Ink jet ink formulations containing modified carbon products

An aqueous ink jet ink composition comprising an aqueous vehicle and a modified carbon product comprising carbon having attached at least one organic group, the organic group comprising a) at least one C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl group, and b) at least one ionic group, at least one ionizable group, or a mixture of an ionic group and an ionizable group, wherein the at least one alkyl group of the organic group is directly attached to the carbon.

An ink jet recording method, comprising the step of:

• applying to a recording medium ink droplets discharged from orifices of an ink jet recording head, wherein said ink comprises an aqueous vehicle and a modified carbon product comprising carbon having attached at least one organic group, the organic group comprising a) at least one aromatic group, and b) at least one ionic group, at least one ionizable group, or a mixture of an ionic group and an ionizable group, wherein the at least one aromatic group of the organic group is directly attached to the carbon.

An ink jet recording method, comprising the step of:

• applying to a recording medium ink droplets discharged from orifices of an ink jet recording head, wherein said ink comprises an aqueous vehicle and a modified carbon product comprising carbon having attached at least one organic group, the organic group comprising a) at least one C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl group, and b) at least one ionic group, at least one ionizable group, or a mixture of an ionic group and an ionizable group, wherein the at least one alkyl group of the organic group is directly attached to the carbon.

A method for increasing the optical density of an aqueous ink jet ink, comprising the step of:

• incorporating into the aqueous ink jet ink a modified carbon product comprising carbon having attached at least one organic group, the organic group comprising a) at least one aromatic group, and b) at least one ionic group, at least one ionizable group, or a mixture of an ionic group and an ionizable group, wherein the at least one aromatic group of the organic group is directly attached to the carbon.

A method for increasing the optical density of an aqueous ink jet ink, comprising the step of:

• incorporating into the aqueous ink jet ink a modified carbon product comprising carbon having attached at least one organic group, the organic group comprising a) at least one C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl group, and b) at least one ionic group, at least one ionizable group, or a mixture of an ionic group and an ionizable group, wherein the at least one alkyl group of the organic group is directly attached to the carbon.