JP2009180841A - Carrier, method for manufacturing carrier, two-component developer, developing device and image forming apparatus equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a two-component developer which suppresses a change in charge imparting property to a toner due to wear of a coating layer and enables to stably form fog-free stable images with constant image density over a long period of time, and to provide an image forming apparatus in which development is performed using the two-component developer. <P>SOLUTION: A carrier 144 has a coating layer 141 on the surface of a core particle 140, wherein the coating layer 141 includes a charge improver and a coating resin in which the charge improver is dispersed. The charge improver includes a nitrogen-containing resin and an ammonium salt compound represented by general formula (1). The coating resin includes a silicone resin. The two-component developer including such a carrier 144 is packed into a developing device in an image forming apparatus and an image is formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a carrier, a carrier manufacturing method, a two-component developer, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus including the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a carrier including core particles and a coating layer covering the core particles, a carrier manufacturing method, a two-component developer including a carrier, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus including the same.

  An electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an image based on the electrophotographic method can easily form an image having good image quality, and is widely used in a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, and the like.

  An electrophotographic image forming apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as an “image forming apparatus”) includes, for example, a photoconductor, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, a slow charging unit, and a cleaning unit. Means. The image forming apparatus is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by performing a charging process, an exposure process, a developing process, a transfer process, a fixing process, a cleaning process, and a slow charging process using the photoreceptor and these means.

  In the charging step, the surface of the photoreceptor is uniformly charged by a charging unit. In the exposure step, the charged photoconductor is exposed by an exposure unit, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor. In the development step, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor is developed with toner in a developer to form a visible image. Specifically, a visible image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive member by attaching a toner provided with a charge by a developing unit to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive member. In the transfer step, the visible image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor is transferred to a recording medium such as paper or a sheet by a transfer unit. In the fixing step, the transferred visible image is fixed on the recording medium by heating, pressing, or the like by a fixing unit. In the cleaning process, the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor after the transfer process is removed by a cleaning unit. In the slow current step, the charge on the surface of the photoreceptor is removed by the slow current means to prepare for the next image formation.

  Developers for forming a visible image include a two-component developer composed of a carrier and a toner and a one-component developer composed only of a toner.

  Since the one-component developer does not use a carrier, a stirring mechanism for uniformly mixing the toner and the carrier is not required. Therefore, there is an advantage that the developing device as the developing means is simplified. However, there is a drawback that the toner charge amount is difficult to stabilize.

  Since the two-component developer requires a stirring mechanism for uniformly mixing the toner and the carrier, there is a disadvantage that the developing device becomes complicated. However, the toner is excellent in charging stability and adaptability to a high-speed machine. Therefore, it is often used in high-speed image forming apparatuses and color image forming apparatuses.

  As the carrier for the two-component developer, for example, magnetic particles made of ferrite or the like having a particle size of 20 to 100 μm are used. Carriers include, for example, resin-coated carriers in which the magnetic particles are used as core particles and the surfaces thereof are coated with resin. By covering the surfaces of the core particles, humidity dependency and prevention of fusion of toner components to the carrier are prevented. can do. Examples of the resin that coats the magnetic particles include acrylic resins and silicone resins. Among these, a carrier containing a thermosetting silicone resin in the coating resin is preferable because a carrier having excellent durability can be obtained. The thermosetting silicone resin has high strength, and the carrier containing the thermosetting silicone resin in the coating resin, for example, is hard to be scraped off due to abrasion by stirring of the toner and the carrier, so that the exposure of the core particles is suppressed. The toner component is difficult to film on the carrier.

  As the resin-coated carrier, there is a resin-coated carrier in which a charge improving agent is added to the coating layer in order to improve the charge imparting property of the carrier to the toner. However, it is difficult to preferably disperse the charge improving agent in the coating layer. In addition, there is a problem that the adhesion with the resin contained in the coating layer is poor and the charge improving agent is missing from the coating layer.

  In order to solve such problems, Patent Document 1 discloses that the nigrosine base is preferably dispersed in the coating layer by forming the coating layer with a coating material containing xylene resin and nigrosine base as a charge improving agent. A carrier is disclosed.

JP-A-2005-202197

  As a method of coating the surface of the core particle with a coating resin containing a charge improving agent, a coating solution obtained by dissolving a charge improving agent and a coating resin in an organic solvent is usually adhered to the surface of the core particle, There is a method of forming a coating layer by removing the solvent. Alternatively, a coating liquid obtained by dissolving a charge improving agent and a coating resin in an organic solvent is sprayed on the surface of the core particles, and then the organic solvent is removed to form a coating layer. However, since the solubility of the charge improving agent and the coating resin in the organic solvent is different, for example, when nigrosine is included in the charge improving agent, nigrosine is likely to be deposited on the surface of the silicone resin. It is difficult to uniformly disperse nigrosine in the coating layer. For this reason, for example, if the outer portion of the coating layer containing nigrosine is worn due to stirring of the toner and the carrier, nigrosine is lost together with the coating layer, so the effect of adding nigrosine to the coating layer is lost, and the carrier is charged to the toner. There is a problem that the applicability is lowered.

  An object of the present invention is to suppress a change in charge imparting property to the toner due to wear of the coating layer, and to stably charge the toner to a constant charge amount, a method for producing the carrier, A two-component developer including the carrier, capable of stably forming a stable image having a constant image density without fogging over a long period of time, and a developing device that performs development using the two-component developer; An image forming apparatus including the developing device is also provided.

The present invention is a carrier having a coating layer on the surface of core particles,
The coating layer includes a charge improving agent and a coating resin in which the charge improving agent is dispersed,
The charge improving agent includes a nitrogen-containing resin and an ammonium salt compound represented by the following general formula (1), and the coating resin is a carrier including a silicone resin.

(In the formula, R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ each represents an alkyl group or a benzyl group, and A ⁻ represents a molybdate anion.)

  In the present invention, the nitrogen-containing resin is an acrylic resin having an amino group.

In the present invention, the silicone resin is a dimethyl silicone resin.
In the present invention, the core particles include a ferrite component.

In the present invention, a coating liquid in which at least a coating resin and a charge improving agent are dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent is attached to the surface of the core particles, and then the organic solvent is removed to form a coating layer. Including steps,
The charge improving agent includes a nitrogen-containing resin and an ammonium salt compound represented by the following general formula (1), and the coating resin includes a silicone resin.

(Wherein R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ each represents an alkyl group or a benzyl group, and A ⁻ represents a molybdate anion.)

In the present invention, the organic solvent contains toluene and alcohol.
The present invention also provides a two-component developer comprising a toner and the carrier.

  The present invention also provides a two-component developer comprising a toner containing a negative charge control agent and the carrier.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developing device that forms a visible image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier using the two-component developer.

The present invention also provides an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed,
A latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier;
The developing device;
Transfer means for transferring a visible image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing unit that fixes a visible image on a recording medium.

  According to the present invention, the carrier has a coating layer on the surface of the core particle, and the coating layer includes a charge improving agent and a coating resin in which the charge improving agent is dispersed. The charge improving agent includes a nitrogen-containing resin and an ammonium salt compound represented by the general formula (1), and the coating resin includes a silicone resin.

  By having the coating layer on the surface of the core particles, the core particles are not exposed, so that the carrier properties can be prevented from changing depending on humidity, and the toner component can be prevented from being fused to the carrier. be able to.

  The nitrogen-containing resin has a higher solubility in an organic solvent than the silicone resin when a carrier is prepared by attaching a coating solution in which a silicone resin and a charge improving agent are dissolved in an organic solvent to the core particles. Biased to part. The ammonium salt compound represented by the general formula (1) (hereinafter also referred to as “ammonium salt compound (1)”) is prepared by adhering a coating solution in which a silicone resin and a charge improving agent are dissolved in an organic solvent to core particles. In the production, the solubility in organic solvents is smaller than that of silicone resin, so that it is biased to the inside of the coating layer.

  If the charge improving agent does not contain a nitrogen-containing resin, the charge improving agent is biased toward the inner part of the coating layer, so the concentration of the charge improving agent in the inner part of the coating layer is higher than the concentration of the charge improving agent in the outer part, The charge improving agent cannot be uniformly dispersed in the coating layer. If the charge improving agent does not contain the ammonium salt compound (1), the charge improving agent is biased toward the outer portion of the coating layer, so that the concentration of the charge improving agent in the inner portion of the coating layer is higher than the concentration of the charge improving agent in the outer portion. The charge improving agent cannot be uniformly dispersed in the coating layer.

  When the charge improving agent includes the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) and the coating resin includes the silicone resin, the concentration of the nitrogen-containing resin in the outer portion of the coating layer increases, and the inner portion of the coating layer Since the concentration of the ammonium salt compound (1) becomes high, the charge improver can be present in the coating layer evenly. Further, since the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) have the same polarity charging property, it is possible to charge the toner to the same polarity regardless of which substance is involved in imparting charging to the toner. Therefore, the presence of a charge improver having the same polarity of chargeability in the coating layer evenly prevents the coating layer from being worn due to, for example, stirring of the carrier and the toner, and the outer portion of the coating layer is lost. Since the charge improving agent on the inner part of the layer can have the same chargeability as that before the coating layer is worn, a change in the ability of the carrier to impart charge to the toner can be suppressed.

  Since the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) are excellent in thermal stability and are not easily decomposed by heat in the production process of the carrier, the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) in each lot of produced carriers. The amount of amino groups contained in can be made constant. Thereby, in the carrier of each lot, the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) can be made constant. The charge imparting property of the carrier containing the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) to the toner is related to the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1). By including the compound (1), the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) can be made constant in the carrier of each lot as described above. Variations can be suppressed, and the charge imparting property of the carrier to the toner can be made constant. Further, since the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) are excellent in positive chargeability, there is no lot variation, and high charge imparting property to a toner containing a negative charge control agent can be obtained.

