JP2003330213A - Electrophotographic image receiving sheet and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophotographic image receiving sheet in which the laminated electrophotographic image receiving sheets are prevented from adhering and blocking one another during a retention period, and to provide an image forming method using the electrophotographic image receiving sheet. <P>SOLUTION: The electrophotographic image receiving sheet is constituted by arranging at least two coating layers containing thermoplastic resin on a supporting body, the outermost surface coating layer contains matting agent, the average grain size of the matting agent is smaller than the total thickness of the coating layers, and also, larger than the thickness of the outermost surface coating layer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image-receiving sheet and an image forming method, and particularly to smoothness (glossiness).
The image-receiving sheet for electrophotography, which has excellent heat resistance and can be used in devices such as copiers, printers, and facsimile machines that use the electrophotographic process, and does not cause adhesion or blocking between the image-receiving sheets for electrophotography laminated during storage. And an image forming method using the image receiving sheet for electrophotography.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic method is used as an output machine for a copying machine or a personal computer because it can be printed on a general-purpose paper (plain paper or high-quality paper) by a dry process and has a high printing speed. However, when outputting image information such as a face or a landscape as a photograph, general-purpose paper or the like has a particularly poor gloss, and therefore a special paper for photographic use is required. As disclosed in JP-A-212168 and JP-A-8-211645, there has been proposed an electrophotographic image-receiving sheet in which a toner image-receiving layer containing a thermoplastic resin is provided on a support.

However, in the high-gloss image-receiving sheet for electrophotography, the toner image-receiving layer has improved thermal responsiveness at a low temperature (a phenomenon in which the image-receiving layer is sharply melted or softened by fixing heat) and the fixing property is improved. Since it is designed, there is a problem that an adhesion failure such as so-called blocking easily occurs. Therefore, before use, when the electrophotographic image receiving sheet is laminated or stored in a roll, the support of the electrophotographic image receiving sheet adheres to the toner image receiving layer of the electrophotographic image receiving sheet located thereunder. Resulting in. When such an adhesion failure occurs, there is a problem that the sheet cannot be fed and cannot be conveyed in the case of sheet feeding, and the toner image receiving layer is peeled off from the support when the sheet is forcibly pulled out in the case of roll feeding.

In order to improve such blocking problem, at least one of the layers constituting the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet on the toner image-receiving layer side of the support is made of organic and / or organic material.
Or, it is carried out to mix inorganic fine particles,
If the addition amount is increased until the antiblocking effect is obtained, there is a problem that the glossiness of the obtained image is lowered.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems in the prior art and to solve the following problems. That is, the present invention is excellent in smoothness (glossiness), can be used for photographic applications, and does not cause adhesion or blocking between image-receiving sheets for electrophotography laminated during storage, and has excellent transportability. An object of the present invention is to provide a photographic image-receiving sheet and an image forming method using the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet.

[0006]

Means for solving the problems Means for solving the above problems are as follows. <1> An electrophotographic image-receiving sheet comprising a support and a coating layer containing at least two layers of a thermoplastic resin, wherein a matting agent is added to the outermost coating layer, and the average particle size of the matting agent is An image-receiving sheet for electrophotography, having a diameter smaller than the total thickness of the coating layer and larger than the thickness of the outermost surface coating layer. <2> An electrophotographic image-receiving sheet comprising a support and at least two coating layers containing a thermoplastic resin, wherein the matting agent is projected from the outermost surface coating layer before image formation. The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet is characterized in that it is contained in the outermost surface coating layer and also contains a matting agent embedded in the coating layer after image formation. <3> The film thickness of the outermost surface coating layer is 7 of the total film thickness of the coating layers.
The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet according to <1> or <2>, which has a content of 0% or less. <4> The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the matting agent has an average particle size of 0.3 to 30 μm. <5> The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the matting agent has a specific gravity of 2 or less. In the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet according to <5>, if the specific gravity of the matting agent is too large, the matting agent may be buried in the coating layer before image formation, resulting in contact failure such as blocking. <6> A toner image-receiving layer containing a thermoplastic resin and a protective layer containing at least one layer of a thermoplastic resin are provided on a support in this order, and the toner image receiving layer is provided in this order. Is an image receiving sheet for electrophotography. <7> An image forming method using the electrophotographic image receiving sheet according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein after forming a toner image on the electrophotographic image receiving sheet,
In the image forming method, the image forming surface of the electrophotographic image receiving sheet is heated and pressed by a fixing belt.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The image-receiving sheet for electrophotography of the present invention comprises a support and a coating layer containing at least two layers of a thermoplastic resin provided on the support. A toner image-receiving layer containing a plastic resin and a protective layer containing at least one thermoplastic resin are provided in this order, and other layers appropriately selected as necessary, for example, an intermediate layer, an undercoat layer and a cushion layer. , Charge control (prevention) layer,
It has a reflective layer, a tint adjusting layer, a storability improving layer, an anti-adhesion layer, an anti-curl layer, a smoothing layer and the like. Each of these layers may have a single-layer structure or a laminated structure.

In the present invention, the outermost surface coating layer contains a matting agent, and the average particle diameter of the matting agent is smaller than the total thickness of the coating layers and larger than the thickness of the outermost surface coating layer. ing. The average particle size of the matting agent is preferably 0.3 to 30 μm, more preferably 0.5 to 20 μm, and further preferably 1 to 15 μm. The total thickness of the coating layer is preferably 3 to 50 μm, and 5 to 30 μm.
m is more preferred. The thickness of the outermost surface coating layer is 0.1.
˜15 μm is preferable, and 0.5 to 10 μm is more preferable. The thickness of the outermost surface coating layer is preferably 70% or less, more preferably 50% or less, and more preferably 3% of the total thickness of the coating layers.
0% or less is particularly preferable. The outermost surface coating layer is not particularly limited and may be any of a toner image receiving layer, a protective layer and other layers, but it is preferably a protective layer. The average particle diameter of the matting agent is 1 μm or more, preferably 2 μm or more smaller than the total thickness of the coating layer, and 0.5 μm or more, preferably 1 μm than the thickness of the outermost surface coating layer.
It is suitable that it is larger than m. The specific gravity of the matting agent is preferably 2 or less, more preferably 1.6 or less,
1.3 or less is more preferable.

Examples of the matting agent used in the present invention include solid particles. The solid particles can be classified into inorganic particles and organic particles. Examples of the inorganic particles include oxides (eg, silicon dioxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide), alkaline earth metal salts (eg, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate), silver halides (eg, Examples thereof include silver chloride, silver bromide) and glass. Examples of the inorganic particles include West German Patent No. 2529321 and British Patent No. 760775.
No. 1260772, U.S. Pat. No. 1201905,
2192241, 3053662, 3062
No. 649, No. 3257206, No. 3322555,
33353958, 3370951, 3411
No. 907, No. 3437484, No. 3523022,
No. 3615554, No. 3635714, No. 3769
Examples include those described in the respective specifications of No. 020, No. 4021245, No. 4029504.

Examples of the organic particles include starch, cellulose ester (eg, cellulose acetate propionate), cellulose ether (eg, ethyl cellulose), synthetic resin and the like. The synthetic resin is preferably a water-insoluble or sparingly water-soluble synthetic resin. Examples of the water-insoluble or sparingly water-soluble synthetic resin include poly (meth) acrylic acid ester (for example, polyalkyl (meth) acrylate, polyalkoxyalkyl (meth) acrylate, polyglycidyl (meth) acrylate), poly (meth) acrylamide. , Polyvinyl ester (for example, polyvinyl acetate), polyacrylonitrile, polyolefin (for example, polyethylene), polystyrene, benzoguanamine resin, formaldehyde condensation polymer, epoxy resin, polyamide, polycarbonate, phenol resin, polyvinylcarbazole, polyvinylidene chloride, etc. . The synthetic resin may be a copolymer in which repeating units of these polymers are combined. The copolymer may contain a small amount of hydrophilic repeating units. Examples of the monomer forming the hydrophilic repeating unit include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α, β-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, hydroxyalkyl (meth) acrylate, sulfoalkyl (meth) acrylate, styrenesulfonic acid,
And so on. As the organic particles, British Patent 1
055713, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,939,213 and 222.
No. 1873, No. 2268662, No. 2322037
No. 23706005, 2391181, 27
01245, 2929101, and 3079257.
No. 3,262,782, No. 3443946, No. 35
No. 16832, No. 3539344, No. 3591379
Nos. 3754924 and 3767448, JP-A-49-106821 and 57-14835.
Those described in each publication of the issue are listed. The solid particles may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The specific gravity of the matting agent is preferably 2 or less, more preferably 1.6 or less, and further preferably 1.3 or less. When the specific gravity of the matting agent exceeds 2, when the uppermost layer containing the matting agent is applied at the same time as the other lower layers, the matting agent settles down in the lower layer in the process of being laminated and dried, and the surface unevenness is reduced. The anti-adhesion effect is reduced. From the above viewpoint, as the matting agent used in the present invention, organic fine particles having a small specific gravity are preferably used. The amount of the matting agent used is preferably 0.01 to 0.5 g / m ² , and 0.02 to
0.4 g / m ² is more preferable.

