JP2009024296A - Electrodeposition apparatus, method for producing substrate for material application and substrate for material application produced from the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for obtaining a fiber laminate of a desired shape in an electrodeposition method. <P>SOLUTION: The electrodeposition apparatus forms a latent image on a substrate by the same principle as that of a so-called electrophotography and then applying a material to the substrate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for selectively applying a desired material (for example, a polymer web or metal particles) on a desired substrate (for example, a film or a nonwoven fabric) by an electrodeposition method (electrospinning method), and more specifically. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for producing a material application substrate (for example, a film having a polymer web adhered), a material application substrate obtained by the production method, and an electrodeposition apparatus capable of performing the production method.

  An electrospinning method is known as a general method used for producing a polymer web composed of fibers having a single fiber diameter of nano-order. In this method, after preparing a polymer solution, a high voltage is applied to the polymer solution to extrude it from a die to form ultrafine fibers. In general, a polymer web having a fiber diameter of several hundreds of nanometers can be produced by this method. As a method for producing a polymer web by electrospinning, a multi-nozzle continuous production method is also known. This is a method in which a solution is supplied from a polymer solution tank to a multi-nozzle with a pump, a voltage is applied between a nozzle and an application object, and a polymer web is applied on the application object (Patent Document 1).

Here, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique of selectively laminating ultrafine fibers on the surface of a fiber structure using such an electrodeposition method. The technique is based on the essence of applying a charge opposite to the charge of the ultrafine fiber to the fiber structure when the ultrafine fiber is laminated on the fiber structure (paragraph number 0006). Here, a specific method of applying a charge to the fiber structure and charging it so as to attract the fine fiber is that the fiber structure (for example, conductive inorganic or organic fiber) is statically placed on the substrate electrode that collects the fine fiber. And applying a charge opposite to the charge of the applied electrode to the fiber structure (paragraph 0016).
JP 2002-201559 A JP 2006-69141 A

  However, the invention described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that a fiber laminate having a desired shape cannot be obtained. Then, an object of this invention is to provide the means which can obtain the fiber laminated body of a desired shape in the electrodeposition method.

  The inventor of the present invention pays attention to the fact that a structure is selectively constructed on an application object having an electrostatic charge by subjecting the application object to a charging process in the electrodeposition method. For further application, an electrostatic latent image having a desired shape was constructed on an object to be applied, and it was found that a structure was selectively constructed in the latent image portion, thereby completing the present invention.

That is, the present invention (1) is an electrodeposition apparatus having a material liquid supply part (discharge part 100), a collector electrode part (collector electrode part 110), and a base material supply part (base material supply part 130), In the situation where a voltage is applied between the material liquid supply part (discharge part 100) and the collector electrode part (collector electrode part 110) to form an electric field in the space between these parts, the collector electrode (collector) The base material (film F) is supplied from the base material supply part (base material supply part 130) onto the electrode part 110), and the collector electrode part (collector electrode part 110) is supplied from the material liquid supply part (discharge part 100). In the electrodeposition apparatus that applies the material on the base material (film F) by supplying the material liquid toward
A photoconductor (photosensitive drum 141) whose surface is composed of a substance that is an insulator when in the dark and is a conductor when exposed to light;
Charging processing means (charging processing device 142) for uniformly charging the surface of the photoreceptor (photosensitive drum 141);
Exposure means (exposure device 143) for performing an exposure process on the photosensitive member (photosensitive drum 141) subjected to the charging process to form an electrostatic latent image;
The substrate (film) having a transfer means (transfer device 144) for transferring an electrostatic charge forming an electrostatic latent image onto the substrate (film F). F) is an electrodeposition device configured to be supplied onto the collector electrode (collector electrode portion 110).

In the present invention (2), a voltage is applied between the material liquid supply part (discharge part 100) and the collector electrode part (collector electrode part 110) to form an electric field in the space between these parts. While supplying a base material (film F) on the collector electrode (collector electrode part 110), the material liquid is supplied from the material liquid supply part (discharge part 100) toward the collector electrode part (collector electrode part 110). In the manufacturing method of the base material (film F) to which the material is applied, by supplying the material on the base material (film F) by supplying,
Forming an electrostatic latent image on the substrate by an electrophotographic process;
Supplying the base material (film F) on which the electrostatic latent image is formed onto the collector electrode (collector electrode portion 110), and selectively applying the material on the electrostatic latent image;
The manufacturing method characterized by including.

  This invention (3) is the method of the said invention (2) whose said base material is a film or a nonwoven fabric.

  The present invention (4) is the method according to the invention (2) or (3), wherein the material is a polymer or particles.