  By including the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) in the charge improving agent, it is possible to suppress variations among carrier lots and to have high charge imparting properties with respect to the negatively charged toner.

  In this way, variations in carrier lots can be suppressed, and the coating layer can be formed by stirring the carrier and the toner, for example, by having a charge improver having the same polarity of charge in the coating layer. Even if the outer portion of the coating layer is worn and lost, the charge-improving agent on the inner portion of the coating layer can have the same chargeability as before the coating layer is worn, so that the carrier can be charged with toner. Thus, a carrier that can stably charge the toner to a constant charge amount can be realized. Further, it is possible to realize a carrier having high charge imparting property with respect to the negatively charged toner. By using such a carrier, it is possible to stably form an image having a constant image density without fogging over a long period of time.

  According to the invention, the nitrogen-containing resin is an acrylic resin having an amino group. Acrylic resins having amino groups are particularly excellent in thermal stability and are not easily decomposed by heat in the carrier production process. Therefore, the amino groups contained in the acrylic resins having amino groups in each lot of produced carriers. Can be made more stable and constant. Thereby, in the carrier of each lot, the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the acrylic resin having an amino group, which is a nitrogen-containing resin, can be made more stable and constant. Although the charge imparting property of the carrier containing the nitrogen-containing resin to the toner is related to the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin, as described above, the nitrogen-containing resin is an acrylic resin having an amino group. In each lot of carriers, the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin can be made more stable and constant, which can further suppress variations among carrier lots and can impart charge to the toner of the carrier. Can be made more stable and constant. Therefore, the toner can be stably charged with a constant charge amount, and a stable image having a constant image density without fogging can be formed more stably over a long period of time.

  According to the invention, the silicone resin is a dimethyl silicone resin. Since dimethyl silicone resin has a dense cross-linked structure, the coating resin contains dimethyl silicone resin, so that the strength of the coating layer can be increased compared to the coating layer not containing dimethyl silicone resin, and the durability and moisture resistance of the carrier can be increased. Property can be improved. When the carrier has good durability, the wear of the carrier can be suppressed, so that the core particles are exposed and the filming due to the toner component adhering to the core particles can be made difficult to occur. If the moisture resistance of the carrier is good, it is possible to suppress a decrease in charge imparting property of the carrier in a high humidity environment. Accordingly, since the toner can be more stably charged with a constant charge amount even in a high humidity environment, a stable image having a constant image density without fogging can be more stably maintained over a long period of time. Can be formed.

  According to the invention, the core particle includes a ferrite component. Since the core particles contain a ferrite component, the density of the carrier can be reduced, so the torque of the carrying member in the developing device is reduced, and the carrying member is less than the carrier in which the core particles do not contain a ferrite component. It is possible to reduce the force applied to the carrier when it is transported by, thereby making it difficult to wear the coating layer. Further, since the core particles containing the ferrite component have high saturation magnetization, the force of adhering to the developing roller is strong, and carrier adhesion to the image carrier is unlikely to occur. By using such core particles containing a ferrite component, it is possible to prevent white spots in the image due to the carrier adhering to the photoreceptor. Therefore, the toner can be more stably charged with a constant charge amount, and the white spots of the image can be prevented, so that an image having a constant image density without fogging can be further stabilized over a long period of time. Can be formed.

  Further, according to the present invention, the carrier production method includes removing at least the coating solution obtained by dissolving or dispersing the coating resin and the charge improving agent in the organic solvent on the surface of the core particles, and then removing the organic solvent. And forming a coating layer. The charge improving agent includes a nitrogen-containing resin and an ammonium salt compound represented by the general formula (1), and the coating resin includes a silicone resin.

  The nitrogen-containing resin is obtained by forming a coating layer by removing the organic solvent after the coating liquid obtained by dissolving or dispersing the silicone resin and the charge improving agent in the organic solvent is attached to the surface of the core particles. Since the solubility with respect to an organic solvent is larger than a silicone resin, it is biased to the outside of the coating layer. In addition, the ammonium salt compound represented by the general formula (1) is biased toward the inner side of the coating layer because it is less soluble in organic solvents than the silicone resin.

  If the charge improving agent does not contain a nitrogen-containing resin, the charge improving agent is biased toward the inner part of the coating layer, so the concentration of the charge improving agent in the inner part of the coating layer is higher than the concentration of the charge improving agent in the outer part, The charge improving agent cannot be uniformly dispersed in the coating layer. If the charge improving agent does not contain the ammonium salt compound represented by the general formula (1), the charge improving agent is biased toward the outer portion of the coating layer, so that the concentration of the charge improving agent in the inner portion of the coating layer is different from that in the outer portion. It becomes lower than the concentration of the improver, and the charge improver cannot be uniformly dispersed in the coating layer.

  When the charge improving agent contains the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound represented by the general formula (1) (hereinafter also referred to as “ammonium salt compound (1)”), the concentration of the nitrogen-containing resin in the outer portion of the coating layer And the concentration of the ammonium salt compound (1) in the inner portion of the coating layer is increased, so that the charge improving agent can be present evenly in the coating layer. In addition, since the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) have the same polarity, the toner can be charged to the same polarity regardless of which substance is involved in imparting charging to the toner.

  Since the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) are excellent in thermal stability and are not easily decomposed by heat in the production process of the carrier, the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) in each lot of produced carriers. The amount of amino groups contained in can be made constant. Thereby, in the carrier of each lot, the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) can be made constant.

  When the charge improving agent contains the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1), there is no variation for each lot of carriers, and the carrier of each lot contains the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1). The amount of nitrogen atoms can be made constant.

  Since the charge imparting property of the carrier containing the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) to the toner is related to the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1), such a carrier is used. As a result, variations in carrier lots can be suppressed, and the charge imparting property of the carrier to the toner can be made constant.

  In this way, the charge improving agent can be present in the coating layer without any bias, and variations in carrier lots can be suppressed, so that the charge imparting property of the carrier to the toner can be made constant. By using such a carrier, for example, even when the coating layer is abraded by stirring of the carrier and the toner and the outer portion of the coating layer is lost, the coating layer is not worn by the charge improving agent on the inner portion of the coating layer. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a change in the charge imparting ability of the carrier to the toner, and to stably charge the toner to a constant charge amount over a long period of time.

  According to the invention, the organic solvent contains toluene and alcohol. Since the organic solvent contains toluene and alcohol, it has excellent solubility and dispersibility in the coating resin, high-solubility substance, and low-solubility substance. Can be manufactured. By using such a carrier, a change in charge imparting ability of the carrier to the toner can be further suppressed, so that the toner can be more stably charged with a constant charge amount over a long period of time.

  According to the invention, the two-component developer includes a toner and the carrier of the invention. In the carrier of the present invention, as described above, since the charge improving agent is present in the coating layer evenly, even if the coating layer is worn due to stirring of the carrier and the toner, for example, the charge imparting property of the carrier to the toner can be improved. Change can be suppressed. Further, since the charge improving agent contains the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1), it is possible to suppress carrier lot variation. Accordingly, since the toner can be stably charged to a constant charge amount, a two-component developer capable of stably forming an image having a constant image density without fogging over a long period of time is provided. Can do.

  According to the invention, the two-component developer includes a toner containing a negative charge control agent, and the charge improver includes a carrier containing a nitrogen-containing resin and an ammonium salt compound (1). In the carrier of the present invention, as described above, since the charge improving agent is uniformly present in the coating layer, even if the coating layer is worn by stirring of the carrier and the toner, for example, the charge imparting property of the carrier to the toner is improved. Change can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the charge improving agent contains the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1), it is possible to suppress carrier lot variation. Further, since the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) are excellent in positive chargeability, and are combined with a toner containing a negative charge control agent, the charge imparting property of the carrier to the negatively charged toner can be enhanced. Accordingly, since the toner can be stably charged to a sufficient charge amount, a two-component developer that can form an image having a constant image density with no fogging over a long period of time can be obtained. be able to.

  According to the invention, the developing device develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier using the two-component developer of the invention to form a visible image. Since the toner charge amount of the two-component developer of the present invention is stable, the use of the two-component developer of the present invention can stably form a good toner image without fog over a long period of time. A developing device can be realized.

  In addition, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus is realized by including the developing device of the present invention capable of forming a toner image without fogging on the image carrier as described above. By forming an image with such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to stably form an image having a constant image density without fogging for a long period of time.

1. Carrier The carrier which is one embodiment of the present invention has a coating layer on the surface of the core particles, and the coating layer includes a charge improving agent and a coating resin in which the charge improving agent is dispersed. The charge improving agent includes a highly soluble substance having a higher solubility in an organic solvent than that of the coating resin, and a low soluble substance having a lower solubility in the organic solvent than that of the coating resin. And have the same polarity of chargeability. The coating resin includes a silicone resin, the highly soluble substance includes a nitrogen-containing resin, and the lowly soluble substance includes an ammonium salt compound represented by the following general formula (1).

(In the formula, R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ each represents an alkyl group or a benzyl group, and A ⁻ represents a molybdate anion.)

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a carrier 144 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The carrier 144 has a core particle 140 and a coating layer 141, and the coating layer 141 is a low-solubility substance, that is, an ammonium salt compound represented by the general formula (1) (hereinafter referred to as “ammonium salt compound (1)”). The inner portion 141a having a high concentration of the inner portion 141b and the outer portion 141b having a high concentration of the highly soluble substance, that is, the nitrogen-containing resin.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the carrier 144 has the coating layer 141 on the surface of the core particle 140. By having the coating layer 141 on the surface of the core particle 140, the core particle 140 is not exposed, so that the property of the carrier 144 can be prevented from changing depending on humidity, and the toner component to the carrier 144 can be suppressed. Fusion can be prevented.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the charge improving agent includes a highly soluble substance having a higher solubility in an organic solvent than that of the coating resin and a low solubility substance having a lower solubility in the organic solvent than that of the coating resin. The high-solubility substance and the low-solubility substance have the same polarity chargeability.