Further, the image-receiving sheet for electrophotography of the present invention comprises
An electrophotographic image-receiving sheet comprising a support and at least two coating layers containing a thermoplastic resin, wherein the matte agent is applied to the outermost surface of the support before the image formation. In addition to being contained in the layer, the matting agent is contained in a state of being embedded in the coating layer after image formation.

That is, before the image formation (raw sample), as shown in FIG. 1 (A), the matting agent 15 protruding from the outermost surface coating layer 19 causes unevenness on the surface, and the sheet is stored during storage. It is possible to prevent contact failure such as blocking. On the other hand, after image formation (processed sample), as shown in FIG. 1B, the image forming surface of the electrophotographic image receiving sheet is heated and pressed by the fixing belt during image formation, The matting agent 15 is embedded in the outermost surface coating layer 19 and the coating layer 17, the image forming surface becomes flat, and the image quality (especially the glossiness of the image forming surface) is not deteriorated. On the other hand, FIG. 1 (C)
If the diameter of the matting agent 15 'is larger than the total thickness of the coating layer, as shown in FIG.
5'protrudes from the outermost surface coating layer 19, and unevenness remains on the surface, which deteriorates the image quality (particularly the glossiness of the image forming surface).

Hereinafter, each constituent element of the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention will be described in detail for each constituent element.

-Support-As the support, a support capable of withstanding the fixing temperature and satisfying the requirements in terms of smoothness, whiteness, slipperiness, friction, antistatic property, dent after fixing, etc. There is no particular limitation as long as it is, and it can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Generally, it is generally published by Corona Publishing Co., Ltd. Year) (223) ~ (2
Examples include the paper described on page 40, a photographic support such as a synthetic polymer (film), and the like. Specific examples of the support include synthetic paper (synthetic paper such as polyolefin-based and polystyrene-based), fine paper, art paper, (double-sided) coated paper, (double-sided)
Cast coated paper, mixed paper made from synthetic resin pulp such as polyethylene and natural pulp, Yankee paper, baryta paper, wallpaper, backing paper, synthetic resin or emulsion impregnated paper, synthetic rubber latex impregnated paper, synthetic resin internal paper, Paper support such as paperboard, cellulose fiber paper, polyolefin coated paper (paper coated on both sides with polyethylene), polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene methacrylate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polypropylene , Various kinds of plastic films or sheets of polyimide, celluloses (eg triacetyl cellulose), etc., a treatment for imparting white reflectivity to the plastic film or sheet (eg face made of titanium oxide in the film) The film or sheet was subjected to treatment), such as is contained, cloth, metal, glasses, and the like. These may be used alone,
Two or more kinds may be used together as a laminate, or one or both surfaces may be laminated with a synthetic polymer such as polyethylene.

Further, as the above-mentioned support, JP-A-62-
Pp. 253, 159, pages (29) to (31), JP-A 1-6
1,236, pages (14) to (17), JP-A-63-31
6,848, JP-A-2-22,651, and 3-5.
Supports described in US Pat. No. 6,955, US Pat. No. 5,001,033 and the like are also included.

The thickness of the support is usually 25 to 3
00 μm, preferably 50 to 260 μm, and 75 to
220 μm is more preferable. The rigidity and smoothness of the support are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but for image-receiving papers of photographic image quality, those close to those for color silver salt photography are preferred. From the viewpoint of fixing performance, the density of the support is 0.7 g / cm.
It is preferably ³ or more.

The thermal conductivity of the support is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. From the viewpoint of fixing performance, the thermal conductivity is 20 ° C. and the relative humidity is 65%. It is preferably 0.50 kcal / m · h · ° C or higher. The thermal conductivity is JIS P 811.
A transfer paper, the humidity of which is adjusted according to 1, is disclosed in JP-A-53-6627.
It can be measured by the method described in No. 9.

Various additives appropriately selected depending on the purpose can be added to the above-mentioned support within a range not impairing the effects of the present invention. Examples of the additives include brighteners, conductive agents, fillers, titanium oxide, ultramarine blue, pigments such as carbon black, and dyes.

Further, one surface or both surfaces of the support may be subjected to various surface treatments or undercoating treatments for the purpose of improving the adhesion to the layer provided thereon. The surface treatment is, for example, a glossy surface or JP-A-55-26.
The fine surface, the matte surface or the matte surface described in Japanese Patent No. 507, a corona discharge treatment, a flame treatment, a glow discharge treatment, an activation treatment such as a plasma treatment, and the like can be mentioned.
The undercoating treatment is, for example, JP-A-61-846.
The method described in Japanese Patent No. 443 is cited. These treatments may be performed alone, or may be subjected to the activation treatment after performing the above-mentioned patterning treatment, or may be subjected to the undercoat treatment after the surface treatment such as the activation treatment. It is also possible to combine them arbitrarily.

In the support, on the front surface or the back surface of the support, or a combination thereof, a hydrophilic binder and a semiconductive metal oxide such as alumina sol or tin oxide,
You may apply carbon black and other antistatic agents. Specific examples of such a support include Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
Examples of the support include those described in 3-220,246.

-Toner Image Receiving Layer- The toner image receiving layer is a layer on which an image is formed by receiving at least one of color toner and black toner. The material for the image receiving layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, in the transfer step, an image is formed from a developing drum or an intermediate transfer member by (static) electricity, pressure, or the like. An image-receiving substance that can receive toner and can be fixed by heat, pressure, etc. in the fixing process,
And so on. Examples of the image-receptive substance include:
Examples include thermoplastic resins, water-based resins, pigments, and the like.

The thickness of the image receiving layer is usually from 0.5 to
50 μm is preferable, and 1 to 30 μm is more preferable. Further, the thickness of the image receiving layer is preferably 1/2 or more of the particle size of the toner, and more preferably 1 to 3 times the particle size of the toner. As the image receiving layer, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
Those having a thickness disclosed in JP-A-216322 and JP-A-7-301939 are preferable.

As the physical properties of the image-receiving layer, those satisfying at least one of the following items are preferable, those satisfying at least two items are more preferable, and those satisfying all the items are particularly preferable. The physical properties include Tg (glass transition temperature) of the image receiving layer of 30 ° C. or higher and Tg of the toner + 20 ° C. or lower, and T1 / 2 (1/2 method softening point) of the image receiving layer.
Is in the range of 60 ° C. to 200 ° C., preferably 80 to 170 ° C., and Tfb (outflow start temperature) of the image receiving layer is 40.
C. to 200.degree. C., more preferably Tfb of the image receiving layer is Tfb + 50.degree. C. or less of the toner, and the viscosity of the image receiving layer is 1.
The temperature at which it becomes × 10 ⁵ CP is 40 ° C. or higher, lower than that of the toner, the storage elastic modulus (G ′) at the fixing temperature of the image receiving layer is 1 × 10 ² Pa to 1 × 10 ⁵ Pa, and the loss elastic modulus ( G ″) is 1 × 10 ² Pa to 1 × 10 ⁵ Pa, and a loss tangent (G ″) which is a ratio of the loss elastic modulus (G ″) and the storage elastic modulus (G ′) at the fixing temperature of the image receiving layer. / G ') is 0.01 to 10, and the storage elastic modulus (G') at the fixing temperature of the image receiving layer is -50 to +25 with respect to the storage elastic modulus (G ") at the fixing temperature of the toner.
00, the inclination angle of the molten toner on the image receiving layer is 5
It is 0 degrees or less, preferably 40 degrees or less.

