without partition) is moved relative to the surface of the print substrate, either by moving the print substrate relative to a stationary printhead, or vice versa, or both. In some apparatus, a relatively small printhead moves across a print substrate numerous times in swaths (i.e., multiple passes) to print a desired image. In this instance, the desired image is produced completely on a print substrate in several swaths before the substrate is advanced. This type of printing is called multi-pass (multiple pass) or checkerboard ink jet printing. In checkerboard ink jet printing (or multiple pass), the printhead passes over the print substrate and provides ink at desired locations (for example, printing only even or odd numbered dots in a swath). On one or more subsequent passes, the remaining dots in the image are printed before the print substrate is advanced. Multiple ink jet printheads and ink cartridges can be used to produce multiple color images on a print substrate. Alternatively, a printhead (partial width printhead or partitioned printhead) can be partitioned into several sections (for example, three small sections including cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, or four small sections including cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks) and equipped with different ink chambers, ink storage media, and inks in a multicolor ink jet printing system. These multicolor systems are commonly employed in desktop ink jet printers, including thermal ink jet printers and piezoelectric ink jet printers. They produce good multicolor images on print substrates such as plain papers and transparencies, but at a slower printing speed. Slightly higher printing speed can be achieved, however, by increasing ink jetting frequency and printhead sweeping rate as well as by using multiple printheads (without partition) and inks.

[0008] The ink jet printing apparatus can also employ a printhead comprising two or more printheads butted together to cover a larger width of the print substrate (butted printhead). This type of partial width printhead has more ink nozzles per printhead and can deliver more ink in each swath across the print substrate. In the multi-pass (multiple passes) or checkerboard ink jet printing process a faster ink jet printing process can be carried out. Multicolor ink jet printing processes can use several butted ink jet printheads (e.g. for black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks) in an ink jet printer to produce multicolored images on substrates at a faster rate than processes using several regular single printheads without butting (unbutted printheads).

[0009] Alternatively, a stationary ink jet printhead that consists of an array of ejectors and extends the full width of a print substrate (full width array printhead) can pass ink down the print substrate to give full page images, in what is known as a “full width array” ink jet printer. When the printhead and the print substrate are moved relative to each other, imagewise digital data is used to activate the thermal energy generators or resistors selectively in the printhead over time so that the desired image can be created quickly on the print substrate in a single pass mode. The full width array printhead is generally preferred to be in a stationary position while the print substrate is continuously moving to receive inks as it passes through the printhead or printheads. The full width array printhead or printheads can also, however, be moved across the print substrate if desired. In a multicolor ink jet printing process, several full width array printheads, including cyan, magenta, yellow, and black printheads, as well as other optional printheads and their corresponding inks, can be used to provide different colored images on the print substrate at a high speed. Fast ink jet printing can be achieved by using the full width array printheads.

[0010] In a multicolor ink jet printing process, several inks can be printed on a print substrate. In some instances two different inks can be printed next to each other. Intercolor bleed can occur if the inks are not dried properly or if the printing process is too fast for the ink set. Undesired ink mixing on a print substrate, especially on the surface of a plain paper, can cause severely distorted images near the border of two inks. After ink drying, the border of the two inks shows irregular structure with poor edge sharpness (or raggedness) because of the invasion of one ink into the other. The bleed images are not desirable and can be detected easily by eyes. This phenomenon is called intercolor bleed or color bleed. Intercolor bleed is particularly noticeable when a darker ink (such as a black ink) and a lighter ink (such as a yellow ink, a cyan ink, magenta ink, or the like) are printed next to each other, because of high contrast between the two colors. Intercolor bleed can also occur when two color inks are printed next to each other (for example, a yellow ink next to a magenta ink, a yellow ink next to a cyan ink, a magenta ink next to a cyan ink, or the like). The severity of the intercolor bleed generally is affected by ink type and composition, absorption rate of the printed substrate, printhead design, ink drop mass, ink dot size, and method and speed of printing. There is a need to reduce or minimize intercolor bleed and dry time and to produce high quality multicolor ink jet images on print substrates, including plain and coated papers, transparencies, textiles, and other desired substrates.

[0011] While known compositions and processes are suitable for their intended purposes, a need remains for improved ink compositions. In addition, a need remains for improved ink compositions suitable for use in ink jet printing processes. Further, a need remains for ink sets for ink jet printing that enable the generation of multicolored images with reduced intercolor bleed. Additionally, a need remains for ink compositions that enable improved print quality with sharp line edges. There is also a need for ink compositions with reduced drying time. In addition, there is a need for ink compositions that exhibit desirable surface tension values. Further, there is a need for ink compositions that generate images with improved uniformity of solid image areas. Additionally, there is a need for ink compositions with desirable latency values in ink jet printers. A need also remains for ink compositions that improve ink jet printhead maintainability. In addition, a need remains for multicolor ink jet printing processes that enable desirable print quality and uniform solid area images.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is directed to an ink composition comprising water, a colorant, and an ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer wherein A and A′ are blocks containing one or more ethylene oxide repeat monomer units, B and B′ are blocks containing one or more propylene oxide repeat monomer units, C is a block comprising one or more repeat monomer units of an alkylsiloxane, a dialkylsiloxane, an alkyl aryl siloxane, or a diarylsiloxane, S is an optional spacer group between the A or B block and the C block, and S′ is an optional spacer group between the C block and the A′ or B′ block. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a set of inks for printing multicolor images in an ink jet printer, said ink set comprising (1) a first ink having a first color and comprising water and a first colorant; and (2) a second ink having a second color different from the first color and comprising water, a colorant, and an ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer wherein A and A′ are blocks containing one or more ethylene oxide repeat monomer units, B and B′ are blocks containing one or more propylene oxide repeat monomer units, C is a block comprising one or more repeat monomer units of an alkylsiloxane, a dialkylsiloxane, an alkyl aryl siloxane, or a diarylsiloxane, S is an optional spacer group between the A or B block and the C block, and S′ is an optional spacer group between the C block and the A′ or B′ block, wherein dry time of the ink containing the block copolymer is decreased and/or intercolor bleed between the first ink and the second ink is reduced when the second ink is printed adjacent to, on top of, or underneath the first ink on a print substrate. Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a multicolor ink jet printing process which comprises: (1) incorporating into an ink jet printer a first ink having a first color and comprising water and a first colorant; (2) incorporating into the ink jet printer a second ink having a second color different from the first color and comprising water, a colorant, and an ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer wherein A and A′ are blocks containing one or more ethylene oxide repeat monomer units, B and B′ are blocks containing one or more propylene oxide repeat monomer units, C is a block comprising one or more repeat monomer units of an alkylsiloxane, a dialkylsiloxane, an alkyl aryl siloxane, or a diarylsiloxane, S is an optional spacer group between the A or B block and the C block, and S′ is an optional spacer group between the C block and the A′ or B′ block; (3) causing droplets of the first ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a substrate; and (4) causing droplets of the second ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto the substrate, wherein dry time of the ink containing the block copolymer is decreased and/or intercolor bleed between the first ink and the second ink is reduced when the second ink is printed adjacent to, on top of, or underneath the first ink on the substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The ink compositions of the present invention comprise an aqueous liquid medium, a colorant, and a block copolymer. The aqueous liquid medium can consist solely of water, or can also include water soluble or water miscible organic components such as humectants, cosolvents, and the like. Many useful known humectants and/or cosolvents are suitable for use in the inks for the present invention. Some suitable humectants and cosolvents include, but are not limited to, glycol derivatives, such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, poly(ethylene-co-propylene) glycol, and the like, as well as their reaction products with alkylene oxides, including ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; alkyl ethers of glycol derivatives, such as alkyl ethers (alkyl group containing from about 1 to 25 carbon atoms) of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, poly ethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, poly(ethylene-co-propylene) glycol, and the like; triol derivatives containing from about 3 to about 40 carbon atoms, including glycerine, trimethylolpropane, 1,3,5-pentanetriol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, and the like, as well as their reaction products with alkylene oxides, including ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and mixtures thereof; diols containing from about 2 to about 40 carbon atoms, such as 1,3-pentanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,5-hexanediol, 2,6-hexanediol, neopentyl glycol (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol), and the like, as well as their reaction products with alkylene oxides, including ethylene oxide and propylene oxide in any desirable molar ratio to form materials with a wide range of molecular weights; sulfoxide derivatives containing from about 2 to about 40 carbon atoms, including dialkylsulfoxides (symmetric and asymmetric sulfoxides) such as dimethylsulfoxide, methylethylsulfoxide, alkylphenyl sulfoxides, and the like; sulfone derivatives (symmetric and asymmetric sulfones) containing from about 2 to about 40 carbon atoms, including dialkyl sulfones such as dimethysulfone, methylethylsulfone, diethylsulfone, ethylpropylsulfone, dipropylsulfone, propylbutylsulfone, dibutylsulfone, sulfolane (tetramethylenesulfone, a cyclic sulfone), methylsulfolane, dimethylsulfolane, and the like, alkyl phenyl sulfones, such as methylphenylsulfone, ethylphenyl sulfone, and the like; amides with from about 2 to about 40 carbon atoms, such as N-alkylamides, N,N-dialkyl amides, N,N-alkyl phenyl amides, 2-pyrrolidinone (a cyclic amide), N-methylpyrrolidinone (a cyclic amide), N-cyclohexylpyrrolidinone, N,N-dimethyl-p-toluamide (aromatic), N,N-dimethyl-o-toluamide, N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, and the like; ethers, such as alkyl ether derivatives of various alcohols, ether derivatives of triols and diols, including butylcarbitol, hexylcarbitol, triolethers, alkyl ethers of polyethyleneglycols, alkyl ethers of polypropyleneglycols, phenyl ethers of polyethyleneglycols, phenyl ethers of polypropyleneglycols, alkyl ethers of phenylpolyethyleneglycols, alkyl ethers of phenylpolypropyleneglycols, and the like; urea and urea derivatives; inner salts such as betaine, and the like; thio (sulfur) derivatives (or isomers) of the aforementioned materials (humectants), including thioethyleneglycol, thiodiethyleneglycol, trithio- or dithio-diethyleneglycol, and the like; hydroxyamide derivatives, including acetylethanolamine, acetylpropanolamine, propylcarboxyethanolamine, propylcarboxypropanolamine, and the like; reaction products of aforementioned materials (humectants) with alkylene oxides; and mixtures thereof.

