Ink compositions for ink jet printing

• US 5,300,143 A
• Filed: 12/17/1992
• Issued: 04/05/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Schwarz, William M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): KLEMANSKI, HELENE G
• Application Number:
  US07/991,928
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 106/20 R, 106/22 R, 106/22 H, 106/20 D
• US Class Current: 106/31.43
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/30 Inkjet printing inks

Abstract

Disclosed is an ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component selected from the group consisting of cyclic amines having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom, cyclic amides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom, diamides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom, polyalkoxy-substituted amides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom, polyimine-substituted amides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom, and mixtures thereof. Also disclosed is an ink jet printing process employing these inks.

Claims

1. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of diphenyl sulfone, methyl phenyl sulfone, ethyl phenyl sulfone, propyl phenyl sulfone, butyl phenyl sulfone, pentyl phenyl sulfone, hexyl phenyl sulfone, heptyl phenyl sulfone, octyl phenyl sulfone, nonyl phenyl sulfone, decyl phenyl sulfone, phenyl benzyl sulfone, phenyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, phenyl ethanol sulfone, phenyl propanol sulfone, phenyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, and mixtures thereof, and a second component selected from the group consisting of (a) cyclic amines having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom;

(b) cyclic amides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom;

(c) diamides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom;

(d) polyalkoxy-substituted amides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom;

(e) polyimine-substituted amides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom; and

(f) mixtures thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second components is a solid at 25°

C., and wherein the ink is a liquid.

2. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component which is a cyclic amine, wherein the cyclic amine is selected from the group consisting of (a) cyclic amines of the formula ##STR91## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 3;

(b) cyclic amines of the formula ##STR92## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, and m and n are integers independently selected from 0, 1, 2, and 3, wherein the sum of m+n is at least about 2;

(c) cyclic polyamines of the formula ##STR93## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, p, q, and r are each integers selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the sum of p+q+r is at least about 2, s is an integer of from 1 to about 4, and R'"'"' and R" are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alcohol, alkoxy, and polyalkoxy, wherein at least one of R'"'"' and R" is hydrogen;

(d) cyclic polyamines of the formula ##STR94## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, m, n, and p are each integers selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the sum of m+n+p is at least about 2, s is an integer of from 1 to about 4, and R'"'"' and R" are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alcohol, alkoxy, and polyalkoxy, wherein at least one of R'"'"' and R" is hydrogen; and

(e) mixtures thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second components is a solid at 25°

C., and wherein the ink is a liquid.

3. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component which is a cyclic amine, wherein the cyclic amine is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidine, substituted pyrrolidines, pyrazole, substituted pyrazoles, imidazole, substituted imidazoles, triazoles, substituted triazoles, tetrazoles, substituted tetrazoles, piperazines, substituted piperazines, and mixtures thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second components is a solid at 25°

C., and wherein the ink is a liquid.

4. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component which is a cyclic amide, wherein the cyclic amide is selected from the group consisting of 2-azacyclooctanone, substituted 2-azacyclooctanones, 2-azacyclononanone, substituted 2-azacyclononanones, and mixtures thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second components is a solid at 25°

C., and wherein the ink is a liquid.

5. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component which is a diamide, wherein the diamide is of the formula ##STR95## wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of alkylene groups, substituted alkylene groups, arylene groups, substituted arylene groups, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, polyalkoxy moieties, and mixtures thereif, wherein R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, aryl groups, substituted aryl groups, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, polyalkoxy moieties, and mixtures thereof, and wherein at least one of R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is a hydrogen atom, wherein at least one of the first and second components is a solid at 25°

C., and wherein the ink is a liquid.

6. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component which is a diamide, wherein the diamide is selected from the group consisting of malonamide, succinamide, glutaramide, adipamide, and mixtures thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second components is a solid at 25°

C., and wherein the ink is a liquid.

7. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component which is an amide of the formula ##STR96## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and R'"'"' is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy groups, polyalkoxy groups, imine groups, and polyimine groups, wherein at least one of the first and second components is a solid at 25°

C., and wherein the ink is a liquid.

8. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component which is an amide of the formula ##STR97## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and R'"'"' is selected from the group consisting of

9. An ink which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component selected from the group consisting of formylethanolamine, acetylethanolamine, propionyl ethanolamine, formyl n-propanolamine, acetyl n-propanolamine, propionyl n-propanolamine, and mixtures thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second components is a solid at 25°

C., and wherein the ink is a liquid.

10. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of (a) sulfones of the formula R1 ? ##STR117## wherein R¹ and R² are independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, and polyalkoxy moieties, wherein at least one of R¹ and R² is either an aromatic hydrocarbon or a substituted aromatic hydrocarbon;

(b) polysulfones;

(c) cyclic polysulfones; and

(d) mixtures thereof, and a second component selected from the group consisting of (a) cyclic amines having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom;

(b) cyclic amides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom;

(c) diamides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom;

(d) amides of the formula ##STR118## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and R'"'"' is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy groups, polyalkoxy groups, imine groups, and polyimine groups; and

(e) mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid.

11. An ink composition according to claim 10 wherein the dye exhibits a solubility in water of greater than one gram of dye per 100 milliliters of water.

12. An ink composition according to claim 10 wherein the sulfone is present in an amount of from about 1 to about 50 percent by weight of the ink.

13. An ink composition according to claim 10 wherein the sulfone is selected from the group consisting of diphenyl sulfone, methyl phenyl sulfone, ethyl phenyl sulfone, propyl phenyl sulfone, butyl phenyl sulfone, pentyl phenyl sulfone, hexyl phenyl sulfone, heptyl phenyl sulfone, octyl phenyl sulfone, nonyl phenyl sulfone, decyl phenyl sulfone, phenyl benzyl sulfone, phenyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, phenyl ethanol sulfone, phenyl propanol sulfone, phenyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, and mixtures thereof.

14. An ink composition according to claim 10 wherein the cyclic amine, amide, or mixture thereof is present in an amount of from about 1 to about 50 percent by weight of the ink.

17. An ink composition according to claim 10 containing a cyclic amide, wherein the cyclic amide is selected from the group consisting of (a) cyclic amides of the formula ##STR131## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 3;

(b) cyclic amides of the formula ##STR132## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, p and q are each integers selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the sum of p+q is at least about 1, and s is an integer of from 1 to about 4;

(c) cyclic amides of the formula ##STR133## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, p and q are each integers selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the sum of p+q is at least about 1, s is an integer of from 1 to about 4, and R'"'"' and R" are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alcohol, alkoxy, and polyalkoxy, wherein at least one of R'"'"' and R" is hydrogen;

(d) cyclic polyamides of the formulas ##STR134## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, p and q are each integers selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, r and s are each integers of from 1 to about 4, and R" and R'"'"'" are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alcohol, alkoxy, and polyalkoxy, wherein at least one of R" and R'"'"'" is hydrogen; and

(e) mixtures thereof.

18. An ink composition according to claim 10 containing a cyclic amide, wherein the cyclic amide is selected from the group consisting of valerolactam, substituted valerolactams, caprolactam, substituted caprolactams, 2-azacyclooctanone, substituted 2-azacyclooctanones, 2-azacyclononanone, substituted 2-azacyclononanones, tetrahydropyrimidone, substituted tetrahydropyrimidones, 2-imidazolidone, substituted 2-imidazolidones, succinimide, substituted succinimides, phthalimide, substituted phthalimides, dimethyl hydantoin, substituted dimethyl hydantoins, polymers of dimethyl hydantoin, and mixtures thereof.

15. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of (a) sulfones of the formula ##STR119## wherein R¹ and R² are independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, and polyalkoxy moieties;

(b) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR120## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 4;

(c) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR121## wherein R is a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxy, alcohol, and alkoxy, x is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 2;

(d) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR122## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, and m and n are integers independently selected from 0, 1, 2, and 3, wherein the sum of m+n is at least about 1;

(e) polysulfones;

(f) cyclic polysulfones;

(g) sulfonamides; and

(h) mixtures thereof, and a second component selected from the group consisting of (a) cyclic amines of the formula ##STR123## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 3;

(b) cyclic amines of the formula ##STR124## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, and m and n are integers independently selected from 0, 1, 2, and 3, wherein the sum of m+n is at least about 2;

(c) cyclic polyamines of the formula ##STR125## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, p, q, and r are each integers selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the sum of p+q+r is at least about 2, s is an integer of from 1 to about 4, and R'"'"' and R" are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alcohol, alkoxy, and polyalkoxy, wherein at least one of R'"'"' and R" is hydrogen;

(d) cyclic polyamines of the formula ##STR126## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, m, n, and p are each integers selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the sum of m+n+p is at least about 2, s is an integer of from 1 to about 4, and R'"'"' and R" are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alcohol, alkoxy, and polyalkoxy, wherein at least one of R'"'"' and R" is hydrogen; and

(e) mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid.

16. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of (a) sulfones of the formula ##STR127## wherein R¹ and R² are independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, and polyalkoxy moieties;

(b) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR128## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 4;

(c) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR129## wherein R is a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxy, alcohol, and alkoxy, x is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 2;

(d) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR130## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, and m and n are integers independently selected from 0, 1, 2, and 3, wherein the sum of m+n is at least about 1;

(e) polysulfones;

(f) cyclic polysulfones;

(g) sulfonamides; and

(h) mixtures thereof, and a second component selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidine, substituted pyrrolidines, pyrazole, substituted pyrazoles, imidazole, substituted imidazoles, triazoles, substituted triazoles, tetrazoles, substituted tetrazoles, piperazines, substituted piperazines, and mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid.

19. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of (a) sulfones of the formula ##STR135## wherein R¹ and R² are independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, and polyalkoxy moieties;

(b) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR136## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 4;

(c) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR137## wherein R is a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxy, alcohol, and alkoxy, x is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 2;

(d) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR138## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, and m and n are integers independently selected from 0, 1, 2, and 3, wherein the sum of m+n is at least about 1;

(e) polysulfones;

(f) cyclic polysulfones;

(g) sulfonamides; and

(h) mixtures thereof, and a second component which is a diamide, wherein the diamide is of the formula ##STR139## wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of alkylene groups, substituted alkylene groups, arylene groups, substituted arylene groups, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, polyalkoxy moieties, and mixtures thereif, wherein R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, aryl groups, substituted aryl groups, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, polyalkoxy moieties, and mixtures thereof, and wherein at least one R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is a hydrogen atom, wherein the ink is a liquid.

20. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of (a) sulfones of the formula ##STR140## wherein R¹ and R² are independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, and polyalkoxy moieties;

(b) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR141## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 4;

(c) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR142## wherein R is a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxy, alcohol, and alkoxy, x is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 2;

(d) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR143## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, and m and n are integers independently selected from 0, 1, 2, and 3, wherein the sum of m+n is at least about 1;

(e) polysulfones;

(f) cyclic polysulfones;

(g) sulfonamides; and

(h) mixtures thereof, and a second component which is a diamide, wherein the diamide is selected from the group consisting of malonamide, succinamide, glutaramide, adipamide, and mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid.

21. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of (a) sulfones of the formula ##STR144## wherein R¹ and R² are independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, and polyalkoxy moieties;

(b) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR145## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 4;

(c) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR146## wherein R is a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxyl, alcohol, and alkoxy, x is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 2;

(d) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR147## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, and m and n are integers independently selected from 0, 1, 2, and 3, wherein the sum of m+n is at least about 1;

(e) polysulfones;

(f) cyclic polysulfones;

(g) sulfonamides; and

(h) mixtures thereof, and a second component which is an amide of the formula ##STR148## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and R'"'"' is selected from the group consisting of

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">([--CH.sub.2 ].sub.n --O).sub.m --[CH.sub.2 ].sub.n --OH

wherein n is an integer of from 1 to about 4 and m is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR149## wherein a is an integer of from 1 to about 4, b and c are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c is no greater than about 6, and m is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR150## wherein a and b are each integers of from 1 to about 4, c and d are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c+d is no greater than about 8, and m is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR151## wherein a is an integer of from 1 to about 4, b and c are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c is no greater than about 6, and m is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR152## wherein a and b are each integers of from 1 to about 4, c and d are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c+d is no greater than about 8, and m is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR153## wherein a is an integer of from 1 to about 4, b and c are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c is no greater than about 6, m is an integer of from 0 to about 9, and R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, and substituted alkyl groups, wherein the total number of carbon atoms in R¹ +R² +R³ +R⁴ +R⁵ is from 1 to about 10;