As the image receiving layer, Japanese Patent No. 278835 is used.
No. 8, JP-A Nos. 7-248637 and 8-30.
Those satisfying the physical properties disclosed in 5067 and 10-239889 are preferable.

The above physical properties can be measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The above physical properties are, for example, the flow tester CFT- manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation.
It can be measured using 500. The above physical properties can be measured by using a rotary rheometer (for example, dynamic analyzer RADII manufactured by Rheometric Co.). The above physical properties are based on Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.
Using a contact angle measuring device manufactured by K.K.

--Thermoplastic Resin-- The thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited as long as it is deformable under temperature conditions such as fixing and can receive the toner, and is appropriately selected according to the purpose. But you can
A resin similar to the binder resin of the toner is preferable. Since many of the toners use a polyester resin, styrene, or a copolymer resin such as styrene-butyl acrylate, in this case, as the thermoplastic resin used in the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet, the polyester resin, styrene, or styrene is also used. -It is preferable to use a copolymer resin such as butyl acrylate, and it is more preferable to contain a copolymer resin such as a polyester resin or styrene or styrene-butyl acrylate in an amount of 20% by mass or more. Coalescence, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer, etc. are also preferable.

Specific examples of the thermoplastic resin include (a) a resin having an ester bond, (b) a polyurethane resin, (c) a polyamide resin, (d) a polysulfone resin, and (e) a polychlorinated resin. Examples thereof include vinyl resins and the like, (f) polyvinyl butyral and the like, (to) polycaprolactone resins and the like, and (h) polyolefin resins and the like.

Examples of the resin (a) having an ester bond include terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, phthalic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, abietic acid, succinic acid, trimellitic acid. , Dicarboxylic acid components such as pyromellitic acid (these dicarboxylic acid components may be substituted with sulfonic acid groups, carboxyl groups, etc.), and ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, bisphenol A, and diether derivatives of bisphenol A. (For example,
Bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 adduct, bisphenol A propylene oxide 2 adduct, etc.),
Polyester resin obtained by condensation with an alcohol component such as bisphenol S, 2-ethylcyclohexyldimethanol, neopentyl glycol, cyclohexyldimethanol, or glycerin (these alcohol components may be substituted with a hydroxyl group), poly Polyacrylic acid ester resin or polymethacrylic acid ester resin such as methyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polymethyl acrylate, polybutyl acrylate,
Examples thereof include polycarbonate resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, styrene acrylate resin, styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer resin, vinyl toluene acrylate resin and the like. Specifically, JP-A-59-101395,
Examples thereof include those described in JP-A-63-7971, JP-A-63-7972, JP-A-63-7973, and JP-A-60-294862. Commercially available products of the polyester resin include Byron 290, Byron 200, Byron 280, Byron 300 and Byron 1 manufactured by Toyobo.
03, Byron GK-140, Byron GK-130,
Kao Tuffton NE-382, Tuffton U-5, AT
R-2009, ATR-2010, Elitel UE3500, UE3210, XA-8153 manufactured by Unitika, Polyester TP-220, R-188 manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry.
Examples of commercially available products of the acrylic resin include DIALIN SE-5437 and SE manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
-5102, SE-5377, SE-5649, SE-
5466, SE-5482, HR-169, 124, H
R-1127, HR-116, HR-113, HR-1
48, HR-131, HR-470, HR-634, H
R-606, HR-607, LR-1065, 574,
143, 396, 637, 162, 469, 216, B
R-50, BR-52, BR-60, BR-64, BR
-73, BR-75, BR-77, BR-79, BR-
80, BR-83, BR-85, BR-87, BR-8
8, BR-90, BR-93, BR-95, BR-10
0, BR-101, BR-102, BR-105, BR
-106, BR-107, BR-108, BR-11
2, BR-113, BR-115, BR-116, BR
-117, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. S-REC P SE-002
0, SE-0040, SE-0070, SE-010
0, SE-1010, SE-1035, Sanyo Kasei Kogyo Heimer ST95, ST120, Mitsui Chemicals FM601 and the like.

Examples of the (e) polyvinyl chloride resin and the like further include polyvinylidene chloride resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl propionate copolymer resin, and the like. Examples of the (f) polyvinyl butyral and the like include polyol resins, ethyl cellulose resins, cellulose resins such as cellulose acetate resins, and the like, and commercially available products include those manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.,
Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. etc. are mentioned. The polyvinyl butyral has a polyvinyl butyral content of 70% by mass.
As described above, those having an average degree of polymerization of 500 or more are preferable, those having an average degree of polymerization of 1000 or more are more preferable, and commercially available products are Denka Butyral 3000- manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.
1, 4000-2, 5000A, 6000C, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. S-REC BL-1, BL-2, BL-3, B
L-S, BX-L, BM-1, BM-2, BM-5, B
MS, BH-3, BX-1, BX-7, etc. are mentioned. Examples of the (to) polycaprolactone resin and the like further include styrene-maleic anhydride resin, polyacrylonitrile resin, polyether resin, epoxy resin, and phenol resin. Examples of the (h) polyolefin resin and the like include polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin and the like, copolymer resins of olefins such as ethylene and propylene and other vinyl monomers, acrylic resins and the like.

The thermoplastic resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more, and in addition to these, a mixture thereof, a copolymer thereof or the like can be used.

As the thermoplastic resin, those which can satisfy the above-mentioned physical properties of the image-receiving layer in the state where the above-mentioned image-receiving layer is formed are preferable, and those in which the resin alone can satisfy the above-mentioned physical properties of the image-receiving layer are more preferable. 2 resins with different physical properties
It is also preferable to use the above together.

The thermoplastic resin preferably has a larger molecular weight than the thermoplastic resin used in the toner. However, depending on the relationship between the thermodynamic characteristics of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner and the resin used in the image receiving layer, the above-mentioned molecular weight is not always preferable. For example, when the softening temperature of the resin used in the image receiving layer is higher than that of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner, the molecular weight is the same,
In some cases, it is preferable that the resin used in the image receiving layer is smaller. As the thermoplastic resin, it is also preferable to use a mixture of resins having the same composition but different average molecular weights. Further, regarding the relationship with the molecular weight of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-3
The relationship disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 34915 is preferable. The molecular weight distribution of the thermoplastic resin is preferably wider than that of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner. As the thermoplastic resin, Japanese Patent Publication 5-1
No. 27413, No. 8-194394, No. 8-3349.
No. 15, No. 8-334916, No. 9-171265,
Those satisfying the physical properties and the like disclosed in the respective gazettes of No. 10-221877 are preferable.

--Aqueous Resin-- The aqueous resin is not particularly limited in its composition, bond structure, molecular structure, molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, morphology, etc., as long as it is a water-soluble resin or a water-dispersible resin. It can be selected as appropriate.

Examples of the water-based resin include Research Disclosure No. 17,643, page 26, ibid.
No. 8,716, p. 651, No. 307, 105, 873
Pp. 874 and JP-A-64-13546 ((7)
1) to (75), specifically, for example, vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-vinylpyrrolidone copolymer, styrene-
Maleic anhydride copolymer, water-soluble polyester, water-soluble polyurethane, water-soluble nylon, water-soluble epoxy resin,
And so on.

When the binder resin of the toner is a polyester resin or the like, a water-dispersible polyester or the like can be preferably used as the resin of the image receiving layer as the aqueous resin.

Examples of the water-dispersible resin include acrylic resin, polyester resin, polystyrene resin, urethane resin, polyvinyl acetate, SBR (styrene / butadiene / styrene resin).
Rubber), or a latex emulsion such as a copolymer or a mixture of these, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of commercially available water-dispersible resins include Toyron's Vylonal MD-1200 and MD-12.
20, MD-1930 and Pluscoat Z- manufactured by Mutual Chemical
446, Z-465, RZ-96, ES manufactured by Dainippon Ink
-611, ES-670, pine resin A-1 made by Takamatsu Yushi Co., Ltd.
60P, A-210, A-620, Hyros XE-18, XE-35, XE-48, XE-6 manufactured by Seikou Kagaku Kogyo
0, XE-62, Jurimer AT-210 manufactured by Nippon Pure Chemical Co., Ltd.,
AT-510, AT-515, AT-613, ET-4
10, ET-530, ET-533, FC-60, FC
-80, etc. are mentioned.

