JP2008096976A - Toner and method for producing toner, and developer using toner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide: toner having an excellent heat resistant storage property and a low temperature fixability compatibly and capable of obtaining a high image quality; an efficient method for producing the toner; a developer capable of obtaining a high image quality by using the toner; a toner container; a processing cartridge; an image forming apparatus; and an image forming method. <P>SOLUTION: The toner, which contains a binder resin having at least two of molecular-weight components, is granulated in an aqueous medium. Meanwhile, the binder resin is produced by a reaction that increases the molecular weight along with the granulation. The toner has a weight average molecular weight Mw<SB>t</SB>of 8,500 to 17,000 in a molecular weight distribution of a component by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), wherein the component is tetrahydrofuran (THF) of the toner and is extracted by the soxhlet extraction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner suitably used in an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic recording method, an electrostatic printing method, and the like, a manufacturing method thereof, a developer using the toner, a container containing a toner, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and The present invention relates to an image forming method.

  Image formation by electrophotography generally forms an electrostatic image on a photoreceptor (electrostatic image carrier), develops the electrostatic image with a developer to form a visible image (toner image), The visible image is transferred to a recording medium such as paper and fixed to form a fixed image (see Patent Document 1). The fixing method in the electrophotographic method is a heat roller fixing method in which a heat roller is directly pressed against a toner image on a transfer material and fixed because it is excellent in thermal efficiency and can be downsized. Is widely used.

  However, in the case of the heat roller fixing method, there is a problem that a large amount of electric power is required for the fixing. For this reason, from the viewpoint of energy saving, various studies have been made to reduce the power consumption of the heating roller. For example, a layer of the heating roller that contacts the toner image transferred onto the transfer material. It has been proposed that the thermal energy efficiency is increased and the start-up time is significantly shortened by making the thickness of the as thin as possible. However, in this case, the specific heat capacity of the heating roller is reduced, and the temperature difference between the portion through which the transfer material passes and the portion through which the transfer material does not pass increases, so that the molten toner adheres to the heating roller. There is a problem that after the heating roller makes a round, a phenomenon that the molten toner is fixed to a non-image portion on the transfer material, that is, a hot offset phenomenon is likely to occur.

In recent years, from the viewpoint of further energy saving, development of technology that enables low-temperature fixing and high-speed copying has been advanced. For example, a toner having excellent low-temperature fixing property using a resin or wax having a low softening point has been developed. It has been studied. However, since the toner having excellent low-temperature fixability is thermally weak, a phenomenon that solidifies due to heat generated from the machine being used, heat during storage, or the like, that is, a blocking phenomenon easily occurs, and heat resistant storage stability. Are not sufficient, and it is difficult to secure a sufficient fixing temperature range.

  Various studies have been made from the viewpoint of achieving both the low-temperature fixability and the heat-resistant storage stability. For example, it may be possible to use a polyester resin having good low-temperature fixability and relatively good heat-resistant storage stability for the toner, but the low-temperature fixability and the heat-resistant storage stability are in a trade-off relationship. Therefore, there is a problem that the low-temperature fixability and the heat-resistant storage stability cannot be achieved at a good level simply by using the polyester resin.

In addition, the binder resin is polymerized when underwater granulation is performed with the underwater granulation toner, and the molecular weight of the weight average molecular weight Mw extracted with THF is specified after the polymerization, and the manufacturability, heat resistant storage stability and low temperature fixability Has been disclosed (Patent Document 2), but the disclosed weight average molecular weight Mw is excellent in low-temperature fixability, but has a heat-resistant storage property that is a trade-off with low-temperature fixing, particularly hot. The offset property is insufficient.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,297,691 JP 2005-266614 A

  An object of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems and achieve the following objects. That is, the present invention achieves high image quality by using a toner that achieves high image quality while achieving both excellent heat-resistant storage stability, hot offset properties, and low-temperature fixability, and its toner. Another object is to provide a developer, a container containing toner, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method.

Means for solving the problems are as follows. That is,
(1) A toner having a binder resin having at least two types of molecular weight components, wherein the toner is granulated in an aqueous medium, and one binder resin is produced by a reaction that increases the molecular weight accompanying the granulation. , toner having a weight-average molecular weight Mw _t in the molecular weight distribution by the toner tetrahydrofuran gel permeation chromatography of component extracted by Soxhlet extraction with (THF) (GPC) is characterized in that it is a 8,500 to 17,000.

(2) The toner according to (1) at least one of the weight-average molecular weight Mw _r1 of the binder resin is characterized in that it is a 4500-7000.
(3) The toner according to (1) or (2), wherein the two types of binder resins are a polyester resin and a modified polyester resin.
(4) The toner (5) according to (3), wherein the modified polyester resin is produced by a reaction that increases molecular weight along with the granulation, and at least an isocyanate group reacts in the reaction. A solution or dispersion in which a binder resin or a binder resin precursor is dissolved or dispersed therein is emulsified / dispersed in an aqueous medium, and the resin precursor is subjected to a crosslinking reaction and / or an extension reaction to thereby determine a molecular weight. The method for producing a toner according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein granulation is performed by carrying out an increasing reaction and removing the solvent from the obtained dispersion.

(6) A developer comprising the toner according to any one of (1) to (4).
(7) A toner-containing container, wherein the toner according to any one of (1) to (4) is contained in a container.
(8) An image forming apparatus having at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit, wherein the developing unit is described in (6). An image forming apparatus characterized in that development is performed using the developer.
(9) At least an electrostatic latent image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image and the electrostatic latent image carried on the electrostatic latent image carrier are developed using a developer to form a visible image. A process cartridge having a developing means, wherein the developing means has the developer described in (6).
(10) An image forming method including at least an electrostatic latent image forming step, a developing step, a transferring step, and a fixing step, wherein the developing step is developed using the developer described in (6). An image forming method.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to solve various problems in the prior art, to achieve both high heat storage stability and low temperature fixability, and to obtain high image quality, an efficient manufacturing method thereof, and the use of the toner In addition, it is possible to provide a developer, a container containing toner, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method capable of improving image quality.

(toner)
The toner of the present invention is a toner having a binder resin having at least two kinds of molecular weight components, and the toner is granulated in an aqueous medium, and one binder resin is a reaction that increases the molecular weight with the granulation. The weight average molecular weight Mw _t is 8500-17000 in the molecular weight distribution by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of the component produced by the above process and extracted by Soxhlet extraction with tetrahydrofuran (THF) of the toner.

In the resin formulation design that largely controls the toner fixing performance, the low molecular weight component has a function to lower the lower limit of fixing, and the high molecular weight component, gel component, etc. have a function to ensure hot offset resistance at the upper limit of fixing. Is often given.
The present invention relates to a high molecular weight component of a binder resin for ensuring hot offset resistance.
This toner is a toner that is granulated in an aqueous system, and the toner composition is dissolved / dispersed in an organic solvent, and these dissolved / dispersed liquids are dispersed / emulsified in an aqueous medium. At this time, a high molecular weight component is formed in the dispersed / emulsified particles. Unless this high molecular weight component forms a high molecular weight component, a crosslinking component, or a gel component of a certain degree or more, it is expected that it is difficult to ensure the above-described hot offset resistance. However, to be an effective toner on the weight-average molecular weight Mw _t is "small" as anti-hot offset performance of the extraction components which are Soxhlet extracted from the toner (soluble component of the binder resin constituting the toner) found.

The high molecular weight component of the toner of the present invention forms a high molecular weight component in an aqueous medium, but if this high molecular weight reaction does not proceed sufficiently, it becomes a component that can be extracted by Soxhlet, and apparently extracted extraction It is presumed that the component tends to have a large molecular weight.
The present invention is a toner that ensures sufficient hot offset resistance by forming a high molecular weight component, a crosslinking component, and a gel component that are not extracted by Soxhlet extraction due to a sufficiently high reaction of the high molecular weight component.

The molecular weight Mw _t apparent Soxhlet extraction is a low molecular weight component responsible for almost low-temperature fixing performance, since a low molecular weight enough to sufficiently exhibit the low-temperature fixing, the low-temperature side of the fixing performance and the high-temperature side both of The performance level is improved, and the so-called fixable temperature range can be maximized with a wide temperature range.

As a control method for the molecular weight Mw _t of soxhlet extraction of the apparent aging after a toner composition dissolved or dispersed solution in a solvent is emulsified / dispersed in an aqueous medium, and removing the solvent from the resulting emulsion / dispersion (e.g. And 45 ° C. for 10 hours with stirring). The reaction in which high molecular weight is generated can be controlled by changing the aging temperature and time. It can also be controlled by changing the concentration of the reactive group of the polymer that causes a reaction that increases the molecular weight with granulation. Specifically, it can be controlled by changing the reactive group per molecular chain in the polymer that undergoes a reaction that increases the molecular weight with the granulation. In this case, the preferred number of reactive groups is 1.5 to 3.0, and the more preferred range is 2.0 to 2.5. The number of reactive groups can be calculated by quantifying the reactive group of the polymer that undergoes a reaction that increases the molecular weight with granulation and using Mn as a substitute for one molecular chain. As a more accurate calculation method, for example, when an isocyanate group is used as a reactive group, the isocyanate group can be introduced into the polymer by using diisocyanate and obtained by reacting one end of the diisocyanate with a hydroxyl group in the polyester. . From this, the exact number of reactive groups can be obtained by using the number of reactive groups calculated from the hydroxyl groups of the polyester. For the calculation, it can be calculated from the Mn of the polyester (using Mn obtained under the following GPC conditions) and the hydroxyl value (OHV) of the polyester. The calculation formula is shown in Formula 1.
Formula 1 Number of reactive groups = Mn / (56100 / OHV)

The measurement of the weight average molecular weight Mw by the said gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was performed as follows.
(Measurement of weight average molecular weight Mw)
Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measuring device: GPC-8220GPC
(Tosoh Corporation)
Column: TSKgel SuperHZM-H 15cm triple (made by Tosoh Corporation)
Temperature: 40 ° C
Solvent: THF
Flow rate: 0.35 ml / min
Sample: Pretreatment of 0.1 ml sample with 0.4 ml injection sample <Soxhlet extraction>
0.3 g of the toner was weighed and placed in a cylindrical filter paper (“No. 86R”; manufactured by Toyo Filter Paper) and passed through a Soxhlet extractor. The heater temperature was set at 85 ° C., and the total reflux extraction (Soxhlet extraction) was performed for 7 hours using 200 ml of tetrahydrofuran THF (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) in a round bottom flask for Soxhlet as an extraction solvent. The THF was distilled off with an evaporator to obtain an extract. The extract is dissolved in THF (stabilizer-containing Wako Pure Chemical Industries) at 0.15 wt%, and then filtered through a solvent-resistant membrane filter having a pore diameter of 0.45 μm, and the filtrate is used as a sample. 100 μl of the THF sample solution is injected and measured.
In measuring the molecular weight of a sample, the molecular weight distribution of the sample is calculated from the relationship between the logarithmic value of a calibration curve prepared from several types of monodisperse polystyrene standard samples and the number of counts. As a standard polystyrene sample for preparing a calibration curve, Showd STANDARD Std. No S-7300, S-210, S-390, S-875, S-1980, S-10.9, S-629, S-3.0, S-0.580, and toluene were used. An RI (refractive index) detector was used as the detector.

Here, the hydroxyl value (OHV) in the present invention is specifically determined by the following procedure.
Measuring device: Potentiometric automatic titrator DL-53 Titrator (Metler Toledo)
Electrode used: DG113-SC (Metler Toledo)
Analysis software: LabX Light Version 1.00.000
Calibration of the apparatus: Use a mixed solvent of 120 ml of toluene and 30 ml of ethanol.
Measurement temperature: 23 ° C

The measurement conditions are as follows.
Stir
Speed [%] 25
Time [s] 15
EQP titration
Titrant / Sensor
Titrant CH3ONa
Concentration [mol / L] 0.1
Sensor DG115
Unit of measurement mV
Predispensing to volume
Volume [mL] 1.0
Wait time [s] 0
Titrant addition Dynamic
dE (set) [mV] 8.0
dV (min) [mL] 0.03
dV (max) [mL] 0.5
Measure mode Equilibrium controlled
dE [mV] 0.5
dt [s] 1.0
t (min) [s] 2.0
t (max) [s] 20.0
Recognition
Threshold 100.0
Steepest jump only No
Range No
Tendency None
Termination
at maximum volume [mL] 10.0
at potential No
at slope No
after number EQPs Yes
n = 1
comb. termination conditions No
Evaluation
Procedure Standard
Potential 1 No
Potential 2 No
Stop for reevaluation No

(Measurement method of hydroxyl value)
Weigh accurately 0.5 g of sample into a 100 ml volumetric flask and add 5 ml of acetylating reagent correctly. Then, it is immersed in a bath at 100 ° C. ± 5 ° C. and heated. After 2 hours, the flask is removed from the bath, allowed to cool, water is added and shaken to decompose acetic anhydride. Further, in order to complete the decomposition, the flask is again heated in a bath for 30 minutes and allowed to cool, and then the wall of the flask is thoroughly washed with an organic solvent. This solution is subjected to potentiometric titration with an N / 2 potassium hydroxide ethyl alcohol solution using the electrode to obtain the OH number (according to JISK0070-1966).