  A highly soluble substance has a higher solubility in an organic solvent than a coating resin when a carrier is prepared by attaching a coating solution in which a coating resin and a charge improving agent are dissolved in an organic solvent to the core particles. Biased outward. The low-solubility substance has a lower solubility in the organic solvent than the coating resin when the carrier is prepared by attaching a coating solution in which the coating resin and the charge improving agent are dissolved in the organic solvent to the core particles. Biased inward.

  If the charge improving agent does not contain a low-solubility substance, the charge improving agent is biased toward the outer portion 141b of the coating layer 141. Therefore, the concentration of the charge improving agent in the inner portion 141a of the coating layer 141 is equal to the charge improving agent in the outer portion 141b. Therefore, the charge improving agent cannot be uniformly present in the coating layer 141.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a carrier 145 having a coating layer 142 in which the charge enhancing agent is biased outward when the charge enhancing agent does not contain a low-solubility substance. The carrier 145 has a coating layer 142 on the surface of the core particle 140. The coating layer 142 includes an outer portion 142a having a high concentration of a highly soluble substance, that is, a nitrogen-containing resin, and an inner portion having a low concentration of the highly soluble substance. 142b.

  The reason why the high-solubility substance cannot be uniformly dispersed in the coating layer 142 is that the coating layer 142 usually contains a coating solution obtained by dissolving a high-solubility substance and a coating resin in an organic solvent. After being immersed in the surface of 140, it can be formed by removing the organic solvent. Alternatively, a coating solution obtained by dissolving a highly soluble substance and a coating resin in an organic solvent can be formed by spraying the surface of the core particle 140 and then removing the organic solvent. Therefore, it is presumed that the highly soluble substance concentrates outside the coating layer 142 when the organic solvent is removed, for example, evaporated.

  In the coating layer 142, since the charge improving agent cannot be present in the coating layer 142 evenly, for example, the coating layer 142 is abraded by stirring of the carrier 145 and the toner, and the inner portion 142b having a low concentration of the highly soluble substance. When the toner is exposed, the charge imparting property to the toner is lowered, and the toner cannot be charged to a constant charge amount.

  That is, if the charge improving agent does not contain a highly soluble substance, the charge improving agent is biased to the inside of the coating layer, so that the concentration of the charge improving agent in the inner portion 142b of the coating layer is the concentration of the charge improving agent in the outer portion 142a. The charge-improving agent cannot be uniformly dispersed in the coating layer.

  If the charge improving agent does not contain a highly soluble substance, the charge improving agent is biased toward the inner portion 141b of the coating layer 141. Therefore, the concentration of the charge improving agent in the inner portion 141a of the coating layer 141 is equal to the charge improving agent in the outer portion 141b. Therefore, the charge improving agent cannot be uniformly present in the coating layer 141.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a carrier 146 having a coating layer 143 in which the charge improving agent is biased to the outer portion when the charge improving agent does not contain a highly soluble substance. The carrier 146 has a coating layer 143 on the surface of the core particle 140. The coating layer 143 has a low solubility substance, that is, an outer portion 143b having a low concentration of the ammonium salt compound (1), and a concentration of the low solubility substance. And includes a high inner portion 143a.

  The reason why the low-solubility substance cannot be uniformly dispersed in the coating layer 143 is that the coating layer 143 usually contains a coating solution obtained by dissolving a low-solubility substance and a coating resin in an organic solvent. After immersing in the surface of the particle 140, it can be formed by removing the organic solvent. Alternatively, a coating solution obtained by dissolving a low-solubility substance and a coating resin in an organic solvent can be formed by spraying the surface of the core particle 140 and then removing the organic solvent. Since the solubility in the organic solvent is lower than that of the coating resin, it is estimated that when the organic solvent is removed, for example, evaporated, the concentration of the low-solubility substance inside the coating layer 143 increases.

  In the coating layer 143, since the low-solubility substance cannot be uniformly dispersed in the coating layer 143, for example, the coating layer 143 is worn by the stirring of the carrier 146 and the toner, and the concentration of the low-solubility substance is high. When the portion 143a is exposed, the charge imparting property to the toner is increased and the toner cannot be charged to a constant charge amount.

  When the charge improving agent includes a highly soluble substance and a lowly soluble substance, the concentration of the highly soluble substance on the outside of the coating layer is increased, and the concentration of the lowly soluble substance on the inside of the coating layer is increased. Therefore, the charge improving agent can be present in the coating layer without unevenness. Further, since the highly soluble substance and the lowly soluble substance have the same polarity charging property, it is possible to charge the toner to the same polarity regardless of which substance is involved in the charging of the toner.

  Therefore, the presence of a charge improver having the same polarity of chargeability in the coating layer evenly prevents the coating layer from being worn due to, for example, stirring of the carrier and the toner, and the outer portion of the coating layer is lost. Since the charge enhancer on the inner part of the layer can have the same chargeability as before the coating layer is worn, the change in the charge imparting ability of the carrier to the toner can be suppressed, and the toner can be kept at a constant charge amount. A carrier that can be stably charged can be realized. By using such a carrier, it is possible to stably form an image having a constant image density without fogging over a long period of time.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the highly soluble substance includes a nitrogen-containing resin, the lowly soluble substance includes an ammonium salt compound represented by the following general formula (1), and the coating resin includes a silicone resin. Including.

(In the formula, R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ each represents an alkyl group or a benzyl group, and A ⁻ represents a molybdate anion.)

  Since the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) are excellent in thermal stability and are not easily decomposed by heat in the production process of the carrier, the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) in each lot of produced carriers. The amount of amino groups contained in can be made constant. Thereby, in the carrier of each lot, the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) can be made constant. The charge imparting property of the carrier containing the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) to the toner is related to the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1). By including the compound (1), the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) can be made constant in the carrier of each lot as described above. Variations can be suppressed, and the charge imparting property of the carrier to the toner can be made constant. Further, since the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) are excellent in positive chargeability, there is no lot variation, and high charge imparting property to a toner containing a negative charge control agent can be obtained.

  The highly soluble substance contains a nitrogen-containing resin, the lowly soluble substance contains an ammonium salt compound represented by the general formula (1), and the coating resin contains a silicone resin. It is possible to suppress the negatively charged toner and to have high charge imparting property, and it is possible to more stably form an image having a constant image density without fogging over a long period of time.

[Nitrogen-containing resin]
The nitrogen-containing resin is preferably a resin having an amino group, and more preferably an acrylic resin having an amino group. Acrylic resins having amino groups are particularly excellent in thermal stability and are not easily decomposed by heat in the carrier production process. Therefore, the amino groups contained in the acrylic resins having amino groups in each lot of produced carriers. Can be made more stable and constant. Thereby, in the carrier of each lot, the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the acrylic resin having an amino group, which is a nitrogen-containing resin, can be made more stable and constant. Although the charge imparting property of the carrier containing the nitrogen-containing resin to the toner is related to the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin, as described above, the nitrogen-containing resin is an acrylic resin having an amino group. In each lot of carriers, the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin can be made more stable and constant, which can further suppress variations among carrier lots and can impart charge to the toner of the carrier. Can be made more stable and constant. Accordingly, since the toner can be more stably charged with a constant charge amount, an image having a constant image density without fogging can be formed more stably over a long period of time.

  The acrylic resin having an amino group can be obtained, for example, by polymerizing an acrylic monomer having an amino group alone. Moreover, it can be obtained by copolymerizing an acrylic monomer having an amino group with an acrylic monomer other than the acrylic monomer having an amino group or styrene.

  Examples of the acrylic monomer having an amino group include N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, N, N-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, N, N-dimethylaminopropyl methacrylate, and N, N-dimethylaminopropyl acrylate.

  Examples of the acrylic monomer other than the acrylic monomer having an amino group include methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, hexyl methacrylate, and butyl acrylate.

[Ammonium salt compound (1)]
As described above, in this embodiment, the low-solubility substance includes an ammonium salt compound represented by the following general formula (1).

(In the formula, R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ each represents an alkyl group or a benzyl group, and A ⁻ represents a molybdate anion.)

Examples of the alkyl group represented by the symbols R ₁ and R ₂ in the general formula (1) include octyl group, decyl group, dodecyl group, tetradodecyl group, hexadecyl group, octadecyl group, eicosyl group, docosyl group, oleyl group and hexadecyl group. Long chain alkyl groups having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, such as Examples of the alkyl group represented by R ₃ include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group, and a β-hydroxyethyl group. Examples of the alkyl group represented by R ₄ include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group, a β-hydroxyethyl group, and a benzyl group.

Examples of the ammonium salt compound (1) include an ammonium salt compound represented by the following chemical formula (2) (hereinafter referred to as “ammonium salt compound (2)”) and an ammonium salt compound represented by the following chemical formula (3) (hereinafter referred to as “ammonium salt”). Salt compound (3) ") and ammonium salt compound represented by the following chemical formula (4) (hereinafter referred to as" ammonium salt compound (4) ").
(C ₁₄ H ₂₉ ) ₂ N ⁺ (CH ₃ ) ₂ · 1/4 [Mo ₈ O ₂₆ ] ⁴⁻ (2)
(C ₁₆ H ₃₃ ) ₂ N ⁺ (CH ₃ ) ₂ · 1/4 [Mo ₇ O ₂₄ ] ⁴⁻ (3)
(C ₁₈ H ₃₇ ) ₂ N ⁺ (C ₄ H ₂₉ ) ₂ · 1/4 [Mo ₈ O ₂₅ ] ⁴⁻ (4)

  In these compounds, the alkyl group may be a linear alkyl group or a branched alkyl group.