[0014] Further examples of suitable humectants are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,281,261, 5,531,818, 5,693,129, 4,840,674, 5,356,464, copending application U.S. Ser. No. 08/782,237, and copending application U.S. Ser. No. 08/876,41, the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,129 discloses the use of hydroxyamide derivatives, mercaptoamide derivatives, hydroxythioamide derivatives, mercaptothioamide derivatives, and oxyalkylene (alkyleneoxide) reaction products of the above said derivatives as anticurl agents for ink jet ink compositions. These materials and other known anti-curl agents, including those disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,464 can be employed in the inks for the present invention to provide both anticurl and antibleed properties for the production of multicolor images. Furthermore, ink compositions for the present invention further comprising some of the materials disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,129 and copending application U.S. Ser. No. 08/782,237 can be used in a high resolution ink jet printing process to provide long ink latency and high frequency response. The inks for the present invention, in some embodiments, will have a reduced tendency to clog the printhead nozzles or resist smooth ink flow, and will exhibit less frequency of ink spitting and printhead wiping for maintenance. Furthermore, the ink compositions for the present invention can be used with regular printheads, partitioned printheads, partial width printheads, and full width array printheads in ink jet printing processes. The ability of the ink compositions for the present invention to be jetted at high frequency (because of high frequency response, typically 3 KiloHertz or greater) allows one to print multicolor ink jet images at high speed, especially when full width array ink jet printheads are used. A printing speed of 50 copies per minutes for the production of multicolor images can be achieved using a set of full width array printheads (e.g. black, cyan, magenta, and yellow). The print substrates can optionally be heated at any stage of the printing process, including before, during, and after the printing process as well as combinations thereof.

[0015] Humectants, if present, are in the ink in any desired or effective amount, typically up to about 45 percent by weight of the ink, preferably up to about 40 percent by weight of the ink, and more preferably from about 5 to about 35 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be outside of these ranges.

[0016] Ink compositions of the present invention can also be prepared with low viscosity. Low molecular weight materials are preferred in the inks. Some examples of additional useful ink ingredients are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,281,261, 5,531,818, and 5,693,129, the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference. Ink compositions for the present invention with low viscosity can allow fast ink jetting and refill in multicolor ink jet printing processes with inks of the present invention. The viscosity of the ink composition is usually less than about 20 centipoise (at room temperature, i.e., about 25° C.), preferably from about 1 to about 10 centipoise, and more preferably from about 1 to about 5 centipoise.

[0017] The ink compositions of the present invention further contain a colorant. The colorant can be a pigment, a dye, or a mixture thereof. A pigment colorant is one that is substantially insoluble in the ink aqueous medium. The pigment can be selected from the suitable colorants listed in the Color Index, published jointly by American Association of Textile Chemist and Colorists (AATCC) and The Society of Dyers and Colorists in Bradford, England; BUYER'S GUIDE for Textile Chemist and Colorist, published by AATCC, and the like. The pigment can be present in the inks either with or without a dispersing agent. For example, pigment particles such as those modified chemically to possess water ionizable functional groups (either negatively or positively charged), such as carboxylate, sulfonate, phosphonate, phosphate, or ammonium groups, are stable in an aqueous ink and do not necessarily require a dispersing agent. Unlike many commercially available unmodified pigments, which rely primarily on external polymeric dispersants for needed stability in aqueous inks, the chemically modified pigments have the functional groups attached directly to the pigment particle surfaces via covalent bonds. The water ionizable functional groups can stabilize the pigment particles in the aqueous ink medium and provide needed stability without undesired pigment precipitation or coagulation. If needed, however, a pigment dispersant can also be used in conjunction with the chemically modified pigment (or surface modified pigment) to improve the stability of the ink. Some examples of chemically modified pigments are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,261, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference; also suitable are commercial carbon black dispersions such as Cabojet® 200, Cabojet® 300 (surface modified pigment), colored pigment dispersions, available from Cabot Chemical Co., the Bonjet® carbon black dispersions from Orient Chemical Company of Japan, other commercially available surface modified pigments (e.g. carbon black and color pigments), and the like. Pigment particles which are not chemically modified preferably are present with at least a dispersing agent (or dispersant) to stabilize the particles in an aqueous ink. The pigment stabilizing or dispersing agent can be anionic, cationic, or nonionic.

[0018] Pigments can be of any desired color, such as black, cyan, magenta, yellow, red, blue, green, brown, or the like, as well as mixtures thereof. It is preferred that the pigment particles in an ink jet ink composition have the same or similar color so there is no interference or impairment of the desired color of the final ink. Examples of suitable pigments in the ink jet ink compositions include, but are not limited to, various carbon blacks such as channel blacks; furnace blacks; lamp blacks; Raven® carbon blacks including Raven® 5250, Raven® 5750, Raven® 3500 and other similar carbon black products available from Columbia Company; carbon blacks including Regal® 330, Black Pearl® L, Black Pearl® 1300, and other similar carbon black products available from Cabot Corporation; Degussa carbon blacks such as Color Black® series, Special Black® series, Printtex® series and Derussol® carbon black dispersions available from Degussa Company; Cabojet® series carbon black dispersions including Cabojet® 200, Cabojet® 300, Cabojet® IJX 157, Cabojet® IJX 164, and the like from Cabot corporation; Lavanyl® carbon black dispersions from Bayer Company, Special Black® carbon black dispersions from BASF Co.; Hostafine® series pigment dispersions such as Hostafine® Yellow GR (Pigment 13), Hostafine® Yellow (Pigment 83), Hostafine® Red FRLL (Pigment Red 9), Hostafine® Rubine F6B (Pigment 184), Hostafine® Blue 2G (Pigment Blue 15:3), Hostafine® Black T (Pigment Black 7, carbon black), and Hostafine® Black TS (Pigment Black 7), available from Hoechst/Celanese Corporation; Normandy Magenta RD-2400 (Paul Uhlich); Paliogen Violet 5100 (BASF); Paliogen® Violet 5890 (BASF) Permanent Violet VT2645 (Paul Uhlich); Heliogen Green L8730 (BASF); Argyle Green XP-111-S (Paul Uhlich); Brilliant Green Toner GR 0991 (Paul Uhlich); Heliogen® Blue L6900; L7020 (BASF), Heliogen® Blue D6840, D7080 (BASF); Sudan Blue OS (BASF); PV Fast Blue B2G01 (Hoechst/Celanese); Irgalite Blue BCA (Ciba-Geigy); Paliogen® Blue 6470 (BASF); Sudan III (Matheson, Coleman, Bell); Sudan II (Matheson, Coleman, Bell); Sudan IV (Matheson, Coleman, Bell); Sudan Orange G (Aldrich); Sudan Orange 220 (BASF); Paliogen® Orange 3040 (BASF); Ortho Orange OR 2673 (Paul Uhlich); Paliogen® Yellow 152, 1560 (BASF); Lithol Fast Yellow 0991 K (BASF); Paliotol Yellow 1840 (BASF); Novoperm® Yellow FG 1 (Hoechst/Celanese); Permanent Yellow YE 0305 (Paul Uhlich); Lumogen Yellow D0790 (BASF); Suco-Gelb L1250 (BASF); Suco-Yellow D1355 (BASF); Hostaperm® Pink E (Hoechst/Celanese), Fanal Pink D4830 (BASF); Cinquasia Magenta (DuPont); Lithol Scarlet D3700 (BASF); Toluidine Red (Aldrich); Scarlet for Thermoplast NSD PS PA (Ugine Kuhlmann of Canada); E. D. Toluidine Red (Aldrich); Lithol Rubine Toner (Paul Uhlich); Lithol Scarlet 4440 (BASF); Bon Red C (Dominion Color Company); Royal Brilliant Red RD-8192 (Paul Uhlich); Oracet Pink RF (Ciba-Geigy); Pigment Red 122 from Toyo Ink of Japan; Paliogen® Red 3871 K (BASF); Paliogen® Red 3340 (BASF); Lithol Fast Scarlet L4300 (BASF); and mixtures thereof. Many useful pigments can also be found in the Color Index, published jointly by American Association of Textile Chemist and Colorists (AATCC) and The Society of Dyers and Colorists in Bradford, England.

[0019] Pigment colorants can be present in the ink in any effective amount. Typically the pigment is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 15 percent by weight of the ink, and preferably from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be outside of these ranges.

[0020] Preferably, the pigment particle size is as small as possible to enable a stable colloidal suspension of the particles in the liquid medium with good color strength, and to prevent clogging of the ink channels or nozzle openings when the ink is used in an ink jet printer. Preferred average particle sizes or diameters are generally from about 0.001 to about 3 microns, although the particle sizes can be outside of these ranges. A more preferred pigment particle size distribution is one wherein particles having at least 50 percent of the particles being below 0.3 micron, with no particles being greater than 3.0 microns (measured on, for example, a Hodaka CAPA 700 Particle Size Analyzer, a Malvern particle size analyzer, a Model BI-90 Brookhaven Instruments particle size analyzer, or the like). More preferably, the average pigment particle size includes particles having at least 70 percent of the particles being below 0.3 micron, with no particles being greater than 1.2 microns. Pigment particle sizes can, however, be outside of these ranges provided that they do not cause undesired clogging and maintenance problems.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present invention, the pigment can be dispersed in the ink with one or more dispersants (dispersing agents) or stabilizing agents. The stabilizing agents can be anionic, cationic, or nonionic. Some pigment stabilizing agents have both hydrophilic (comprising ionic groups which are capable of ionizing in water or water compatible groups) and hydrophobic (affinity for pigments) moieties. Suitable stabilizing agents include, but are not limited to, anionic dispersants, such as polymers and random copolymers of styrene sulfonate salts (such as Na+, Li+, K+, Cs+, Rb+, substituted and unsubstituted ammonium cations, and the like), unsubstituted and substituted (such as alkyl, alkoxy, substituted naphthalene derivatives, and the like) naphthalene sulfonate salts (such as Na+, Li+, K+, Cs+, Rb+, substituted and unsubstituted ammonium cations, and the like) with an aldehyde derivative, such as unsubstituted alkyl aldehyde derivatives, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propylaldehyde, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof. Examples of such stabilizing agents include, but are not limited to, commercial products such as Versa® 4, Versa® 7, Versa® 77 (National Starch and Chemical Co.); Lomar® D (Diamond Shamrock Chemical Co.); Daxad® 19, Daxad® K (W. R. Grace & Co.); Tamol® SN (Rohm & Haas); and the like. Other useful anionic stabilizing agents include polymers or random copolymers of styrene and an acrylic acid salt, styrene and a methacrylic acid salt, styrene and a maleic acid salt, block copolymers comprising acrylates or methacrylates, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

[0022] Nonionic pigment stabilizing agents (or dispersing agents or dispersants) or surfactants can also be used in inks for the present invention, such as ethoxylated monoalkyl or dialkyl phenols, including Igepal® CA and CO series materials (Rhone-Poulenc Co., such as Igepal® CA-630, CO-630, and the like); Surfynol® series materials from Air Products and Chemicals Co.; and Triton® series materials (Union Carbide Company). These nonionic surfactants or dispersants can be used alone or in combination with anionic or cationic dispersants.