Gelatin is preferably used as the water-soluble resin. The gelatin may be lime-processed gelatin, acid-processed gelatin, or so-called demineralized gelatin having a reduced content of calcium or the like according to various purposes. It may be selected, and these may be used in combination.

The film forming temperature of the water-dispersible resin is preferably room temperature or higher for storage before printing, and 100 ° C. or lower for fixing toner particles.

--Pigment-- The pigment is for the purpose of imparting whiteness, adjusting thermodynamic properties of the film, or imparting receptivity to a water-soluble ink, an ink for ink jet printing, etc., like a toner,
It can be used as a toner image receiving material.

As the pigment, inorganic and organic pigments are preferably used. As the inorganic pigment, for example,
Silica pigment, alumina pigment, titanium dioxide pigment, zinc oxide pigment, zirconium oxide pigment, micaceous iron oxide, lead white,
Lead oxide pigment, cobalt oxide pigment, strontium chromate, molybdenum pigment, smectite, magnesium oxide pigment, calcium oxide pigment, calcium carbonate pigment,
Examples thereof include barium sulfate and mullite. Among these, silica pigments and alumina pigments are preferable, and these may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the silica pigment include spherical silica and amorphous silica. The silica pigment is a dry method,
It can be synthesized by a wet method or an airgel method. The surface of the hydrophobic silica particles may be surface-treated with a trimethylsilyl group or silicone. Among these, colloidal silica is particularly preferable. The average particle size of the silica pigment is preferably in the range of 200 to 5,000 nm when it has whiteness, although the preferred range is different. The silica pigment is preferably a porous silica pigment for the purpose of imparting receptivity to ink and the like. The average pore diameter of the porous silica pigment is preferably 4 to 120 nm, and more preferably 4 to 90 nm. The average pore volume per mass of the porous silica pigment is 0.
It is preferably 5 to 3 ml / g.

The alumina pigment includes anhydrous alumina and alumina hydrate. As the crystalline form of the anhydrous alumina, α, β, γ, δ, ζ, η, θ, κ, ρ or χ can be used. Alumina hydrate is preferable to the anhydrous alumina. A monohydrate or a trihydrate can be used as the alumina hydrate. The monohydrate includes pseudo-boehmite, boehmite and diaspore. The trihydrate also includes gibbsite and bayerite. The average particle diameter of the alumina pigment is preferably 4 to 5000 nm, and more preferably 200 to 5000 nm when whiteness is provided. The alumina pigment is preferably porous alumina from the viewpoint of imparting receptivity to ink and the like. The alumina hydrate can be synthesized by a sol-gel method in which ammonia is added to an aluminum salt solution to cause precipitation, or a method in which alkali aluminate is hydrolyzed. The anhydrous alumina can be obtained by dehydrating alumina hydrate by heating.

The amount of the inorganic pigment used is preferably 5 to 500% by mass in terms of the dry mass ratio of the layer to be added to the binder.

As the organic pigment, porous particles, fine particle aggregate particles, hollow particles and the like are preferably used. The porous particles preferably have an average pore size of 1 to 100 nm. Specific examples thereof include "Techpolymer MBP-8", "Techpolymer SBP-8", "Apaniclone AP-20C" and "Polasurene" manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd. The fine particle aggregate particles are aggregate particles of fine particles having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm, and the average particle diameter of the aggregate particles is 100 to 2000 nm.
The thing of 200-1000 nm is especially preferable. Specific examples include "organic filler" manufactured by Nippon Kasei Co., Ltd., and the like. As the hollow particles, those having an average particle size of 100 to 2000 nm are preferable, and particularly 20
The thing of 0-1000 nm is more preferably used. Specific examples include "MH5055" manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd., and the like.

The image-receiving layer may contain an appropriately selected additive for the purpose of improving its thermodynamic properties.
The additive is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, for example, a plasticizer, a filler, a cross-linking agent, a charge control agent, a conductive agent, a pigment, a surfactant,
Examples include dyes, humidity control agents, matting agents, and the like.

As the plasticizer, known plasticizers for resins can be used. The term "plasticizer" as used herein refers to a group of compounds that adjust the fluidity or softening of the image-receiving layer by heat and / or pressure when fixing the toner. Specific examples of the plasticizer include "Chemical Handbook" (edited by The Chemical Society of Japan, Maruzen) and "Plasticizer-Theory and Application-".
(Edited by Koichi Murai, Kou Shobo) and "Study on Plasticizers"
It can be selected by referring to "Under Research on Plasticizers" (edited by Japan Society of Polymer Chemistry) and "Handbook Rubber / Plastic Blended Chemicals" (edited by Rubber Digest Co.), etc., and JP-A-59-83154. , Ibid. 59-178451, ibid. 5
9-178453, 59-178454, 59
-178455, 59-178457, 62-
No. 174754, No. 62-245253, No. 61-2
09444, 61-200538, 62-81.
No. 45, No. 62-9348, No. 62-30247,
62-136646, 62-174754, 62-245253, 61-209444, 6
1-250038, 62-8145, 62-9
No. 348, No. 62-30247, No. 62-13664
6, esters such as those described in JP-A-2-235694 (for example, phthalic acid esters, phosphoric acid esters, fatty acid esters, abietic acid esters, adipic acid esters, sebacic acid esters, Azelaic acid ester, benzoic acid ester, butyric acid ester, epoxidized fatty acid ester, glycolic acid ester, propionic acid ester, trimellitic acid ester, citric acid ester, sulfonic acid ester, carboxylic acid ester , Succinic acid esters, maleic acid esters, fumaric acid esters, phthalic acid esters, stearic acid esters, etc.), amides (eg fatty acid amides, sulfamides, etc.), ethers, alcohols, paraffins, Polyolefin waxes (eg polyp Pyrene waxes, polyethylene waxes, etc.), lactones, polyethyleneoxy, silicone oils, fluorine compounds include compounds such as.

The plasticizer may have a relatively low molecular weight. In this case, the molecular weight is preferably lower than that of the resin to be plasticized, and the molecular weight is preferably 15,000 or less. More preferably, those having a molecular weight of 8,000 or less are particularly preferable. As the plasticizer, a polymer plasticizer may be used, in which case it is preferably a polymer of the same type as the resin to be plasticized, for example, polyester is preferable for plasticizing the polyester resin, and, Oligomers may be used as plasticizers.

As the plasticizer, in addition to the above-mentioned ones, for example, commercially available products such as ADEKA CIZER PN-170 and PN-1430 manufactured by Asahi Denka Kogyo Co., Ltd. and C.I. P. Hall
Company products PARAPLEX-G-25, G-30, G-4
0, Rika Hercules product ester gum 8L-JA, ester R-95, pentaline 4851, FK115, 4
820, 830, Louisol 28-JA, Picolastic A75, Picotex LC, Crystallex 308
5, etc.

The plasticizer is formed on the support,
It is added to at least one of the constituent layers including the image receiving layer, for example, a protective layer, an intermediate layer, an undercoat layer, etc. As these layers, a layer to which stress generated when the toner is embedded in the image receiving layer is transmitted. Is preferable, and a layer in which strain caused by stress (physical strain such as elastic force and viscosity, strain due to material balance of molecules, binder main chain, pendant portion, etc.) is transmitted is more preferable. A layer at a position where the stress and strain can be relaxed, such as a layer adjacent to the image receiving layer, the image receiving layer, or a surface layer is particularly preferable. The plasticizer, in the added layer,
It may be in a state of being dispersed in a micro state, in a state of being phase-separated into a sea-island micro state, or in a state of being sufficiently mixed and dissolved with another component such as a binder.

The amount of the plasticizer added is 100 when the total amount of the resin constituting the layer, other components and the plasticizer is added.
When it is defined as mass%, 0.001 mass% to 100 mass% is preferable, 0.1 mass% to 50 mass% is more preferable, and 1 mass% to 25 mass% is particularly preferable. Adjustment of the plasticizer for slipperiness (improvement of transportability by reduction of frictional force), improvement of offset of fixing section (peeling of toner or layer to fixing section), adjustment of curl balance, charge adjustment (formation of toner electrostatic image). ), Etc.