##STR154## wherein a and b are each integers of from 1 to about 4, c and d are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c+d is no greater than about 8, m is an integer of from 0 to about 9, and R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, and substituted alkyl groups, wherein the total number of carbon atoms in R¹ +R² +R³ +R⁴ is from 1 to about 8;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">([--CH.sub.2 ].sub.l --NH).sub.k --[CH.sub.2 ].sub.l --NH.sub.2

wherein l is an integer of from 1 to about 4 and k is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR155## wherein a is an integer of from 1 to about 4, b and c are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c is no greater than about 6, and k is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR156## wherein a and b are each integers of from 1 to about 4, c and d are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c+d is no greater than about 8, and k is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR157## wherein a is an integer of from 1 to about 4, b and c are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c is no greater than about 6, and k is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR158## wherein a and b are each integers of from 1 to about 4, c and d are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c+d is no greater than about 8, and k is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR159## wherein a is an integer of from 1 to about 4, b and c are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c is no greater than about 6, k is an integer of from 0 to about 9, and R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, and substituted alkyl groups, wherein the total number of carbon atoms in R¹ +R² +R³ +R⁴ +R⁵ is from 1 to about 10;

##STR160## wherein a and b are each integers of from 1 to about 4, c and d are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c+d is no greater than about 10, m is an integer of from 0 to about 9, and R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, and substituted alkyl groups, wherein the total number of carbon atoms in R¹ +R² +R³ +R⁴ is from 1 to about 8;

##STR161## wherein e and f are each integers of from 1 to about 4, the sum of e+f is no greater than about 6, and k is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR162## wherein a and e are each integers of from 1 to about 4, b and c are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c+e is no greater than about 8, and k is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR163## wherein a, b, and e are each integers of from 1 to about 4, c and d are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c+d+e is no greater than about 10, and k is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR164## wherein a and e are each integers of from 1 to about 4, b and c are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c+e is no greater than about 8, and k is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR165## wherein a, b, and e are each integers of from 1 to about 4, c and d are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c+d+e is no greater than about 10, and k is an integer of from 0 to about 9;

##STR166## wherein a and e are each integers of from 1 to about 4, b and c are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c+e is no greater than about 8, m is an integer of from 0 to about 9, and R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, and substituted alkyl groups, wherein the total number of carbon atoms in R¹ +R² +R³ +R⁴ +R⁵ is from 1 to about 10; and

##STR167## wherein a, b, and e are each integers of from 1 to about 4, c and d are each integers of from 0 to about 4, wherein the sum of a+b+c+d+e is no greater than about 10, m is an integer of from 0 to about 9, and R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, and substituted alkyl groups, wherein the total number of carbon atoms in R¹ +R² +R³ +R⁴ is from 1 to about 8, wherein the ink is a liquid.

22. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of (a) sulfones of the formula ##STR168## wherein R¹ and R² are independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, and polyalkoxy moieties;

(b) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR169## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 4;

(c) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR170## wherein R is a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxy, alcohol, and alkoxy, x is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 2;

(d) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR171## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, and m and n are integers independently selected from 0, 1, 2, and 3, wherein the sum of m+n is at least about 1;

(e) polysulfones;

(f) cyclic polysulfones;

(g) sulfonamides; and

(h) mixtures thereof, and a second component which is a material selected from the group consisting of formylethanolamine, acetylethanolamine, propionyl ethanolamine, formyl n-propanolamine, acetyl n-propanolamine, propionyl n-propanolamine, and mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid.

23. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component selected from the group consisting of (a) cyclic amines;

(b) cyclic polyamines;

(c) cyclic polyamides;

(d) diamides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom;

(e) amides of the formula ##STR172## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and R'"'"' is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy groups, polyalkoxy groups, imine groups, and polyimine groups; and

(f) mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid.

24. An ink composition according to claim 23 wherein the dye exhibits a solubility in water of greater than one gram of dye per 100 milliliters of water.

25. An ink composition according to claim 23 wherein the sulfone is present in an amount of from about 1 to about 50 percent by weight of the ink.

26. An ink composition according to claim 23 wherein the sulfone is selected from the group consisting of (a) sulfones of the formula ##STR173## wherein R¹ and R² are independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, and polyalkoxy moieties;

(b) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR174## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 2;

(c) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR175## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, and m and n are integers independently selected from 0, 1, 2, and 3, wherein the sum of m+n is at least about 1;

(d) polysulfones;

(e) cyclic polysulfones;

(f) sulfonamides; and

(g) mixtures thereof.