[0023] The ratio of pigment to stabilizing agent by weight typically is from about 1:0.01 to about 1:4, preferably from about 1:0.1 to about 1:2, and more preferably from about 1:0.10 to about 1:1.5, although the ratio can be outside of these ranges.

[0024] The ratio of naphthalene substituent to aldehyde in the aforementioned anionic stabilizing agents typically is about 1:1, although this ratio can be different depending on the stoichiometry of the feed stock and reaction condition, and can readily be adjusted to obtain a dispersant having a desired molecular weight and the desired ratio of naphthalene substituent to aldehyde. The weight average molecular weight of the pigment stabilizing agent is generally less than about 50,000, preferably less than about 25,000, and more preferably less than about 10,000, although the weight average molecular weight can be outside of these ranges. The pigment dispersion preferably contains enough dispersant to stabilize the pigment particles in water, but not so much as to affect adversely properties of the dispersion and ink such as viscosity, stability, and optical density.

[0025] Dye colorants are those colorants that are soluble in the aqueous liquid vehicle. The dye can be selected from the suitable colorants listed in the Color Index, published jointly by American Association of Textile Chemist and Colorists (AATCC) and The Society of Dyers and Colorists in Bradford, England; BUYER'S GUIDE for Textile Chemist and Colorist, published by AATCC, and the like. Any suitable dye or mixture of dyes that is compatible with the other ink ingredients can be used. Water soluble or water dispersible anionic dyes, direct dyes, reactive dyes, and cationic dyes can be selected. Examples of suitable dyes include, but are not limited to, Food dyes such as Food Black No. 1, Food Black No. 2, Food Red No. 40, Food Blue No. 1, Food Yellow No. 7, and the like; FD & C dyes; Acid Black dyes (No. 1, 7, 9, 24, 26, 48, 52, 58, 60, 61, 63, 92, 107, 109, 118, 119, 131, 140, 155, 156, 172, 194, and the like); Acid Red dyes (No. 1, 8, 32, 35, 37, 52, 57, 92, 115, 119, 154, 249, 254, 256, and the like); Acid Blue dyes (No. 1, 7, 9, 25, 40, 45, 62, 78, 80, 92, 102, 104, 113, 117, 127, 158, 175, 183, 193, 209, and the like); Acid Yellow dyes (No. 3, 7, 17, 19, 23, 25, 29, 38, 42, 49, 59, 61, 72, 73, 114, 128, 151, and the like); Direct Black dyes (No. 4, 14, 17, 22, 27, 38, 51, 112, 117, 154, 168, and the like); Direct Blue dyes (No. 1, 6, 8, 14, 15, 25, 71, 76, 78, 80, 86, 90, 106, 108, 123, 163, 165, 199, 226, and the like); Direct Red dyes (No. 1, 2, 16, 23, 24, 28, 39, 62, 72, 236, 337, and the like); Direct Yellow dyes (No. 4, 11, 12, 27, 28, 33, 34, 39, 50, 58, 86, 100, 106, 107, 118, 127, 132, 142, 157, and the like); anthraquinone dyes; monoazo dyes; disazo dyes; phthalocyanine derivatives, including various phthalocyanine sulfonate salts; aza (18) annulenes; Formazan copper complexes; triphenodioxazines; Bernacid Red 2BMN; Pontamine Brilliant Bond Blue A; Pontamine; Caro direct Turquoise FBL Supra Conc. (Direct Blue 199), available from Carolina Color and Chemical; Special Fast Turquoise 8GL Liquid (Direct Blue 86), available from Mobay Chemical; Intrabond Liquid Turquoise GLL (Direct Blue 86), available from Crompton and Knowles; Cibracron Brilliant Red 38-A (Reactive Red 4), available from Aldrich Chemical; Reactive Dyes (e.g. Reactive Black 5, Reactive Blue 2, Reactive Blue 4, Reactive Blue 15, Reactive Orange 16, Reactive Red 2, Reactive Red 4, Reactive Yellow 2, and Reactive Yellow 81) from Aldrich Chemical Co.; Reactive Red 180 and its hydrolyzed form from Mitsubishi Chemical Co. of Japan; Drimarene Brilliant Red X-2B (Reactive Red 56), available from Pylam, Inc.; Levafix Brilliant Red E-4B, available from Mobay Chemical; Levafix Brilliant Red E-6BA, available from Mobay Chemical; Procion Red H8B (Reactive Red 31), available from ICI of America (Zeneca Co.); Pylam Certified D&C Red #28 (Acid Red 92), available from Pylam; Direct Brilliant Pink B Ground Crude, available from Crompton & Knowles; Cartasol Yellow GTF Presscake, available from Sandoz, Inc.; Tartrazine Extra Conc. (FD&C Yellow #5, Acid Yellow 23), available from Sandoz; Carodirect Yellow RL (Direct Yellow 86), available from Carolina Color and Chemical; Cartasol Yellow GTF Liquid Special 110, available from Sandoz, Inc.; D&C Yellow #10 (Acid Yellow 3), available from Tricon; Yellow Shade 16948, available from Tricon; Basacid Black X34, available from BASF; Carta Black 2GT, available from Sandoz, Inc.; Neozapon Red 492, available from BASF; Orasol Red G available from Ciba-Geigy; Direct Brilliant Pink B (Crompton-Knolls); Aizen Spilon Red C-BH (Hodogaya Chemical Company); Kayanol Red 3BL (Nippon Kayaku Company); Levanol Brilliant Red 3BW (Mobay Chemical Company); Levaderm Lemon Yellow (Mobay Chemical Company); Spirit Fast Yellow 3G; Aizen Spilon Yellow C-GNH (Hodogaya Chemical Company); Sirius Supra Yellow GD 167; Cartasol Brilliant Yellow 4GF (Sandoz); Pergasol Yellow CGP (Ciba-Geigy); Orasol Black RL (Ciba-Geigy); Orasol Black RLP (Ciba-Geigy); Savinyl Black RLS (Sandoz); Dermacarbon 2GT (Sandoz); Pyrazol Black BG (ICI); Morfast Black Conc A (Morton-Thiokol); Diazol Black RN Quad (ICI); Orasol Blue GN (Ciba-Geigy); Savinyl Blue GLS (Sandoz); Luxol Blue MBSN (Morton-Thiokol); Sevron Blue 5GMF (ICI); Basacid Blue 750 (BASF); Bernacid Red, available from Berncolors, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Pontamine Brilliant Bond Blue; Berncolor Acid Yellow 34; Telon Fast Yellow 4GL-175; BASF Basacid Black SE 0228; the Pro-Jet® series of dyes available from Zeneca Co., including Pro-Jet® Yellow I (Direct Yellow 86), Pro-Jet® Magenta I (Acid Red 249), Pro-Jet® Cyan I (Direct Blue 199), Pro-Jet® Black I (Direct Black 168), Pro-Jet® Yellow 1-G (Direct Yellow 132), and Pro-Jet® waterfast dyes; Aminyl Brilliant Red F-B, available from Sumitomo Chemical Company (Japan); the Duasyn® line of “salt-free” dyes available from Hoechst/Celanese, such as Duasyn® Direct Black HEF-SF (Direct Black 168), Duasyn® Black RL-SF (Reactive Black 31), Duasyn® Direct Yellow 6G-SF VP216 (Direct Yellow 157), Duasyn® Brilliant Yellow GL-SF VP220 (Reactive Yellow 37), Duasyn® Acid Yellow XX-SF LP413 (Acid Yellow 23), Duasyn® Brilliant Red F3B-SF VP218 (Reactive Red 180), Duasyn® Rhodamine B-SF VP353 (Acid Red 52), Duasyn® Direct Turquoise Blue FRL-SF VP368 (Direct Blue 199), and Duasyn® Acid Blue AE-SF VP344 (Acid Blue 9); Dispersed Dyes; various Reactive dyes, including Reactive Black dyes, Reactive Blue dyes, Reactive Red dyes, and Reactive Yellow dyes; and the like; as well as mixtures thereof.

[0026] A dye colorant is present in the ink in any effective amount to provide desired color and optical density. Typically, the dye is present in an amount from about 0.01 to about 15 percent by weight of the ink, preferably from about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of the ink, more preferably from about 1 to about 8 percent by weight of the ink, and even more preferably from about 1 to about 5 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be outside of these ranges. A mixture of dyes in any desired proportion can also be employed to obtain a specific shade or hue.

[0027] The ink compositions of the present invention also contain an ABCB′A′ or BACA′B′ block copolymer wherein the A and A′ blocks contain one or more ethylene oxide repeat monomer units, the B and B′ blocks contain one or more propylene oxide repeat monomer units, and the C block contains one or more repeat monomer units of a dialkylsiloxane, alkyl aryl siloxane, or diarylsiloxane. Optionally, the A or B block and the C block can be separated by an optional spacer group S. Optionally, the C block and the B′ or A′ blocks can be separated by an optional spacer group S′. Accordingly, the block copolymers of the present invention can also be represented as ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymers, wherein S and S′ are optional spacer groups.

[0028] The ABSCS′B′A′ and BASCS′A′B′ block copolymers suitable for the inks of the present invention have a linear structure (linear polymer backbone), and are to be distinguished from grafted or branched dimethylsiloxane copolymers.

[0029] A and A′ are each blocks comprising one or more repeat monomer units of ethylene oxide. The A and A′ blocks can be either the same as each other or different from each other in terms of chain length. A and A′ preferably each have from 1 to about 10,000 repeat ethylene oxide units, although the number of repeat ethylene oxide units can be outside of this range.

[0030] B and B′ are each blocks comprising one or more repeat monomer units of propylene oxide. The B and B′ blocks can be either the same as each other or different from each other in terms of chain length. B and B′ preferably each have from 1 to about 10,000 repeat propylene oxide units, although the number of repeat propylene oxide units can be outside of this range.

[0031] C is a block comprising one or more repeat monomer units of an alkylsiloxane, a dialkylsiloxane, an alkyl aryl siloxane, a diarylsiloxane, or mixtures thereof. The alkyl or aryl groups on the alkylsiloxane, dialkylsiloxane, alkyl aryl siloxane, and/or diarylsiloxane repeat monomer units typically have from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of this range. Particularly preferred repeat monomers for the C block include dimethyl siloxane, methyl ethyl siloxane, diethyl siloxane, methylphenyl siloxane, diphenyl siloxane, and the like. C preferably is selected so that the number of repeat alkylsiloxane, dialkylsiloxane, alkyl aryl siloxane, and/or diarylsiloxane units in the ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer is from 1 to about 5,000, although the number of repeat siloxane units can be outside of this range.

