Electrostatic ink compositions
The present disclosure is drawn to an electrostatic ink composition comprising a resin having a M w of 10,000 or less and a conductive species. Also disclosed herein is a substrate on which is electrostatically printed a conductive trace, wherein the trace comprises a resin having a M w of 10,000 or less and a conductive species. Further disclosed herein is a method of electrophotographic printing an electrostatic ink composition comprising a resin having a M w of 10,000 or less and a conductive species.
1. An electrostatic ink composition comprising:
a resin having a M w of 10,000 or less; and
a conductive species in an amount of at least 30 wt. % of the total solids content of the composition.
2. The electrostatic ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the conductive species comprises an elongate conductive species selected from carbon nanotubes, graphene and metals.
3. The electrostatic ink composition of claim 2 , wherein the elongate conductive species comprises or is carbon nanotubes.
4. The electrostatic ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the resin comprises a polymer having acidic side groups.
5. The electrostatic ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the resin comprises a co-polymer of an alkylene monomer and a monomer selected from acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.
6. The electrostatic ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the resin comprises a polymer having acidic side groups and a co-polymer of an alkylene monomer and acrylic acid.
7. The electrostatic ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the resin comprises a polymer having acidic side groups and a co-polymer of an alkylene monomer and a maleic anhydride.
8. The electrostatic ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the resin has a M w of 3,000 or less.
9. The electrostatic ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the resin is present in an amount of at least 20 wt. % of the total solids content of the composition.
10. The electrostatic ink composition of claim 1 , wherein the conductive species is present in an amount of at least 40 wt. % of the total solids content of the composition.
11. The electrostatic ink composition of claim 1 , further comprising a carrier fluid.
12. A substrate on which is electrostatically printed a conductive trace, wherein the trace comprises:
a resin having a M w of 10,000 or less; and
a conductive species in an amount of at least 30 wt. % of the total solids content of the trace.
13. The substrate of claim 12 , wherein the conductive species comprises carbon nanotubes.
14. The substrate of claim 12 , wherein the resin comprises a thermoplastic resin comprising a polymer having acidic side groups.
15. A method of electrophotographically printing an electrostatic ink composition, wherein the electrostatic ink composition comprises a resin having a M w of 10,000 or less and a conductive species in an amount of at least 30 wt. % of the total solids content of the composition, and the method comprises:
forming a latent electrostatic image on a surface;
contacting the surface with the electrostatic ink composition, such that least some of the particles adhere to the surface to form a developed toner image on the surface, and transferring the toner image to a substrate.