  The ammonium salt compound (1) can be prepared, for example, by the method described in JP-A No. 64-54 or JP-A No. 62-53944.

  Specifically, it can be prepared by, for example, easily producing a quaternary ammonium chromium salt or bromide salt and molybdic acid or molybdate in water and separating and obtaining them.

〔Silicone resin〕
Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a silicone resin, A thermosetting (crosslinked type) silicone resin is preferable at the point with high abrasion resistance of a coating layer.

  As shown below, the thermosetting silicone resin is a silicone resin in which hydroxyl groups bonded to Si atoms or a hydroxyl group and a group -OX are crosslinked and cured by, for example, a heat dehydration reaction or a room temperature curing reaction.

  (In the formula, plural Rs are the same or different and each represent a monovalent organic group. The group -OX represents an acetoxy group, an aminoxy group, an alkoxy group, an oxime group, or the like.)

  In order to crosslink a thermosetting silicone resin using a heat dehydration reaction, it is necessary to heat the thermosetting silicone resin to about 200 to 250 ° C.

  Among thermosetting silicone resins, a dimethyl silicone resin in which the monovalent organic group represented by R is a methyl group is more preferable. Since the dimethyl silicone resin in which R is a methyl group has a dense cross-linked structure, the coating resin contains the dimethyl silicone resin, so that the strength of the coating layer can be increased compared to the coating layer not containing the dimethyl silicone resin, The durability and moisture resistance of the carrier can be improved. When the carrier has good durability, the wear of the carrier can be suppressed, so that the core particles are exposed and the filming due to the toner component adhering to the core particles can be made difficult to occur. If the moisture resistance of the carrier is good, it is possible to suppress a decrease in charge imparting property of the carrier in a high humidity environment. Accordingly, since the toner can be more stably charged with a constant charge amount even in a high humidity environment, a stable image having a constant image density without fogging can be more stably maintained over a long period of time. Can be formed.

  The weight ratio (Si / C) between silicon and carbon in the thermosetting silicone resin is preferably 0.3 or more and 2.2 or less. If Si / C is less than 0.3, the hardness of the thermosetting silicone resin coating layer may be reduced, and the carrier life may be reduced. If Si / C exceeds 2.2, the charge imparting property of the carrier to the toner is likely to be affected by temperature change, so that the crosslinked structure becomes too dense and the thermosetting silicone resin coating layer may become brittle. is there.

  Specific examples of the thermosetting silicone resin include, for example, silicone varnish (trade names: TSR115, TSR114, TSR102, TSR103, YR3061, TSR110, TSR116, TSR117, TSR108, TSR109, TSR180, TSR181, TSR187, TSR144, TSR165 and above All are manufactured by GE Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd., KR271, KR272, KR275, KR280, KR282, KR267, KR269, KR211, KR212, and all of these are manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., alkyd-modified silicone varnish (trade names: TSR184, TSR185, All of these are manufactured by GE Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd., epoxy-modified silicone varnish (trade names: TSR194, YS54, all of which are GE East) Silicone Co., Ltd.), polyester-modified silicone varnish (trade name: TSR187, both of which are manufactured by GE Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd.), acrylic modified silicone varnish (trade name: TSR170, TSR171, both of which are manufactured by GE Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd.), Urethane-modified silicone varnish (trade name: TSR175, manufactured by GE Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd.), reactive silicone resin (trade names: KA1008, KBE1003, KBC1003, KBM303, KBM403, KBM503, KBM602, KBM603, all of which are Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. Manufactured).

[Core particles]
Although known magnetic particles can be used as the core particles, the core particles preferably contain a ferrite component. That is, the core particles are preferably ferrite particles containing a ferrite component. Since the core particle contains the ferrite component, the carrier particle can be reduced by the core particle containing the ferrite component, so that the torque of the conveying member in the developing device is reduced, and the core particle becomes the ferrite component. Compared with a carrier that does not contain, the force applied to the carrier when transported by the transport member can be reduced, and the coating layer can be made difficult to peel from the core particles. Further, since the core particles containing the ferrite component have high saturation magnetization, the force of adhering to the developing roller is strong, and carrier adhesion to the image carrier is unlikely to occur. By using such core particles containing a ferrite component, it is possible to prevent white spots in the image due to the carrier adhering to the photoreceptor. Accordingly, the toner can be stably charged to a constant charge amount and the white spots of the image can be prevented, so that an image having a constant image density can be formed more stably over a long period of time. it can.

  Known ferrite particles can be used, such as zinc ferrite, nickel ferrite, copper ferrite, nickel-zinc ferrite, manganese-magnesium ferrite, copper-magnesium ferrite, manganese-zinc ferrite and Examples of the particles include manganese-copper-zinc ferrite.

Ferrite particles can be produced by a known method. For example, ferrite raw materials such as Fe ₂ O ₃ and Mg (OH) ₂ are mixed, and this mixed powder is heated in a heating furnace and calcined. The obtained calcined product is cooled and then pulverized to a particle size of about 1 μm with a vibration mill, and a dispersant and water are added to the pulverized powder to prepare a slurry. This slurry is wet pulverized with a wet ball mill, and the resulting suspension is granulated and dried with a spray dryer to obtain ferrite-based particles.

The volume resistivity of the core particles is preferably 1 × 10 ⁶ Ω · cm or more and 1 × 10 ¹¹ Ω · cm or less when measured by the bridge method. If the volume resistivity is too low, fogging may occur due to poor electrical insulation. If the volume resistivity is excessively high, the counter charge remaining on the carrier surface tends to cause an edge effect and a decrease in image density in the peripheral portion of the solid image. From such a viewpoint, the volume resistivity of the core particles is preferably 1 × 10 ⁶ Ω · cm or more and 1 × 10 ¹¹ Ω · cm or less, preferably 1 × 10 ⁸ Ω · cm or more and 5 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω · cm or less. More preferably, it is not more than cm. The definition of the volume resistivity of the core particle will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, the volume average particle size of the carrier is preferably 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less, and more preferably 30 μm or more and 60 μm or less. If the volume average particle size is less than 20 μm, the carrier may move from the developing roller to the photosensitive member during development, thereby causing white spots in the obtained image. When the volume average particle diameter exceeds 100 μm, the dot reproducibility is deteriorated and the image may be roughened.

  In the present embodiment, the volume average particle diameter of the carrier means the volume average particle diameter in a state where the core particles are covered with the thermosetting silicone resin layer, and a specific definition of the volume average particle diameter will be described later.

The volume resistivity of the carrier is preferably 1 × 10 ⁸ Ω · cm to 5 × 10 ¹² Ω · cm, and more preferably 1 × 10 ⁹ Ω · cm to 5 × 10 ¹¹ Ω · cm. preferable. When the volume resistivity of the carrier of the present invention provided with the coating layer is excessively low, carrier adhesion to the photoreceptor may occur. When the volume resistivity is excessively high, the toner charge amount is likely to increase. . From such a viewpoint, the volume resistivity of the carrier is preferably 1 × 10 ⁸ Ω · cm or more and 5 × 10 ¹² Ω · cm or less, and preferably 1 × 10 ⁹ Ω · cm or more and 5 × 10 ¹¹ Ω · cm. The following is more preferable. The definition of the volume resistivity of the carrier will be described later.

  The saturation magnetization of the carrier is preferably 30 emu / g or more and 100 emu / g or less, and more preferably 50 emu / g or more and 80 emu / g or less. The lower the saturation magnetization of the carrier, the softer the magnetic brush in contact with the photosensitive drum, so that an image faithful to the electrostatic latent image can be obtained. However, if the saturation magnetization is too low, carriers adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum and white spots are likely to occur. If the saturation magnetization is too high, it becomes difficult to obtain an image faithful to the electrostatic latent image due to the stiffening of the magnetic brush. From such a viewpoint, the saturation magnetization of the carrier is preferably 30 emu / g or more and 100 emu / g or less, and more preferably 50 emu / g or more and 80 emu / g or less. The definition of carrier saturation magnetization will be described later.

1-2, Carrier Production Method As a carrier production method according to an embodiment of the present invention, that is, a coating layer forming method, a known method can be employed. For example, at least a coating resin and a charge improving agent are used. After a coating solution obtained by dissolving or dispersing in an organic solvent is attached to the surface of the core particles, the organic solvent is removed to form a coating layer. The charge improving agent includes a highly soluble substance having a higher solubility in an organic solvent than that of the coating resin, and a low soluble substance having a lower solubility in the organic solvent than that of the coating resin. And have the same polarity of chargeability. The coating resin includes a silicone resin, and the charge improving agent includes a nitrogen-containing resin and an ammonium salt compound represented by the following general formula (1).

(In the formula, R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ each represents an alkyl group or a benzyl group, and A ⁻ represents a molybdate anion.)

  A highly soluble substance can be obtained by forming a coating layer by removing the organic solvent after the coating liquid obtained by dissolving or dispersing the coating resin and the charge improving agent in an organic solvent is attached to the surface of the core particles and then removing the organic solvent. Since the solubility in organic solvents is higher than that of the coating resin, it is biased to the outside of the coating layer. In addition, the low-solubility substance has a lower solubility in the organic solvent than the coating resin, and is thus biased to the inside of the coating layer.