-Binder resin-
The binder resin contained in the toner includes a polymer that exhibits adhesion to a recording medium such as paper and increases the molecular weight along with the granulation. It may contain other selected binder resins.
Wherein preferably 4500-7000 is weight average molecular weight Mw _r1 of granulation with no increase molecular weight polymer of the binder resin, particularly preferably from 5,000 to 7,000. When the weight average molecular weight Mw is less than 4500, the resistance to hot offset deteriorates.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as glass transition temperature (Tg) of the said binder resin, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 40-60 degreeC is preferable and 40-55 degreeC is more preferable. When the glass transition temperature (Tg) is less than 40 ° C., the heat-resistant storage stability of the toner may deteriorate, and when it exceeds 60 ° C., the low-temperature fixability may not be sufficient.

Here, the glass transition point (Tg) in the present invention is specifically determined by the following procedure. Using Shimadzu TA-60WS and DSC-60 as measuring devices, the measurement was performed under the following measurement conditions.
Measurement conditions Sample container: Aluminum sample pan (with lid)
Sample amount: 5mg
Reference: Aluminum sample pan (alumina 10mg)
Atmosphere: Nitrogen (flow rate 50 ml / min)
Temperature conditions Starting temperature: 20 ° C
Temperature increase rate: 10 ° C / min
End temperature: 150 ° C
Holding time: None Temperature drop: 10 ° C / min
End temperature: 20 ° C
Holding time: None Temperature increase rate: 10 ° C / min
End temperature: 150 ° C

  The measurement results were analyzed using the data analysis software (TA-60, version 1.52) manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation. The analysis method is to specify a range of ± 5 ° C centering on the point showing the maximum peak on the lowest temperature side of the DrDSC curve, which is the DSC differential curve of the second temperature rise, and use the peak analysis function of the analysis software to determine the peak temperature. Ask. Next, the maximum endothermic temperature of the DSC curve is determined using the peak analysis function of the analysis software in the range of the peak temperature + 5 ° C. and −5 ° C. in the DSC curve. The temperature shown here corresponds to the glass transition point.

Specific examples of the binder resin contained in the toner are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Particularly preferred are polyester resins.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said polyester-type resin, According to the objective, it can select suitably.
The binder resins having two kinds of molecular weight components are preferably a polyester resin and a modified polyester resin. The modified polyester resin is produced by a reaction that increases the molecular weight with granulation, and the reaction may be reacted with an isocyanate group. preferable.

  That is, the toner of the present invention is obtained by emulsifying / dispersing a solution or dispersion obtained by dissolving or dispersing a binder resin or binder resin precursor in at least an organic solvent in an aqueous medium. The binder resin is granulated by crosslinking reaction and / or elongation reaction to increase molecular weight, and removing the solvent from the obtained dispersion, but dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent at this time As such, a polyester resin is preferable. Further, as the binder resin precursor, it is preferable to use a polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound, and perform a reaction for increasing the molecular weight by causing a crosslinking reaction and / or an extension reaction with the active hydrogen group-containing compound. It is preferable to use a polyester derivative such as an isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer as the binder resin precursor, and react the isocyanate group with an active hydrogen group-containing compound to produce a modified polyester.

  Examples of the polyester derivative include (1) a polyester derivative obtained by reacting a polycondensate of bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 mol and isophthalic acid with isophorone diisocyanate, and (2) a polycondensate of bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 mol adduct and isophthalic acid. Derivative of Polyester Derivatives of Poly (3) Bisphenol A Ethylene Oxide 2-Mole Adduct / Bisphenol A Propylene Oxide 2-Mole Adduct and Polycondensate of Terephthalic Acid with Isophorone Diisocyanate (4) Bisphenol A Polyester obtained by reacting polycondensate of ethylene oxide 2-mole adduct / bisphenol A propylene oxide 2-mole adduct and terephthalic acid with isophorone diisocyanate Derivative (5) Polyester derivative obtained by reacting polycondensate of bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 mol adduct and terephthalic acid with isophorone diisocyanate (6) Polycondensate of bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 mol adduct and terephthalic acid with isophorone diisocyanate Reacted polyester derivative (7) Polyester derivative obtained by reacting polycondensate of bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 mol adduct and terephthalic acid with isophorone diisocyanate (8) Polycondensate of bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 mol adduct and isophthalic acid (9) Bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2-mole adduct / bisphenol A propylene oxide 2-mole adduct and Polyester derivative obtained by reacting polycondensate of phthalic acid / dodecenyl succinic anhydride with diphenylmethane diisocyanate (10) Polyester derivative obtained by reacting polycondensate of bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 mol and polycondensate of isophthalic acid with toluene diisocyanate is preferred. Can be mentioned.

-Active hydrogen group-containing compound-
The active hydrogen group-containing compound acts as an elongation agent, a crosslinking agent, or the like when a polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound undergoes an elongation reaction, a crosslinking reaction, or the like in the aqueous medium.
The active hydrogen group-containing compound is not particularly limited as long as it has an active hydrogen group, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound is In the case of the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer (A), the amines (B) can be increased in molecular weight by a reaction such as an elongation reaction or a crosslinking reaction with the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer (A). Is preferred.

The amines (B) are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include diamine (B1), trivalent or higher polyamine (B2), amino alcohol (
B3), amino mercaptan (B4), amino acid (B5), and those obtained by blocking the amino group of B1 to B5 (B6).
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, diamine (B1), a mixture of diamine (B1) and a small amount of a trivalent or higher polyamine (B2) are particularly preferable.

  Examples of the diamine (B1) include aromatic diamines, alicyclic diamines, aliphatic diamines, and the like. Examples of the aromatic diamine include phenylenediamine, diethyltoluenediamine, 4,4′diaminodiphenylmethane, and the like. Examples of the alicyclic diamine include 4,4′-diamino-3,3′dimethyldicyclohexylmethane, diaminecyclohexane, and isophoronediamine. Examples of the aliphatic diamine include ethylene diamine, tetramethylene diamine, and hexamethylene diamine.

Examples of the trivalent or higher polyamine (B2) include diethylenetriamine and triethylenetetramine.
Examples of the amino alcohol (B3) include ethanolamine and hydroxyethylaniline.
Examples of the amino mercaptan (B4) include aminoethyl mercaptan and aminopropyl mercaptan.
Examples of the amino acid (B5) include aminopropionic acid and aminocaproic acid.
Examples of the block (B6) in which the amino group of B1 to B5 is blocked include, for example, a ketimine obtained from any of the amines (B1) to (B5) and ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, etc.) Compounds, oxazolyzone compounds, and the like.

  In addition, a reaction terminator can be used to stop the elongation reaction, the crosslinking reaction, etc. between the active hydrogen group-containing compound and the polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound. The use of the reaction terminator is preferable in that the molecular weight and the like of the binder resin produced by the reaction for increasing the molecular weight can be controlled within a desired range. Examples of the reaction terminator include monoamines (diethylamine, dibutylamine, butylamine, laurylamine, etc.) or those blocked (ketimine compounds).

As a mixing ratio of the amines (B) and the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer (A), the isocyanate group [NCO] in the isocyanate group-containing prepolymer (A) and the amines (B) The mixing equivalent ratio ([NCO] / [NHx]) of the amino group [NHx] is preferably 1/3 to 3/1, more preferably 1/2 to 2/1, It is particularly preferably 1.5 to 1.5 / 1.
If the mixing equivalent ratio ([NCO] / [NHx]) is less than 1/3, the low-temperature fixability may decrease. If it exceeds 3/1, the molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester resin will be low. The hot offset resistance may be deteriorated.

The site capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound in the prepolymer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known substituents. For example, an isocyanate group, an epoxy group, a carboxylic acid, An acid chloride group, and the like.
These may be contained singly or in combination of two or more. Among these, an isocyanate group is particularly preferable.

Among the prepolymers, it is easy to adjust the molecular weight of the polymer component, and oil-less low-temperature fixing characteristics in dry toners, in particular, good releasability and fixability even in the absence of a release oil application mechanism to a heating medium for fixing. It is particularly preferable that it is a urea bond-forming group-containing polyester resin (RMPE) in that it can be secured.
As said urea bond production | generation group, an isocyanate group etc. are mentioned, for example. When the urea bond-forming group in the urea bond-forming group-containing polyester resin (RMPE) is the isocyanate group, the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer (A) and the like are particularly preferable as the polyester resin (RMPE). It is done.

The isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer (A) is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, it is a polycondensate of a polyol (PO) and a polycarboxylic acid (PC), And those obtained by reacting an active hydrogen group-containing polyester resin with polyisocyanate (PIC).
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said active hydrogen group, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a hydroxyl group (alcoholic hydroxyl group or phenolic hydroxyl group), an amino group, a carboxyl group, a mercapto group etc. are mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, an alcoholic hydroxyl group is particularly preferable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said polyol (PO), According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, diol (DIO), trihydric or more polyol (TO), diol (DIO), and trihydric or more polyol A mixture with (TO), etc. are mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, the diol (DIO) alone or a mixture of the diol (DIO) and a small amount of the trivalent or higher polyol (TO) is preferable.

Examples of the diol (DIO) include alkylene glycol, alkylene ether glycol, alicyclic diol, alkylene oxide adduct of alicyclic diol, bisphenol, alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol, and the like.
The alkylene glycol is preferably one having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, such as ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, and the like. Can be mentioned. Examples of the alkylene ether glycol include diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene ether glycol, and the like. Examples of the alicyclic diol include 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and hydrogenated bisphenol A. Examples of the alkylene oxide adduct of the alicyclic diol include those obtained by adding an alkylene oxide such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide to the alicyclic diol. Examples of the bisphenols include bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and bisphenol S. Examples of the alkylene oxide adduct of the bisphenol include those obtained by adding an alkylene oxide such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide to the bisphenol.

  Among these, alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols and the like are preferable, and alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols, alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols and alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms. Mixtures are particularly preferred.

The trivalent or higher polyol (TO) is preferably 3 to 8 or higher, for example, a trivalent or higher polyhydric aliphatic alcohol, a trivalent or higher polyphenol, a trivalent or higher polyphenol. And alkylene oxide adducts.
Examples of the trihydric or higher polyhydric aliphatic alcohol include glycerin, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, sorbitol and the like. Examples of the trihydric or higher polyphenols include trisphenol PA, phenol novolak, cresol novolak, and the like. Examples of the trivalent or higher polyphenols alkylene oxide adducts include those obtained by adding an alkylene oxide such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide to the trivalent or higher polyphenols.

The mixture mass ratio (DIO: TO) of the diol (DIO) and the trivalent or higher polyol (TO) in the mixture of the diol (DIO) and the trivalent or higher polyol (TO) is 100: 0.01-10 are preferable and 100: 0.01-1 are more preferable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said polycarboxylic acid (PC), Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, dicarboxylic acid (DIC), trivalent or more polycarboxylic acid (TC), dicarboxylic acid (DIC) ) And a tricarboxylic or higher polycarboxylic acid.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, dicarboxylic acid (DIC) alone or a mixture of DIC and a small amount of trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid (TC) is preferable.

Examples of the dicarboxylic acid include alkylene dicarboxylic acid, alkenylene dicarboxylic acid, aromatic dicarboxylic acid, and the like.
Examples of the alkylene dicarboxylic acid include succinic acid, adipic acid, and sebacic acid. As said alkenylene dicarboxylic acid, a C4-C20 thing is preferable, For example, a maleic acid, a fumaric acid, etc. are mentioned. As said aromatic dicarboxylic acid, a C8-C20 thing is preferable, For example, a phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, a terephthalic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid etc. are mentioned.
Among these, alkenylene dicarboxylic acid having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and aromatic dicarboxylic acid having 8 to 20 carbon atoms are preferable.

The trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid (TO) is preferably 3 to 8 or higher, and examples thereof include aromatic polycarboxylic acids.
The aromatic polycarboxylic acid preferably has 9 to 20 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include trimellitic acid and pyromellitic acid.
As the polycarboxylic acid (PC), the dicarboxylic acid (DIC), the trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid (TC), and a mixture of the dicarboxylic acid (DIC) and the trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid, Any acid anhydride or lower alkyl ester selected from can also be used. Examples of the lower alkyl ester include methyl ester, ethyl ester, isopropyl ester and the like.

