Preparation of image-recording layers with carboxyl-containing polymer latexes and an amine-oxide-substituted polymer

A physical crosslinking strategy based on hydrogen bonding interaction was developed to prepare image-recording layers derived from carboxyl-containing polymer latexes, a hydrophilic amine-oxide-substituted polymer, and a water-soluble IR-absorbing dye. Carboxyl-containing polymer latexes were prepared by emulsion copolymerization of mono-2-(methacryloyloxy)-ethyl phthalate, styrene and acrylonitrile. A water-soluble amine-oxide-containing polymer (O-PDMAEA) was prepared by aqueous polymerization of 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl acrylate followed by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen bonding interaction between the polymer latex particles and the O-PDMAEA and its effects were studied. Coating solutions comprising the polymer latex and the O-PDMAEA were prepared and applied to the aluminum lithographic substrate by spin-coating to obtain the image-recording layers. After they were exposed to 830 nm infrared laser light and developed with water, a visible image on the substrate could be obtained. The properties of the image-recording layers were evaluated by scanning electron microscope, water contact angle analyzer, inspection of the image quality and adhesion test. Results showed that both the image quality and adhesion of the image to the substrate were improved by introducing hydrogen bonding interaction.