  If the charge improving agent does not contain a highly soluble substance, the charge improving agent is biased to the inside of the coating layer, so the concentration of the charge improving agent in the inner part of the coating layer is higher than the concentration of the charge improving agent in the outer part, The charge improving agent cannot be uniformly dispersed in the coating layer. If the charge improving agent does not contain a low-solubility substance, the charge improving agent is biased to the outside of the coating layer, so the concentration of the charge improving agent in the inner part of the coating layer is lower than the concentration of the charge improving agent in the outer part, The charge improving agent cannot be uniformly dispersed in the coating layer.

  When the charge improving agent includes a highly soluble substance and a lowly soluble substance, the concentration of the highly soluble substance on the outside of the coating layer is increased, and the concentration of the lowly soluble substance on the inside of the coating layer is increased. Therefore, the charge improving agent can be present in the coating layer without unevenness. Further, since the highly soluble substance and the lowly soluble substance have the same polarity charging property, it is possible to charge the toner to the same polarity regardless of which substance is involved in the charging of the toner.

  Accordingly, it is possible to produce a carrier that can allow the charge improver to exist in the coating layer without any bias. By using such a carrier, for example, even when the coating layer is abraded by stirring of the carrier and the toner and the outer portion of the coating layer is lost, the coating layer is not worn by the charge improving agent on the inner portion of the coating layer. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a change in the charge imparting ability of the carrier to the toner, and to stably charge the toner to a constant charge amount over a long period of time.

  As a specific manufacturing method, for example, the core particles are immersed in a coating solution in which a coating resin and a charge improving agent are dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent, and heated to 80 ° C. or more and 200 ° C. or less in the coating solution. The coating layer can be formed by stirring and evaporating the organic solution.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, the soaked core particles may be taken out from the coating solution and the organic solvent removed. Alternatively, the organic solvent may be evaporated after spraying the coating liquid onto the core particles without immersing the core particles in the coating liquid.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the carrier manufacturing method, the coating resin includes a silicone resin, the highly soluble substance includes a nitrogen-containing resin, and the lowly soluble substance is represented by the following general formula (1). The ammonium salt compound represented.

(In the formula, R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ each represents an alkyl group or a benzyl group, and A ⁻ represents a molybdate anion.)

  Since the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) are excellent in thermal stability and are not easily decomposed by heat in the carrier production process, the nitrogen-containing resin and the general formula (1) The amount of amino group contained in the represented ammonium salt compound (hereinafter also referred to as “ammonium salt compound (1)”) can be made constant. Thereby, in the carrier of each lot, the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) can be made constant.

  In the coating layer, the coating resin contains a silicone resin, the highly soluble substance contains a nitrogen-containing resin, and the lowly soluble substance contains an ammonium salt compound represented by the following general formula (1). A carrier in which there is no unevenness of the improver, there is no variation among the lots of carriers, and the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) is constant in each lot of carriers is manufactured. be able to.

  Since the charge imparting property of the carrier containing the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1) to the toner is related to the amount of nitrogen atoms contained in the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1), such a carrier is used. As a result, variations in carrier lots can be suppressed, and the charge imparting property of the carrier to the toner can be made more constant.

  The organic solvent is not particularly limited as long as it can dissolve or disperse the coating resin and the charge improving agent, and examples thereof include toluene, diethyl ether, and acetone. Further, by mixing a polar solvent such as methanol, ethanol, butanol and acrylonitrile in addition to the organic solvent, the dispersibility of the charge improving agent can be enhanced.

  In the present embodiment, the organic solvent preferably contains toluene and alcohol. Since the organic solvent contains toluene and alcohol, it has excellent solubility and dispersibility in the coating resin, high-solubility substance, and low-solubility substance. Can be manufactured. By using such a carrier, a change in charge imparting ability of the carrier to the toner can be further suppressed, so that the toner can be more stably charged with a constant charge amount over a long period of time.

2. Two-component developer A two-component developer according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured including the carrier and toner of the present embodiment. The two-component developer includes the toner and the carrier of the present embodiment. As described above, since the charge improving agent is uniformly present in the coating layer, the coating layer is worn by stirring the carrier and the toner, for example. However, it is possible to suppress a change in charge imparting property of the carrier to the toner. Further, since the charge improving agent contains the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1), it is possible to suppress carrier lot variation. Therefore, since the toner can be stably charged to a constant charge amount, a two-component developer that can stably form a stable image having a constant image density without fogging over a long period of time. can do.

  The two-component developer of this embodiment preferably includes a toner containing a negative charge control agent and a charge improver containing a carrier containing a nitrogen-containing resin and an ammonium salt compound (1). In the carrier of the present invention, as described above, since the charge improving agent is uniformly present in the coating layer, even if the coating layer is worn by stirring of the carrier and the toner, for example, the charge imparting property of the carrier to the toner is improved. Change can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the charge improving agent contains the nitrogen-containing resin and the ammonium salt compound (1), it is possible to suppress carrier lot variation. Further, when combined with a toner containing a negative charge control agent, the charge imparting property of the carrier to the negatively charged toner can be increased. Therefore, since the toner can be stably charged to a sufficient charge amount, a two-component developer that can form a stable image having a constant image density without fogging over a long period of time. It can be.

  The two-component developer of this embodiment can be produced by mixing the carrier of the present invention and a negatively charged toner. As a method for mixing the carrier and the toner, for example, the carrier can be prepared by mixing at a ratio of 3 parts by weight or more and 15 parts by weight or less of the toner with respect to 100 parts by weight of the carrier and stirring with a mixer such as a Nauta mixer. In the two-component developer of the present invention, even if the coating layer made of a silicone resin is scraped off due to wear or the like, the positive chargeability of the carrier does not deteriorate, so that a stable negative chargeability of the toner can be obtained over a long period of time.

  The negatively chargeable toner contained in the two-component developer is not particularly limited, and a known toner can be used. For example, a toner containing a negative charge control agent described below can be used.

3. Toner The toner contains colored resin particles containing a binder resin and a colorant, and an external additive to be externally added to the surface of the colored resin particles as necessary. The colored resin particles preferably further contain a charge control agent and a release agent.

  The colored resin particles include at least a binder resin and a colorant. The colored resin particles may contain a release agent, a charge control agent, and other toner additives.

[1] Binder resin Examples of the binder resin contained in the colored resin particles include various known styrene resins, acrylic resins, and polyester resins. Among these, a linear or non-linear polyester resin is preferable. Polyester resin has higher mechanical strength than other binder resins, so it is less likely to generate fine toner particles, and its fixability is superior to other binder resins. It is excellent in achieving compatibility.

  The polyester resin can be obtained by polymerizing a monomer composition composed of a divalent polyhydric alcohol and a polybasic acid. Examples of the divalent alcohol used for polymerization of the polyester resin include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1 Diols such as 1,4-butenediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, bisphenol A alkylene such as bisphenol A, hydrogenated bisphenol A, polyoxyethylenated bisphenol A, polyoxypropylenated bisphenol A Examples include oxide adducts and the like.

  Examples of the divalent polybasic acid include maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, Examples include malonic acid, anhydrides and lower alkyl esters of these acids, alkenyl succinic acids such as n-dodecenyl succinic acid, n-dodecyl succinic acid, and alkyl succinic acids.

  A trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol or polybasic acid may be added to the monomer composition as necessary. Examples of the trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol include sorbitol, 1,2,3,6-hexanetetrol, 1,4-sorbitan, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, sucrose, 1,2,4- Butanetriol, 1,2,5-pentanetriol, glycerol, 2-methylpropanetriol, 2-methyl-1,2,4-butanetriol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, 1,3,5-trihydroxymethyl Examples include benzene.

  Examples of the tribasic or higher polybasic acid include 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid, and 2,5,7-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid. 1,2,4-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-hexanetricarboxylic acid, 1,3-dicarboxyl-2-methyl-2-methylenecarboxypropane, tetra (methylenecarboxyl) methane, 1,2,7 , 8-octanetetracarboxylic acid, and anhydrides thereof.

[2] Colorant As the colorant that can be used in the toner, known pigments and dyes generally used in toners can be used.

  Specific examples of the black toner include carbon black and magnetite.

  For yellow toner, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 1, 3, 74, 97, 98, etc. acetoacetic acid arylamide monoazo yellow pigments, C.I. I. Pigment Yellow 12, 13, 13, 14, etc., acetoacetic acid arylamide disazo yellow pigments, C.I. I. Condensed monoazo yellow pigments such as CI Pigment Yellow 93 and 155; I. Other yellow pigments such as C.I. Pigment Yellow 180, 150 and 185, C.I. I. Solvent Yellow 19, 77, 79, C.I. I. Examples include yellow dyes such as Disperse Yellow 164.

  For magenta toner, C.I. I. Pigment Red 48, 49: 1, 53: 1, 57, 57: 1, 81, 122, 5, 146, 184, 238; I. Red or red pigments such as CI Pigment Violet 19; I. Examples thereof include red dyes such as Solvent Red 49, 52, 58 and 8.

  For cyan toner, C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3, 15: 4, and the like, and blue dyes and pigments of copper phthalocyanine and derivatives thereof; C.I. I. Examples thereof include green pigments such as CI Pigment Green 7 and 36 (phthalocyanine green).

  As content of a coloring agent, it is preferable that it is about 1-15 weight part with respect to 100 weight part of binder resin, More preferably, it is the range of 2-10 weight part.

[3] Charge Control Agent A known charge control agent can be used as the charge control agent that can be used for the toner.

  Specifically, as a charge control agent imparting negative chargeability, chromium azo complex dye, iron azo complex dye, cobalt azo complex dye, salicylic acid or its derivative chromium / zinc / aluminum / boron complex or salt compound, naphtholic acid or Chromium / zinc / aluminum / boron complex or salt compound of its derivative, chrome / zinc / aluminum / boron complex or salt compound of benzylic acid or its derivative, long chain alkyl / carboxylate, long chain alkyl / sulfonate, etc. Can be mentioned.