  Mixing mass ratio (DIC: TC) of the dicarboxylic acid (DIC) and the trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid (TC) in the mixture of the dicarboxylic acid (DIC) and the trivalent or higher polycarboxylic acid (TC) There is no restriction | limiting in particular, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, 100: 0.01-10 are preferable and 100: 0.01-1 are more preferable.

  The mixing ratio for the polycondensation reaction between the polyol (PO) and the polycarboxylic acid (PC) is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, in the polyol (PO) The equivalent ratio ([OH] / [COOH]) of the hydroxyl group [OH] to the carboxyl group [COOH] in the polycarboxylic acid (PC) is usually preferably 2/1 to 1/1. More preferably, it is 0.5 / 1 to 1/1, and particularly preferably 1.3 / 1 to 1.02 / 1.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content in the said isocyanate group containing polyester prepolymer (A) of the said polyol (PO), Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 0.5-40 mass% is preferable. 1-30 mass% is more preferable, and 2-20 mass% is especially preferable. When the content is less than 0.5% by mass, the hot offset resistance deteriorates, and it may be difficult to achieve both the heat-resistant storage stability and the low-temperature fixability of the toner, and exceeds 40% by mass. In some cases, the low-temperature fixability may deteriorate.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said polyisocyanate (PIC), Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, aliphatic polyisocyanate, alicyclic polyisocyanate, aromatic diisocyanate, araliphatic diisocyanate, isocyanurate And those blocked with phenol derivatives, oximes, caprolactams, and the like.

Examples of the aliphatic polyisocyanate include tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,6-diisocyanatomethylcaproate, octamethylene diisocyanate, decamethylene diisocyanate, dodecamethylene diisocyanate, tetradecamethylene diisocyanate, trimethylhexane diisocyanate, Examples include tetramethylhexane diisocyanate. Examples of the alicyclic polyisocyanate include isophorone diisocyanate and cyclohexylmethane diisocyanate. Examples of the aromatic diisocyanate include tolylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthylene diisocyanate, diphenylene-4,4′-diisocyanate, 4,4′-diisocyanato-3,3′-dimethyldiphenyl, 3- Examples thereof include methyldiphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate, diphenyl ether-4,4′-diisocyanate and the like. Examples of the araliphatic diisocyanate include α, α, α ′, α′-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate. Examples of the isocyanurates include tris-isocyanatoalkyl-isocyanurate and triisocyanatocycloalkyl-isocyanurate.
These can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

As a mixing ratio when the polyisocyanate (PIC) and the active hydrogen group-containing polyester resin (for example, a hydroxyl group-containing polyester resin) are reacted, the isocyanate group [NCO] in the polyisocyanate (PIC) and the hydroxyl group-containing group are used. The mixing equivalent ratio ([NCO] / [OH]) with the hydroxyl group [OH] in the polyester resin is usually preferably 5/1 to 1/1, and preferably 4/1 to 1.2 / 1. More preferred is 3/1 to 1.5 / 1. When the isocyanate group [NCO] exceeds 5, low-temperature fixability may be deteriorated, and when it is less than 1, offset resistance may be deteriorated.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content in the said isocyanate group containing polyester prepolymer (A) of the said polyisocyanate (PIC), Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 0.5-40 mass% is Preferably, 1-30 mass% is more preferable, and 2-20 mass% is still more preferable. When the content is less than 0.5% by mass, the hot offset resistance is deteriorated, and it may be difficult to achieve both heat-resistant storage stability and low-temperature fixability. When the content exceeds 40% by mass, Low temperature fixability may deteriorate.

  As an average number of the isocyanate groups contained per molecule of the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer (A), 1 or more is preferable, 1.2 to 5 is more preferable, and 1.5 to 4 is more preferable. When the average number of the isocyanate groups is less than 1, the molecular weight of the polyester resin (RMPE) modified with the urea bond-forming group is lowered, and the hot offset resistance may be deteriorated.

--- Aqueous medium--
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said aqueous medium, It can select suitably from well-known things, For example, water, a solvent miscible with this water, a mixture thereof, etc. are mentioned.
The solvent miscible with water is not particularly limited as long as it is miscible with water, and examples thereof include alcohol, dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, cellosolves, and lower ketones.
Examples of the alcohol include methanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol and the like. Examples of the cell solves include methyl cell solve. Examples of the lower ketones include acetone and methyl ethyl ketone.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

-Binder resin-
The binder resin dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include polyester resins (unmodified polyester resins).
When the unmodified polyester resin is contained in the toner, low-temperature fixability and glossiness can be improved.
Examples of the unmodified polyester resin include those similar to the urea bond-forming group-containing polyester resin, that is, a polycondensate of a polyol (PO) and a polycarboxylic acid (PC). The unmodified polyester resin is partially compatible with the urea bond-forming group-containing polyester resin (RMPE), that is, has a similar structure that is compatible with each other. It is preferable in terms of resistance to hot offset.

  The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the unmodified polyester resin is preferably 4500 to 7000, more preferably 5000 to 7000, as measured by GPC (gel permeation chromatography). When the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is less than 4500, the hot offset resistance may be deteriorated. On the other hand, when the weight average molecular weight (Mw) exceeds 7000, the low-temperature fixability may be deteriorated.

The hydroxyl value of the unmodified polyester resin is preferably 5 mgKOH / g, more preferably 10 to 120 mgKOH / g, and still more preferably 20 to 80 mgKOH / g. If the hydroxyl value is less than 5, it may be difficult to achieve both heat-resistant storage stability and low-temperature fixability.
The acid value of the unmodified polyester resin is preferably 0 to 40 mgKOH / g, and more preferably 0 to 30 mgKOH / g. Generally, it becomes easy to be negatively charged by giving the toner an acid value.

When the unmodified polyester resin is contained in the toner, the mixing mass ratio (RMPE / PE) of the urea bond-forming group-containing polyester resin (RMPE) and the unmodified polyester resin (PE) is 5/95. -25/75 is preferable, and 10 / 90-25 / 75 is more preferable.
When the mixing mass ratio of the unmodified polyester resin (PE) exceeds 95, the hot offset resistance is deteriorated, and it may be difficult to achieve both heat-resistant storage stability and low-temperature fixability. Glossiness may deteriorate.

-Other ingredients-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said other component, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a coloring agent, a mold release agent, a charge control agent, a resin fine particle, an inorganic fine particle, a fluidity improver, cleaning property improvement Agents, magnetic materials, metal soaps, and the like.

The colorant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known dyes and pigments according to the purpose. For example, carbon black, nigrosine dye, iron black, naphthol yellow S, Hansa yellow (10G, 5G, G), cadmium yellow, yellow iron oxide, ocher, yellow lead, titanium yellow, polyazo yellow, oil yellow, Hansa yellow (GR, A, RN, R), pigment yellow L, benzidine yellow (G, GR), Permanent Yellow (NCG), Vulcan Fast Yellow (5G, R), Tartrazine Lake, Quinoline Yellow Lake, Anthrazan Yellow BGL, Isoindolinone Yellow, Bengala, Lead Red, Lead Red, Cadmium Red, Cad Muum Mercury Red, Antimon Zhu, Permanent Red 4R, PA Red, Faise Red, Parachlor Ortho Nitroaniline Red, Resol Fast Scarlet G, Brilliant Fast Scarlet, Brilliant Carmine BS, Permanent Red (F2R, F4R, FRL, FRLL, F4RH), Fast Scarlet VD, Belkan Fast Rubin B, Brilliant Scarlet G, Risor Rubin GX, Permanent Red F5R, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Pogment Scarlet 3B, Bordeaux 5B, Toluidine Maroon, Permanent Bordeaux F2K, Helio Bordeaux BL, Bordeaux 10B, Bon Maroon Light, Bon Maroon Medium, Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B, Rhodamine Lake Y, Alizarin Lake, Thioindigo Red B, Thioindigo Maroon, Oh Lured, Quinacridone Red, Pyrazolone Red, Polyazo Red, Chrome Vermilion, Benzidine Orange, Perinone Orange, Oil Orange, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Alkaline Blue Lake, Peacock Blue Lake, Victoria Blue Lake, Metal Free Phthalocyanine Blue, Phthalocyanine Blue, Fast Sky Blue, Indanthrene Blue (RS, BC), Indigo, Ultramarine Blue, Bitumen, Anthraquinone Blue, Fast Violet B, Methyl Violet Lake, Cobalt Purple, Manganese Purple, Dioxane Violet, Anthraquinone Violet, Chrome Green, Zinc Green, Oxidation Chrome, Pyridian, Emerald Green, Pigment Green B, Naphthol Green B, Green Gold, Ash Examples include green lake, malachite green lake, phthalocyanine green, anthraquinone green, titanium oxide, zinc white, and lithobon.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

The content of the colorant in the toner is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 1 to 15% by mass, and more preferably 3 to 10% by mass.
When the content is less than 1% by mass, a reduction in the coloring power of the toner is observed. When the content exceeds 15% by mass, poor pigment dispersion in the toner occurs, the coloring power decreases, The characteristics may be degraded.

  The colorant may be used as a master batch combined with a resin. The resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. For example, styrene or a substituted polymer thereof, a styrene copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate , Polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, epoxy resin, epoxy polyol resin, polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylic acid resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, aliphatic hydrocarbon resin, alicyclic ring Aromatic hydrocarbon resin, aromatic petroleum resin, chlorinated paraffin, paraffin, and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  Examples of the polymer of styrene or a substituted product thereof include polyester resin, polystyrene, poly p-chlorostyrene, polyvinyl toluene, and the like. Examples of the styrene copolymer include a styrene-p-chlorostyrene copolymer, a styrene-propylene copolymer, a styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, a styrene-vinylnaphthalene copolymer, and a styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer. Polymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene- Butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-α-chloromethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene An acrylonitrile-indene copolymer, Styrene - maleic acid copolymer, styrene - maleic acid ester copolymer, and the like.

  The masterbatch can be produced by mixing or kneading the masterbatch resin and the colorant under high shear. At this time, it is preferable to add an organic solvent in order to enhance the interaction between the colorant and the resin. Also, the so-called flushing method is preferable in that the wet cake of the colorant can be used as it is, and there is no need to dry it. This flushing method is a method of mixing or kneading an aqueous paste containing water of a colorant together with a resin and an organic solvent, and transferring the colorant to the resin side to remove moisture and organic solvent components. For the mixing or kneading, for example, a high shear dispersion device such as a three-roll mill is preferably used.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said mold release agent, According to the objective, it can select suitably from well-known things, For example, waxes etc. are mentioned suitably.
Examples of the waxes include carbonyl group-containing waxes, polyolefin waxes, and long-chain hydrocarbons. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, a carbonyl group-containing wax is preferable.
Examples of the carbonyl group-containing wax include polyalkanoic acid esters, polyalkanol esters, polyalkanoic acid amides, polyalkylamides, dialkyl ketones, and the like. Examples of the polyalkanoic acid ester include carnauba wax, montan wax, trimethylolpropane tribehenate, pentaerythritol tetrabehenate, pentaerythritol diacetate dibehenate, glycerin tribehenate, and 1,18-octadecane. Examples thereof include diol distearate. Examples of the polyalkanol ester include tristearyl trimellitic acid and distearyl maleate. Examples of the polyalkanoic acid amide include dibehenyl amide. Examples of the polyalkylamide include trimellitic acid tristearylamide. Examples of the dialkyl ketone include distearyl ketone. Of these carbonyl group-containing waxes, polyalkanoic acid esters are particularly preferred.

Examples of the polyolefin wax include polyethylene wax and polypropylene wax.
Examples of the long chain hydrocarbon include paraffin wax and sazol wax.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as melting | fusing point of the said mold release agent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 40-160 degreeC is preferable, 50-120 degreeC is more preferable, 60-90 degreeC is especially preferable. When the melting point is less than 40 ° C., the wax may adversely affect the heat-resistant storage stability, and when it exceeds 160 ° C., cold offset may easily occur during fixing at a low temperature.

The melt viscosity of the release agent is preferably 5 to 1000 cps, more preferably 10 to 100 cps, as a measured value at a temperature 20 ° C. higher than the melting point of the wax. If the melt viscosity is less than 5 cps, the releasability may be lowered, and if it exceeds 1000 cps, the effect of improving hot offset resistance and low-temperature fixability may not be obtained.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content in the said toner of the said mold release agent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0-40 mass% is preferable and 3-30 mass% is more preferable. When the content exceeds 40% by mass, the fluidity of the toner may be deteriorated.