[0032] S is an optional spacer group between the A or B blocks and the C block, and S′ is an optional spacer group between the C block and the B or A′ blocks. In an ABSCSB′A′ block copolymer, when S is absent, the B block is directly bonded to the C block, and in a BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer, when S is absent, the A block is directly bonded to the C block. In an ABSCS′B′A′ block copolymer, when S′ is absent, the B′ block is directly bonded to the C block, and in a BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer, when S′ is absent, the A′ block is directly bonded to the C block. S and S′ each, independently of the other, can be (but are not limited to) alkylene groups, alkylene oxide groups, alkylsilyl groups, dialkylsilyl groups, alkylarylsilyl groups, diarylsilyl groups, propylenylalkylsilyl groups, propylenyldialkylsilyl groups, propylenylalkylarylsilyl groups, propylenyidiarylsilyl groups, alkylsiloxy groups, dialkylsiloxy groups, alkylarylsiloxy groups, diarylsiloxy groups, propyleneoxyalkylsilyl groups, propylenylalkylsiloxy groups, propyleneoxydialkylsilyl groups, propylenyidialkylsiloxy groups, propyleneoxyalkylarylsilyl groups, propylenylalkylarylsiloxy groups, propyleneoxydiarylsilyl groups, propylenyldiarylsiloxy groups, heteroatoms, or mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable alkylene S and S′ groups include those with from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, such as those of the formula —(CH2)t— wherein t is an integer of from 1 to about 10, such as methylene (—CH2—), ethylene (—CH2CH2—), propylene (—CH2CH2CH2—), and the like. Examples of suitable alkylene oxide S and S′ groups include those with from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, such as methylene oxide (—CH2O— or —OCH2—), ethylene oxide (—CH2CH2O— or —OCH2CH2—), propylene oxide (—CH2CH2CH2O— or —OCH2CH2CH2—), and the like. Examples of suitable alkylsilyl S and S′ groups, dialkylsilyl S and S′ groups, alkylarylsilyl S and S′ groups, diarylsilyl S and S′ groups, propylenylalkylsilyl S and S′ groups, propylenyldialkylsilyl S and S′ groups, propylenylalkylarylsilyl S and S′ groups, and propylenyldiarylsilyl S and S′ groups include those wherein the alkyl moieties have from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms and the aryl moieties have from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, such as dimethylsilyl (—Si(CH3)2—), methylethylsilyl (—Si(CH3)(C2H5)—), methylphenylsilyl (—Si(CH3)(C6H5)—), diphenylsilyl (—Si(C6H5)2—), dimethylpropylenylsilyl (—C3H6—Si(CH3)2— or —Si(CH3)2—C3H6—), and the like. Examples of suitable alkylsiloxy S and S′ groups, dialkylsiloxy S and S′ groups, alkylarylsiloxy S and S′ groups, diarylsiloxy S and S′ groups, propyleneoxyalkylsilyl S and S′ groups, propylenylalkylsiloxy S and S′ groups, propyleneoxydialkylsilyl S and S′ groups, propylenyldialkylsiloxy S and S′ groups, propyleneoxyalkylarylsilyl S and S′ groups, propylenylalkylarylsiloxy S and S′ groups, propyleneoxydiarylsilyl S and S′ groups, and propylenyldiarylsiloxy S and S′ groups include those wherein the alkyl moieties have from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms and the aryl moieties have from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, such as dimethylsiloxy (—Si(CH3)2O—), methylethylsiloxy (—Si(CH3)(C2H5)O—), methylphenylsiloxy (—Si(CH3)(C6H5)O—), diphenylsiloxy (—Si(C6H5)2O—), dimethylpropylenylsiloxy (—C3H6—Si(CH3)2O— or —Si(CH3)2—C3H6O— or —OC3H6—Si(CH3)2— or —OSi(CH3)2—C3H6—), and the like. Examples of suitable S and S′ heteroatoms include oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof. Two or more of the aforementioned suitable S and S′ groups can also be combined to provide a spacer group; for example, a single spacer group S or S′ can comprise both an alkylene group and a dialkyl silyl group, such as —(CH2)t—Si(CH3)2— or —Si(CH3)2—(CH2)t— wherein t is an integer of from 1 to about 10.

[0033] The terminal groups on the block copolymer are bonded to the A and A′ blocks in an ABCB′A′ block copolymer and are bonded to the B and B′ blocks in a BACA′B′ block copolymer, and typically are hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, alkyl groups, hydroxyl-substituted alkyl groups, or alkoxy groups, wherein the alkyl, hydroxyl-substituted alkyl, and alkoxy groups typically have from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of this range, and although other terminal groups can be selected. Preferably the terminal group is selected to avoid a peroxy linkage; accordingly, if the atom of the block immediately connected to the terminal group is an oxygen atom, terminal groups such as hydroxy groups or alkoxy groups preferably are not selected to avoid peroxy linkages.

[0034] Suitable block copolymers for the inks of the present invention (also showing the optional spacer groups) include those of the general formulae

[0035] wherein R and R′ each, independently of the other, are hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, hydroxyl-substituted alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, or alkoxy groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkoxy groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, R1 and R2 each, independently of the other, is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, typically with from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of this range, or an aryl group, typically with from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of this range, i, z, p, and l are each integers representing the numbers of repeat alkylene oxide monomer units, wherein i, z, p, and l are each, independently of the other, typically from 1 to about 10,000, although the values of i, z, p, and l can be outside of this range, y is an integer representing the number of repeat siloxane monomer units, being typically from 1 to about 5,000, although the value of y can be outside of this range, and S and S′ are optional spacer groups.

[0036] Specific examples of block copolymers suitable for the inks of the present invention include those of Formula 1 (which have no spacer groups):

[0037] those of Formula 2 (which have no spacer groups):

[0038] those of Formula 3 (which have spacer groups):

[0039] and those of Formula 4 (which have spacer groups):

[0040] wherein R and R′ each, independently of the other, are hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, hydroxyl-substituted alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, or alkoxy groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkoxy groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, R1 and R2 each, independently of the other, is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, typically with from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of this range, or an aryl group, typically with from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of this range, i, z, p, and l are each integers representing the numbers of repeat alkylene oxide monomer units, wherein i, z, p, and l are each, independently of the other, typically from 1 to about 10,000, although the values of x, y, m, and n can be outside of this range, y is an integer representing the number of repeat siloxane monomer units, being typically from 1 to about 5,000, although the value of y can be outside of this range, and j and k are each integers representing the number of repeat —(CH2)— units, being typically of from 0 to about 10, although the values of j and k can be outside of this range, wherein j+k≧1.

[0041] An example of a material of Formula 1 is that of Formula 1A, wherein R is selected to be a hydroxyl group and R′ is selected to be a hydrogen atom, so that the block copolymer has two terminal hydroxyl groups (which can also be described as terminal hydroxypropoxylate groups):

[0042] wherein i, z, y, p, l, R1, and R2 are as defined hereinabove for block copolymers of Formula 1. An example of a material of Formula 1A is that wherein R1 and R2 are each selected to be methyl and i and l are each selected to be 1, a material of Formula 1A(1):

[0043] wherein z, y, and p are as defined hereinabove for block copolymers of Formula 1. This material, which can be called poly(dimethylsiloxane), ethoxylated, hydroxypropoxylate end-capped, is available from Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis. as Catalog No. 48,271-4, Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. 68037-63-8.

[0044] An example of a material of Formula 2 is that of Formula 2A, wherein R is selected to be a hydroxyl group and R′ is selected to be a hydrogen atom, so that the block copolymer has two terminal hydroxyl groups (which can also be described as terminal hydroxyethoxylate groups):

[0045] wherein z, i, y, l, p, R1, and R2 are as defined hereinabove for polymers of Formula 2. An example of a material of Formula 2A is that wherein R1 and R2 are each selected to be methyl and z and p are each selected to be 1, a material of Formula 2A(1):

[0046] wherein i, y, and l are as defined hereinabove for polymers of Formula 2. This material can be called poly(dimethylsiloxane), propoxylated, hydroxyethoxylate end-capped.

[0047] An example of a material of Formula 3 is that of Formula 3A, wherein R is selected to be a hydroxyl group and R′ is selected to be a hydrogen atom, so that the block copolymer has two terminal hydroxyl groups (which can also be described as terminal hydroxypropoxylate groups):

[0048] wherein i, z, j, y, k, p, l, R1, and R2 are as defined hereinabove for polymers of Formula 3. An example of a material of Formula 3A is that wherein R1 and R2 are each selected to be methyl, j and k are each selected to be 3, and i and l are each selected to be 1, a material of Formula 3A(1):

[0049] wherein z, y, and p are as defined hereinabove for polymers of Formula 3. This material can be called poly(dimethylsiloxane), propylene ethoxylated, hydroxypropoxylate end-capped.

[0050] An example of a material of Formula 4 is that of Formula 4A, wherein R is selected to be a hydroxyl group and R′ is selected to be a hydrogen atom, so that the block copolymer has two terminal hydroxyl groups (which can also be described as terminal hydroxyethoxylate groups):

[0051] wherein z, i, j, y, k, l, p, R1,and R2 are as defined hereinabove for block copolymers of Formula 4. An example of a material of Formula 4A is that wherein R1 and R2 are each selected to be methyl, j and k are each selected to be 3, and z and p are each selected to be 1, a material of Formula 4A(1):

[0052] wherein i, y, and l are as defined hereinabove for block copolymers of Formula 4. This material can be called poly(dimethylsiloxane), propylene propoxylated, hydroxyethoxylate end-capped.

[0053] For illustration purposes, further examples of suitable ABSCS′B′A′ and BASCS′A′B′ block copolymers for the inks of the present invention will now be presented. Type A block copolymers (those of Formula I and Formula II) have a C block with one or more alkylsiloxane or dialkylsiloxane repeat monomer units, wherein the alkyl groups of the alkylsiloxane or dialkylsiloxane each, independently of the other, have from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. Type A materials include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0054] wherein R and R′ each, independently of the other, can be hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, hydroxyl-substituted alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, or alkoxy groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkoxy groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, R1 and R2 each, independently of the other, are hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups) typically with from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of this range, either (a) R3 and R4 are ethylene oxide groups and R5 and R6 are propylene oxide groups or (b) R3 and R4 are propylene oxide groups and R5 and R6 are ethylene oxide groups, v, g, h, and u are each, independently of the others, integers representing the number of repeat alkylene oxide groups, and typically are from 1 to about 10,000, and y is an integer representing the number of alkylsiloxane or dialkylsiloxane repeat groups, and typically is from 1 to about 5,000. In the block copolymers of Formula I, one spacer group is an alkylsiloxy or dialkylsiloxy group and one spacer group is an alkylsilyl or dialkylsilyl group. The following types of linkages between the spacer groups and the alkylene oxide groups are possible:

[0055] (wherein n is 2 in the case of ethylene oxide groups and 3 in the case of propylene oxide groups).