  The content of these charge control agents is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 20 parts by weight, more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. .

[4] Release Agent As described above, the toner may contain a release agent. By including the release agent in the toner, the releasability of the toner with respect to the fixing roller or the fixing belt can be improved, so that high temperature offset and low temperature offset during fixing can be prevented.

  Release agents include synthetic waxes such as polypropylene and polyethylene, paraffin wax and derivatives thereof, petroleum waxes such as microcrystalline wax and derivatives thereof, and modified waxes thereof, carnauba wax, rice wax, candelilla wax, and other plant systems. Mention may be made of waxes.

  The addition amount of the release agent is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 1 part by weight or more and 5 parts by weight or less with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.

[5] External additive Examples of the external additive include inorganic particles made of silica, titanium oxide, alumina or the like having an average particle diameter of 7 nm to 100 nm. Further, these inorganic particles may be surface-treated with a silane coupling agent, a titanium coupling agent, or silicone oil to impart hydrophobicity. Inorganic particles imparted with hydrophobicity are preferred because the decrease in electrical resistance and charge amount is reduced under high humidity. In particular, silica particles in which a trimethylsilyl group is introduced on the surface using hexamethyldisilazane (hereinafter also referred to as “HMDS”) as a silane coupling agent are excellent in hydrophobicity and insulating properties. The toner externally added with silica particles having a trimethylsilyl group introduced on the surface is excellent in chargeability without decreasing the charge amount even in a high humidity environment.

  Specific examples of the external additive include Aerosil 50 (number average particle size: about 30 nm) manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., Aerosil 90 (number average particle size: about 30 nm) manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., and Aerosil 130 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd. (Number average particle size: about 16 nm), Aerosil 200 (number average particle size: about 12 nm) manufactured by Nippon Aerosil, Aerosil 300 (number average particle size: about 7 nm) manufactured by Nippon Aerosil, Aerosil manufactured by Nippon Aerosil 380 (number average particle diameter: about 7 nm), aluminum oxide C (number average particle diameter: about 13 nm) manufactured by West Germany Degussa, titanium oxide P-25 (number average particle diameter: about 21 nm) manufactured by West Germany Degussa, West Germany Titanium oxide P-25MOX170 (number average particle size: about 15 nm) manufactured by Degussa, TTO manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd. 51 (number average particle diameter: about 20 nm), and Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha TTO-55 manufactured by Ltd. (number average particle diameter: about 40 nm), and the like. The definition of the number average particle diameter will be described later.

  The amount of the external additive added is preferably 0.2% by weight or more and 3% by weight or less. If it is less than 0.2% by weight, there is a possibility that sufficient fluidity cannot be imparted to the toner. If it exceeds 3% by weight, the fixability of the toner may be lowered.

[1] -1, Production Method of Colored Resin Particles Colored resin particles can be produced by a known method such as a kneading and pulverizing method or a polymerization method. Specifically, when the kneading and pulverization method is adopted, the binder resin, the colorant, the charge control agent, the release agent, and other additives are mixed with a mixer such as a Henschel mixer, a super mixer, a mechano mill, or a Q type mixer. Mix. The obtained raw material mixture is melt-kneaded at a temperature of about 100 to 180 ° C. by a kneader such as a twin-screw kneader or a single-screw kneader. The obtained kneaded product is cooled and solidified, and the solidified product is pulverized by an air pulverizer such as a jet mill. Colored resin particles can be produced by adjusting the particle size such as classification of the obtained pulverized product as necessary.

  The volume average particle size of the colored resin particles thus produced is preferably 4 μm or more and 7 μm or less. By being 4 μm or more and 7 μm or less, it is possible to form a high-quality image with excellent dot reproducibility and less fogging and toner scattering. The definition of the volume average particle diameter will be described later.

  A known method can be used as a method for controlling the BET specific surface area. For example, there are a method such as a method in which colored resin particles are rotated in a cylindrical pipe at a high speed to make a corner, and a method such as a sfufusion system that instantaneously melts toner in a hot air stream. The definition of the BET specific surface area is described below.

3-1. Manufacturing Method of Toner The toner of the present embodiment can be produced by externally adding an external additive to the colored resin particles. Specifically, it can be produced by mixing the colored resin particles and the external additive using an airflow mixer such as a Henschel mixer, that is, by external addition treatment.

  An external additive may not be externally added to the colored resin particles, and only the colored resin particles may be used as a toner in a two-component developer.

4 and Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 2 is a schematic view schematically showing one form of the image forming apparatus 40 according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the image forming apparatus 40 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 40 is a tandem color image forming apparatus including four image forming units 1 to 4.

  The image forming apparatus 40 includes, as four image forming units 1 to 4, a first image forming unit 1 for forming a black toner image, a second image forming unit 2 for forming a cyan toner image, and magenta toner. A third image forming unit 3 for forming an image and a fourth image forming unit 4 for forming a yellow toner image are included.

  An intermediate transfer belt 5 that is an endless belt is disposed above the four image forming units 1 to 4 toward the paper surface of FIG. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is stretched over two support rolls 6 and rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow R. A secondary transfer roller 8 is provided opposite to one support roll 6 with the intermediate transfer belt 5 interposed therebetween. Thereafter, the upstream and downstream in the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt 5 are defined starting from the secondary transfer position where the secondary transfer roller 8 is disposed. As a material for the intermediate transfer belt 5, a material in which an appropriate amount of an electron conductive material is contained in a thermosetting silicone resin such as polyimide or polyamide can be used.

  The four image forming units 1 to 4 are a first image forming unit 1 that forms a toner image corresponding to black image information from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction R of the intermediate transfer belt 5. A second image forming unit 2 that forms a toner image corresponding to the image information, a third image forming unit 3 that forms a toner image corresponding to the magenta image information, and a toner image corresponding to the yellow image information. The fourth image forming units 4 are arranged in this order.

  Inside the intermediate transfer belt 5, a primary transfer roller 7 that transfers the monochromatic toner image formed by each of the image forming units 1 to 4 onto the intermediate transfer belt 5, forms each image with the intermediate transfer belt 5 interposed therebetween. Each is provided so as to face the units 1 to 4. The single color toner images formed by the image forming units 1 to 4 are transferred so as to be superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 to form one color toner image.

  On the downstream side in the rotation direction R of the intermediate transfer belt 5 from the fourth image forming unit 4 that forms a toner image corresponding to yellow image information, the color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5 is used as a recording medium. A secondary transfer roller 8 for transferring is provided.

  A belt cleaning unit 10 for cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 is provided downstream of the secondary transfer roller 8 in the rotation direction R of the intermediate transfer belt 5. The belt cleaning unit 10 includes a belt cleaning brush 11 disposed in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5 and a belt cleaning blade 12. The belt cleaning blade 12 is disposed downstream of the belt cleaning brush 11 in the rotation direction R of the intermediate transfer belt 5. After the secondary transfer, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 5 without being transferred to the recording medium is removed by the belt cleaning unit 10.

  A tray 14 for storing a recording medium is disposed below the four image forming units 1 to 4 toward the paper surface of FIG. The recording medium in the tray 14 is conveyed by a plurality of paper feed rollers 13 to a secondary transfer position where the secondary transfer roller 8 faces the intermediate transfer belt 5. An arrow P indicates the conveyance direction of the recording medium.

  A fixing unit 15 for fixing the color toner image transferred to the recording medium to the recording medium is provided downstream of the secondary transfer roller 8 in the conveyance direction P of the recording medium. A discharge roller 13 a for discharging the recording medium on which the color toner image is fixed from the image forming apparatus 40 is provided downstream of the fixing unit 15 in the recording medium conveyance direction P.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the first image forming unit 1 shown in FIG. The configurations of the second image forming unit 2, the third image forming unit 3, and the fourth image forming unit 4 are substantially the same. Therefore, detailed description of the configuration of the first image forming unit 1, the second image forming unit 2, the third image forming unit 3, and the fourth image forming unit 4 is omitted.

  The first image forming unit 1 includes a cylindrical photosensitive drum 16 that is an image carrier, a charger 17 that is provided around the photosensitive drum 16, and charges the photosensitive drum 16. An exposure device 18 for writing an electrostatic latent image, a developing device 19 for visualizing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 16, and a photosensitive drum cleaner 20 for removing a residue including toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 16 after primary transfer. Including. The charger 17 and the exposure device 18 function as a latent image forming unit.

  The charger 17 is a non-contact charger in the present embodiment, and is realized by, for example, a scorotron charger. The charger 17 performs corona discharge on the photosensitive drum 16 to charge the photosensitive drum 16 to a predetermined potential. The charger 17 may be realized by a corotron charger. The charger 17 is not limited to a non-contact type charger, and may be realized by a contact type charger, for example, a charging roller or a charging brush.

  The exposure device 18 is composed of, for example, a laser exposure device, performs exposure by laser scanning according to an image signal, and changes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 16 charged by the charger 17, thereby changing the surface potential. An electrostatic latent image is formed. An LDE array device or the like can also be used as the exposure device.

  The developing device 19 accommodates a developer containing the toner of the present invention in the developing tank 27, and develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 16 with the toner contained in the developer to form a toner image. The developer includes a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier and a one-component developer that does not include a carrier and includes only the toner. In the image forming apparatus 40 of the present embodiment, the developing device 19 has a configuration corresponding to the two-component developer in which the two-component developer is accommodated in the developing tank 27.

  The photosensitive drum cleaner 20 includes a cleaning blade 21, a cleaner housing 22, and a seal 23.

