Reaction solution, set of reaction solution and ink, inkjet recording apparatus and image recording method
A reaction solution to be used for image recording with an ink containing a coloring material in a dissolved or dispersed state in order to achieve a high level of image density with stability, wherein the reaction solution contains a polyvalent metal ion and an organic solvent to destabilize the dissolved or dispersed state of the coloring material in the ink in contact with the ink, has a pH of 2 or higher, and has a buffering action for pH, wherein the buffering action means it can maintain pH variation within the range of 0.5 before and after the addition of 1.0 ml of a 0.1 N aqueous lithium hydroxide solution to 50 ml of the reaction solution.
1. A reaction solution for use in image recording in conjunction with an ink containing a coloring material in a dissolved or dispersed state, the reaction solution destabilizing the dissolved or dispersed state of the coloring material in the ink by contact with the ink, the reaction solution comprising:
a polyvalent metal ion;
an organic solvent; and
a buffer selected from carboxylates, carbonates, and phosphates,
wherein the reaction solution contains a metal ion derived from the buffer, has a pH of 2 or higher, and has a buffering action for variations in pH, and
wherein the buffering action means maintaining pH variation within the range of 0.5 before and after the addition of 1.0 ml of a 0.1 N aqueous lithium hydroxide solution to 50 ml of the reaction solution.
2. The reaction solution according to claim 1 , wherein the buffer is an acetate.
3. The reaction solution according to claim 1 , wherein the pH of the reaction solution is 3 to 6.
4. The reaction solution according to claim 1 , wherein the pH of the reaction solution is lower than the pH of the ink.
5. The reaction solution according to claim 1 , wherein the viscosity of the reaction solution is greater than the viscosity of the ink.
6. A set of an ink and a reaction solution comprising:
an ink containing a coloring material in a dissolved or dispersed state; and
a reaction solution capable of destabilizing the dissolved or dispersed state of the coloring material in the ink by contact with the ink,
wherein the reaction solution comprises a polyvalent metal ion, an organic solvent, and a buffer selected from carboxylates, carbonates, and phosphates,
wherein the reaction solution contains a metal ion derived from the buffer, has a pH of 2 or higher, and has a buffering action for variations in pH, and
wherein the buffering action means maintaining pH variation within the range of 0.5 before and after the addition of 1.0 ml of a 0.1 N aqueous lithium hydroxide solution to 50 ml of the reaction solution.
7. The set according to claim 6 , wherein the buffer is an acetate.
8. The set according to claim 6 , wherein the pH of the reaction solution is 3 to 6.
9. The set according to claim 6 , wherein the pH of the reaction solution is lower than the pH of the ink.
10. The set according to claim 6 , wherein the viscosity of the reaction solution is greater than the viscosity of the ink.
11. An image recording apparatus comprising:
a recording head for discharging an ink containing a coloring material in a dissolved or dispersed state;
an ink cartridge having an ink storage unit containing the ink;
ink supply means for supplying the ink from the ink cartridge to the recording head; and
means for supplying a reaction solution capable of destabilizing the dissolved or dispersed state of the coloring material in the ink by contact with the ink,
wherein the reaction solution comprises a polyvalent metal ion, an organic solvent, and a buffer selected from carboxylates, carbonates, and phosphates,
wherein the reaction solution contains a metal ion derived from the buffer, has a pH of 2 or higher, and has a buffering action for variations in pH, and
wherein the buffering action means maintaining pH variation within the range of 0.5 before and after the addition of 1.0 ml of a 0.1 N aqueous lithium hydroxide solution to 50 ml of the reaction solution.
12. The image recording apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the buffer is an acetate.
13. The image recording apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the pH of the reaction solution is 3 to 6.
14. The image recording apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the pH of the reaction solution is lower than the pH of the ink.
15. The image recording apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the viscosity of the reaction solution is greater than the viscosity of the ink.
16. An image recording method comprising:
a step of coating a recording medium with a reaction solution capable of destabilizing a dissolved or dispersed state of a coloring material in an ink by contact with the ink containing the coloring material in the dissolved or dispersed state; and
a step of coating the ink on the recording medium by the inkjet method,
wherein the reaction solution comprises a polyvalent metal ion, an organic solvent, and a buffer selected from carboxylates, carbonates, and phosphates,
wherein the reaction solution contains a metal ion derived from the buffer, has a pH of 2 or higher, and has a buffering action for variations in pH, and
wherein the buffering action means maintaining pH variation within the range of 0.5 before and after the addition of 1.0 ml of a 0.1 N aqueous lithium hydroxide solution to 50 ml of the reaction solution.
17. The image recording method according to claim 16 , wherein the buffer is an acetate.
18. The image recording method according to claim 16 , wherein the pH of the reaction solution is 3 to 6.
19. The image recording method according to claim 16 , wherein the pH of the reaction solution is lower than the pH of the ink.
20. The image recording method according to claim 16 , wherein the viscosity of the reaction solution is greater than the viscosity of the ink.