As the filler, a reinforcing agent for resin,
Known fillers and reinforcing materials can be used,
Organic and inorganic fillers are preferred. The filler should be selected by referring to "Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounding Chemicals" (edited by Rubber Digest), "New Edition Plastic Compounding Agents Basics and Applications" (Taisei), "Filler Handbook" (Taisei), etc. You can As the filler, for example, various kinds of inorganic pigments can be used, and examples of the inorganic pigments include titanium oxide, calcium carbonate, silica, talc, mica, alumina, and other "Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounding Chemicals" (Rubber Digest Co., Ltd.). The publicly known ones described in "Ed."

Examples of the cross-linking agent include compounds having two or more known reactive groups in the molecule as epoxy groups, isocyanate groups, aldehyde groups, active halogen groups, active methylene groups, acetylene groups and the like. Further, a compound having two or more groups capable of forming a bond by a hydrogen bond, an ionic bond, a coordinate bond, or the like is also included. Examples of the crosslinking agent also include known compounds such as coupling agents for resins, curing agents, polymerization agents, polymerization accelerators, coagulants, film-forming agents, film-forming assistants, and the like. Examples of the coupling agent include chlorosilanes, vinylsilanes, epoxysilanes, aminosilanes, alkoxyaluminum chelates, titanate coupling agents, and the like, "Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounding Chemicals" (edited by Rubber Digest) And the like.

The charge control agent can be used for the purpose of adjusting transfer and adhesion of toner, preventing charge adhesion of the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet, and the like. As the charge control agent, any of conventionally known antistatic agents and charge control agents can be used, and surface active agents such as cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and nonionic surfactants can be used. In addition to agents and the like, polymer electrolytes, conductive metal oxides and the like can be used. Examples of the charge control agent include quaternary ammonium salts, polyamine derivatives, cation-modified polymethylmethacrylate, cation-modified polystyrene and other cationic antistatic agents, alkyl phosphates, anionic polymers and other anionic antistatic agents, and fatty acids. ester,
Examples thereof include nonionic antistatic agents such as polyethylene oxide, but are not limited thereto. When the toner has a negative charge, the charge control agent is preferably a cation or nonion.

As the conductive agent, ZnO, TiO₂, SnO₂, A
l₂O₃ In₂O₃, SiO₂, MgO, BaO, MoO ₃Metal oxides such as
And so on. These may be used alone.
However, two or more kinds may be used in combination. Also, the metal oxide
The object may further contain a different element, for example, Zn
O, Al, In, etc., TiO₂ For Nb, Ta, etc., SnO₂Against
Contains Sb, Nb, halogen elements, etc. (doping)
Can be made.

Examples of the pigment include fluorescent whitening agents, white pigments, colored pigments, dyes, etc. for the purpose of improving image quality, particularly whiteness. The fluorescent whitening agent is a compound that has absorption in the near-ultraviolet region and emits fluorescence at 400 to 500 nm, and known compounds are used. Examples of the optical brightener include K.I.
“The Chemis” edited by VeneRatarama
try of Synthetic Dyes "V Volume 8
The compounds described in Chapter are listed, more specifically, stilbene compounds, coumarin compounds, biphenyl compounds, benzoxazoline compounds, naphthalimide compounds, pyrazoline compounds, carbostyryl compounds, and the like. Can be mentioned. Examples of these are white full fur PSN, PHR, HCS, P manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical.
CS, B, Ciba-Geigy UVITEX-O
B etc. are mentioned.

Examples of the white pigment include the inorganic pigments (titanium oxide,
Calcium carbonate, etc.) can be used. Examples of the colored pigment include various pigments and azo pigments (azo lake; Carmine 6B) described in JP-A-63-44653.
Red 2B, insoluble azo; monoazo yellow, disazo yellow, pyrazolo orange, vulcan orange, condensed azo type; chromophthal yellow, chromophthal red), polycyclic pigment (phthalocyanine type; copper phthalocyanine blue),
Copper phthalocyanine green, cioxazine type; dioxazine violet, isoindolinone type; isoindolinone yellow, slene type; perylene, perinone, flavantron, thioindigo, lake pigments (malachite green, rhodamine B, rhodamine G, Victoria blue B) or Inorganic pigments (oxides, titanium dioxide, red iron oxide, sulfates; precipitated barium sulfate, carbonates; precipitated calcium carbonate, silicates; hydrous silicates, anhydrous silicates, metal powders; aluminum powders, bronze powders, Zinc dust, carbon black,
Examples include yellow lead and navy blue.

As the dye, various known water-soluble and / or oil-soluble dyes can be used. Examples of the oil-soluble dyes include anthraquinone compounds and azo compounds. Specific examples of the oil-soluble dye,
C. I. Vat Violet 1, C.I. I. Vat Violet 2, C.I. I. Vat Violet 9, C.I.
I. Vat Violet 13, C.I. I. Vat Violet 21, C.I. I. Vat Blue 1, C.I. I. Va
t blue 3, C.I. I. Vat Blue 4, C.I. I. Vat
Blue 6, C.I. I. Vat Blue 14, C.I. I. Vat
Blue 20, C.I. I. Vat blue 35 and other vat dyes,
C. I. Disperse Violet 1, C.I. I. Disperse Violet 4, C.I. I. Disperse Violet 10, C.I. I. Disperse Blue 3, C.I.
I. Disperse Blue 7, C.I. I. Disperse dyes such as Disperse Blue 58, C.I. I. Solvent Violet 13, C.I. I. Solvent Violet 14, C.I.
I. Solvent Violet 21, C.I. I. Solvent Violet 27, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 1
1, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 12, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 25, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 55, etc. may be mentioned. Further, colored couplers used in silver salt photography are also preferred.

In the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention, the whiteness of the toner image forming surface is preferably high. As the whiteness, the L ^* value in the CIE 1976 (L ^* a ^* b ^* ) color space is preferably 80 or more, more preferably 85 or more, and particularly preferably 90 or more. In addition, the white tint is preferably as neutral as possible. As the white tint, the value of (a ^* ) ² + (b ^* ) ^{2 in} the L ^* a ^* b ^* space is preferably 50 or less, more preferably 18 or less, and particularly preferably 5 or less.
In order to adjust the tint, the colored pigments and / or dyes can be appropriately mixed and used.

The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention comprises
It is preferable that the toner image forming surface has a high glossiness. The glossiness is preferably 45 degrees or more, more preferably 60 or more, even more preferably 75 or more, and particularly preferably 90 or more in the entire region from white without toner to black with maximum density. However, the upper limit of the glossiness is 1
A value of 10 or less is preferable, and a value of more than 110 gives a metallic luster, which is not preferable for image quality. The gloss is JIS
It can be measured based on Z 8741.

The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention comprises
It is preferable that the toner image forming surface has high smoothness. As the smoothness, the arithmetic average roughness (Ra) is preferably 3 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or less, and particularly preferably 0.5 μm or less in the entire region from white without toner to black with maximum density. The arithmetic mean roughness is JIS B
0601, B 0651, B 0652.

The image receiving layer and the other layers are 1 × 1.
It is preferable to have a surface electric resistance in the range of 0 ⁶ to 1 × 10 ¹⁵ (under the conditions of 25 ° C. and 65% RH). When the surface electric resistance is less than 1 × 10 ⁶ Ω, the toner amount when the toner is transferred to the image receiving layer is not sufficient, and the density of the obtained toner image is low, while 1 × 10 ^{15 is obtained.}
If it exceeds Ω, an excessive charge is generated at the time of transfer, the toner is not sufficiently transferred, the image density becomes low, and static electricity is apt to attach to dust during handling of the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet. Misfeeds, double feeds, discharge marks, toner transfer gaps and the like are likely to occur during copying, which is not preferable.

In the case of a transmission type electrophotographic image-receiving sheet in which the support is transparent and the image-receiving layer and the like are provided on the support, each layer on the support is also preferably transparent. Further, in the case of a reflection type electrophotographic image-receiving sheet in which the support is a reflective layer and the image-receiving layer or the like is provided on the support, each layer on the support does not need to be transparent,
Rather, it is preferably white.

