Clay-fluoran dye intercalation was studied to evaluate their performan
ce as thermal recording media, Clay previously incorporated with a bul
ky alkylammonium ion promoted the intercalation of the fluoran cationi
c dye. The insoluble coloured clay pigment was readily formed both in
non-aqueous suspension and on polymer film, including the modified cla
y with tetra-n-decylammonium ion and the cationic fluoran dye, The pro
cedure could be applied to stabilize the thermally, developed coloured
image. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.