  The charge control agent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. However, since a color tone may change when a colored material is used, a colorless or nearly white material may be used. Preferably, for example, triphenylmethane dyes, molybdate chelate pigments, rhodamine dyes, alkoxy amines, quaternary ammonium salts (including fluorine-modified quaternary ammonium salts), alkylamides, phosphorus alone or compounds thereof, tungsten Examples thereof include a single substance or a compound thereof, a fluorine-based activator, a metal salt of salicylic acid, and a metal salt of a salicylic acid derivative. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  Commercially available products may be used as the charge control agent. Examples of the commercially available products include quaternary ammonium salt Bontron P-51, oxynaphthoic acid metal complex E-82, and salicylic acid metal complex. E-84, E-89 of a phenol-based condensate (above, manufactured by Orient Chemical Industries), TP-302, TP-415 of a quaternary ammonium salt molybdenum complex (above, manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.), Fourth Copy charge PSY VP2038 of quaternary ammonium salt, copy blue PR of triphenylmethane derivative, copy charge of quaternary ammonium salt NEG VP2036, copy charge NX VP434 (manufactured by Hoechst), LRA-901, LR which is a boron complex -147 (manufactured by Nippon Carlit), quinacridone, azo pigment, other sulfonic acid groups, carbo Sill group, polymer compounds having a functional group such as quaternary ammonium salts, and the like.

The charge control agent may be melted and kneaded with the master batch and then dissolved or dispersed, or may be added together with each component of the toner directly when dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent, or The toner particles may be fixed on the toner surface after production.
The content of the charge control agent in the toner varies depending on the type of the binder resin, the presence / absence of an additive, a dispersion method, and the like, and cannot be generally specified. 0.1-10 mass parts is preferable, and 0.2-5 mass parts is more preferable. When the content is less than 0.1 parts by mass, the charge controllability may not be obtained. When the content exceeds 10 parts by mass, the chargeability of the toner becomes too large, and the effect of the main charge control agent is reduced. As a result, the electrostatic attraction force with the developing roller increases, which may lead to a decrease in developer fluidity and a decrease in image density.

The resin fine particle is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin that can form an aqueous dispersion in an aqueous medium, and can be appropriately selected from known resins according to the purpose, and may be a thermoplastic resin. It may be a thermosetting resin, for example, vinyl resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, silicon resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, urea resin, aniline resin, ionomer resin, polycarbonate resin. , Etc.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, it is preferably formed of at least one selected from a vinyl resin, a polyurethane resin, an epoxy resin, and a polyester resin in that an aqueous dispersion of fine spherical resin resin particles can be easily obtained.

The vinyl resin is a polymer obtained by homopolymerizing or copolymerizing a vinyl monomer. For example, a styrene- (meth) acrylic acid ester resin, a styrene-butadiene copolymer, a (meth) acrylic acid-acrylic acid ester polymer. Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, styrene- (meth) acrylic acid copolymer, and the like.
Further, as the resin fine particles, a copolymer comprising a monomer having at least two unsaturated groups can be used.
The monomer having at least two unsaturated groups is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, a sodium salt of ethylene oxide methacrylate adduct sulfate (“Eleminol RS-30”). "; Manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd.), divinylbenzene, 1,6-hexanediol acrylate and the like.

  The resin fine particles can be obtained by polymerization according to a known method appropriately selected according to the purpose, but is preferably obtained as an aqueous dispersion of the resin fine particles. The method for preparing the aqueous dispersion of the resin fine particles is, for example, (1) In the case of the vinyl resin, a vinyl monomer is used as a starting material and is selected from suspension polymerization, emulsion polymerization, seed polymerization, and dispersion polymerization. (2) In the case of polyaddition or condensation resin such as polyester resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, etc., a precursor (monomer, oligomer). Or the like, or a solvent solution thereof is dispersed in an aqueous medium in the presence of an appropriate dispersant, and then heated or added with a curing agent to be cured to produce an aqueous dispersion of resin fine particles (3) ) In the case of polyaddition or condensation resin such as polyester resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, etc., it may be a precursor (monomer, oligomer, etc.) or a solvent solution thereof (liquid). (4) Preliminary polymerization reaction (addition polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polyaddition, addition) After the resin prepared by any polymerization reaction mode such as condensation and condensation polymerization is pulverized using a mechanical pulverizer or jet type pulverizer and then classified to obtain resin fine particles , A method of dispersing in water in the presence of an appropriate dispersant, (5) prepared in advance by a polymerization reaction (any polymerization reaction mode such as addition polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polyaddition, addition condensation, condensation polymerization, etc.) (6) A polymerization reaction (addition polymerization) in advance, in which resin fine particles are obtained by spraying a resin solution in which the resin is dissolved in a solvent to obtain resin fine particles and then dispersing the resin fine particles in water in the presence of an appropriate dispersant. , Ring-opening polymerization, polyaddition, addition condensation The resin fine particles can be obtained by adding a poor solvent to a resin solution obtained by dissolving a resin prepared in a solvent by a polymerization reaction method such as condensation polymerization or by cooling a resin solution previously dissolved in a solvent by heating. And then removing the solvent to obtain resin particles, and then dispersing the resin particles in water in the presence of a suitable dispersant. (7) Polymerization reaction (addition polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, heavy polymerization) in advance (Any polymerization reaction mode such as addition, addition condensation, and condensation polymerization may be used.) A resin solution prepared by dissolving a resin prepared in a solvent in a solvent is dispersed in an aqueous medium and then heated or heated. (8) A resin prepared in advance by a polymerization reaction (which may be any polymerization reaction mode such as addition polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polyaddition, addition condensation or condensation polymerization) is used as a solvent. In the dissolved resin solution A method of dissolving a suitable emulsifier and then adding water to carry out phase inversion emulsification is preferable.

  The inorganic fine particles are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. For example, silica, alumina, titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, titanate Strontium, zinc oxide, tin oxide, silica sand, clay, mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, pengala, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, barium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, carbonized Examples include silicon and silicon nitride. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

The primary particle diameter of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 5 nm to 2 μm, and more preferably 5 nm to 500 nm. Moreover, as a specific surface area by BET method of the said inorganic fine particle, 20-500 m < ² > / g is preferable.
The content of the inorganic fine particles in the toner is preferably 0.01 to 5.0% by mass, and more preferably 0.01 to 2.0% by mass.

The fluidity improver means a material that can be surface treated to increase hydrophobicity and prevent deterioration of flow characteristics and charging characteristics even under high humidity. For example, a silane coupling agent, a silylating agent, Examples thereof include a silane coupling agent having a fluoroalkyl group, an organic titanate coupling agent, an aluminum coupling agent, silicone oil, and modified silicone oil.

  The cleaning improver is added to the toner in order to remove the developer after transfer remaining on the photoreceptor or the primary transfer medium, and includes, for example, fatty acid metal salts such as zinc stearate, calcium stearate, stearic acid, and the like. Examples thereof include polymer fine particles produced by soap-free emulsion polymerization such as methyl methacrylate fine particles and polystyrene fine particles. The polymer fine particles preferably have a relatively narrow particle size distribution, and those having a volume average particle size of 0.01 to 1 μm are suitable.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said magnetic material, According to the objective, it can select suitably from well-known things, For example, iron powder, a magnetite, a ferrite, etc. are mentioned. Among these, white is preferable in terms of color tone.

  The toner of the present invention is not particularly limited as to its physical properties such as shape and size, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. It preferably has generation temperature, thermal characteristics, image density, average circularity, weight (mass) average particle diameter, BET specific surface area, and the like.

As said penetration, the penetration measured by the penetration test (JIS K2235-1991) needs to be 15 mm or more, for example, and 20-30 mm is more preferable. When the penetration is less than 15 mm, the heat resistant storage stability may be deteriorated.
The penetration can be measured according to JIS K2235-1991. Specifically, a 50 ml glass container is filled with toner and left in a thermostatic bath at 50 ° C. for 20 hours. The penetration can be measured by cooling the toner to room temperature and performing a penetration test. In addition, it has shown that the said heat-resistant preservation | save property is excellent, so that the said penetration value is large.

As the low-temperature fixability, from the viewpoint of achieving both a reduction in fixing temperature and no occurrence of offset, the lower fixing minimum temperature is preferably lower, and the higher the offset non-reaction temperature is, the lower the fixing temperature and no occurrence of offset. As a temperature range in which both can be achieved, the minimum fixing temperature is less than 150 ° C., and the non-offset temperature is 200 ° C. or more.
The fixing minimum temperature is, for example, an image forming apparatus, a transfer sheet is set, a copy test is performed, and the obtained fixed image is rubbed with a pad. The fixing roll temperature is the lower limit fixing temperature.

  The offset non-occurrence temperature is set by, for example, using an image forming apparatus, setting a transfer paper, and each color of solid images of red, blue, and green as single colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and solid colors of each color. It can be determined by adjusting the toner image to be developed, adjusting the temperature of the fixing belt to be variable, and measuring the temperature at which no offset occurs.

The thermal characteristics are also called flow tester characteristics, and are evaluated as, for example, a softening temperature (Ts), an outflow start temperature (Tfb), a 1/2 method softening point (T1 / 2), and the like.
These thermal characteristics can be measured by an appropriately selected method. For example, the thermal characteristics can be obtained from a flow curve measured using an elevated flow tester CFT500 type (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation).
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said softening temperature (Ts), According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, 30 degreeC or more is preferable and 50-120 degreeC is more preferable. When the softening temperature (Ts) is less than 30 ° C., at least one of heat resistant storage stability and low temperature storage stability may deteriorate.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said outflow start temperature (Tfb), According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, 50 degreeC or more is preferable and 60-150 degreeC is more preferable. When the outflow start temperature (Tfb) is less than 50 ° C., at least one of heat resistant storage stability and low temperature storage stability may deteriorate.
The 1/2 method softening point (T1 / 2) is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, 60 ° C. or higher is preferable, and 80 to 170 ° C. is more preferable. If the 1/2 method softening point (T1 / 2) is less than 60 ° C., at least one of heat-resistant storage stability and low-temperature storage stability may deteriorate.

  An example of a flow tester for measuring the thermal characteristics of toner is an elevated flow tester CFT500 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation. The flow curve of this flow tester becomes the data shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, from which each temperature can be read. In the figure, Ts is the softening temperature, Tfb is the outflow start temperature, and the melting temperature in the 1/2 method is the T1 / 2 temperature.

"Measurement condition"
Load: 10kg / cm ²
Temperature increase rate: 3.0 ° C / min
Die diameter: 0.50mm
Die length: 10.0mm

  The image density is, for example, preferably 1.90 or more, more preferably 2.00 or more, and 2.10 or more, as measured by a spectrometer (X-Light, 938 Spectrodensitometer). Is particularly preferred. If the image density is less than 1.90, the image density may be low and high image quality may not be obtained.

The image density is, for example, imagio Neo 450 (manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), and the amount of developer adhering to copy paper (TYPE 6000 <70W>; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) surface temperature of the fixing roller ² of the solid image was formed at 160 ± 2 ° C., the image density of any six in the obtained solid image, the spectrometer (X- Rite, 938 spectrometer densitometer) a It can measure by using and measuring and calculating the average value.

  The volume average particle diameter of the toner is preferably 3 to 8 μm, for example. When the volume average particle size is less than 3 μm, in the case of a two-component developer, the toner may be fused to the surface of the carrier during long-term agitation in the developing device, and the charging ability of the carrier may be reduced. In the developer, toner filming on the developing roller and toner fusion to a member such as a blade are likely to occur because the toner is thinned. When the thickness exceeds 8 μm, the resolution is high and high. It becomes difficult to obtain an image of an image quality, and when the balance of the toner in the developer is performed, the variation in the particle diameter of the toner may increase.

  The ratio of the volume average particle diameter to the number average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter / number average particle diameter) in the toner is, for example, preferably 1.00 to 1.25, more preferably 1.10 to 1.25. preferable. If the ratio of the volume average particle diameter to the number average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter / number average particle diameter) is less than 1.00, the two-component developer may cause the surface of the carrier to be agitated over a long period of time in the developing device. The toner may be fused to reduce the charging ability of the carrier. In the case of a one-component developer, the toner is applied to a member such as a blade in order to form the toner on the developing roller or to make the toner thin. Fusing tends to occur, and if it exceeds 1.25, it becomes difficult to obtain a high-resolution and high-quality image, and the toner particle size when the balance of toner in the developer is performed Fluctuations may increase.

  The volume average particle diameter (Dv) and the number average particle diameter (Dn) of the toner of the present invention are measured with a particle size measuring device (“Multisizer III”, manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.) at an aperture diameter of 100 μm, and analysis software ( The analysis was performed with a Beckman Coulter Multisizer 3 Version 3.51). Specifically, 0.5 ml of 10 wt% surfactant (alkylbenzene sulfonate Neogen SC-A; Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku) was added to a glass 100 ml beaker, 0.5 g of each toner was added, and the mixture was stirred with a micropartel. Subsequently, 80 ml of ion-exchanged water was added. The obtained dispersion was subjected to a dispersion treatment for 10 minutes with an ultrasonic disperser (W-113MK-II, manufactured by Honda Electronics Co., Ltd.). The dispersion was measured using the Multisizer III and Isoton III (manufactured by Beckman Coulter) as the measurement solution. In the measurement, the toner sample dispersion was dropped so that the concentration indicated by the apparatus was 8 ± 2%. In this measurement method, it is important that the concentration is 8 ± 2% from the viewpoint of the reproducibility of the particle size. Within this concentration range, no error occurs in the particle size.