[0056] For example, when R1 and R2 are selected as methyl groups, R3 and R4 are selected as propylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can be of Formula IA:

R—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—R′ IA

[0057] When R and R′ are both hydrogen atoms, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si (CH3)2O)y—Si (CH3)2—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—H

[0058] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methyl groups, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—CH3

[0059] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v13(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—CH3

[0060] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R1 and R2 are selected as methyl groups, R3 and R4 are selected as propylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IA′:

R—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—R′ IA′

[0061] When R and R′ are both hydroxyl groups, the material is of the formula

HO—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OH

[0062] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methoxy groups, the material is of the formula

H3C—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—CH3

[0063] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydroxyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

HO—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0064] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0065] When R1 and R2 are selected as methyl groups, R3 and R4 are selected as propylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IB:

R—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—R′ IB

[0066] When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OH

[0067] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0068] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0069] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OH

[0070] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0071] When R1 and R2 are selected as methyl groups, R3 and R4 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as propylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can be of Formula IC:

R—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—R′ IC

[0072] When R and R′ are both hydrogen atoms, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—H

[0073] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methyl groups, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—CH3

[0074] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—CH3

[0075] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R1 and R2 are selected as methyl groups, R3 and R4 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as propylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IC′:

R—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—R′ IC′

[0076] When R and R′ are both hydroxyl groups, the material is of the formula

HO—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OH

[0077] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methoxy groups, the material is of the formula

H3CO—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0078] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydroxyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

HO—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0079] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0080] When R1 and R2 are selected as methyl groups, R3 and R4 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as propylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula ID:

R—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—R′ ID

[0081] When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OH

[0082] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0083] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0084] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OH

[0085] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0086] Type A materials also include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0087] wherein R and R′ each, independently of the other, can be hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, hydroxyl-substituted alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, or alkoxy groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkoxy groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, R1 and R2 each, independently of the other, are hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups) typically with from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of this range, either (a) R3 and R4 are ethylene oxide groups and R5 and R6 are propylene oxide groups or (b) R3 and R4 are propylene oxide groups and R5 and R6 are ethylene oxide groups, v, g, h, and u are each, independently of the others, integers representing the number of repeat alkylene oxide groups, and typically are from 1 to about 10,000, y is an integer representing the number of alkylsiloxane or dialkylsiloxane repeat groups, and typically is from 1 to about 5,000, and a and b each, independently of the other, are integers of from 0 to about 10, wherein the sum of a+b≧1. In the block copolymers of Formula II, one spacer group is a combination of an alkylene group and an alkylsiloxy or dialkylsiloxy group and one spacer group is a combination of an alkylene group and an alkylsilyl or dialkylsilyl group. The following types of linkages between the spacer groups and the alkylene oxide groups are possible:

[0088] (wherein n is 2 in the case of ethylene oxide groups and 3 in the case of propylene oxide groups).

[0089] For example, when R1 and R2 are selected as methyl groups, R3 and R4 are selected as propylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can be of Formula IIA:

R—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—R′ IIA

[0090] When R and R′ are both hydrogen atoms, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—H

[0091] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methyl groups, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—CH3

[0092] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(C2H4O)h—(3H6O)u—CH3

[0093] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R1 and R2 are selected as methyl groups, R3 and R4 are selected as propylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IIA′:

R—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—R′ IIA′

[0094] When R and R′ are both hydroxyl groups, the material is of the formula

HO—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OH

[0095] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methoxy groups, the material is of the formula

H3C—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—CH3

[0096] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydroxyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

HO—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0097] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0098] When R1 and R2 are selected as methyl groups, R3 and R4 are selected as propylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IIB:

R—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—R′ IIB

[0099] When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OH

[0100] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—CH3

[0101] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0102] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OH

[0103] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0104] When R1 and R2 are selected as methyl groups, R3 and R4 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as propylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can be of Formula IIC:

R—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—R′ IIC

[0105] When R and R′ are both hydrogen atoms, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—H

[0106] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methyl groups, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—CH3

[0107] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—CH3

[0108] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R1 and R2 are selected as methyl groups, R3 and R4 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as propylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IIC′:

R—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—R′ IIC′

[0109] When R and R′ are both hydroxyl groups, the material is of the formula

HO—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OH

[0110] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methoxy groups, the material is of the formula

H3CO—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0111] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydroxyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

HO—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0112] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0113] When R1 and R2 are selected as methyl groups, R3 and R4 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as propylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IID:

R—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—R′ IID

[0114] When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OH

[0115] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—CH3

[0116] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0117] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OH

[0118] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0119] Type B block copolymers (those of Formula III and Formula IV) have a C block with one or more alkylarylsiloxane repeat monomer units, wherein the alkyl group of the alkylarylsiloxane has from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms and the aryl group of the alkylarylsiloxane has from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms. Type B materials include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0120] wherein R and R′ each, independently of the other, can be hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups), typically with from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, hydroxyl-substituted alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, or alkoxy groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkoxy groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, R7 is an alkyl group (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups) typically with from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of this range, R8 is an aryl group, typically with from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of this range, either (a) R3 and R4 are ethylene oxide groups and R5 and R6 are propylene oxide groups or (b) R3 and R4 are propylene oxide groups and R5 and R6 are ethylene oxide groups, v, g, h, and u are each, independently of the others, integers representing the number of repeat alkylene oxide groups, and typically are from 1 to about 10,000, and y is an integer representing the number of alkylarylsiloxane repeat groups, and typically is from 1 to about 5,000. In the block copolymers of Formula III, one spacer group is an alkylarylsiloxy group and one spacer group is an alkylarylsilyl group. The following types of linkages between the spacer groups and the alkylene oxide groups are possible:

[0121] (wherein n is 2 in the case of ethylene oxide groups and 3 in the case of propylene oxide groups).

[0122] For example, when R7 is selected as a methyl group and R8 is selected as a phenyl group (φ), R3 and R4 are selected as propylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can be of Formula IIIA:

R—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—R′ IIIA

[0123] When R and R′ are both hydrogen atoms, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(C2H4O)h—)C3H6O)u—H

[0124] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methyl groups, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—CH3

[0125] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—CH3

[0126] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R7 is selected as a methyl group and R8 is selected as a phenyl group, R3 and R4 are selected as propylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IIIA′:

R—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—R′ IIIA′

[0127] When R and R′ are both hydroxyl groups, the material is of the formula

HO—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OH

[0128] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methoxy groups, the material is of the formula

H3CO—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(100 )O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0129] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydroxyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

HO—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0130] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0131] When R7 is selected as a methyl group and R2 is selected as a phenyl group, R3 and R4 are selected as propylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IIIB:

[0132] R—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—R′

[0133] When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OH

[0134] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si (CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0135] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0136] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OH

[0137] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0138] When R7 is selected as a methyl group and R8 is selected as a phenyl group, R3 and R4 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as propylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can be of Formula IIIC:

R—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—R′IIIC

[0139] When R and R′ are both hydrogen atoms, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—H

[0140] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methyl groups, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—CH3

[0141] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—CH3

[0142] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R7 is selected as a methyl group and R8 is selected as a phenyl group, R3 and R4 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as propylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IIIC′:

R—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—R′ IIIC′

[0143] When R and R′ are both hydroxyl groups, the material is of the formula

HO—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC3H6)h(OC2H4)u—OH

[0144] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methoxy groups, the material is of the formula

H3CO—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0145] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydroxyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

HO—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0146] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0147] When R7 is selected as a methyl group and R8 is selected as a phenyl group, R3 and R4 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as propylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IIID:

R—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OH

[0148] When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OH

[0149] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0150] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)ySi(CH3)(φ)—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0151] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OH

[0152] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0153] Type B materials also include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0154] wherein R and R′ each, independently of the other, can be hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups), typically with from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, hydroxyl-substituted alkyl groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, or alkoxy groups (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkoxy groups), typically with from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, R7 is an alkyl group (including linear, branched, and cyclic alkyl groups) typically with from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of this range, R8 is an aryl group, typically with from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of this range, either (a) R3 and R4 are ethylene oxide groups and R5 and R6 are propylene oxide groups or (b) R3 and R4 are propylene oxide groups and R5 and R6 are ethylene oxide groups, v, g, h, and u are each, independently of the others, integers representing the number of repeat alkylene oxide groups, and typically are from 1 to about 10,000, y is an integer representing the number of dialkylsiloxane repeat groups, and typically is from 1 to about 5,000, and a and b each, independently of the other, are integers of from 0 to about 10, wherein the sum of a+b≧1. In the polymers of Formula IV, one spacer group is a combination of an alkylene group and an alkylarylsiloxy group and one spacer group is a combination of an alkylene group and an alkylarylsilyl group. The following types of linkages between the spacer groups and the alkylene oxide groups are possible:

[0155] (wherein n is 2 in the case of ethylene oxide groups and 3 in the case of propylene oxide groups).

[0156] For example, when R7 is selected as a methyl group and R8 is selected as a phenyl group, R3 and R4 are selected as propylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can be of Formula IVA:

R—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—R′ IVA

[0157] When R and R′ are both hydrogen atoms, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—H

[0158] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methyl groups, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—CH3

[0159] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(C2H4O)h—(C3H6O)u—CH3

[0160] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R7 is selected as a methyl group and R8 selected as a phenyl group, R3 and R4 are selected as propylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IVA′:

R—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—R′ IVA′

[0161] When R and R′ are both hydroxyl groups, the material is of the formula

HO—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OH

[0162] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methoxy groups, the material is of the formula

H3CO—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0163] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydroxyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

HO—(C3H6O)v—(C2H4O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)ySi(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0164] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0165] When R7 is selected as a methyl group and R8 is selected as a phenyl group, R3 and R4 are selected as propylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IVB:

R—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—R′ IVB

[0166] When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OH

[0167] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0168] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OCH3

[0169] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC3H6)v—(OC2H4)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC2H4)h—(OC3H6)u—OH

[0170] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0171] When R7 is selected as a methyl group and R8 is selected as a phenyl group, R3 and R4 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as propylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can be of Formula IVC:

R—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—R′ IVC

[0172] When R and R′ are both hydrogen atoms, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—H

[0173] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methyl groups, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—CH3

[0174] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(C3H6O)h—(C2H4O)u—CH3

[0175] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R7 is selected as a methyl group and R8 is selected as a phenyl group, R3 and R4 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as propylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IVC′:

R—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—R′ IVC′

[0176] When R and R′ are both hydroxyl groups, the material is of the formula

HO—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OH

[0177] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R and R′ are both methoxy groups, the material is of the formula

H3CO—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0178] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydroxyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

HO—(C2H4O)v—(C3H6O)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0179] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0180] When R7 is selected as a methyl group and R8 is selected as a phenyl group, R3 and R4 are selected as ethylene oxide groups, and R5 and R6 are selected as propylene oxide groups, the block copolymer can also be of Formula IVD:

R—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)ySi(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—R′ IVD

[0181] When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OH

[0182] which has two terminal hydroxyl groups. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0183] which has two terminal methoxy groups. When R is a hydrogen atom and R′ is a methoxy group, the material is of the formula

H—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)y—Si(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OCH3

[0184] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group. When R is a methyl group and R′ is a hydroxyl group, the material is of the formula

H3C—(OC2H4)v—(OC3H6)g—(CH2)a—Si(CH3)(φ)O—(Si(CH3)(φ)O)ySi(CH3)(φ)—(CH2)b—(OC3H6)h—(OC2H4)u—OH

[0185] which has one terminal hydroxyl group and one terminal methoxy group.