  This invention (5) is the base material to which the said material was applied obtained by the method in any one of said invention (2)-(4).

  Here, the definition of each term in this claim and this specification is described. The “material liquid” means a liquid that can be used as a raw material in electrodeposition such as a polymer solution, a polymer dispersion, a polymer melt, and a particle dispersion.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a base material to which a material such as a fiber laminate having a desired shape is applied.

  Hereinafter, the best mode of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the best mode. Specifically, in the following best mode, terms are used in a limited manner such as taking a polymer solution as an example of a material solution, but the technical scope of the present invention is limited to the limited terms. is not.

Overall Configuration of Apparatus FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an aspect of the overall configuration of an electrodeposition apparatus according to this embodiment. Here, the electrodeposition apparatus includes a discharge unit 100 for discharging a polymer solution toward a collector electrode 110 (to be described later), a collector electrode 110 disposed at a position facing the discharge unit 100, and the discharge unit. 100 and the collector electrode 110 (more precisely, between the nozzle electrode 101 and the collector electrode 110 of the discharge unit 100), a power supply unit 120 for applying a voltage, and the film F between the discharge unit 100 and the collector electrode 110. A base material supply unit 130 that supplies the film F, and an electrostatic latent image forming unit 140 that is provided in the vicinity of the base material supply unit 130 (upstream of the collector electrode 110) and performs a charging process on the film F. is doing. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

  First, a discharge unit 100 that constitutes a part of the electrodeposition apparatus has a nozzle electrode 101 that is open so that a polymer solution can be discharged, and is in a liquid conduction relationship with the nozzle electrode 101. A liquid container 102 for holding the polymer solution, and a pressing device that extrudes the polymer solution in the liquid container 102 and discharges the polymer solution from the opening of the nozzle electrode 101 to the outside (liquid ejection device, Syringe pump) 103. Here, when the pressing device 103 is driven and controlled in the ejection direction, the polymer solution moves from the liquid container 102 to the nozzle electrode 101 and is ejected by a certain amount. By keeping the amount of the polymer solution ejected constant, a constant polymer web can be constructed per fixed time. Hereinafter, each element which comprises the discharge part 100 is explained in full detail.

  First, the nozzle electrode 101 has an opening as described above, has a function of discharging a polymer solution toward the collector electrode 110, is itself conductive, and is electrically connected to the power source 120. Therefore, it also has a function as an electrode. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there is one nozzle electrode, but it is not always necessary to have one nozzle, and a plurality of nozzles may be provided. In FIG. 1, the nozzle electrode 101 plays the role of an electrode. However, the nozzle and the electrode do not have to be integrated, and may be used by further providing an electrode near the nozzle.

  Next, the collector electrode 110 that constitutes a part of the electrodeposition apparatus has a planar shape in FIG. 1, but the shape is not particularly limited. For example, the collector electrode 110 has a cylindrical shape. You may do it. The collector electrode 110 may be sharpened for the purpose of concentrating the electric field.

  Next, the power supply unit 120 that constitutes a part of the electrodeposition apparatus is a power supply that is electrically connected to the nozzle electrode 101 and the collector electrode 110 and that can apply a voltage between the two electrodes. Here, the power supply that can be used for the power supply unit 120 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a DC power supply.

  The base material supply unit 130 includes a feeding roller 131a around which the film F to which the flying material is not applied is wound, a winding roller 131b that winds up the film F to which the flying material is applied, and a drive unit that rotationally drives them ( (Not shown) and guide rollers 132a to 132c that assist smooth conveyance of the film F. Here, the film F from the delivery roller 131a passes through an electrostatic latent image forming unit 140 (specifically, between the photosensitive drum 141 and the transfer device 144), which will be described later, and then immediately above the collector electrode 110. Is taken up by a take-up roller 131b. The guide rollers 132b and 132c are arranged so that the film F passes over the collector electrode 110 in parallel with the electrode.

  Next, in the apparatus according to the best mode, the electrostatic latent image forming unit 140 which is a characteristic part of the present invention will be described. The electrostatic latent image forming unit 140 includes a photosensitive drum 141 having an optical semiconductor whose surface becomes conductive by exposure, and a charging processing device 142 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 141 in a dark place. The photosensitive drum 141 whose surface was uniformly charged by the charging processing device 142 was irradiated with light to a portion other than the image portion to remove the charged charge in the portion exposed to the light, leaving the charge in the image portion. An exposure device 143 for forming an electrostatic latent image, a transfer device 144 for transferring charged charges constituting the electrostatic latent image from the photosensitive drum 141 to the film F, and a surface of the photosensitive drum 141 after the transfer process And a charge removing device 145 for removing the remaining charge. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

  First, the photosensitive drum 141 has a property as an insulator when it is not exposed to light and needs to have a property of becoming conductive when it is exposed to light and releasing a charged charge. For example, it is used for electrophotography such as copying machines and laser printers. The photosensitive drum used can be used. Further, the photosensitive drum 141 is configured to be able to rotate by driving means (not shown), and the peripheral speed thereof is set to be equal to the conveyance speed of the film F.