As the whiteness of the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet, the value measured by the method defined in JIS P 8123 is preferably 85% or more, and the spectral reflectance in the wavelength region of 440 nm to 640 nm is 85% or more and the same. The difference between the maximum spectral reflectance and the minimum spectral reflectance in the wavelength range is preferably within 5%, and the spectral reflectance is 85% or more in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm and the maximum spectral reflectance and the minimum in the same wavelength range. More preferably, the difference in spectral reflectance is within 5%.

When the image receiving layer is transparent,
The optimum surface electric resistance is 10¹⁰-10^ThirteenΩ / cm^TwoDegree
5 × 10¹⁰~ 5 x 10¹²Ω / cm^TwoIs good
The amount of antistatic agent added should be decided accordingly.
It The surface of the support opposite to the image receiving layer.
The surface electric resistance is usually 5 × 10.⁸~ 3.2 × 10
¹⁰Ω / cm^TwoIt is about 1 × 10⁹~ 1 x 10 ¹⁰
Ω / cm^TwoIs preferred. The surface electric resistance is measured by J
In accordance with IS K 6911, the sample temperature 20 ℃,
Humidity control for more than 8 hours under the environment of 65% humidity and under the same environment
Then, using Advantest R8340 manufactured by
Under voltage of 100 V, measure after energizing for 1 minute.
It is obtained by setting.

The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet may be provided with a back layer on the side opposite to the image-receiving layer with the support interposed therebetween. When the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet is the transmissive type, the back layer is also preferably transparent,
In the case of the reflection type, the back layer does not need to be transparent and may have any color, and in the case of the double-sided output type in which an image is formed on the back side, the back layer is also white. Is preferred. In this case, it is preferable that the whiteness and the spectral reflectance of the back surface are 85% or more, as in the case of the front surface.

When the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet is of a reflective type, its opacity is preferably 85% or more as measured by the method specified in JIS P 8138,
0% or more is more preferable.

The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention is protected for the purpose of protecting the surface, improving storability, improving handleability, imparting writability, improving equipment passage, and imparting anti-offset property. A layer can be provided on the surface of the image receiving layer. The protective layer may be one layer or two or more layers. In the protective layer, various kinds of thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, water-soluble polymers and the like can be used as a binder, and the same kind as the image receiving layer is preferably used. However, thermodynamic characteristics, electrostatic characteristics, etc. do not have to be the same as those of the image receiving layer, and are optimized. The thickness of the protective layer is usually 0.1 to 15 μm.
Is preferable and 0.5-10 micrometers is more preferable.

For the protective layer, any of the additives that can be used in the image receiving layer can be used, and charge control agents, matting agents, slip agents, release agents and the like are preferably used. In addition, these may be used in addition to the protective layer.

Outermost surface layer of the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention
It is preferable that the (for example, the surface protective layer) has good compatibility with the toner from the viewpoint of fixability, and specifically, the contact angle with the molten toner is preferably 40 degrees or less and 0 degrees or more. .

The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention preferably does not adhere to the fixing heating member during fixing. Therefore, the 180-degree peel strength at the fixing temperature with the fixing member is preferably 0.1 N / 25 mm or less, and is 0.041 N.
/ 25 mm or less is more preferable. The 180-degree peel strength can be measured according to the method described in JIS K6887 using the surface material of the fixing member.

As the above-mentioned slipping agent, various known ones can be mentioned. Sodium higher alkyl sulfate, higher fatty acid higher alcohol ester, carbowax, higher alkyl phosphate ester, silicone compound, modified silicone,
Curable silicone and the like, and polyolefin wax, fluorine-based oil, fluorine-based wax, carnauba wax, microcrystalline wax, silane compound and the like can be mentioned.

As the slip agent, for example, US Pat.
882157, 312160, 385064
No. 0, French patent 2180465, British patent 955
No. 061, No. 1143118, No. 1263722,
No. 1270578, No. 1320564, No. 1320
No. 757, No. 2588765, No. 2739891,
No. 3018178, No. 3042522, No. 3080
No. 317, No. 3082087, No. 3121060,
No. 3222178, No. 3295979, No. 3489
No. 567, No. 3516832, No. 3658573,
Nos. 3679411 and 3870521,
JP-A-49-5017, JP-A-51-141623, JP-A-54-159221 and JP-A-56-81841, and Research Disclosure.
losure) 13969, etc. are mentioned.

The amount of the above-mentioned slip agent used is as follows.
Oil is used to prevent offset to the fixing member
5 to 500 mg in case of so-called oilless fixing
/ M ^TwoIs preferred, 10-200 mg / m^TwoIs more preferred
Good The amount of the slip agent used is not particularly limited, and
It can be appropriately selected depending on the case, but is 30 to 3000 m.
g / m^TwoIs preferred, 100-1500 mg / m^TwoGayo
More preferable. Of the above slip agents, wax-based ones are available.
Since it is difficult to dissolve in machine solvents, it is thermoplastic by preparing an aqueous dispersion.
It is preferable to prepare and apply a dispersion with a resin solution. This
In the case of, the wax-type slip agent is slightly added to the thermoplastic resin.
Exists in the form of particles. In this case, the amount of the lubricant used
5 to 10000 mg / m^TwoIs preferred and 50 to 5
000 mg / m^TwoIs more preferable.

In the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention, for the purpose of imparting back side output aptitude, improving back side output image quality, curl balance improvement, writing property, ink jet and other print aptitude, improving device passage property, etc. A back layer can be provided on the side of the support opposite to the side on which the image receiving layer is provided. The back layer may have the same structure as that of the image receiving layer side in order to improve suitability for double-sided output. The above-mentioned various additives can be used in the back layer, and it is particularly preferable to use the above-mentioned matting agent, slipping agent, charge adjusting agent and the like. The back layer may be one layer or two or more layers. Further, when releasing oil is used for the fixing roller or the like to prevent offset at the time of fixing, it is preferable to provide oil absorption on the back surface.

In the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention, an adhesion-improving layer can be provided for the purpose of improving the adhesion between the support, the image-receiving layer and the other layers. The above-mentioned various additives can be used in the adhesion improving layer, and the above-mentioned crosslinking agent can be preferably used. The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention may be provided with a cushion layer in order to improve toner receptivity. In addition, the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention may be provided with a moisture impermeable layer for the purpose of reducing the environmental humidity dependency in the storage state before output, the print state during output and the print state after output. Further, the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention may be provided with an intermediate layer in addition to the various layers described above.

The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention has the purpose of improving the stability of the output image and the stability of the image-receiving layer itself.
Various additives can be used. As such additives, various known antioxidants, antiaging agents, ultraviolet absorbers, light stabilizers, deterioration inhibitors, ozone deterioration inhibitors,
Examples include antiseptics and antifungal agents.

Examples of the antioxidant include chroman compounds, coumaran compounds, phenol compounds (eg, hindered phenols), hydroquinone derivatives, hindered amine derivatives, spiroindane compounds and the like. As the antioxidant, JP-A-61-15964 is used.
Those described in Japanese Patent No. 4 can also be mentioned.

As the anti-aging agent, "Handbook Rubber.
Plastic compound chemicals, 2nd revised edition "(1993, Rubber Digest Co.), p76-121.

As the ultraviolet absorber, a benzotriazole compound (described in US Pat. No. 3,533,794), a 4-thiazolidone compound (US Pat. No. 335268)
1), a benzophenone compound (JP-A-46)
-2784), an ultraviolet absorbing polymer (described in JP-A-62-260152), and the like.
Examples of the metal complex include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,241,155, 4,245,018 and 4,254,195, JP-A 61-88256, 62-174741, 63-199248, and JP-A-1-75568. Same 1
Those described in each publication of -74272 are mentioned. As the ultraviolet absorber and the light stabilizer, those described in "Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounded Chemicals Revision 2nd Edition" (1993, Rubber Digest Co.), p122-137 are preferably mentioned.

The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention may further contain known photographic additives.
Examples of the photographic additives include, for example, Research Disclosure (hereinafter abbreviated as RD) No. 17643
(Dec. 1978), No. 18716 (1979)
November) and the same No. 307105 (November 1989)
Month), and the relevant parts are summarized as follows.

