INK-JET INK AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

摘要

An ink-jet ink with excellent ink properties which comprises a metal dispersion in which ultrafine metal particles having a particle diameter of 100 nm or smaller are evenly dispersed independently. This ink is for use in printing or conductive-circuit formation with an ink-jet printer. The process comprises: a first step in which a metal vapor is contacted with the vapor of a first solvent by the gas vaporization method to obtain a dispersion of ultrafine metal particles; a second step in which a second solvent which is a low-molecular polar solvent is added to the dispersion to sediment the ultrafine metal particles and the first solvent is removed by extraction; and a third step in which a third solvent is added to the sediment to conduct solvent replacement and thereby obtain an ultrafine-metal-particle dispersion. In the first and/or third step, a dispersant is added.