27. An ink composition according to claim 23 wherein the sulfone is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl sulfone, diethyl sulfone, dipropyl sulfone, dibutyl sulfone, dipentyl sulfone, dihexyl sulfone, diheptyl sulfone, dioctyl sulfone, dinonyl sulfone, didecyl sulfone, methyl ethyl sulfone, methyl propyl sulfone, methyl butyl sulfone, methyl pentyl sulfone, methyl hexyl sulfone, methyl heptyl sulfone, methyl octyl sulfone, methyl nonyl sulfone, methyl decyl sulfone, ethyl propyl sulfone, ethyl butyl sulfone, ethyl pentyl sulfone, ethyl hexyl sulfone, ethyl heptyl sulfone, ethyl octyl sulfone, ethyl nonyl sulfone, ethyl decyl sulfone, propyl butyl sulfone, propyl pentyl sulfone, propyl hexyl sulfone, propyl heptyl sulfone, propyl octyl sulfone, propyl nonyl sulfone, propyl decyl sulfone, butyl pentyl sulfone, butyl hexyl sulfone, butyl heptyl sulfone, butyl octyl sulfone, butyl nonyl sulfone, butyl decyl sulfone, pentyl hexyl sulfone, pentyl heptyl sulfone, pentyl octyl sulfone, pentyl nonyl sulfone, pentyl decyl sulfone, hexyl heptyl sulfone, hexyl octyl sulfone, hexyl nonyl sulfone, hexyl decyl sulfone, heptyl octyl sulfone, heptyl nonyl sulfone, heptyl decyl sulfone, octyl nonyl sulfone, octyl decyl sulfone, nonyl decyl sulfone, diphenyl sulfone, methyl phenyl sulfone, ethyl phenyl sulfone, propyl phenyl sulfone, butyl phenyl sulfone, pentyl phenyl sulfone, hexyl phenyl sulfone, heptyl phenyl sulfone, octyl phenyl sulfone, nonyl phenyl sulfone, decyl phenyl sulfone, phenyl benzyl sulfone, dibenzyl sulfone, tolyl benzyl sulfone, ditolyl sulfone, methyl benzyl sulfone, ethyl benzyl sulfone, propyl benzyl sulfone, butyl benzyl sulfone, pentyl benzyl sulfone, hexyl benzyl sulfone, heptyl benzyl sulfone, octyl benzyl sulfone, nonyl benzyl sulfone, decyl benzyl sulfone, methyl tolyl sulfone, ethyl tolyl sulfone, propyl tolyl sulfone, butyl tolyl sulfone, pentyl tolyl sulfone, hexyl tolyl sulfone, heptyl tolyl sulfone, octyl tolyl sulfone, nonyl tolyl sulfone, decyl tolyl sulfone, dipolyoxyethylene sulfone, methyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, ethyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, propyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, butyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, pentyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, hexyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, heptyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, octyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, nonyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, decyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, phenyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, benzyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, tolyl polyoxyethylene sulfone, diethanol sulfone, methyl ethanol sulfone, ethyl ethanol sulfone, propyl ethanol sulfone, butyl ethanol sulfone, pentyl ethanol sulfone, hexyl ethanol sulfone, heptyl ethanol sulfone, octyl ethanol sulfone, nonyl ethanol sulfone, decyl ethanol sulfone, phenyl ethanol sulfone, benzyl ethanol sulfone, tolyl ethanol sulfone, polyoxyethylene ethanol sulfone, dipropanol sulfone, methyl propanol sulfone, ethyl propanol sulfone, propyl propanol sulfone, butyl propanol sulfone, pentyl propanol sulfone, hexyl propanol sulfone, heptyl propanol sulfone, octyl propanol sulfone, nonyl propanol sulfone, decyl propanol sulfone, phenyl propanol sulfone, benzyl propanol sulfone, tolyl propanol sulfone, polyoxyethylene propanol sulfone, ethanol propanol sulfone, dipolyoxypropylene sulfone, methyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, ethyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, propyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, butyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, pentyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, hexyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, heptyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, octyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, nonyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, decyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, phenyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, benzyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, tolyl polyoxypropylene sulfone, ethanol polyoxypropylene sulfone, propanol polyoxypropylene sulfone, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene sulfone, sulfolene, 1,2-ethanedisulfone, methyl sulfonamide, and mixtures thereof.

28. An ink composition according to claim 23 wherein the cyclic amine, amide, or mixture thereof is present in an amount of from about 1 to about 50 percent by weight of the ink.

29. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component selected from the group consisting of (a) cyclic amines of the formula ##STR176## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 3;

(b) cyclic amines of the formula ##STR177## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, and m and n are integers independently selected from 0, 1, 2, and 3, wherein the sum of m+n is at least about 2;

(c) cyclic polyamines of the formula ##STR178## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, p, q, and r are each integers selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the sum of p+q+r is at least about 2, s is an integer of from 1 to about 4, and R'"'"' and R" are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alcohol, alkoxy, and polyalkoxy, wherein at least one of R'"'"' and R" is hydrogen;

(d) cyclic polyamines of the formula ##STR179## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, m, n, and p are each integers selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the sum of m+n+p is at least about 2, s is an integer of from 1 to about 4, and R'"'"' and R" are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alcohol, alkoxy, and polyalkoxy, wherein at least one of R'"'"' and R" is hydrogen; and

(e) mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid.

30. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidine, substituted pyrrolidines, pyrazole, substituted pyrazoles, imidazole, substituted imidazoles, triazoles, substituted triazoles, tetrazoles, substituted tetrazoles, piperazines, substituted piperazines, and mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid.

31. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component selected from the group consisting of 2-azacyclooctanone, substituted 2-azacyclooctanones, 2-azacyclononanone, substituted 2-azacyclononanones, and mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid.

32. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component which is a diamide, wherein the diamide is of the formula ##STR180## wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of alkylene groups, substituted alkylene groups, arylene groups, substituted arylene groups, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, polyalkoxy moieties, and mixtures thereif, wherein R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, aryl groups, substituted aryl groups, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, polyalkoxy moieties, and mixtures thereof, and wherein at least one of R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ is a hydrogen atom, wherein the ink is a liquid.

33. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component which is a diamide, wherein the diamide is selected from the group consisting of malonamide, succinamide, glutaramide, adipamide, and mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid.

34. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component which is an amide of the formula ##STR181## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and R'"'"' is selected from the group consisting of

35. An ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component which is a material selected from the group consisting of formylethanolamine, acetylethanolamine, propionyl ethanolamine, formyl n-propanolamine, acetyl n-propanolamine, propionyl n-propanolamine, and mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid.

36. A thermal ink jet printing process which comprises incorporating into a thermal ink jet printing apparatus an ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of (a) sulfones of the formula ##STR201## wherein R¹ and R² are independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohol moieties, alkoxy moieties, and polyalkoxy moieties;

(b) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR202## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 4;

(c) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR203## wherein R is a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, hydroxy, alcohol, and alkoxy, x is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 2;

(d) cyclic sulfones of the formula ##STR204## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, and m and n are integers independently selected from 0, 1, 2, and 3, wherein the sum of m+n is at least about 1;

(e) polysulfones;

(f) cyclic polysulfones;

(g) sulfonamides; and

(h) mixtures thereof, and a second component selected from the group consisting of (a) cyclic amines having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom;

(b) cyclic amides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom;

(c) diamides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom;

(d) amides of the formula ##STR205## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and R'"'"' is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy groups, polyalkoxy groups, imine groups, and polyimine groups; and

(e) mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid, and causing droplets of the ink composition to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a substrate by selectively heating the ink in the nozzles in an imagewise pattern.

37. A thermal ink jet printing process which comprises incorporating into a thermal ink jet printing apparatus an ink composition which comprises water, a water soluble dye, a first component selected from the group consisting of sulfones and mixtures thereof, and a second component selected from the group consisting of (a) cyclic amines;

(b) cyclic polyamines;

(c) cyclic amides of the formula ##STR206## wherein R is an optional substituent, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 4;

(d) cyclic amides of the formula ##STR207## wherein R is a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alcohol, hydroxy, and alkoxy, m is an integer representing the number of substituents, and n is an integer of at least about 3;

(e) cyclic amides of the formula ##STR208## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, p and q are each integers selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the sum of p+q is at least about 1, and s is an integer of from 1 to about 4;

(f) cyclic amides of the formula ##STR209## wherein R is an optional substituent, z is an integer representing the number of substituents, p and q are each integers selected from the group consisting of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, wherein the sum of p+q is at least about 1, s is an integer of from 1 to about 4, and R'"'"' and R" are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alcohol, alkoxy, and polyalkoxy, wherein at least one of R'"'"' and R" is hydrogen;

(g) cyclic polyamides;

(h) diamides having at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a nitrogen atom;

(i) amides of the formula ##STR210## wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and R'"'"' is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy groups, polyalkoxy groups, imine groups, and polyimine groups; and

(j) mixtures thereof, wherein the ink is a liquid, and causing droplets of the ink composition to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a substrate by selectively heating the ink in the nozzles in an imagewise pattern.