[0082]   Types of additives RD17643 RD18716 RD307105 1. Brightener 24 pages 648 pages right column 868 pages 2. Stabilizer pages 24 to 25 pages 649 pages right column 868 to 870 pages 3. Light absorber (ultraviolet absorber) pages 25 to 26 pages 649 pages right column pages 873 4. Dye image stabilizer page 25 page 650 page right column page 872 5. Hardener 26 pages 651 pages left column 874-875 pages 6. Binder page 26 page 651 left column page 873-874 7. Plasticizer, lubricant 27 pages 650 pages right column 876 pages 8. Coating aid (surfactant) Page 26 to 27 Page 650 Page right column 875 to 876 9. Antistatic agent page 27 page 650 page right column pages 876-877 pages Ten. Matting agent pp. 878-879

(Color toner for electrophotography) The color toner for electrophotography used in the present invention may be obtained by any method such as a pulverization method and a suspension granulation method. The electrophotographic color toner obtained by the pulverization method is manufactured by kneading, pulverizing and classifying. Examples of the binder resin used in the production of the color toner for electrophotography obtained by the pulverization method include acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and maleic acid and esters thereof; polyester; polysulfonate; polyether; A resin obtained by polymerizing the body or a resin obtained by copolymerizing two or more kinds of those monomers can be used. These binder resins, including a wax component, are sufficiently kneaded together with other toner constituent materials with a heat kneader such as a heat roll, a kneader or an extruder, and then mechanically pulverized and classified.

The electrophotographic color toner obtained by the pulverization method preferably contains a wax component in an amount of about 0.1 to 10% by mass and 0.5 to 7% by mass based on the mass of the toner.

The electrophotographic color toner obtained by the suspension granulation method comprises a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent (a magnetic material, a charge control agent and other additives as required). , A hydrophilic inorganic dispersant and / or a viscosity adjusting agent having a BET specific surface area of 10 to 50 m ² / g, which is obtained by coating the obtained composition with a polymer having a carboxyl group by mixing in a solvent that is incompatible with water. By dispersing in an aqueous medium in the presence of, the resulting suspension is diluted with an aqueous medium, and then heating and / or depressurizing the obtained suspension to remove the solvent. Manufactured. In the present invention, the electrophotographic toner obtained by the suspension granulation method is more preferable than the electrophotographic toner obtained by the pulverization method.

As the binder resin in the electrophotographic toner obtained by the suspension granulation method, all known binder resins can be used. Specifically, styrenes such as styrene and chlorostyrene are used. , Ethylene, propylene, butylene, isoprene and other monoolefins, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl butyrate and other vinyl esters, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, acrylic Octyl acid, phenyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, α-methylene aliphatic monocarboxylic acid esters such as dodecyl methacrylate, vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl ethers such as vinyl butyl ether, Vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl Shiruketon, homopolymers and copolymers such as vinyl ketones such as vinyl isopropenyl ketone. Typical examples of the binder resin include polystyrene resin, polyester resin, styrene-
Alkyl acrylate copolymers, styrene-alkyl methacrylate copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins and the like. , Polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, polyamide resin, modified rosin, paraffins, waxes, and the like. Among these, styrene-acrylic resin is particularly preferable.

As the coloring agent to be contained in the binder resin, any known coloring agent can be used. For example, carbon black, aniline blue, calcoil blue, chrome yellow, ultramarine blue, DuPont. Oil red, quinoline yellow, methylene blue chloride, phthalocyanine blue, malachite green oxalate, lamp black, rose bengal, C.I. I. Pigment Red 48: 1, C.I. I. Pigment Red 122, C.I. I. Pigment Red 57: 1, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 97, C.I.
I. Pigment Yellow 12, C.I. I. Pigment
Yellow 17, C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 1,
C. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 and the like. The content of the colorant is preferably 2% by mass to 8% by mass. When the content of the colorant is less than 2% by mass, the coloring power becomes weak, and when it exceeds 8% by mass, the transparency of the electrophotographic color toner is deteriorated.

The electrophotographic color toner preferably contains a release agent. Wax is preferably used as the release agent, but specifically, low molecular weight polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutene; silicone resin softened by heating, oleic acid amide, erucic acid amide, ricinoleic acid amide, Fatty acid amides of stearic acid amide; plant waxes such as carnauba wax, rice wax, candelilla wax, tree wax, jojoba oil; animal waxes such as beeswax; montan wax, ozokerite, ceresin, paraffin wax, micro Mineral / petroleum waxes such as crystallin wax and Fischer-Tropsch wax, and modified products thereof can be used. When a wax containing a wax ester having a large polarity, such as carnauba wax or candelilla wax, is used as these release agents, the amount of the wax exposed on the surface of the toner particles is large. Waxes having a small polarity such as paraffin wax tend to reduce the amount of exposure to the surface. The melting point of the wax is preferably 30 to 150 ° C, and more preferably 40 to 140 ° C regardless of the tendency of exposure to the surface.

The electrophotographic color toner of the present invention is mainly formed of the colorant and the binder resin, and the average particle size thereof is about 3 to 15 μm, and 4 to 8 μm is particularly preferable. Used for. Further, the storage elastic modulus G '(angular frequency 10
(measured in rad / sec) is preferably 10 to 200 Pa.

An external additive may be added to the electrophotographic color toner of the present invention. As the external additive, inorganic compound fine powder and organic compound fine particles are used. Examples of the inorganic compound fine particles include Si
O ₂ , TiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , CuO, ZnO, SnO
₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , MgO, BaO, CaO, K ₂ O, N
a ₂ O, ZrO ₂ , CaO.SiO ₂ , K ₂ O. (Ti
O ₂ ) _n , Al ₂ O ₃ .2SiO ₂ , CaCO ₃ , Mg
CO _3, BaSO _4, MgSO _4, and the like. Examples of the organic compound fine particles include fine powders of fatty acids or their derivatives, metal powders of these, and resin fine powders of fluororesins, polyethylene resins, acrylic resins, and the like.

(Image Forming Method) The image forming on the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet of the present invention is not particularly limited and can be carried out by a usual electrophotographic method. The electrophotographic method can be performed using a known electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a conveyance unit for an electrophotographic image receiving sheet, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a developing unit arranged in proximity to the electrostatic latent image forming unit, and a fixing unit. Depending on the model, an intermediate transfer unit may be provided in the center of the apparatus main body in proximity to the electrostatic latent image forming unit and the transport unit of the electrophotographic image receiving sheet.

Unlike the method of directly transferring the toner image formed on the developing roller to the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet, the intermediate transfer section uses an intermediate belt, and after the toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt. And an intermediate belt transfer type image forming apparatus that secondarily transfers the toner image onto an electrophotographic image receiving sheet. The intermediate transfer belt transfer method is more preferable for high image quality.

Regarding the above-mentioned transfer, from the viewpoint of improving the image quality, an adhesive transfer or heat-assisted transfer method is known in place of or in combination with electrostatic transfer or bias roller transfer. For example, JP-A-63-113
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 576 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-341666 describe specific structures thereof. In particular, the method using a heat-assisted transfer type intermediate transfer belt is preferable when a color toner for electrophotography having a small particle diameter (7 μm or less) is used. As the intermediate transfer belt, for example, an endless belt formed of electroformed nickel, which has a silicone or fluorine-based thin film on the surface and is provided with a peeling property is used. A cooling device is preferably provided on the intermediate transfer belt after the toner transfer onto the image receiving sheet or in the latter half of the transfer. By the cooling device, the electrophotographic toner is cooled to the softening temperature or the glass transition temperature of the binder used for the electrophotographic toner, efficiently transferred to the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet, and peelable from the intermediate transfer belt.