  The cleaning blade 21 is disposed in pressure contact with the rotation direction Rd of the photosensitive drum 16 in the counter direction, and scrapes off the residue on the surface of the photosensitive drum 16. The cleaner housing 22 accommodates the scraped residue, and the cleaning blade 21 is attached to the cleaner housing 22. The seal 23 seals the inside of the cleaner housing 22. One end of the seal 23 is fixed to the cleaner housing 22 upstream of the cleaning blade 21 in the rotation direction Rd of the photoconductor drum 16, and the other end is the photoconductor drum 16. Is placed in contact.

5 and Developing Device FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a configuration around the developing device 19 in the first image forming unit 1 shown in FIG. The developing device 19 includes a developing tank 27 in which a two-component developer (hereinafter simply referred to as “developer”) is accommodated, and the developing tank 27 is located at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 16. In addition, an opening 30 that opens toward the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 16 is formed.

  A developing roller 24 is provided inside the developing tank 27 so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 16 through the opening of the opening 30. The developing roller 24 has a cylindrical shape, and carries the developer on the outer peripheral surface thereof to convey the toner in the developer to the photosensitive drum 16 to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 16. To do. The developing roller 24 is disposed at a distance from the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 16.

  The developing roller 24 includes a columnar multipolar magnetized member 25 magnetized in multiple poles, and a nonmagnetic sleeve 26 that is rotatably fitted on the multipolar magnetized member 25. Both ends of the multipolar magnetized member 25 in the axial direction are supported non-rotatably on both side walls of the developing tank 27.

  In the multipolar magnetized member 25, a plurality of magnetic poles are spaced apart from each other at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction. The magnetic poles of the multipolar magnetized member 25 are formed by, for example, arranging bar magnets having a rectangular cross-sectional shape radially at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction of the multipolar magnetized member 25. In the present embodiment, the multipolar magnetized member 25 has five magnetic poles, specifically, three N poles N1, N2, N3 and two S poles S1, S2.

  The magnetic pole N1 is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 16. With the rotation axis of the sleeve 26 as the center of rotation, the magnetic pole S1 is arranged at a position displaced, for example, by 59 ° from the magnetic pole N1 in the rotational direction Ra of the sleeve 26, and the magnetic pole N2 is in the rotational direction of the sleeve 26 from the magnetic pole N1. For example, the magnetic pole N3 is disposed on the upstream side of Ra by a 117 ° angular displacement, the magnetic pole N3 is disposed on the upstream side in the rotational direction Ra of the sleeve 26 from the magnetic pole N1, for example, at a position displaced by 224 °, and the magnetic pole S2 is disposed on the magnetic pole N1. For example, the sleeve 26 is arranged at a position displaced by an angle of 282 ° on the upstream side in the rotational direction Ra.

  When the magnetic flux density of the N pole is positive (plus (+)) and the magnetic flux density of the S pole is negative (minus (−)), the peak value of the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pole N1 is, for example, 110 mT, and the magnetic flux of the magnetic pole S1. The peak value of the density is, for example, −78 mT, the peak value of the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pole N2 is, for example, 56 mT, the peak value of the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pole N3 is, for example, 42 mT, and the peak value of the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pole S2. Is, for example, −80 mT.

  Near the opening 30 of the developing tank 27 and upstream of the portion of the developing roller 24 facing the photosensitive drum 16 in the rotational direction Ra of the sleeve 26 and in the rotational direction Ra of the sleeve 26 relative to the pumping pole N2. A regulating member 28 that regulates the thickness of the developer layer carried on the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 24 and regulates the transport amount of the developer to the electrostatic latent image is located at a position facing the downstream side portion of the developing roller 24. Provided. The regulating member 28 is arranged at a predetermined interval with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 24.

  An agitating member 29 that agitates the developer in the developing tank 27 and supplies it to the developing roller 24 is rotatably provided in the developing tank 27 at a position facing the developing roller 24.

  The developing device of the present invention develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier using the two-component developer of the present invention to form a visible image. Since the toner charge amount of the two-component developer of the present invention is stable, the use of the two-component developer of the present invention can stably form a good toner image without fog over a long period of time. A developing device can be realized.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the electrostatic latent image is developed with the toner of the present invention by the developing device to form an image, the development of the present invention capable of forming a toner image without fogging on the image carrier. An image forming apparatus is realized including the apparatus. By forming an image with such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to stably form a stable image having a constant image density without fogging for a long period of time.

(Various definitions)
The definitions of molybdenum strength ratio, volume average particle size, saturation magnetization, volume resistivity, number average molecular weight, coverage, BET specific surface area, and number average particle size in this specification are described below.

"Volume average particle diameter of carrier"
In the present embodiment, the volume average particle diameter of the carrier is measured under a condition of a dispersion pressure of 3.0 bar using a dry dispersion apparatus RODOS (manufactured by SYMPATEC) in a laser diffraction particle size distribution measuring apparatus HELOS (manufactured by SYMPATEC). Means the value.

"Volume average particle diameter of colored resin particles"
In the present embodiment, the volume average particle diameter of the colored resin particles means a value measured with a Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.) using a 100 μm aperture. Specifically, a Coulter Counter TA-II type or Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Coulter, Inc.) was used as a measuring device. As the electrolytic solution, a 1% NaCl aqueous solution is prepared using first grade sodium chloride. For example, ISOTON R-II (manufactured by Coulter Scientific Japan) can be used. As a measuring method, 0.1 to 5 ml of a surfactant, preferably an alkylbenzene sulfonate, is added as a dispersant to 100 to 150 ml of the aqueous electrolyte solution, and 2 to 20 mg of a measurement sample is further added. The electrolyte in which the sample is suspended is subjected to a dispersion process for about 1 to 3 minutes with an ultrasonic disperser. Using the measuring device, a 100 μm aperture is used as an aperture, and the volume and number of toners are measured. Was calculated. Then, the weight-average weight average particle diameter obtained from the volume distribution according to the present invention was obtained.

"Carrier saturation magnetization"
In the present embodiment, the saturation magnetization of the carrier refers to a value measured by VSMP-1 manufactured by Toei Industry Co., Ltd.

"Volume resistivity of core particles and carriers"
In the present embodiment, the volume resistivity of the carrier is a value measured by the following method. The measurement is performed under environmental conditions of an air temperature of 20 ° C. and a humidity of 65%. A carrier of 0.2 g is filled between two copper plate electrodes having a width of 30 mm and a height of 10 mm which are installed with a gap of 6.5 mm. Next, a carrier bridge is formed by the magnetic lines of force of two magnets (100 mT) arranged outside each copper plate electrode so that the N pole and the S pole face each other. In this state, a voltage of 500 V is applied, and the value measured 15 seconds after the application is taken as the volume resistivity of the carrier. The volume resistivity of the core particle is a value measured by the same method as the volume resistivity of the carrier.

"Number average particle size of external additives"
In the present embodiment, the number average particle diameter of the external additive is determined by a scanning electron microscope (Scanning
The external additive is photographed using an Electron Microscope (SEM), and the particle size of 100 external additives is arbitrarily measured from the obtained image, and the average value of the obtained particle sizes is meant.

[Example 1]
<Career>
(Production of core particles)
As ferrite raw materials, Fe ₂ O ₃ (manufactured by KDK) 50 mol%, MnCO ₂ (manufactured by KDK) 35 mol%, Mg (OH) ₂ (manufactured by KDK) 14.5 mol% and SrO (manufactured by KDK) 0.5 mol% % Was pulverized in a ball mill for 4 hours, and the mixed and pulverized ferrite raw material was calcined at 900 ° C. using a rotary kiln, and the obtained calcined powder was used as a pulverization medium with a wet pulverizer using steel balls. Finely pulverized to an average particle size of 2 μm or less. The ferrite powder obtained by pulverization was granulated by a spray drying method, and the granulated product was fired at 1300 ° C. After firing, core particles containing a ferrite component having a volume average particle diameter of 45 μm and a volume resistivity of 1 × 10 ⁹ Ω · cm were obtained by crushing using a crusher.

(Preparation of coating solution)
To 900 parts by weight of a toluene-methanol mixed solvent, which is an organic solvent in which toluene and methanol are mixed at a weight ratio of 9: 1, 100 parts by weight of dimethyl silicone resin (trade name: SR2411, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Co., Ltd.) N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-styrene (N, N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate-
butylyl-styrene: DMEMA-BA-ST) copolymer (glass transition temperature (Tg) 80 ° C.) 5 parts by weight and 10 parts by weight of an ammonium salt compound represented by the following chemical formula (2) are added to dissolve or A coating solution was prepared by dispersing.
(C ₁₄ H ₂₉ ) ₂ N (CH ₃ ) ₂ · ¼ [Mo ₈ O ₂₆ ] ⁴ (2)

(Formation of coating layer)
Using an immersion method coating apparatus, the core particles and the coating liquid are mixed at a ratio of 5 parts by weight of dimethyl silicone resin to 100 parts by weight of the core particles, and the organic solvent is evaporated while heating at 180 ° C. A coating layer was formed on the particle surface. Then, the carrier of Example 1 was produced by heating at 230 degreeC for 30 minutes.

[Example 2]
In the preparation of the coating solution, the amount of N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-styrene copolymer added was changed from 5 parts by weight to 3 parts by weight, and the amount of ammonium salt compound (2) added was 10 parts by weight. The carrier of Example 2 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount was changed from 12 to 12 parts by weight.

[Example 3]
In the preparation of the coating solution, the amount of N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-styrene copolymer added was changed from 5 parts by weight to 8 parts by weight, and the amount of ammonium salt compound (2) added was 10 parts by weight. The carrier of Example 3 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount was changed from 7 to 7 parts by weight.