(Toner production method)
The method for producing the toner is a method for producing the toner of the present invention described above, wherein at least the active hydrogen group-containing compound and the polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound are reacted to form an adhesive in an aqueous medium. It includes at least a step of obtaining a particulate toner while generating a base material, and further includes other steps appropriately selected as necessary.
In the step, for example, preparation of an aqueous medium phase, preparation of an organic solvent phase, emulsification / dispersion, etc. (synthesis of a polymer (prepolymer) capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound, the active hydrogen group-containing compound) Etc.).

The aqueous medium phase can be prepared, for example, by dispersing the resin fine particles in the aqueous medium. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as the addition amount in this aqueous medium of this resin fine particle, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, 0.5-10 mass% is preferable.
The organic solvent phase is prepared by mixing the active hydrogen group-containing compound, the polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound, the colorant, the mold release agent, the charge control agent, The toner raw material such as a modified polyester resin can be dissolved or dispersed.

  In the toner raw material, components other than the polymer (prepolymer) capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound and the unmodified polyester resin are used in the preparation of the aqueous medium phase. May be added to the aqueous medium when dispersed in the aqueous medium, or may be added to the aqueous medium phase together with the organic solvent phase when the organic solvent phase is added to the aqueous medium phase. .

The organic solvent is not particularly limited as long as it is a solvent that can dissolve or disperse the toner raw material, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, and has a boiling point of less than 150 ° C. in terms of ease of removal. For example, toluene, xylene, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, chloroform, monochlorobenzene, dichloroethylidene, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, Examples thereof include methyl ethyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone. Among these, ethyl acetate, toluene, xylene, benzene, methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and the like are particularly preferable. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as the usage-amount of the said organic solvent, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, 40-300 mass parts is preferable with respect to 100 mass parts of said toner raw materials, and 60-140 mass parts is. More preferably, 80-120 mass parts is still more preferable.

  The emulsification / dispersion can be performed by emulsifying / dispersing the previously prepared organic solvent phase in the previously prepared aqueous medium phase. In the emulsification / dispersion, when the active hydrogen group-containing compound and the polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound are subjected to an extension reaction or a crosslinking reaction, the adhesive base material is generated.

  The adhesive substrate (for example, the urea-modified polyester resin) includes, for example, (1) a polymer that can react with the active hydrogen group-containing compound (for example, the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer (A)). The organic solvent phase is emulsified and dispersed in the aqueous medium phase together with the active hydrogen group-containing compound (for example, the amines (B)) to form a dispersion, and both are extended in the aqueous medium phase. Or (2) the organic solvent phase is emulsified and dispersed in the aqueous medium to which the active hydrogen group-containing compound has been added in advance to form a dispersion, and the aqueous medium It may be produced by extending or cross-linking both in the phase, or (3) the organic solvent phase is added and mixed in the aqueous medium and then the active hydrogen group-containing The compound was added to form a dispersion, it may be generated by elongation reaction or crosslinking reaction from particle interfaces in the aqueous medium phase. In the case of (3), a modified polyester resin is preferentially produced on the surface of the toner to be produced, and a concentration gradient can be provided in the toner particles.

  The reaction conditions for producing the adhesive base material by the emulsification / dispersion are not particularly limited, depending on the combination of the polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound and the active hydrogen group-containing compound. The reaction time is preferably 10 minutes to 40 hours, more preferably 2 hours to 24 hours, and the reaction temperature is preferably 0 to 150 ° C, more preferably 40 to 98 ° C.

  In the aqueous medium phase, as a method for stably forming the dispersion containing a polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound (for example, the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer (A)), for example, Polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound dissolved or dispersed in the organic solvent in the aqueous medium phase (for example, the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer (A)), the colorant, and the release agent And a method of adding the toner raw materials such as the charge control agent and the unmodified polyester resin, and dispersing them by shearing force.

The dispersion is not particularly limited as a method thereof, and can be appropriately selected using a known disperser. Examples of the disperser include a low-speed shear disperser, a high-speed shear disperser, and a friction type. Examples include a disperser, a high-pressure jet disperser, and an ultrasonic disperser. Among these, a high-speed shearing disperser is preferable in that the particle size of the dispersion can be controlled to 2 to 20 μm.
When the high-speed shearing disperser is used, conditions such as the number of rotations, dispersion time, and dispersion temperature are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the number of rotations is 1 3,000 to 30,000 rpm is preferable, 5,000 to 20,000 rpm is more preferable, and the dispersion time is preferably 0.1 to 5 minutes in the case of a batch method, and the dispersion temperature is under pressure. 0-150 degreeC is preferable and 40-98 degreeC is more preferable. The dispersion temperature is generally easier when the temperature is higher.

In the emulsification / dispersion, the usage amount of the aqueous medium is preferably 50 to 2,000 parts by mass, and more preferably 100 to 1,000 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the toner raw material. When the amount used is less than 50 parts by mass, the toner raw material is poorly dispersed, and toner particles having a predetermined particle size may not be obtained. When the amount exceeds 2,000 parts by mass, the production cost is high. May be.
In the emulsification / dispersion, it is preferable to use a dispersant as necessary from the viewpoint of sharpening the particle size distribution and performing stable dispersion. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said dispersing agent, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, surfactant, a sparingly water-soluble inorganic compound dispersing agent, a polymeric protective colloid, etc. are mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, surfactants are preferable.

Examples of the surfactant include an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and an amphoteric surfactant.
Examples of the anionic surfactant include alkylbenzene sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, phosphate esters and the like, and those having a fluoroalkyl group are preferable. Examples of the anionic surfactant having a fluoroalkyl group include a fluoroalkylcarboxylic acid having 2 to 10 carbon atoms or a metal salt thereof, disodium perfluorooctanesulfonylglutamate, 3- [omega-fluoroalkyl (6 carbon atoms). -11) Oxy] -1-alkyl (carbon number 3-4) sodium sulfonate, 3- [omega-fluoroalkanoyl (carbon number 6-8) -N-ethylamino] -1-propanesulfonic acid sodium, fluoroalkyl (Carbon number 11-20) carboxylic acid or its metal salt, perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (carbon number 7-13) or its metal salt, perfluoroalkyl (carbon number 4-12) sulfonic acid or its metal salt, perfluoro Octanesulfonic acid diethanolamide, N-propyl-N- (2-hydroxy Ethyl) perfluorooctanesulfonamide, perfluoroalkyl (carbon number 6-10) sulfonamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt, perfluoroalkyl (carbon number 6-10) -N-ethylsulfonylglycine salt, monoperfluoroalkyl (carbon number) 6-16) Ethyl phosphate and the like. Examples of commercially available surfactants having a fluoroalkyl group include Surflon S-111, S-112, S-113 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.); Fluorard FC-93, FC-95, FC-98, FC- 129 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M); Unidyne DS-101, DS-102 (manufactured by Daikin Industries); Megafac F-110, F-120, F-113, F-191, F-812, F-833 (large) Nihon Ink Co., Ltd.); Xtop EF-102, 103, 104, 105, 112, 123A, 123B, 306A, 501, 201, 204 (manufactured by Tochem Products); Manufactured) and the like.

  Examples of the cationic surfactant include amine salt type surfactants and quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactants. Examples of the amine salt type surfactant include alkylamine salts, aminoalcohol fatty acid derivatives, polyamine fatty acid derivatives, imidazolines, and the like. Examples of the quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactant include alkyltrimethylammonium salt, dialkyldimethylammonium salt, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salt, pyridinium salt, alkylisoquinolinium salt, benzethonium chloride and the like. . Among the cationic surfactants, aliphatic quaternary ammonium such as aliphatic primary, secondary or tertiary amine acids having a fluoroalkyl group, perfluoroalkyl (6 to 10 carbon atoms) sulfonamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt, etc. Salts, benzalkonium salts, benzethonium chloride, pyridinium salts, imidazolinium salts, and the like. Commercially available products of the cationic surfactant include, for example, Surflon S-121 (manufactured by Asahi Glass); Florard FC-135 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M); F-824 (manufactured by Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd.); Xtop EF-132 (manufactured by Tochem Products); Footgent F-300 (manufactured by Neos).

Examples of the nonionic surfactant include fatty acid amide derivatives and polyhydric alcohol derivatives.
Examples of the amphoteric surfactant include alanine, dodecyldi (aminoethyl) glycine, di (octylaminoethyl) glycine, N-alkyl-N, N-dimethylammonium betaine and the like.

Examples of the poorly water-soluble inorganic compound dispersant include tricalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, colloidal silica, and hydroxyapatite.
Examples of the polymeric protective colloid include acids, (meth) acrylic monomers containing hydroxyl groups, vinyl alcohol or ethers of vinyl alcohol, esters of vinyl alcohol and compounds containing carboxyl groups, amides Examples thereof include homopolymers or copolymers such as compounds or their methylol compounds, chlorides, those having a nitrogen atom or a heterocyclic ring thereof, polyoxyethylenes, and celluloses.

  Examples of the acids include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α-cyanoacrylic acid, α-cyanomethacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, and the like. Examples of the (meth) acrylic monomer containing a hydroxyl group include β-hydroxyethyl acrylate, β-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, β-hydroxypropyl acrylate, β-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, and γ-acrylate. -Hydroxypropyl, γ-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, diethylene glycol monoacrylate, diethylene glycol monomethacrylate, glycerin monoacrylate, Examples include glycerin monomethacrylate, N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide and the like. Examples of the vinyl alcohol or ethers with vinyl alcohol include vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl propyl ether, and the like. Examples of the esters of vinyl alcohol and a compound containing a carboxyl group include vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, and vinyl butyrate. Examples of the amide compound or these methylol compounds include acrylamide, methacrylamide, diacetone acrylamide acid, or these methylol compounds. Examples of the chlorides include acrylic acid chloride and methacrylic acid chloride. Examples of the homopolymer or copolymer such as those having a nitrogen atom or a heterocyclic ring thereof include vinyl pyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, and ethylene imine. Examples of the polyoxyethylene are polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene, polyoxyethylene alkylamine, polyoxypropylene alkylamine, polyoxyethylene alkylamide, polyoxypropylene alkylamide, polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene Examples thereof include oxyethylene lauryl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl phenyl ester, and polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ester. Examples of the celluloses include methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

In the emulsification / dispersion, a dispersion stabilizer can be used as necessary.
Examples of the dispersion stabilizer include acids that are soluble in acids and alkalis such as calcium phosphate. When the dispersion stabilizer is used, the calcium phosphate salt can be removed from the fine particles by a method of dissolving the calcium phosphate salt with an acid such as hydrochloric acid and then washing with water or a method of decomposing with an enzyme.
In the emulsification / dispersion, a catalyst for the elongation reaction or the crosslinking reaction can be used. Examples of the catalyst include dibutyltin laurate and dioctyltin laurate.

The organic solvent is removed from the emulsified slurry obtained in the emulsification / dispersion. The organic solvent is removed by (1) a method in which the entire reaction system is gradually heated to completely evaporate and remove the organic solvent in the droplets, and (2) the emulsion dispersion is sprayed in a dry atmosphere. And a method of completely removing the water-insoluble organic solvent in the droplets to form toner fine particles and evaporating and removing the aqueous dispersant together.
When the organic solvent is removed, toner particles are formed. The toner particles can be washed, dried, etc., and then classified as desired. The classification can be performed, for example, by removing fine particle portions by a cyclone, a decanter, centrifugation, or the like in a liquid, and the classification operation may be performed after obtaining a powder after drying.
Thus, the obtained toner particles are mixed with particles of the colorant, release agent, charge control agent, etc., and further, a mechanical impact force is applied to the release agent from the surface of the toner particles. And the like can be prevented from being detached.

  As the method for applying the mechanical impact force, for example, a method in which an impact force is applied to the mixture by blades rotating at a high speed, a mixture is introduced into a high-speed air stream and accelerated to appropriately collide particles or composite particles. The method of making it collide with a board, etc. are mentioned. As an apparatus used for this method, for example, an ong mill (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Co., Ltd.), an I-type mill (manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Co., Ltd.) and a pulverization air pressure is lowered, and a hybridization system (Nara Machinery Co., Ltd.) Product), kryptron system (manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.), automatic mortar, and the like.