[0186] ABCBA and BACAB copolymers suitable for the inks of the present invention can be obtained commercially from, for example, Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis.

[0187] In addition, alkylene oxide/siloxane copolymers suitable for the inks of the present invention can be obtained by the reaction of a hydride terminated polydialkyl siloxane (for example, polydimethylsiloxane, H—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2H) with polyols (—OH containing groups) containing polyethyleneoxide units, polypropyleneoxide units, or a mixture thereof in the presence of metal catalyst (for example, zinc chlorides, zinc acetates, zinc octoates, iron chlorides, iron acetates, iron octoates, tin chlorides, tin acetates, tin octoates, platinum complexes, dibutyl tin dilaurate, tributyl tin oxide, dibutyl acetoxytin, Pd/C, or the like).

[0188] Further, alkylene oxide/siloxane copolymers suitable for the inks of the present invention can be obtained by the reaction of a hydride terminated polydialkyl siloxane (for example, polydimethylsiloxane, H—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2H) with vinyl or allyl ethers of polyols (containing one —OH group or one ether group), including those materials containing polyethyleneoxide units, polypropyleneoxide units, or a mixture thereof in the presence of a metal catalyst (for example, zinc chlorides, zinc acetates, zinc octoates, iron chlorides, iron acetates, iron octoates, tin chlorides, tin acetates, tin octoates, platinum complexes, dibutyl tin dilaurate, tributyl tin oxide, dibutyl acetoxytin, Pd/C, or the like).

[0189] Exemplary reactions (each taking place in the presence of one or more metal catalysts) are as follows:

H—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2H+HO—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R→RO—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R+2H2

H—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2H+HO—(C2H4O)e—(C3H6O)f—R′→R′O—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—R′+2H2

H—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2H+HO—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R→RO—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R+2H2

H—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2H+HO—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—R→RO—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—R+2H2

4H—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2H+4HO—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R+4HO—(C3H6O)f—(C2H4O)e—R′→RO—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R+R′O—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R′+R′O—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R+RO—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—R+8H2

4H—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2H+4HO—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R′+4HO—(C2H4O)e—R→RO—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—R+R′O—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R′+R′O—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)ySi(CH3)2—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—R+RO—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R′+8H2

[0190] wherein R, R′ and y are as defined hereinabove with respect to Formulae 1, 2, 3, and 4, and e=i=l and f=z=p wherein i, l, z, and p are as defined hereinabove with respect to Formulae 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0191] The following reactions (either with or without metal catalysts) can also be used to prepare block copolymers for inks of the present invention:

≡SiOH+HO(C2H4O)fH→≡Si—O—(C2H4O)fH

≡SiOH+HO(C3H6O)gH→≡Si—O—(C3H6O)gH

≡SiH+HO(C2H4O)fH→≡Si—(C2H4O)fH

≡SiH+HO(C3H6O)gH→≡Si—(C3H6O)gH

≡SiH+CH2═CH2—CH2—(OC2H4O)fH(+catalyst)→≡Si—(CH2)3—(OC2H4)fOH

≡SiH+CH2═CH2—CH2—(OC3H6O)gH(+catalyst)→≡Si—(CH2)3—(OC3H6)gOH

[0192] wherein f and g are each independently integers of from 1 to about 15,000.

[0193] Alkylene oxide/siloxane copolymers suitable for the inks of the present invention can also be obtained by the reaction of a polydimethylsiloxane comprising two active terminal ≡SiH groups (H—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2H) with corresponding vinyl or ally group containing polyethyleneoxide, polypropyleneoxide, or a mixture thereof in the presence of a metal catalyst.

[0194] Alkylene oxide/siloxane block copolymers suitable for the inks of the present invention can also be obtained by the following reactions with vinyl or allyl compounds in the presence of a metal catalyst:

H—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2H+2CH2═CH—(CH2)r-2—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—R′→R′—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—(CH2)r-2—CH2CH2—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—CH2CH2—(CH2)r-2—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—R′

H—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2H+2CH2═CH—(CH2)r-2—(C3H6O)6—(C2H4O)f—R→R—(C2H4O)e—(C3H6O)f—(CH2)r-2—CH2CH2—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2—CH2CH2—(CH2)r-2—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R

H—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2H+2CH2═CH—CH2—(CH2)r-3—(C2H4O)f—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—R′→R′(C3H6O)e(C2H4O)f(CH2)r-3CH2CH2CH2Si(CH3)2O(Si(CH3)2O)ySi(CH3)2—CH2CH2CH2(CH2)r-3(C2H4O)f(C3H6O)eR′

which can also be written as

R′—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—(CH2)s—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)s—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—R′

H—Si(CH3)2O—(Si(CH3)2O)y—Si(CH3)2H+2CH2═CH—CH2—(CH2)r-3—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R→R(C2H4O)f(C3H6O)e(CH2)r-3CH2CH2CH2Si(CH3)2O(Si(CH3)2O)ySi(CH3)2—CH2CH2CH2(CH2)r-3(C3H6O)e(C2H4O)fR

[0195] which can also be written as

R—(C2H4O)f—(C3H6O)e—(CH2)s—Si(CH3)2—O—(Si(CH3)2—O)y—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)s—(C3H6O)e—(C2H4O)f—R

[0196] wherein R, R′ and y are as defined hereinabove with respect to Formulae 1, 2, 3, and 4, and e=i=l and f=z=p wherein i, l, z, and p are as defined hereinabove with respect to Formulae 1, 2, 3, and 4, and r and s are integers.

[0197] The coupling reaction of a hydropolysiloxane derivative (containing ≡SiH) and a hydroxyl active material (HOR) such as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, mixed polyethyleneglycol and polypropylene glycol, alkyl ethers of polyethylene glycol, alkyl ethers of polypropylene glycol, alkyl ethers of mixed polyethyleneglycol and polypropylene glycol, or the like in the presence of a metal catalyst is known. The coupling reaction of a polydimethylsiloxane derivative comprising two active terminal ≡SiH groups and an unsaturated material (with a double bond, such as vinyl or ally group containing polyethyleneoxide, polypropyleneoxide, or mixture thereof) in the presence of a metal catalyst is also known. Additional synthetic methods for the preparation of ABSCS′B′A′ and BASCS′A′B′ block copolymers for the inks of the present invention are disclosed in, for example, Silicon Compounds: Register and Review (5th Edition), published by United Chemical Technologies, Inc. (Formally Hüls America, Inc. or Petrarch Systems, Inc., Bartram Road, Bristol, Pa. 19007), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference.

[0198] The ABCBA or BACAB block copolymer is present in the ink of the present invention in any desired or effective amount, typically at least about 0.001 percent by weight of the ink, preferably at least about 0.005 percent by weight of the ink, and more preferably at least about 0.01 percent by weight of the ink, and typically no more than about 8 percent by weight of the ink, preferably no more than about 5 percent by weight of the ink, and more preferably no more than about 4 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be outside of these ranges.

[0199] The inks of the present invention can optionally include a jetting aid such as polyethylene oxide (typically in amounts of less than about 5 percent by weight) or a small quantity (typically less than about 0.2 percent by weight) of stabilized pigment particles. A preferred polyethylene oxide is one having a weight average molecular weight of about 18,500, although the molecular weight of the jetting aid can be different. Examples of inks containing preferred polyethylene oxides are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,825, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference. The jetting aid provides smooth jetting or jetting with low jitter.

[0200] Other desired additives, including water soluble polymers, pH buffering agents, biocides, chelating agents (EDTA and the like), anticurl agents, antibleed agents, and other known ink additives can also optionally be used in the inks of the present invention. Such additives can generally be added to the inks in known amounts for their known purposes.

[0201] Additives such as surfactants (or wetting agents), anti-curl agents, anti-intercolor bleed agents, and anticlogging agents can also be added to the inks of the present invention. Some of these surfactants can be of the anionic, cationic, or nonionic types. Suitable surfactants and wetting agents include, but are not limited to, Tamol SN®, Tamol LG®, and Triton® series (Rohm and Haas Co.); Marasperse® series; Igepal® series (Rhone-Poulenc Co., formerly from GAF Co.); Tergitol® series; Duponol® series (E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.); Surfynol Series (Air Products Inc.); Iconol® Series (BASF Co.); Brij® Series (ICI Americas Inc.); Pluronic® Series (BASF Co.); Emulphor® ON 870 and ON 877 (GAF); and other commercially available surfactants. These surfactants (or dispersants) and wetting agents can be present in the ink in effective amounts, generally from 0 to about 15 percent by weight of the ink, preferably from about 0.001 to about 10 percent by weight of the ink, and more preferably from about 0.01 to about 8 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be outside of these ranges.

[0202] Polymeric additives can also be added to the inks for the present invention to enhance the viscosity or smear resistance of the ink. Suitable polymeric additives include, but are not limited to, water soluble polymers and random copolymers such as Gum Arabic, salts, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl sulfonate salts, polyhydroxypropylcellulose, polyhydroxyethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, polyvinylether, starch, polysaccharides, carboxymethylcellulose salts, polyethyleneimines derivatized with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, such as the Discole® series (DKS International); the Jeffamine® series (Texaco); and the like as well as mixtures thereof. Polymeric additives can be present in the ink in amounts of from 0 to about 10 percent by weight of the ink, preferably from about 0.001 to about 8 percent by weight of the ink, and more preferably from about 0.01 to about 5 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be outside of these ranges.