  It is preferable that the charging processing device 142 is electrically connected to one pole side of a power source 146 (not shown), and the other pole side of the power source 146 is grounded. The charging processing device 142 is provided at a position where charging processing can be performed on the photosensitive drum 141. Here, the charging processing device 142 is not particularly limited as long as it can charge the photosensitive drum 141. For example, a non-contact charging device such as a corona charging method, a solid discharge method, or a needle electrode method, a roller Examples of the charging device include a charging method, a blade charging method, a brush charging method, and a magnetic brush method.

  The exposure device 143 can use a commonly used copying optical system. For example, a fluorescent lamp or the like is used as a light source to irradiate a document (a document related to a latent image to be formed) and its reflected light. And an apparatus that exposes the surface of the photoreceptor using an optical system including a mirror and a lens. In addition, various light sources such as a rod lens array optical system such as a Selfox lens, a semiconductor laser optical system used for a printer light source, an LED optical system, and a liquid crystal shutter (LCS) can be used.

  The transfer device 144 is an electrode to which a voltage opposite to the polarity charged on the photosensitive drum is applied. As a transfer method, an electrostatic transfer method for transferring the charge on the photosensitive drum onto the film F, a photosensitive drum, A pressure transfer method of pressing the film F can be used. Specifically, in the former example, when the photosensitive drum having an electrostatic latent image on the surface is in contact with the film F, the transfer device 144 is disposed on the opposite side of the surface of the film F that contacts the photosensitive drum. This is an electrode to which a voltage having the opposite polarity to the electric charge of the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum can be applied. As a result, the electrostatic charge constituting the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 141 moves onto the film F. In the latter example, when the photosensitive drum 141 and the film F are in contact with each other, the transfer device 144 applies pressure to the film F from a surface opposite to the contact surface with the photosensitive drum. As a result, the electrostatic charge constituting the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 141 moves onto the film F.

  The electrification removing device 145 is not particularly limited as long as the electrostatic charge charged on the surface of the photosensitive drum 141 can be removed, and known means used in electrophotographic machines such as copying machines and printers can be used. , Magnetic brush cleaner, electrostatic brush cleaner, magnetic roller cleaner, blade cleaner and the like. In addition, a means for simply grounding the surface of the photosensitive drum 141 or a means for uniformly exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum 141 may be used.

Following the method of manufacturing polymeric web, the electrodeposition apparatus according to the best mode used, will be described in detail a method for producing a polymeric web by electrodeposition.

(Polymer-containing liquid medium)
First, the liquid container 102 is filled with a material liquid, for example, a polymer solution or a polymer melt. The material liquid that can be used in the apparatus according to the best mode is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a polymer solution, a polymer dispersion, a polymer melt, and a particle dispersion. The polymer used in the polymer solution, polymer dispersion, or polymer melt is not particularly limited, but may be a general polymer such as vinyl polymer, acrylic polymer, urethane, nylon, conductive polymer, protein, etc. Natural polymers can be used, such as polyvinyl alcohol, nylon 66, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene oxide, cellulose, polyether urethane, polylactic acid, polycarbonate. Examples include prolactan, fibroin and collagen. Moreover, the polymer used is not limited to a single component, and two or more of the above-described polymers may be mixed and used. Furthermore, the material is not limited to a polymer, and for example, a sol or gel containing an inorganic substance such as metal or ceramic as a main component may be used. By using these sols and gels as polymer solutions, it is possible to produce webs made of oriented inorganic materials. Furthermore, it is possible to produce a web made of inorganic sintered fibers by sintering this web. Examples of the particle dispersion liquid used as the material include nanoparticle dispersion liquids such as gold and titania.

  Here, when the polymer solution is used, the solvent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include water, acetone, chloroform, ethanol, methanol, toluene, xylol, cyclohexane, and dimethylformamide. The solvent to be used is not limited to a single component, and two or more of the above-described solvents may be mixed and used. Furthermore, an electrolyte such as sodium hydroxide or lithium chloride may be added to water in order to improve the electrical properties of the polymer solution.