The fixing is an important step that affects the gloss and smoothness of the final image. As the fixing method, a fixing method using a heating and pressure roller, a belt fixing method using a belt, and the like are known, but the belt fixing method is more preferable in terms of image quality such as gloss and smoothness. preferable. Regarding the belt fixing method, for example, JP-A-11-35
2819, an oilless type belt fixing method, JP-A-11-231671, JP-A-5-3416.
Methods for achieving secondary transfer and fixing at the same time, which are described in Japanese Patent No. 66, are known. The surface of the fixing belt used in the belt fixing method is preferably surface-treated with a silicone-based, fluorine-based, or a covalent-based surface-treating agent in order to prevent toner peeling or offset of toner components. . Further, it is preferable to provide a cooling device for the fixing belt in the latter half of the fixing so that the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet can be peeled off well. The cooling temperature in the cooling device is preferably not higher than the softening point or glass transition point of the binder resin in the electrophotographic color toner, the thermoplastic resin used in the image receiving layer of the electrophotographic image receiving sheet. On the other hand, in the initial stage of fixing, it is necessary to raise the temperature to a temperature at which the image receiving layer in the electrophotographic image receiving sheet or the electrophotographic color toner is sufficiently softened.
Specifically, the cooling temperature is practically preferably 70 ° C. or lower and 30 ° C. or higher, and 180 ° C. or lower and 100 ° C. or higher in the initial fixing stage.

[0095]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below.
The invention is in no way limited to these examples. In the following Examples and Comparative Examples, "%" and "parts" represent "mass%" and "parts by mass", respectively.

Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 <Support A> As a support, as shown in Table 1 below, polyethylene 13 was applied to the surface of the woodfree paper having a basis weight of 160 g on the image receiving layer side.
μm, the back layer side surface is laminated to a thickness of 15 μm, the polyethylene layer is subjected to corona discharge treatment, and then the undercoat layer composition is dried on the surface with a wire coater to give a coating weight of about 0. Coating so as to be 1 g / m ² ,
Dried.

[0097]

[Table 1]

[0098] <Composition for undercoat layer>   5 parts of gelatin   1000 parts of water

Then, a composition for toner image-receiving layer having the following composition was applied on the surface side of the support A by a wire coater so that the film thickness when dried was 10 μm, and dried,
A toner image receiving layer was formed.

[0100] <Composition for toner image-receiving layer>   Ellier KZA-1449 (solid content 30%) 100 parts   (Manufactured by Unitika Ltd.)   Lapizole B-90 (manufactured by NOF CORPORATION) 1 part   Titanium oxide dispersion (solid content 45%) 15 parts   100 parts of deionized water   Here, the composition of the titanium oxide dispersion is as follows.   Titanium oxide (R-7802; Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.) 40%   Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA205; Kuraray Co., Ltd.) 5%   Demor EP (manufactured by Kao Corporation) 0.125%

Next, a composition having the following composition was applied as a protective layer on the toner image-receiving layer so as to have a film thickness of 5 μm when dried, and dried to form a protective layer. <Composition for protective layer> Elleair KZA-1449 (solid content 30%) 100 parts (Unitika Co., Ltd.) Cerosol 524F (solid content 30%) 5 parts (Chukyo Yushi Co., Ltd.) Rapisol B-90 (Manufactured by Nippon Oil & Fats Co., Ltd.) 1 part Matting agent See Table 2 Ion-exchanged water 30 parts In the preparation of the protective layer, 1 part of Eposter M60 was mixed with 30 parts of the ion-exchanged water in advance together with 1 part of rapizole and stirred. Disperse well if you do.

[0102]

[Table 2] * Eposter: Nippon Shokubai Chemical Co., Ltd. * Techpolymer: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.

<Evaluation Method> With respect to the obtained electrophotographic image-receiving sheet, an image for evaluation was color laser printer D.
It was printed with ocuColor 1250PF. The fixing belt system 1 shown in FIG.
Then, the fixing belt 2 is suspended over the heating roller 3 and the tension roller 5, and the tension roller 5 is
A cleaning roller 6 is provided above it via the fixing belt 2, and a pressure roller 4 is provided below the heating roller 3 via the fixing belt 2. The electrophotographic image receiving sheet having a toner latent image is inserted from the right side between the heating roller 3 and the pressure roller 4 in FIG.
And then moved by the cooling device 7 provided downstream of the fixing belt. Then, the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet is peeled off from the fixing belt 2, while the fixing belt 2 moves on the tension roller 5. The cleaning roller 6 rotates and is cleaned.

In this fixing belt system, the conveying speed of the fixing belt 2 is 30 mm / sec, and the nip pressure between the heating roller 3 and the pressure roller 4 is 0.2 MPa.
(2 kgf / cm ² ) and the set temperature of the heating roller 3 is 150 ° C., which corresponds to the fixing temperature. In addition,
The set temperature of the pressure roller 4 was set to 120 ° C.

(1) Evaluation of Adhesion Resistance (Blocking) The unprinted product was conditioned under the environment of 25 ° C. and 80% RH for 24 hours, and then laminated so that the front surface and the back surface face each other,
Both side and side are 3.5cm square, 500g load is applied, 30 ℃,
After being left in an environment of 80% RH for 7 days, the state when the two were separated was evaluated according to the following criteria. ⊚: No peeling noise or adhesion mark. ◯: Peeling marks are slight, but there are no adhesion marks. Δ: There are some adhesion marks (1/4 or less in area). X: There are 1/4 or more areas of adhesion marks. (2) Image quality evaluation The image receiving sheet for electrophotography was cut into A4 sheets, and the DocuColor 125 was cut using a portrait image of a woman.
About 25 prints out of 30 prints printed with 0PF and further subjected to belt fixing, ◯, when less than 20 prints are judged as Δ, less than 20 prints Let the case be x. (3) Surface glossiness of image forming surface due to specular reflection at 20 ° incidence Unprinted product and printed product (white / black solid print density 6
For the graded products, the surface glossiness was measured with a digital gonio gloss meter (UGA-5D manufactured by Suga Test Instruments Co., Ltd .; specular reflection at 20 ° incidence). A five-point average of each concentration was calculated, and the minimum value among the average values was recorded. (4) Transportability 20 sheets of electrophotographic image-receiving sheets were continuously printed, and the transportability at that time was evaluated. When the overlapped feeding and the misalignment are 5 or more, the mark is X, the case where 1 to 5 sheets are generated is Δ, and the case where they are not generated at all is ◯.

[0106]

[Table 3]

As can be seen from the results shown in Table 3, according to the present invention, there is no roughness or loss and the smoothness is excellent.
It has excellent photographic properties and does not cause adhesion or blocking between the electrophotographic image-receiving sheets even when the electrophotographic image-receiving sheets before and after printing are laminated.

[0108]

According to the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic image-receiving sheet which is excellent in smoothness (glossiness), is useful for photographic use, and does not cause adhesion or blocking during storage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 (A) is a schematic sectional view showing a state of a matting agent of the present invention before image formation, and FIG. 1 (B) is a schematic sectional view showing a state of a matting agent of the present invention after image formation. Figure, Figure 1 (C)
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state after image formation of the matting agent of Comparative Example.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fixing belt system in the printer used in the examples.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 fixing belt system 2 fixing belt 3 heating roller 4 pressure roller 5 Tension roller 6 cleaning roller 7 Cooling device 10 Support 15 Matting agent 17 Coating layer 19 Outermost layer

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic image-receiving sheet comprising a support and a coating layer containing at least two layers of a thermoplastic resin, wherein a matting agent is added to the outermost surface coating layer. An image-receiving sheet for electrophotography, having an average particle size smaller than the total thickness of the coating layer and larger than the thickness of the outermost surface coating layer. 2. An electrophotographic image-receiving sheet comprising a support and at least two coating layers containing a thermoplastic resin, wherein the matting agent is projected from the outermost surface coating layer before image formation. An image receiving sheet for electrophotography, characterized in that the electrophotographic image receiving sheet is contained in the outermost surface coating layer in a state of being contained, and after the image formation, a matting agent is contained in a state of being embedded in the coating layer. 3. The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet according to claim 1, wherein the outermost surface coating layer has a thickness of 70% or less of the total thickness of the coating layers. 4. The average particle size of the matting agent is 0.3 to 30 μm.
The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 5. The specific gravity of the matting agent is 2 or less.
5. The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet according to any one of 1 to 4. 6. A toner image-receiving layer containing a thermoplastic resin and a protective layer containing at least one thermoplastic resin are provided in this order on a support. Image receiving sheet for electrophotography. 7. An image forming method using the electrophotographic image receiving sheet according to claim 1, wherein after the toner image is formed on the electrophotographic image receiving sheet,
An image forming method, wherein the image forming surface of the electrophotographic image receiving sheet is heated and pressed by a fixing belt.