[0203] Other optional additives include, but are not limited to, biocides such as Dowicil® 150, 200, and 75, benzoate salts, sorbate salts, Proxcel® (available from ICI), and the like. When used, such biocides are generally present in an amount of from 0 to about 10 percent by weight of the ink, preferably from about 0.001 to about 8 percent by weight of the ink, and more preferably from about 0.01 to about 4.0 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be outside of these ranges. Inks for the present invention can also include pH controlling (buffering) agents. Suitable pH controlling agents or buffering agents include, but are not limited to, acids, bases, phosphate salts, carboxylate salts, sulfite salts, sulfate salts, amine salts, and the like. Such pH controlling agents (buffering agents) are generally present in an amount of from 0 to about 10 percent by weight of the ink, preferably from about 0.001 to about 7.5 percent by weight of the ink, and more preferably from about 0.01 to about 5 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be outside of these ranges.

[0204] The ink compositions can be of any desired or suitable viscosity. For thermal ink jet printing applications, for example, the viscosity can be up to about 25 centipoise at about 25° C., preferably being below about 10 centipoise at about 25° C., and more preferably being below about 5 centipoise at about 25° C., although the viscosity can be outside these ranges, particularly for applications other than thermal ink jet printing, such as acoustic ink jet printing or the like.

[0205] Inks of the present invention exhibit fast drying rates, low intercolor bleed, and reduced mottle and smearing. While not being limited to any particular theory, it is believed that the inks of the present invention have low surface tension that allows them to penetrate faster into printed substrate, thus preventing intercolor bleed. Printing a low surface tension ink (such as a color ink) underneath a high surface tension ink (such as a black ink) can also enhance the drying rate of the black ink and reduce its intercolor bleed with the neighboring color ink. The ink comprising the BASCS′A′B′ or ABSCS′B′A′ block copolymer of the present invention can also provide a hydrophobic layer near the border area next to its adjacent ink, thereby inhibiting intercolor bleed. In addition, since the inks of the present invention do not react with many common ink jet ingredients, they can be used in conjunction with many other ink compositions in a single partitioned printhead without resulting in undesired ink mixing, colorant precipitation, or printhead clogging. The inks of the present invention can have low surface tension and can exhibit decreased dry time on print substrates. The inks of the present invention can also be printed under or above another ink to enhance the drying rate of the other ink.

[0206] The present invention is also directed to a process which entails incorporating an ink composition of the present invention into an ink jet printing apparatus and causing droplets of the ink composition to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a print substrate. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the printing apparatus employs a thermal ink jet process wherein the ink in the nozzles is selectively heated in an imagewise pattern according to digital signals, thereby causing droplets of the ink to be ejected in imagewise pattern onto the print substrate. In another embodiment, the printing apparatus employs an acoustic ink jet process wherein droplets of the ink are ejected in imagewise pattern onto the print substrate by acoustic beams according to electronic signals. Optionally, the print substrate can be heated by any desired heating means at any stage of the ink jet printing process, including before printing, during printing, after printing, or combinations thereof.

[0207] The print substrate employed can be any substrate compatible with aqueous inks. Suitable substrates include, but are not limited to, textiles; plain papers, such as Xerox® series 10, Xerox® 4024, Xerox® Digital Paper, Xerox® Image Series LX Paper, Hewlett-Packard® BrightWhite Ink Jet plain paper, Georgia Pacific® Microprint Ink Jet paper 24 lb, Xerox® 4200 DP paper, Rank Xerox® Plain Paper, Japanese Hokuetsu L Plain Paper, Fuji Xerox® Kakusaku L paper, various Japanese plain papers, Strathmore® Legacy paper, Ampad® Premium grade paper, Hammermill® Jet Print paper, Hammermill® Tidal DP paper, GP Microprint paper, Weyerhaeuser® Jet-Xtra paper, Boise® Cascade paper, Union Camp® Great White Recycled paper, Union Camp® Top Gun ink jet paper, Champion® paper, commercial bond papers and the like; coated papers (or special ink jet papers including photo-realistic ink jet papers) such as those available from Hewlett-Packard, Canon, Eastman Kodak, Oji Paper, 3M, Mitsubishi, Polaroid, Lexmark, Epson, and Xerox; ink jet transparencies suitable for aqueous inks or ink jet printing processes, including those from Arkwright, Hewlett-Packard, Canon, Asahi, Lexmark, Epson, Eastman Kodak, Polaroid, and Xerox; and the like, as well as materials from other commercial sources.

[0208] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a set of inks for printing multicolor images in an ink jet printer, said ink set comprising (1) a first ink having a first color and comprising water and a first colorant; and (2) a second ink having a second color different from the first color and comprising water, a second colorant, and an ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer wherein A and A′ are blocks containing one or more ethylene oxide repeat monomer units, B and B′ are blocks containing one or more propylene oxide repeat monomer units, C is a block comprising one or more repeat monomer units of a dialkylsiloxane, alkyl aryl siloxane, or diarylsiloxane, S is an optional spacer group between the A or B block and the C block, and S′ is an optional spacer group between the C block and the A′ or B′ block, wherein dry time of the ink containing the block copolymer is decreased and/or intercolor bleed between the first ink and the second ink is reduced when the first ink and the second ink are printed adjacent to each other on a print substrate. Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a multicolor ink jet printing process which comprises: (1) incorporating into an ink jet printer a first ink having a first color and comprising water and a first colorant; (2) incorporating into the ink jet printer a second ink having a second color different from the first color and comprising water, a second colorant, and an ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer wherein A and A′ are blocks containing one or more ethylene oxide repeat monomer units, B and B′ are blocks containing one or more propylene oxide repeat monomer units, C is a block comprising one or more repeat monomer units of a dialkylsiloxane, alkyl aryl siloxane, or diarylsiloxane, S is an optional spacer group between the A or B block and the C block, and S′ is an optional spacer group between the C block and the A′ or B′ block; (3) causing droplets of the first ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a substrate; and (4) causing droplets of the second ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto the substrate, wherein dry time of the ink containing the block copolymer is decreased and/or intercolor bleed between the first ink and the second ink is reduced when the first ink and the second ink are printed adjacent to each other on the substrate. Still another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a multicolor ink jet printing process which comprises: (1) incorporating into an ink jet printer a first ink having a first color and comprising water and a first colorant; (2) incorporating into the ink jet printer a second ink having a second color different from the first color and comprising water, a second colorant, and an ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer wherein A and A′ are blocks containing one or more ethylene oxide repeat monomer units, B and B′ are blocks containing one or more propylene oxide repeat monomer units, C is a block comprising one or more repeat monomer units of a dialkylsiloxane, alkyl aryl siloxane, or diarylsiloxane, S is an optional spacer group between the A or B block and the C block, and S′ is an optional spacer group between the C block and the A′ or B′ block; (3) causing droplets of the first ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a substrate; and (4) causing droplets of the second ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto the substrate, wherein dry time of the first ink is reduced when the second ink is printed either above or below the first ink. It is believed that the dry time of the first ink can be reduced by the priming action of the second ink, which can have reduced surface tension.

[0209] In a multicolor printing process, any ink printing order (such as (1) black, cyan, magenta, yellow, (2) yellow, cyan, magenta, black, (3) yellow, magenta, cyan, black, (4) black, magenta, yellow, cyan, or the like can be used in the printing process. In particular, the ink containing the ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer can be printed onto the substrate either before or after the ink that contains no ABSCS′B′A′ or BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer.

[0210] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail. These examples are intended to be illustrative, and the invention is not limited to the materials, conditions, or process parameters set forth in these embodiments. All parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE I

[0211] A black ink jet ink was prepared by simple mixing of the following ingredients: CABOJET® 300 carbon black dispersion (dispersion added in an amount such that the ink contained 3 percent by weight pigment solids; obtained from Cabot Corp.); sulfolane (20 percent by weight; obtained from Phillips Petroleum Co.); polyacrylamide (0.6 percent by weight; molecular weight about 5,000; obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.); polyethylene glycol (4 percent by weight; molecular weight about 200; obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.); polyethylene oxide (0.05 percent by weight; average molecular weight about 18,500; obtained from Polysciences); poly(dimethylsiloxane) ethoxylated, 3-hydroxypropoxylate end-capped (0.05 percent by weight; obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., 48,271-4, CAS No. 68037-63-8); and the balance water. The poly(dimethylsiloxane) ethoxylated, 3-hydroxypropoxylate end-capped polymer is believed to be a BACA′B′ polymer of the formula

[0212] wherein the two terminal groups are hydroxyl, i and l are each 1, z=p, and the ratio of ethylene oxide (EO) to propylene oxide (PO) is 80:20.

EXAMPLE II

[0213] A yellow ink composition was prepared by simple mixing of the following ingredients followed by filtration through a Nylon membrane filter of 0.8 micron:

1Amount(parts byIngredientSupplierweight)deionized water—0.785DOWICIL ® 150/200 biocideDow Chemical Co.0.1polyethylene oxide*Polysciences0.05imidazoleBASF1ethylene diamine tetraaceticDow Chemical Co.0.065acidureaArcadian Corp.6sulfolane**Phillips Petroleum Co.15acetylethanolamine***Scher Chemical16butyl carbitolVan Waters & Rogers12PROJET ® YELLOW OAMZeneca Colors40dye****roll mill 30 minutes*average molecular weight 18,500 **95 wt. % sulfolane, 5 wt. % water ***75 wt. % acetylethanolamine, 25 wt. % water ****containing 7.5 wt. % Acid Yellow 23 dye in water

EXAMPLE III

[0214] The black ink prepared in Example I and the yellow ink prepared in Example II were incorporated into a Hewlett-Packard® 855C thermal ink jet printer and operated at room temperature in Auto/Portrait/Normal modes to print images on various plain papers.

[0215] The Midrange Frequency Line Edge Noise (MFLEN), which is a way to evaluate line edge sharpness, was employed to evaluate line sharpness of the black line images (made with the ink of Example I) on different plain papers. MFLEN values were measured to quantify line edge raggedness for the black ink printed on various plain papers without a neighboring ink. The small MFLEN numbers indicate sharp image of the black ink on various plain papers.

[0216] Intercolor bleed was also measured and evaluated as a MFLEN value. Intercolor bleed (ICB) usually is caused by undesirable mixing of inks near the bordering areas and results in a distorted line image with irregular edges and large MFLEN values. The smaller intercolor bleed MFLEN number is desirable because it shows sharper line image with reduced intercolor bleed.