  Next, the film F to be used is not particularly limited as long as it has insulating properties, and a film made of a general polymer such as vinyl polymer, acrylic polymer, urethane, nylon, or a natural polymer such as protein can be used. . Moreover, you may use the film which mixed the above-mentioned polymer etc. 2 or more types. As described above, when using a device having a sharpened shape of the collector electrode 110 for the purpose of concentrating the electric field, a film having a strength that is not affected by the shape is used depending on the use of the film. It is preferable to do. Moreover, it is suitable for the material not to be affected by winding.

  The electro-devolution apparatus according to the best mode can appropriately construct an electrostatic latent image on the film F by the configuration of the electrostatic latent image forming unit 140. Here, when the electrostatic charge constituting the electrostatic latent image is on the side opposite to the nozzle electrode 101, a polymer is formed on the electrostatic latent image formed on the film F by using the apparatus. A web is selectively formed. On the other hand, when the electrostatic charge constituting the electrostatic latent image is on the same polarity side as the nozzle electrode 101, the polymer web is constructed so as to avoid the electrostatic latent image.

Polymer web to be produced and its use Since the polymer web according to the present invention has a form (shape, diameter, etc.) suitable for the use, it can be used in various applications, for example, electric wires and light emitters on a semiconductor substrate. It can be used in the fields of electronics such as guns, the environment such as high-performance filters, and medical fields such as wound protection materials and artificial organs. In addition, the particle dispersion obtained by the apparatus according to the best mode can be applied to the optical field, the medical field, and the like.

Example 1
The photosensitive drum 141 (electrophotographic photosensitive member) is charged by a charging processing device 142 (corona charging device) so that the surface potential becomes −700V. An electrostatic latent image having a desired shape was obtained at a non-exposed portion by exposing the charged portion with an exposure device 143 in a desired shape. The electrostatic latent image was transferred onto a film F (150 μm thick polyethylene terephthalate film) by passing through a transfer device (an electrode to which a voltage of +3 kV was applied).
The film F to which the electrostatic latent image was applied was moved below the discharge unit 100. Liquid container of the discharge unit 100 (consisting of a syringe pump [pressing device 103] in which a glass syringe [liquid container 102] having a capacity of 1 ml is equipped with a metal nozzle [nozzle electrode 101] with an inner diameter of 0.5 mm with a luer lock) To 102, 0.5 ml of a 5% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (MW 200,000) was added, and adjusted to discharge 75 μl per minute.
The distance between the nozzle electrode 101 and the film F of the liquid ejection device was adjusted to 180 mm, and a voltage of 15 kV was applied with the nozzle electrode 101 being positive. At this time, a current of approximately 15 to 20 μA was observed.
By driving the pressing device 103, the polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution discharged from the nozzle became a fiber and adhered and deposited on the portion where the electrostatic latent image on the film F was present. As a result, a fiber deposit corresponding to the shape of the non-exposed part that was not exposed by the exposure device 143 was obtained on the film.

  Since the apparatus according to the present invention can produce polymer webs in various forms suitable for applications, various applications (for example, electronics fields such as electric guns for electric wires and light emitters on semiconductor substrates, high performance It is useful in environmental fields such as filters and medical fields such as wound protection materials and artificial organs.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus according to the best mode.

Claims (5)

An electrodeposition apparatus having a material liquid supply part, a collector electrode part, and a base material supply part, wherein a voltage is applied between the material liquid supply part and the collector electrode part, and an electric field is generated in a space between these two parts. The base material is supplied from the base material supply unit onto the collector electrode and the material liquid is supplied from the material liquid supply unit toward the collector electrode unit. In an electrodeposition apparatus for applying the material on a material,
An insulator when in the dark, and a photoreceptor whose surface is composed of a substance that becomes a conductor when exposed to light; and
A charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photoreceptor;
Exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image by performing an exposure process on the photoconductor subjected to the charging process;
A transfer means for transferring an electrostatic charge for forming an electrostatic latent image onto the substrate, and the substrate on which the electrostatic latent image is formed is supplied onto the collector electrode. Electrodeposition apparatus characterized by being made. In a situation where a voltage is applied between the material liquid supply part and the collector electrode part to form an electric field in the space between the two parts, a base material is supplied onto the collector electrode, and from the material liquid supply part In the method of manufacturing the base material to which the material is applied, supplying the material liquid onto the base material by supplying the material liquid toward the collector electrode portion.
Forming an electrostatic latent image on the substrate by an electrophotographic process;
Supplying the substrate on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed on the collector electrode, and selectively applying the material on the electrostatic latent image;
The manufacturing method characterized by including.   The method according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is a film or a nonwoven fabric.   The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the material is a polymer or a particle.   The base material to which the said material was applied obtained by the method of any one of Claims 2-4.

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