Patent ID: 8791202

Claim:
A phase change ink composition comprising: an ink vehicle; a dispersing agent; optionally, a colorant; organic fiber shaped nanowhiskers; wherein the organic fiber shaped nanowhiskers comprise polyethylene nanowhiskers, a polypropylene-clay nanocomposite, functionalized polyethylene nanocomposites, functionalized polyethylene nanocomposites wherein the functionalized polyethylene is a maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene and wherein the fiber shaped nanowhiskers comprise polyethylene-montmorillonite nanocomposites, polyethylene encapsulated nanowhiskers, polyethylene encapsulated nanowhiskers wherein the encapsulating polyethylene is functionalized, nanoparticles modified by surface initiated polymerization, nanoparticles modified with a self-assembled monolayer, polyethylene fibers of extended-chain crystals, rhodamine B grafted on functionalized silica surfaces, or a combination thereof; wherein the colorant and the organic fiber shaped nanowhiskers are substantially resistant to aggregation and settling in the ink vehicle.