(Developer)
The developer of the present invention contains at least the toner of the present invention and other components appropriately selected such as the carrier. The developer may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer. However, when it is used for a high-speed printer or the like corresponding to the recent improvement in information processing speed, the life is improved. In view of the above, the two-component developer is preferable.
In the case of the one-component developer and the two-component developer using the toner of the present invention, both excellent heat-resistant storage stability, hot offset property and low-temperature fixability can be achieved, and good and stable developability and high-quality images can be obtained. can get.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said carrier, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, What has a core material and the resin layer which coat | covers this core material is preferable.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a material of the said core material, It can select suitably from well-known things, For example, 50-90 emu / g manganese-strontium (Mn-Sr) type material, manganese-magnesium (Mn-) Mg) -based materials and the like are preferable, and high magnetization materials such as iron powder (100 emu / g or more) and magnetite (75 to 120 emu / g) are preferable in terms of securing image density. Further, a weakly magnetized material such as a copper-zinc (Cu—Zn) -based (30 to 80 emu / g) is advantageous in that it can weaken the contact with the photoconductor in which the toner is in a spiked state and is advantageous in improving the image quality. Is preferred. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
The core material has a volume average particle diameter of preferably 10 to 150 μm, more preferably 40 to 100 μm.

  When the average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter (D50)) is less than 10 μm, in the distribution of carrier particles, the fine powder system increases, the magnetization per particle is lowered, and carrier scattering may occur. If the thickness exceeds 150 μm, the specific surface area may be reduced and toner scattering may occur. In the case of a full color with many solid portions, the reproduction of the solid portions may be particularly poor.

  The material of the resin layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known resins according to the purpose. For example, amino resins, polyvinyl resins, polystyrene resins, halogenated olefin resins, Polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, polyethylene resin, polyvinyl fluoride resin, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, polytrifluoroethylene resin, polyhexafluoropropylene resin, copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and acrylic monomer, vinylidene fluoride And a copolymer of vinyl fluoride, a fluoroterpolymer such as a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, and a non-fluorinated monomer, and a silicone resin. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  Examples of the amino resins include urea-formaldehyde resins, melamine resins, benzoguanamine resins, urea resins, polyamide resins, and epoxy resins. Examples of the polyvinyl resins include acrylic resins, polymethyl methacrylate resins, and poly resins. Examples include acrylonitrile resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, and polyvinyl butyral resin. Examples of the polystyrene resin include polystyrene resin and styrene acrylic copolymer resin. Examples of the halogenated olefin resin include polyvinyl chloride. Examples of the polyester resin include polyethylene terephthalate resin and polybutylene terephthalate resin.

  The resin layer may contain conductive powder or the like, if necessary. Examples of the conductive powder include metal powder, carbon black, titanium oxide, tin oxide, and zinc oxide. The average particle diameter of these conductive powders is preferably 1 μm or less. When the average particle diameter exceeds 1 μm, it may be difficult to control electric resistance.

For example, the resin layer is prepared by dissolving the silicone resin or the like in a solvent to prepare a coating solution, and then uniformly coating the coating solution on the surface of the core material by a known coating method, drying, and baking. It can be formed by doing. Examples of the coating method include a dipping method, a spray method, and a brush coating method.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said solvent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, toluene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cersol butyl acetate, etc. are mentioned.

The baking is not particularly limited, and may be an external heating method or an internal heating method. For example, a stationary electric furnace, a fluid electric furnace, a rotary electric furnace, a burner furnace, etc. The method of using, the method of using a microwave, etc. are mentioned.
The amount of the resin layer in the carrier is preferably 0.01 to 5.0% by mass.
When the amount is less than 0.01% by mass, the uniform resin layer may not be formed on the surface of the core material. When the amount exceeds 5.0% by mass, the resin layer becomes thick. In some cases, granulation of carriers occurs, and uniform carrier particles may not be obtained.

  When the developer is the two-component developer, the content of the carrier in the two-component developer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, 90 to 98% by mass Is preferable, and 93-97 mass% is more preferable.

Since the developer of the present invention contains the toner, it is possible to achieve both a good balance between the fixability during image formation and the heat-resistant storage stability, and stably form high-quality images.
The developer of the present invention can be suitably used for image formation by various known electrophotographic methods such as a magnetic one-component development method, a non-magnetic one-component development method, and a two-component development method. It can be particularly suitably used for containers, process cartridges, image forming apparatuses and image forming methods.

(Toner container)
The toner-containing container of the present invention contains the toner of the present invention or the developer in a container.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said container, It can select suitably from well-known things, For example, what has a container main body containing a toner and a cap etc. are mentioned suitably.
The size, shape, structure, material, etc. of the container body containing toner is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the shape is preferably cylindrical. The spiral surface irregularities are formed on the peripheral surface, and the toner as the contents can be transferred to the discharge port side by rotating, and part or all of the spiral part has a bellows function, etc. Is particularly preferred.

The material of the toner-containing container body is not particularly limited, and those having good dimensional accuracy are preferable. For example, a resin is preferable, and among them, for example, polyester resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polystyrene resin, Preferable examples include vinyl chloride resin, polyacrylic acid, polycarbonate resin, ABS resin, and polyacetal resin.
The toner-containing container of the present invention is easy to store and transport, has excellent handleability, and is preferably used for replenishing toner by being detachably attached to the process cartridge and image forming apparatus of the present invention described later. Can do.

(Process cartridge)
The process cartridge of the present invention develops an electrostatic latent image carrier carrying an electrostatic latent image and the electrostatic latent image carried on the electrostatic latent image carrier using a developer to form a visible image. And at least developing means for forming the film, and other means appropriately selected as necessary.
The developing means includes a developer container that contains the toner or developer of the present invention, and a developer carrier that carries and transports the toner or developer contained in the developer container. And a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the thickness of the toner layer to be carried.
The process cartridge of the present invention can be detachably provided in various electrophotographic apparatuses, and is preferably detachably provided in the electrophotographic apparatus of the present invention described later.
Including other steps.

(Image forming method and image forming apparatus)
The image forming method of the present invention includes at least an electrostatic latent image forming step, a developing step, a transfer step, and a fixing step, and further other steps appropriately selected as necessary, for example, a static elimination step, a cleaning step, Includes recycling and control processes.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit, and further appropriately selected as necessary. It has other means, for example, static elimination means, cleaning means, recycling means, control means and the like.
The electrostatic latent image forming step is a step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier.

  There are no particular restrictions on the material, shape, structure, size, etc. of the electrostatic latent image carrier (sometimes referred to as “photoconductive insulator” or “photoconductor”), and among the known ones The shape is preferably a drum shape, and examples of the material include inorganic photoconductors such as amorphous silicon and selenium, and organic photoconductors such as polysilane and phthalopolymethine. It is done. Among these, amorphous silicon or the like is preferable in terms of long life.

The formation of the electrostatic latent image can be performed, for example, by uniformly charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and then performing imagewise exposure, and is performed by the electrostatic latent image forming unit. be able to.
The electrostatic latent image forming means includes, for example, at least a charger that uniformly charges the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and an exposure device that exposes the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier imagewise. Prepare.
The charging can be performed, for example, by applying a voltage to the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier using the charger.
The charger is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a known contact charging device including a conductive or semiconductive roll, brush, film, rubber blade, etc. And non-contact chargers using corona discharge such as corotrons and corotrons.

The exposure can be performed, for example, by exposing the surface of the latent electrostatic image bearing member imagewise using the exposure device.
The exposure device is not particularly limited as long as it can expose the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier charged by the charger so as to form an image to be formed, and is appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, various exposure devices such as a copying optical system, a rod lens array system, a laser optical system, and a liquid crystal shutter optical system can be used.
In the present invention, a back light system in which imagewise exposure is performed from the back side of the electrostatic latent image carrier may be employed.

-Development process and development means-
The developing step is a step of developing the electrostatic latent image using the toner or the developer of the present invention to form a visible image.
The visible image can be formed, for example, by developing the electrostatic latent image using the toner or the developer of the present invention, and can be performed by the developing unit.
The developing means is not particularly limited as long as it can be developed using, for example, the toner or developer of the present invention, and can be appropriately selected from known ones. For example, the toner of the present invention Preferably, a developer containing at least a developer and having at least a developing unit capable of contacting or non-contacting the toner or the developer with the electrostatic latent image is provided, and includes the toner container according to the present invention. A developing device is more preferable.

The developing unit may be a dry developing type, a wet developing type, a single color developing unit, or a multicolor developing unit. For example, a toner having a stirrer for charging the toner or the developer by frictional stirring and a rotatable magnet roller is preferable.
In the developing device, for example, the toner and the carrier are mixed and agitated, and the toner is charged by friction at that time, and held on the surface of the rotating magnet roller in a raised state to form a magnetic brush. . Since the magnet roller is disposed in the vicinity of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor), a part of the toner constituting the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the magnet roller is electrically attracted. It moves to the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor) by force. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed with the toner, and a visible image is formed with the toner on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor).
The developer accommodated in the developing device is a developer containing the toner of the present invention, but the developer may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer. The toner contained in the developer is the toner of the present invention.

-Transfer process and transfer means-
The transfer step is a step of transferring the visible image onto a recording medium. After the primary transfer of the visible image onto the intermediate transfer member using an intermediate transfer member, the visible image is transferred onto the recording medium. A primary transfer step of forming a composite transfer image by transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer body using two or more colors, preferably full color toner as the toner, and a composite transfer image; A mode including a secondary transfer step of transferring the transfer image onto the recording medium is more preferable.
The transfer can be performed, for example, by charging the latent electrostatic image bearing member (photoconductor) of the visible image using a transfer charger, and can be performed by the transfer unit. The transfer means includes a primary transfer means for transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer member to form a composite transfer image, and a secondary transfer means for transferring the composite transfer image onto a recording medium. Embodiments are preferred.
The intermediate transfer member is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known transfer members according to the purpose. For example, a transfer belt and the like are preferable.

The transfer means (the primary transfer means, the secondary transfer means) is a transfer for peeling and charging the visible image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor) to the recording medium side. It is preferable to have at least a vessel. There may be one transfer means or two or more transfer means.
Examples of the transfer device include a corona transfer device using corona discharge, a transfer belt, a transfer roller, a pressure transfer roller, and an adhesive transfer device.
The recording medium is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known recording media (recording paper).

The fixing step is a step of fixing the visible image transferred to the recording medium using a fixing device, and may be performed each time the toner of each color is transferred to the recording medium, or for the toner of each color. You may perform this simultaneously in the state which laminated | stacked this.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said fixing device, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, A well-known heating-pressing means is suitable. Examples of the heating and pressing means include a combination of a heating roller and a pressing roller, a combination of a heating roller, a pressing roller, and an endless belt.
The heating in the heating and pressing means is usually preferably 80 ° C to 200 ° C.
In the present invention, for example, a known optical fixing device may be used together with or in place of the fixing step and the fixing unit depending on the purpose.

The neutralization step is a step of performing neutralization by applying a neutralization bias to the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be suitably performed by a neutralization unit.
The neutralization means is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected from known neutralizers as long as it can apply a neutralization bias to the electrostatic latent image carrier. Preferably mentioned.
The cleaning step is a step of removing the electrophotographic toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be suitably performed by a cleaning unit.
The cleaning means is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the electrophotographic toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be appropriately selected from known cleaners. Preferred examples include brush cleaners, electrostatic brush cleaners, magnetic roller cleaners, blade cleaners, brush cleaners, web cleaners, and the like.

The recycling step is a step of recycling the electrophotographic color toner removed in the cleaning step to the developing unit, and can be suitably performed by the recycling unit.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said recycling means, A well-known conveyance means etc. are mentioned.
The control means is a process for controlling the steps, and can be suitably performed by the control means.
The control means is not particularly limited as long as the movement of each means can be controlled, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include devices such as a sequencer and a computer.

One mode for carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes a photosensitive drum 10 as the electrostatic latent image carrier (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive member 10”), a charging roller 20 as the charging unit, and exposure as the exposure unit. The apparatus 30 includes a developing device 40 as the developing means, an intermediate transfer member 50, a cleaning device 60 as the cleaning means having a cleaning blade, and a static elimination lamp 70 as the static elimination means.
The intermediate transfer member 50 is an endless belt, and is designed to be movable in the direction of an arrow by three rollers 51 that are arranged inside and stretched. Part of the three rollers 51 also functions as a transfer bias roller that can apply a predetermined transfer bias (primary transfer bias) to the intermediate transfer member 50. The intermediate transfer body 50 is provided with a cleaning device 90 having a cleaning blade in the vicinity thereof, and for transferring (secondary transfer) a developed image (toner image) to a transfer sheet 95 as a final transfer material. A transfer roller 80 serving as a transfer unit to which a transfer bias can be applied is disposed to face the transfer roller. Around the intermediate transfer member 50, a corona charger 58 for applying a charge to the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 50 is formed between the photosensitive member 10 and the intermediate transfer member 50 in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer member 50. It is arranged between the contact portion and the contact portion between the intermediate transfer member 50 and the transfer paper 95.