[0217] The MFLEN numbers were obtained by equipment comprising a personal computer, an illuminating light source, a filter, and an imaging microscope with a CDD sensor (light sensor). The equipment was calibrated with a standard image (line with sharp edges). Software using a Fourier Transform technique was used to calculate the MFLEN data and line width. The average MFLEN of the images made with the black ink of Example I alone as well as the black ink next to the yellow ink (intercolor bleed (ICB) between the inks of Example I and Example II) are shown in the table below:

2PaperMFLENICB MFLENFuji Xerox “S” thin copier paper 56 gsm4.330.7Fuji Xerox MultiAce paper 63 gsm11.326.3Fuji Xerox “J” copier paper for color copier 820.416.0gsmFuji Xerox WR100 (100% post waste papers) 6712.035.7gsmFuji Xerox Sankoku L paper5.419.4Fuji Xerox Green 100 paper2.624.1Xerox Image Series LX0.79.2Hammermill Tidal DP, International Paper,14.919.2Selma, ALXerox Office Paper 75 gsm0.522.5Average5.822.6

[0218] The black ink of Example I (second ink in this case) was also used to generate images on a number of papers, and the optical density of the generated images (absolute value with calibration of background) was measured. The results were as follows:

3PaperImage Optical DensityFuji Xerox “S” thin copier paper 56 gsm1.47Fuji Xerox MultiAce paper 63 gsm1.43Fuji Xerox “J” copier paper for color1.56copier 82 gsmFuji Xerox WR100 (100% post waste1.44papers) 67 gsmFuji Xerox Yamayuri paper1.26Fuji Xerox Sankoku L paper1.43Fuji Xerox Green 100 paper1.43Fuji Xerox Hokuetsu L1.50Fuji Xerox Kakusaku L1.46Xerox Image Series LX1.46(Hammermill Tidal DP, International1.33Paper, Selma, ALXerox 4024 paper1.44Xerox Digital paper 75 gsm 3R703891.47Xerox Elite Image 24 LB (High Tech Laser)1.38Xerox High Tech Ink Jet 20 LB1.48XL Business 80 gsm1.40Fuji Xerox WR 100 (100% post waste1.38papers) 67 gsmXerox Office Paper 75 gsm1.48Xerox Expressions1.49Average1.44

EXAMPLE IV

[0219] A black ink was prepared by admixing 15.8 percent by weight sulfolane (obtained from Phillips Petroleum Co.; commercial product contained 95 percent by weight sulfolane and 5 percent by weight water), 7.7 percent by weight 2-pyrrolidinone (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.; commercial product contained 95 percent by weight 2-pyrrolidinone and 5 percent by weight water), 16.7 percent by weight Cab-O-Jet® IJX157 carbon black dispersion (obtained from Cabot Corporation), and water (balance). The ink was filtered through a 1.0 micron glass filter. This ink (a reference or control ink for Example V) had a surface tension of 54.6 dynes per centimeter and a viscosity of 1.63 centipoise.

EXAMPLE V

[0220] A black ink was prepared by ad mixing 15.8 percent by weight sulfolane (obtained from Phillips Petroleum Co.; commercial product contained 95 percent by weight sulfolane and 5 percent by weight water), 7.7 percent by weight 2-pyrrolidinone (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.; commercial product contained 95 percent by weight 2-pyrrolidinone and 5 percent by weight water), 16.7 percent by weight Cab-O-Jet® IJX157 carbon black dispersion (obtained from Cabot Corporation), 0.05 percent by weight poly(dimethylsiloxane) ethoxylated, hydroxypropoxylate end-capped (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co., 48,271-4, CAS No. 68037-63-8), and water (balance). The ink was filtered through a 1.0 micron glass filter. The ink had a surface tension of 36 dynes per centimeter.

EXAMPLE VI

[0221] The black inks of Examples IV and V were incorporated into a Lexmark® 7200 Thermal Ink Jet Printer and printed on various papers using Auto/Normal mode. Dry time data were recorded for the inks of Examples IV and V (in seconds) and were as follows:

4IVVPaper(seconds)(seconds)Fuji Xerox “S” thin copier paper 56 gsm10835Fuji Xerox MultiAce paper 63 gsm3326Fuji Xerox “P” copier paper 64 gsm95Fuji Xerox “J” copier paper for color copier 828241gsmFuji Xerox WR100 (100% post waste papers) 6742.5gsmFuji Xerox Yamayuri paper2823Fuji Xerox Sankoku L paper155Fuji Xerox Green 100 paper138Fuji Xerox Hokuetsu L6034Japanese Sharp PPC paper15878Xerox High Tech Ink Jet, 20 lb.5024Xerox Office Paper 75 gsm3011Xerox Xpressions paper4423Xerox High Tech Laser 24 lb.8.54.5XL Business 80 gsm21Hammermill CopyPlus 20 lb.108Average40.920.6

[0222] The results of dry time measurements indicate that the ink of Example V containing the BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer according to the present invention dried significantly faster on different plain papers compared to the control ink of Example IV. Solid area image uniformity was also qualitatively evaluated on these papers for the inks of Examples IV and V. The results were as follows:

5PaperIVVFuji Xerox “S” thin copier paper 56 gsmBadOKMottleFuji Xerox MultiAce paper 63 gsmSlightOKMottleFuji Xerox “P” copier paper 64 gsmOKOKFuji Xerox “J” copier paper for color copier 82BadSlightgsmMottleMottleFuji Xerox WR100 (100% post waste papers) 67OKOKgsmFuji Xerox Yamayuri paperBadLowMottleDensityFuji Xerox Sankoku L paperSlightOKMottleFuji Xerox Green 100 paperSlightOKMottleFuji Xerox Hokuetsu LSlightOKMottleJapanese Sharp PPC paperBadSlightMottleMottleXerox High Tech Ink Jet, 20 lb.BadOKMottleXerox Office Paper 75 gsmSlightOKMottleXerox Xpressions paperBadSlightMottleMottleXerox High Tech Laser 24 lb.SlightOKMottleXL Business 80 gsmSlightOKMottleHammermill CopyPlus 20 lb.MottleSlightMottle

[0223] As indicated, the ink of Example V containing the BASCS′A′B′ block polymer according to the present invention generated solid area images with reduced mottle and more uniform solid area images compared to the control ink of Example IV.

EXAMPLE VII

[0224] The black inks of Examples IV and V were incorporated into a Lexmark® 7200 Thermal Ink Jet Printer and printed on various papers using Auto/Normal mode in both horizontal and vertical directions, alone and next to the yellow ink prepared in Example II to evaluate edge sharpness of the black lines alone and intercolor bleed (ICB) between the black inks and their neighboring yellow ink. MFLEN values for the black inks alone in the horizontal (MFLEN (H)) and vertical (MFLEN (V)) directions were as follows:

6MFLENMFLENMFLENMFLENPaper(H) IV(H) V(V) IV(V) VHammermill CopyPlus 20 lb.7.29.47.26.4Xerox High Tech Laser 24 lb.34.44.75.9Xerox High Tech Ink Jet, 20 lb.0.10.21.92.1XL Business 80 gsm 3R9182024.44.35.1Fuji Xerox WR100 (100% post1.62.83.33.3waste papers) 67 gsmXerox Office Paper 75 gsm11.70.94.1Xerox Xpressions1.111 .31.3Hewlett-Packard Bright White3.22.68.44.6ink jet paperIBM Premium paper0.80.52.33.2Average2.233.84

[0225] Inks IV and V show very good line edge acuity with low MFLEN values. MFLEN values for the black inks printed next to the yellow ink in the horizontal (ICB (H)) and vertical (ICB (V)) directions were as follows:

7ICB (H)ICB (H)ICB (V)ICB (V)PaperIVVIVVHammermill CopyPlus 20 lb.20.312.718.513.1Xerox High Tech Laser 24 lb.20.811.718.915.5Xerox High Tech Ink Jet, 20 lb.8.29.310.910.4XL Business 80 gsm 3R9182014.213.318.614.1Fuji Xerox WR100 (100% post21.114.329.317.8waste papers) 67 gsmXerox Xpressions1.31.42.84.8Hewlett-Packard Bright White ink7.35.78.37.1jet paperIBM Premium paper21.117.22120.5Average14.310.71612.9

[0226] The above results indicate that the control ink of Example IV and the ink of Example V containing the BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer according to the present invention gave similarly good MFLEN data in horizontal and vertical directions. For intercolor bleed in both horizontal and vertical directions, however, the ink of Example V containing the BASCS′A′B′ block copolymer according to the present invention gave improved average results compared to the control ink of Example IV.

EXAMPLE VIII

[0227] A cyan ink was prepared by admixing Acid Blue 9 dye (2.0 percent by weight), diethyleneglycol (0.2 percent by weight), trimethylopropropane (11.0 percent by weight), dipropyleneglycol (2.0 percent by weight), and water (balance). This ink was used as a reference ink or control.

EXAMPLE IX

[0228] A cyan ink was prepared by admixing Acid Blue 9 dye (2.0 percent by weight), diethyleneglycol (0.2 percent by weight), trimethylopropropane (11.0 percent by weight), dipropyleneglycol (2.0 percent by weight), a poly(dimethylsiloxane) ethoxylated hydroxypropoxylate end-capped block copolymer (0.2 percent by weight; obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.; CAS 68037-63-8), and water (balance). This ink according to the present invention dried on print substrates faster than the ink in Example VIII.

EXAMPLE X

[0229] A yellow ink was prepared by admixing 51.63 percent by weight Projet Yellow OAM dye solution (containing 7.5 percent by weight Acid Yellow 23 dye), 14.4 percent by weight sulfolane (commercial product contained 95 percent by weight sulfolane and 5 percent by weight water), 11.52 percent by weight acetylethanolamine, 10 percent by weight butyl carbitol, 6 percent by weight urea, 0.96 percent by weight imidazole, 0.096 percent by weight Dowicil® 150/200 biocide, 0.062 percent by weight EDTA, 0.048 percent by weight polyethyleneoxide (average molecular weight 18,500), and distilled water (balance). The ink was filtered through a 1.2 micron Nylon membrane filter. This ink was used as a reference ink or control.

EXAMPLE XI

[0230] A yellow ink was prepared by admixing 51.63 percent by weight Projet Yellow OAM dye solution (containing 7.5 percent by weight Acid Yellow 23 dye), 14.4 percent by weight sulfolane (commercial product contained 95 percent by weight sulfolane and 5 percent by weight water), 11.52 percent by weight acetylethanolamine, 10 percent by weight butyl carbitol, 6 percent by weight urea, 0.96 percent by weight imidazole, 0.096 percent by weight Dowicil® 150/200 biocide, 0.062 percent by weight EDTA, 0.048 percent by weight polyethyleneoxide (average molecular weight 18,500), 0.15 percent by weight poly(dimethylsiloxane) ethoxylated hydroxypropoxylate end-capped (CAS 68037-63-8), and distilled water (balance). The ink was filtered through a 1.2 micron Nylon membrane filter. This ink dried on print substrates faster than the ink in Example X.

[0231] Other embodiments and modifications of the present invention may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art subsequent to a review of the information presented herein; these embodiments and modifications, as well as equivalents thereof, are also included within the scope of this invention.

Inks comprising linear ABSCS'B'A' or BASCS'A'B' alkylene oxide/siloxane block copolymers

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