[Example 4]
In the preparation of the coating solution, the amount of N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-styrene copolymer added was changed from 5 parts by weight to 10 parts by weight, and the amount of ammonium salt compound (2) added was 10 parts by weight. The carrier of Example 4 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount was changed from 5 to 5 parts by weight.

[Example 5]
In the preparation of the coating solution, N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butyl methacrylate (N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butyl methacrylate) was used instead of N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-styrene copolymer.
: DMEMA-BMA) copolymer in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 8 parts by weight of the copolymer was added and 7 parts by weight of the ammonium salt compound (3) was added instead of the ammonium salt compound (2). Was made.

[Example 6]
In the preparation of the coating solution, N, N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate-styrene (DMEMA-ST) was used instead of N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butylacrylate-styrene copolymer. A carrier of Example 6 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 5 parts by weight of the polymer was added and 10 parts by weight of the ammonium salt compound (3) was added instead of the ammonium salt compound (2).

[Example 7]
In the preparation of the coating liquid, instead of N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-styrene copolymer, N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate (N, N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate)
-Butylmethacrylate-butylacrylate: DMEMA-MMA-BA) A copolymer was added in an amount of 8 parts by weight, and 7 parts by weight of an ammonium salt compound (4) was added in place of the ammonium salt compound (2). Thus, a carrier of Example 7 was produced.

[Comparative Example 1]
In the preparation of the coating solution, except that the addition amount of N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-styrene copolymer was changed from 5 parts by weight to 10 parts by weight and the ammonium salt compound (2) was not added. Produced a carrier of Comparative Example 1 in the same manner as in Example 1.

[Comparative Example 2]
A carrier of Comparative Example 2 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that in the preparation of the coating liquid, N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-styrene copolymer was not added.

[Comparative Example 3]
The carrier of Comparative Example 3 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that N, N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate-butyl acrylate-styrene copolymer and ammonium salt compound (2) were not added in the preparation of the coating liquid. Was made.

  Table 1 shows the charge improver contained in the coating layer, the carrier volume average particle diameter, and the saturation magnetization of the carrier for the carriers of Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3.

<Toner>
The toner material is described below.
Binder resin (polyester resin, glass transition temperature 60 ° C., softening temperature 105 ° C., manufactured by Fujikura Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd.) 100 parts by weight Carbon black (trade name: MA-77, manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) 5 parts by weight Charge control agent (Boron compound, trade name: LR-147, manufactured by Nippon Carlit) 1.5 parts by weight Release agent (paraffin wax, trade name: HNP-9, manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.) 5 parts by weight After mixing with a mixer for 10 minutes, the mixture was melt-kneaded and dispersed with a kneading and dispersing apparatus (trade name: Knee Dick MOS140-800, manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.). The melt-kneaded product was coarsely pulverized with a cutting mill, and then finely pulverized with a jet type pulverizer (trade name: IDS-2 type, manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.). By classifying the obtained finely pulverized product using an air classifier (trade name: MP-250 type, manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.), colored resin particles having a volume average particle size of 6.0 μm are obtained. It was.

  1 part by weight of silica particles (trade name: R8200, manufactured by Aerosil) whose surface was treated with hexamethyldisilazane having a number average particle diameter of 12 nm was added to 100 parts by weight of the obtained colored resin particles, and the tip of the stirring blade A toner containing a negative charge control agent was prepared by stirring for 2 minutes with an airflow mixer (Henschel mixer, manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.) set at a speed of 15 m / sec.

<Two-component developer>
6 parts by weight of the toner prepared above and 94 parts by weight of the carriers of Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 are put into a Nauta mixer (trade name: VL-0, manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation), and stirred and mixed for 20 minutes. Thus, two-component developers each including the carriers of Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were produced.

<Evaluation>
[Continuous print test]
A two-component developer containing the carriers of Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 was sequentially set as a developer in the test image forming apparatus 40 shown in FIG. 2, and a continuous print test was performed. The continuous print test was performed using only the first image forming unit 1 among the four image forming units 1 to 4. As the development conditions of the image forming apparatus 40, the peripheral speed of the photosensitive member 16 is 400 mm / second, the peripheral speed of the developing roller 24 is 560 mm / second, the gap between the photosensitive member 16 and the developing roller 24 is 0.42 mm, and the developing roller 24 The gap between the blade and the regulating blade was set to 0.5 mm. Further, the surface potential of the photoconductor 16 and the development are such that the toner adhesion amount on the test paper in the solid image (100% density) is 0.5 mg / cm ² and the toner adhesion amount in the non-image area (density 0%) is minimized. Each bias was adjusted. As the test paper, A4 size electrophotographic paper (trade name: Multi-receiver, manufactured by Sharp Document System) was used.

  Specifically, the continuous print test was performed as follows. Using the two-component developers including the carriers of Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, a continuous print test with a solid image having a side of 3 cm formed on a test paper in an environment of a temperature of 20 ° C. and a humidity of 65% Went. The toner charge amount at the initial stage of image formation after 10000 (hereinafter referred to as “10k”) sheet formation and after 50k sheet formation was measured as follows. In addition, the image density and the fog density were measured and evaluated for the printed images at the initial stage of image formation, after 10k sheets were formed, and after 50k sheets were formed.

(Toner charge amount)
The toner charge amount (μC / g) is measured using a suction type small charge amount measuring device (trade name: 210HS-2A, manufactured by Trek Japan).

(Image density)
The image density was measured by using a reflection densitometer (trade name: RD918, manufactured by Macbeth). The image density in a state where the paper fibers are completely covered with toner is considered to be 1.3 or more, and the image density in which the paper fibers are almost completely covered with toner is slightly higher than 1.2 to less than 1.3. It was determined that the paper fiber was incompletely covered with toner and less than 1.2.

(Fogging density)
The fog density was measured in advance using a whiteness meter (trade name: Z-Σ90 COLOR MEASURING SYSTEM, manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd.). Next, the whiteness in the non-image area of the paper after printing was measured using a whiteness meter, the difference between the whiteness before printing and the whiteness after printing was obtained, and this difference was defined as the fog density. The fog density is less than 0.6, which is almost invisible to the naked eye, and the fog density is less than 0.6, and the fog density is clearly visible to the naked eye. A fog density of 1.0 or more, where the fog was clearly visible with the naked eye, was regarded as defective.

[Charge by carrier lot]
Using the two-component developer containing the carrier of Example 1 as a developer, the charge amount of each carrier lot was measured. The charge amount of the carrier was measured in the same manner as the toner charge amount of the above-mentioned continuous print test.

<Result>
Table 2 shows the results of the continuous print test.

  Table 3 shows the charge amount of each carrier lot.

  As apparent from Table 2, in Examples 1 to 7, the toner charge amount was stable, and the image density was high and an image without fogging was obtained.

  In Comparative Examples 1 to 3 in which either the nitrogen-containing resin or the ammonium salt compound (1) is not added, or both are not added, the change in the toner charge amount is severe, and the image density is lowered and fogging occurs due to poor transfer. It was observed.

  As is apparent from Table 3, it was found that there was no variation in the charge amount for each lot of carriers, and a carrier having stable chargeability could be obtained.

It is sectional drawing which shows the carrier 144 which is one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a first image forming unit 1 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration around a developing device 19 in the first image forming unit 1 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a carrier 145 having a coating layer 142 in which the charge improving agent is biased inward when the charge improving agent does not contain a low-solubility substance. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a carrier 146 having a coating layer 143 in which the charge improving agent is biased outward when the charge improving agent does not contain a highly soluble substance.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st image forming unit 2 2nd image forming unit 3 3rd image forming unit 4 4th image forming unit 5 Intermediate transfer belt 6 Support roll 7 Primary transfer roller 10 Belt cleaning unit 11 Belt cleaning brush 12 Belt cleaning blade 13 Supply Paper roller 13a Paper discharge roller 14 Tray 15 Fixing unit 16 Photosensitive drum 17 Charger 18 Exposure unit 19 Developing device 20 Photosensitive drum 21 Cleaner cleaning blade 22 Cleaner housing 23 Seal 40 Developing device N1, N2, N3, S1, S2 Magnetic pole P Transport direction R, Rd Rotation direction 140 Core particle 141 Coating layer 141a Inner portion 141b Outer portion 144 Carrier

Claims (10)

A carrier having a coating layer on the surface of the core particles,
The coating layer includes a charge improving agent and a coating resin in which the charge improving agent is dispersed,
The charge improving agent includes a nitrogen-containing resin and an ammonium salt compound represented by the following general formula (1), and the coating resin includes a silicone resin.

(In the formula, R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ each represents an alkyl group or a benzyl group, and A ⁻ represents a molybdate anion.)   The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the nitrogen-containing resin is an acrylic resin having an amino group.   The carrier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the silicone resin is a dimethyl silicone resin.   The carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the core particle includes a ferrite component. At least a coating liquid obtained by dissolving or dispersing a coating resin and a charge improving agent in an organic solvent is attached to the surface of the core particles, and then the organic solvent is removed to form a coating layer;
The charge improving agent contains a nitrogen-containing resin and an ammonium salt compound represented by the following general formula (1), and the coating resin contains a silicone resin.

(Wherein R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ each represents an alkyl group or a benzyl group, and A ⁻ represents a molybdate anion.)   The method for producing a carrier according to claim 5, wherein the organic solvent contains toluene and alcohol.   A two-component developer comprising a toner and the carrier according to claim 1.   A two-component developer comprising a toner containing a negative charge control agent and the carrier according to claim 1.   A developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier using the two-component developer according to claim 7 to form a visible image. An image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed;
A latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier;
A developing device according to claim 9,
Transfer means for transferring a visible image formed on the image carrier to a recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing unit that fixes a visible image on a recording medium.

Images