  The developing device 40 includes a developing belt 41 as the developer carrying member, and a black developing unit 45K, a yellow developing unit 45Y, a magenta developing unit 45M, and a cyan developing unit 45C provided around the developing belt 41. . The black developing unit 45K includes a developer accommodating portion 42K, a developer supplying roller 43K, and a developing roller 44K. The yellow developing unit 45Y includes a developer accommodating portion 42Y, a developer supplying roller 43Y, and a developing roller 44Y. The magenta developing unit 45M includes a developer accommodating portion 42M, a developer supplying roller 43M, and a developing roller 44M, and the cyan developing unit 45C includes a developer accommodating portion 42C and a developer supplying roller 43C. And a developing roller 44C. The developing belt 41 is an endless belt, is rotatably stretched around a plurality of belt rollers, and a part thereof is in contact with the photoconductor 10.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, for example, the charging roller 20 charges the photosensitive drum 10 uniformly. The exposure device 30 performs imagewise exposure on the photosensitive drum 10 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is developed by supplying toner from the developing device 40 to form a visible image (toner image). The visible image (toner image) is transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer body 50 by the voltage applied from the roller 51, and further transferred (secondary transfer) onto the transfer paper 95. As a result, a transfer image is formed on the transfer paper 95. The residual toner on the photoconductor 10 is removed by the cleaning device 60, and the charge on the photoconductor 10 is temporarily removed by the charge eliminating lamp 70.

  Another mode for carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3 does not include the developing belt 41 in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, and a black developing unit 45K, a yellow developing unit 45Y, a magenta developing unit 45M, and Except for the fact that the cyan developing unit 45C is arranged directly opposite, it has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Another mode for carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A tandem image forming apparatus 120 shown in FIG. 4 is a tandem color image forming apparatus. The tandem image forming apparatus 120 includes a copying apparatus main body 150, a paper feed table 200, a scanner 300, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 400.
The copying apparatus main body 150 is provided with an endless belt-like intermediate transfer member 50 at the center. The intermediate transfer member 50 is stretched around the support rollers 14, 15 and 16, and can be rotated clockwise in FIG. 4. An intermediate transfer member cleaning device 17 for removing residual toner on the intermediate transfer member 50 is disposed in the vicinity of the support roller 15. The intermediate transfer body 50 stretched by the support roller 14 and the support roller 15 is a tandem type in which four image forming means 18 of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black are arranged in parallel and facing each other along the conveyance direction. A developing device 120 is disposed. An exposure device 21 is disposed in the vicinity of the tandem developing device 120. A secondary transfer device 22 is disposed on the side of the intermediate transfer member 50 opposite to the side on which the tandem developing device 120 is disposed. In the secondary transfer device 22, a secondary transfer belt 24, which is an endless belt, is stretched around a pair of rollers 23, and the transfer paper conveyed on the secondary transfer belt 24 and the intermediate transfer body 50 are in contact with each other. Is possible. A fixing device 25 is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer device 22. The fixing device 25 includes a fixing belt 26 that is an endless belt, and a pressure roller 27 that is pressed against the fixing belt 26.
In the tandem image forming apparatus 120, a sheet reversing device 28 for reversing the transfer paper for image formation on both sides of the transfer paper is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer device 22 and the fixing device 25. Yes.

Next, formation of a full-color image (color copy) using the tandem developing device 120 will be described. That is, first, a document is set on the document table 130 of the automatic document feeder (ADF) 400, or the automatic document feeder 400 is opened and the document is set on the contact glass 32 of the scanner 300. 400 is closed.
When a start switch (not shown) is pressed, when the document is set on the automatic document feeder 400, the document is transported and moved onto the contact glass 32, and then the document is set on the contact glass 32. Immediately after that, the scanner 300 is driven, and the first traveling body 33 and the second traveling body 34 travel. At this time, light from the light source is irradiated by the first traveling body 33 and reflected light from the document surface is reflected by the mirror in the second traveling body 34 and is received by the reading sensor 36 through the imaging lens 35 to be color. An original (color image) is read and used as black, yellow, magenta, and cyan image information.

  Each image information of black, yellow, magenta and cyan is stored in each image forming means 18 (black image forming means, yellow image forming means, magenta image forming means and cyan image forming means in the tandem developing device 120. ) And black, yellow, magenta and cyan toner images are formed in the respective image forming means. That is, each image forming means 18 (black image forming means, yellow image forming means, magenta image forming means, and cyan image forming means) in the tandem type developing device 120 is photosensitive as shown in FIG. On the basis of the body 10 (the black photoconductor 10K, the yellow photoconductor 10Y, the magenta photoconductor 10M, and the cyan photoconductor 10C), the charger 20 that uniformly charges the photoconductor, and each color image information. The photosensitive member is exposed to each color image-corresponding image (L in FIG. 5), and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color image is formed on the photosensitive member. A developing device 61 that develops using color toner (black toner, yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner) to form a toner image of each color toner, and the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 5. The image forming apparatus includes a transfer charger 62 for transferring the image on the surface, a photoconductor cleaning device 63, and a static eliminator 64, and each monochrome image (black image, yellow image, magenta image) based on image information of each color. And cyan images) can be formed. The black image, the yellow image, the magenta image, and the cyan image formed in this way are formed on the black photoconductor 10K on the intermediate transfer member 50 that is rotationally moved by the support rollers 14, 15, and 16, respectively. The black image, the yellow image formed on the yellow photoconductor 10Y, the magenta image formed on the magenta photoconductor 10M, and the cyan image formed on the cyan photoconductor 10C are sequentially transferred (primary transfer). Is done. Then, the black image, the yellow image, the magenta image, and the cyan image are superimposed on the intermediate transfer member 50 to form a composite color image (color transfer image).

  On the other hand, in the paper feed table 200, one of the paper feed rollers 142 is selectively rotated to feed out a sheet (recording paper) from one of the paper feed cassettes 144 provided in multiple stages in the paper bank 143. Each sheet is separated and sent to the paper feed path 146, transported by the transport roller 147, guided to the paper feed path 148 in the copying machine main body 150, and abutted against the registration roller 49 and stopped. Alternatively, the sheet feeding roller 150 is rotated to feed out the sheets (recording paper) on the manual feed tray 51, separated one by one by the separation roller 52, put into the manual feed path 53, and abutted against the registration roller 49 and stopped. . The registration roller 49 is generally used while being grounded, but may be used in a state where a bias is applied to remove paper dust from the sheet.

  Then, the registration roller 49 is rotated in synchronization with the synthesized color image (color transfer image) synthesized on the intermediate transfer member 50, and a sheet (recording paper) is interposed between the intermediate transfer member 50 and the secondary transfer device 22. The secondary color transfer device 22 transfers the composite color image (color transfer image) onto the sheet (recording paper), thereby transferring the color image onto the sheet (recording paper). Is formed. The residual toner on the intermediate transfer member 50 after image transfer is cleaned by the intermediate transfer member cleaning device 17.

  The sheet (recording paper) on which the color image has been transferred is conveyed by the secondary transfer device 22 and sent to the fixing device 25, where the combined color image (color) is generated by heat and pressure. (Transfer image) is fixed on the sheet (recording paper). Thereafter, the sheet (recording paper) is switched by the switching claw 55 and discharged by the discharge roller 56 and stacked on the discharge tray 57, or switched by the switching claw 55 and reversed by the sheet reversing device 28 and transferred again. After being guided to the position and recording an image on the back surface, the image is discharged by the discharge roller 56 and stacked on the discharge tray 57.

  In the image forming apparatus and the image forming method of the present invention, since the toner of the present invention having excellent heat-resistant storage stability, low-temperature fixability and the like is used, high image quality can be obtained efficiently.

Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.
(Example 1)
-Binder resin production process-
Using toner (1) as a binder resin, a toner was manufactured as follows.
--Synthesis of polyester--
In a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling tube, a stirrer and a nitrogen introduction tube, 70 parts by mass of bisphenol ethylene oxide 2 mol adduct, 568 parts by mass of bisphenol A propion oxide 2 mol adduct, 245 parts by mass of terephthalic acid, and 44 masses of isophthalic acid And the condensation reaction was carried out at 210 ° C. for 13 hours under a normal pressure nitrogen stream. Further, the reaction was continued for 5 hours while dehydrating under a reduced pressure of 0 to 15 mmHg, followed by cooling to obtain polyester (1). The weight average molecular weight Mw _r1 of the polyester (1) was 5700.

--Synthesis of intermediate polyester (1)-
In a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling tube, a stirrer and a nitrogen introduction tube, 682 parts by mass of prepylene glycol, 81 parts by mass of bisphenol A propylene oxide 2 mol adduct, 283 parts by mass of terephthalic acid, 22 parts by mass of trimellitic anhydride, And 2 parts by mass of dibutyltin oxide were charged and reacted at 230 ° C. for 8 hours under normal pressure. Subsequently, it was made to react under reduced pressure of 10-15 mHg for 7 hours, and the intermediate polyester (1) was synthesize | combined.
The obtained intermediate polyester (1) has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 5900, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 21,500, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 43 ° C., an acid value of 0.5, and a hydroxyl value. Was 22.

--Synthesis of prepolymer (1)-
Next, 410 parts by mass of the intermediate polyester (1), 89 parts by mass of isophorone diisocyanate, and 500 parts by mass of ethyl acetate were charged in a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling tube, a stirrer, and a nitrogen introduction tube at 100 ° C. By reacting for 5 hours, a prepolymer (1) (polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound) was synthesized.
The free isocyanate content of the obtained prepolymer was 1.53% by mass.

-Preparation of master batch (MB)-
40 parts by mass of carbon black (“Regal 400R”; manufactured by Cabot) as a colorant, 60 parts by mass of polyester (1), and 30 parts by mass of water were mixed with a Henschel mixer (manufactured by Mitsui Mining). The mixture was kneaded for 45 minutes at 130 ° C. with two rolls, rolled and cooled, and pulverized to a size of 1 mm in diameter with a pulverizer (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation) to prepare a master batch.

--Preparation of fine particle dispersion--
A fine particle dispersion was prepared by the following method.
In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, 683 parts by weight of water, 11 parts by weight of sodium salt of ethylene oxide methacrylate adduct sulfate ("Eleminol RS-30"; manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries), 83 parts by weight of styrene , 83 parts by weight of methacrylic acid, 110 parts by weight of butyl acrylate, and 1 part by weight of ammonium persulfate were charged and stirred at 400 rpm for 15 minutes to obtain a white emulsion. The emulsion was heated to raise the system temperature to 75 ° C. and reacted for 5 hours. Next, 30 parts by mass of a 1% by mass ammonium persulfate aqueous solution was added and aged for 5 hours at 75 ° C. An aqueous dispersion of polymer) (fine particle dispersion (1)) was prepared.
The volume average particle diameter of the fine particles contained in the obtained fine particle dispersion (1) was measured and found to be 100 nm. In addition, a part of the fine particle dispersion (1) was dried to isolate the resin, and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin was measured. As a result, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) was measured to be 10,000.

-Preparation of organic solvent phase-
In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, 378 parts by mass of the polyester (1), 110 parts by mass of carnauba wax, and 947 parts by mass of ethyl acetate were charged, and the temperature was raised to 80 ° C. with stirring. After maintaining for 5 hours, it was cooled to 30 ° C. over 1 hour. Next, 500 parts by mass of the master batch and 500 parts by mass of ethyl acetate were charged into a reaction vessel and mixed for 1 hour to obtain a raw material solution.
1324 parts by mass of the obtained raw material solution was transferred to a reaction vessel, and using a bead mill (“Ultra Visco Mill”; manufactured by Imex Co., Ltd.), the liquid feeding speed was 1 kg / hr, the disk peripheral speed was 6 m / sec, and 0.5 mm zirconia. The carbon black and carnauba wax were dispersed by 20 passes under the condition of 80% by volume of beads. Next, 1324 parts by mass of a 65% by mass ethyl acetate solution of the polyester (1) was added to the dispersion. In a bead mill with the same conditions as above. Three passes and dispersion were performed to prepare an organic solvent phase.
The solid content concentration of the obtained organic solvent phase (130 ° C., 30 minutes) was 50% by mass.

--Emulsification / Dispersion--
In a reaction vessel, 648 parts by mass of the organic solvent phase, 154 parts by mass of the prepolymer (1), and 3.5 parts by mass of isophoronediamine (manufactured by Degussa Japan) are charged, and a TK homomixer (manufactured by Special Machine). Was mixed at 5,000 rpm for 1 minute to obtain an oil phase mixture.
Next, in a reaction vessel, 990 parts by mass of water, 80 parts by mass of the fine particle dispersion (1), 48.5% by mass aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl diphenyl ether disulfonate (“Eleminol MON-7R”; manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries) 40 Then, 90 parts by mass of ethyl acetate and 90 parts by mass of ethyl acetate were charged, and mixed for 1 minute at 3000 rpm with a TK homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kika). Next, 809 parts by mass of the oil phase mixed solution was added to the reaction vessel, and mixed with a TK homomixer at a rotation speed of 9,000 rpm for 20 minutes to prepare an emulsified slurry.
Next, the emulsified slurry was charged into a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, and after removing the solvent at 30 ° C. for 8 hours, aging was carried out at 45 ° C. for 10 hours to obtain a dispersed slurry.

--- Washing and drying--
After filtering 100 parts by mass of the dispersion slurry under reduced pressure, adding 300 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water to the filter cake, mixing with a TK homomixer (rotating at 8,000 rpm for 10 minutes), and then filtering three times. And a final filter cake was obtained.
Here, the obtained final filter cake was dried with a circulating dryer at 45 ° C. for 48 hours, and sieved with a mesh having an opening of 75 μm to obtain toner base particles of Example 1.

--External additive treatment--
Henschel mixer (manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.) was added 0.7 parts by weight of hydrophobic silica as an external additive and 0.3 parts by weight of hydrophobized titanium oxide with respect to 100 parts by weight of the obtained toner base particles of Example 1. The toner of Example 1 was manufactured by using the mixture.

(Example 2)
The toner of Example 2 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the aging time was changed from 10 hours to 5 hours in the emulsification / dispersion step of Example 1.

(Example 3)
A toner of Example 3 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the aging time was changed from 10 hours to 15 hours in the emulsification / dispersion step of Example 1.

--Synthesis of intermediate polyester (2)-
In a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling tube, a stirrer and a nitrogen introduction tube, 682 parts by mass of prepylene glycol, 81 parts by mass of bisphenol A propylene oxide 2 mol adduct, 283 parts by mass of terephthalic acid, 22 parts by mass of trimellitic anhydride, And 2 parts by mass of dibutyltin oxide were charged and reacted at 230 ° C. for 5 hours under normal pressure. Subsequently, it was made to react under reduced pressure of 10-15mHg for 4 hours, and the intermediate polyester (2) was synthesize | combined.
The obtained intermediate polyester (2) has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 2900, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 11,500, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 45 ° C., an acid value of 0.5, and a hydroxyl value. Was 32.
--Synthesis of prepolymer (2)-
Next, 410 parts by mass of the intermediate polyester (2), 89 parts by mass of isophorone diisocyanate, and 500 parts by mass of ethyl acetate were charged into a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling pipe, a stirrer, and a nitrogen introduction pipe at 100 ° C. By reacting for 5 hours, a prepolymer (2) (polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound) was synthesized.
The free isocyanate content of the obtained prepolymer was 1.46% by mass.

(Comparative Example 1)
A toner of Comparative Example 2 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the prepolymer (2) was used instead of the prepolymer (1) in the emulsification / dispersion step of Example 1.
(Comparative Example 2)
A toner of Comparative Example 2 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the aging time was changed from 10 hours to 0 hour (no aging step) in the emulsification / dispersion step of Example 1.

<Soxhlet extraction>
As a sample, 0.3 g of the produced toner was weighed, placed in a cylindrical filter paper (“No. 86R”; manufactured by Toyo Filter Paper), and passed through a Soxhlet extractor. The heater temperature was set at 85 ° C., and the total reflux extraction (Soxhlet extraction) was performed for 7 hours using 200 ml of tetrahydrofuran THF (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) in a round bottom flask for Soxhlet as an extraction solvent. The THF was distilled off with an evaporator to obtain an extract. A solution obtained by dissolving the extract in THF was filtered through a solvent-resistant membrane filter having a pore diameter of 0.45 μm, and then molecular weight was measured by GPC.
The results are shown in Table 1.

Next, it was carried out in a conventional manner from 5% by mass of each of the toners of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 treated with external additives and 95% by mass of a copper-zinc ferrite carrier having an average particle diameter of 40 μm coated with a silicone resin. Each developer of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 2 was produced.
Using the obtained developers, (a) fixability (offset non-occurrence temperature and fixing lower limit temperature), (b) heat-resistant storage stability (penetration), and (c) comprehensive evaluation, as follows: Was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2.

(A) Fixability (offset non-occurrence temperature and fixing lower limit temperature)
Fixability (offset non-occurrence temperature and fixing lower limit temperature) was evaluated using an image forming apparatus including the belt-type fixing device 110 shown in FIG.
The belt-type fixing device 110 includes a heating roller 121, a fixing roller 122, a pressure roller 124, and a fixing belt 123.
The fixing belt 123 is stretched by a heating roller 121 and a fixing roller 122 that are rotatably arranged inside, and is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heating roller 121. The heating roller 121 has a built-in heating source 125 and is designed such that the temperature can be adjusted by a temperature sensor 127 attached in the vicinity of the heating roller 121. The fixing roller 122 is rotatably disposed inside the fixing belt 123 and in contact with the inner surface of the fixing belt 123. The pressure roller 124 is in contact with the outer side of the fixing belt 123 and the outer surface of the fixing belt 123 so as to press the fixing roller 122 so as to be rotatable.
In the fixing belt device 110, first, a recording medium (sheet) P on which a toner image to be fixed is formed is conveyed to the heating roller 121. The toner T on the sheet P is heated and melted by the heating roller 121 and the fixing belt 123 heated to a predetermined temperature by the action of the built-in heating source 125. In this state, the sheet P is inserted into a nip portion formed between the fixing roller 122 and the pressure roller 124. The sheet P inserted into the nip is brought into contact with the surface of the fixing belt 123 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the fixing roller 122 and the pressure roller 124, and passes through the nip by the pressing force of the pressure roller 124. When pressed, the toner T is fixed on the sheet P. Next, the sheet P on which the toner T is fixed passes between the fixing roller 122 and the pressure roller 124, is peeled off from the fixing belt 123, and is conveyed to a tray (not shown) through a guide G. The fixing belt 123 is cleaned by the cleaning roller 126.

In the belt-type fixing device shown in FIG. 6, the fixing conditions of a belt tension of 1.5 kg / piece, a belt speed of 350 mm / sec, and a nip width of 13 mm are obtained by the fixing roller 122, the pressure roller 124, the heating roller 121, and the fixing belt 123. Fixing was done at
The fixing roller 122 is a silicone foam roller having a diameter of 38 mm and an Asker C hardness of about 30 degrees. The pressure roller 124 has a diameter of 50 mm and a Asker C hardness of about 48 mm in diameter. It is a 75 degree roller. The heating roller 121 is an aluminum roller having a diameter of 30 mm and a wall thickness of 2 mm. The fixing belt 123 has a belt diameter of 6
It is stretched around a roller having a release layer made of silicone rubber having a thickness of about 150 μm on the surface of a nickel belt base having a thickness of about 40 μm, having a width of 0 mm and a belt width of 310 mm.

<Temperature without offset>
An offset non-occurrence temperature was measured using an image forming apparatus provided with the belt fixing device shown in FIG. That is, for image formation, a color solid-state copying machine ("Pretail 550"; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) is used to transfer a black solid image on a transfer paper ("Type 6000-70W"; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) Adjustment was made so that a toner of ± 0.1 mg / cm ² was developed. The obtained image was fixed using the belt fixing device shown in FIG. 6 while changing the temperature of the fixing belt (heating roller), and the fixing temperature at which no offset occurred (temperature where no offset occurred) was measured.

<Fixing temperature limit>
Using the image forming apparatus provided with the belt fixing device shown in FIG. 6, the image is transferred to a transfer paper (“Type 6200”; manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) using a color copying machine (“Pretail 550” manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.). ) Was set and a copy test was conducted. The fixing roll temperature at which the residual ratio of the image density after rubbing the obtained fixed image with a pad was 70% or more was determined as the minimum fixing temperature. A fixing lower limit temperature higher than 150 ° C. was judged as defective.

(B) Heat resistance storage (penetration)
A 50 ml glass container was filled with 10 g of each toner and left in a constant temperature bath at 50 ° C. for 20 hours. The toner was cooled to room temperature, and the penetration was measured by a penetration test (JIS K2235-1991). In addition, it shows that heat resistance preservability is excellent, so that the value of the said penetration is large.

(C) Comprehensive evaluation Comprehensive evaluation was performed based on the following reference | standard from the result of all the said performance evaluations.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
○: Overall excellent state △: Overall normal state ×: Overall poor state

  From the results of Table 2, the toners of Examples 1 to 3 have good evaluation results of the respective qualities of low-temperature fixability, hot offset resistance, and heat storage stability before and after toner formation. Was confirmed to be good (◯). It was also recognized that high quality images can be formed.

  The toner of the present invention has both excellent heat-resistant storage stability and low-temperature fixability, and is suitably used for high-quality image formation. The developer, toner-containing container, process cartridge, image forming apparatus and image forming method of the present invention using the toner of the present invention are suitably used for high-quality image formation.

3 is a flow curve of a flow tester showing thermal characteristics of toner. It is a schematic explanatory drawing showing an example of carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the other example which implements the image forming method of this invention with the image forming apparatus of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which the image forming method of the present invention is carried out by the image forming apparatus (tandem color image forming apparatus) of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged schematic explanatory diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating a belt-type fixing device of an image forming apparatus used in an embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Photoconductor (Photoconductor drum)
10K black photoconductor 10Y yellow photoconductor 10M magenta photoconductor 10C cyan photoconductor 14 support roller 15 support roller 16 support roller 17 intermediate transfer member cleaning device 18 image forming means 20 charging roller (charger)
21 Exposure device 22 Secondary transfer device 23 Roller 24 Secondary transfer belt 25 Fixing device 26 Fixing belt 27 Pressure roller 28 Sheet reversing device 30 Exposure device 32 Contact glass 33 First traveling body 34 Second traveling body 35 Imaging lens 36 Reading sensor 40 Developing device 41 Developing belt 42K Developer container 42Y Developer container 42M Developer container 42C Developer container 43K Developer supply roller 43Y Developer supply roller 43M Developer supply roller 43C Developer supply roller 44K Developer Roller 44Y Developing roller 44M Developing roller 44C Developing roller 45K Black developing unit 45Y Yellow developing unit 45M Magenta developing unit 45C Cyan developing unit 49 Registration roller 50 Intermediate transfer member 51 Roller 52 Separating roller 53 Constant current source 55 Switching claw 56 Ejection roller 57 Ejection Tray 58 Corona charger 60 Cleaning device 61 Developer 62 Transfer charger 63 Photoconductor cleaning device 64 Charger 70 Charger lamp 80 Transfer roller 90 Cleaning device 95 Transfer paper 100 Image forming device 110 Belt type fixing device 120 Tandem developer 121 Heating roller 122 Fixing roller 123 Fixing belt 124 Pressure roller 125 Heating source 126 Cleaning roller 127 Temperature sensor 130 Document stage 142 Paper feed roller 143 Paper bank 144 Paper feed cassette 145 Separation roller 146 Paper feed path 147 Transport roller 148 Paper feed path 150 Copying apparatus main body 200 Paper feed table 300 Scanner 400 Automatic document feeder (ADF)

Claims (10)

A toner having a binder resin of at least two kinds of molecular weight components, wherein the toner is granulated in an aqueous medium, and one binder resin is generated by a reaction that increases a molecular weight accompanying the granulation, and the toner toner having a weight-average molecular weight Mw _t in the molecular weight distribution by tetrahydrofuran gel permeation chromatography of component extracted by Soxhlet extraction with (THF) (GPC) of, characterized in that it is 8,500 to 17,000. The toner according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the weight-average molecular weight Mw _r1 of the binder resin is characterized in that it is a 4500-7000.   The toner according to claim 1, wherein the two types of binder resins are a polyester resin and a modified polyester resin.   The toner according to claim 3, wherein the modified polyester resin is generated by a reaction that increases a molecular weight with the granulation, and at least an isocyanate group reacts in the reaction.   A solution or dispersion in which a binder resin or binder resin precursor is dissolved or dispersed in at least an organic solvent is emulsified / dispersed in an aqueous medium to cause the resin precursor to undergo a crosslinking reaction and / or an extension reaction. The method for producing a toner according to claim 1, wherein the toner is granulated by performing a reaction for increasing the molecular weight and removing the solvent from the obtained dispersion.   A developer comprising the toner according to claim 1.   A toner-containing container comprising the toner according to claim 1 in a container.   An image forming apparatus having at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit, wherein the developing unit contains the developer according to claim 6. An image forming apparatus using the image forming apparatus for development.   An electrostatic latent image carrier that carries at least an electrostatic latent image; and a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image carried on the electrostatic latent image carrier using a developer to form a visible image; A process cartridge having the developer according to claim 6, wherein the developing means includes the developer according to claim 6.   An image forming method comprising at least an electrostatic latent image forming step, a developing step, a transferring step, and a fixing step, wherein the developing step is developed using the developer according to claim 6. Image forming method.

Images