JP2009190977A - Amine compound, electrophotographic photosensitive material, and method and device for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high image quality and high durability electrophotographic photosensitive material, a method and a device for forming an image, and a new amine compound used for the above. <P>SOLUTION: This amine compound is expressed by general formula (1) [wherein, Ar<SP>1</SP>, Ar<SP>2</SP>, Ar<SP>4</SP>, Ar<SP>5</SP>are each independently an aryl which may have a substituent; Ar<SP>3</SP>, Ar<SP>6</SP>are each independently an arylene which may have a substituent; Z is a heterocyclic group having a cyclic structure containing a hetero atom, which may be substituted by a 1-8C alkyl, an alkoxy or an aryl]. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member used for electrophotographic image formation, an image forming method, an image forming apparatus, and a novel amine compound used in these, and more particularly, high sensitivity and high durability electrophotography. The present invention relates to a photoreceptor, an image forming method, an image forming apparatus, and a novel amine compound used in these.

  In recent years, in the fields of printing and color printing, the opportunities for using electrophotographic copying machines and printers are increasing. In the fields of printing and color printing, there is a strong tendency to demand high-quality digital monochrome images or color images. In response to such a demand, it has been proposed to form a high-definition digital image using a short wavelength laser beam as an exposure light source (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, even if a short-wavelength laser beam is used to narrow the exposure dot diameter and a fine electrostatic latent image is formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the finally obtained electrophotographic image achieves sufficiently high image quality. The current situation is not.

  The cause is that the photosensitive characteristics of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the charging characteristics of the toner of the developer do not have sufficient characteristics necessary for forming a fine dot latent image or forming a toner image.

  That is, as an electrophotographic photoreceptor, an organic photoreceptor developed for a conventional long wavelength laser (hereinafter also simply referred to as a photoreceptor) has poor sensitivity characteristics, and the exposure dot diameter is reduced using a short wavelength laser beam. When the narrowed image exposure is performed, the dot latent image is not clearly formed, and the reproducibility of the dot image tends to deteriorate. This is caused not only by the charge generation layer but also by the charge transport layer. It is necessary to identify and remove the deterioration factors of the materials and additives of each layer with respect to the short wavelength laser.

  As a deterioration factor in the charge transport layer, a charge transport material developed for a conventional organic photoreceptor easily absorbs light having a short wavelength of 300 to 500 nm. As a result, electrons such as a decrease in sensitivity and an increase in residual potential are generated. It is easy to promote deterioration of photographic characteristics.

  For such a problem, a polyarylalkane compound having a phenyl group methyl-substituted at the para position as a charge transporting substance has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2), but the effect was insufficient. .

In addition, conventional triarylamine charge transport materials that have been developed as charge transport materials for short-wavelength light have a problem in solubility, and crystals are deposited during coating solution and photosensitive layer deposition, resulting in electrical characteristics. A decline occurred. Image quality defects also occurred due to film defects such as cracks in the photosensitive layer resin film, and a photoconductor with high image quality and high durability could not be obtained.
JP 2000-250239 A JP-A-51-93224

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electrophotographic photosensitive member having high image quality and high durability, an image forming method, an image forming apparatus, and a novel amine compound used in these. There is.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following configurations.

  1. An amine compound represented by the following general formula (1):

(In the formula, Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ⁴ and Ar ⁵ each independently represent an aryl group which may have a substituent, and Ar ³ and Ar ⁶ each independently have a substituent. Z represents a heterocyclic group having a cyclic structure containing a hetero atom, which may be substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group, or an aryl group.
2. 2. The amine compound as described in 1 above, wherein Z in the general formula (1) is a heterocyclic group represented by the following general formula (2).

(In the formula, R _{1 to} R ₈ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X ₁ represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.)
3. 2. The amine compound as described in 1 above, wherein Z in the general formula (1) is a heterocyclic group represented by the following general formula (3).

(Wherein R _{1 to} R ₉ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group, and X ₂ represents nitrogen.)
4). 2. The amine compound as described in 1 above, wherein Z in the general formula (1) is a heterocyclic group represented by the following general formula (4).

(Wherein R _{1 to} R ₆ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X ₃ and X ₄ each represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, and n is an integer of 0 to 2). Represents.)
5. In the electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a photosensitive layer containing a charge generation material and a charge transport material on a conductive support, the charge transport material is the amine compound described in any one of 1 to 4 above. An electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  6). 6. The electrophotographic photoreceptor as described in 5 above, wherein the charge generating substance is a polycyclic quinone compound.

  7. An exposure process for forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member using a semiconductor laser having an oscillation wavelength of 350 to 500 nm or a light source of a light emitting diode, and development for visualizing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image 6. An image forming method comprising the steps of: an electrophotographic photosensitive member as described in 5 above.

  8). Exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member using a semiconductor laser having an oscillation wavelength of 350 to 500 nm or a light source of a light emitting diode, and development for visualizing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image 6. An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to item 5 above.

  By using the amine compound of the present invention as a charge transport material for a photoreceptor, the coating film state of the photoreceptor is improved, and image defects (for example, potions in a halftone portion) are formed on a print image formed by exposure with short wavelength laser exposure. It is possible to provide a photoconductor capable of forming a print image having no defect) and excellent sharpness, and an image forming method and an image forming apparatus using the photoconductor.

  As a result of intensive studies in view of the above problems, the present inventor has found that the electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a photosensitive layer containing a charge generating material and a charge transporting material on a conductive support, the charge transporting material of the present invention. It has been found that an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a high image quality and high durability can be obtained by using the electrophotographic photosensitive member as a novel amine compound.

  The present inventor has studied a new charge transport material in order to solve the light stability of the charge transport material and the image quality and durability after film formation on the photosensitive layer. As a result, it is possible to improve the light stability by using a novel charge transport material in which a heterocyclic ring is introduced into the center unit of a bistriarylamine compound, and the resin film of the photosensitive layer produced using this compound can be improved. Durability has improved and led to improvement of sensitivity failure.

  The amine compound represented by the general formula (1) has a small absorption with respect to a wavelength of 350 to 500 nm used as a light source for exposure, a large potential attenuation value with respect to a unit exposure amount, good repeatability, and a small diameter. It can form a latent dot image sharply, has improved solubility in solvents, and compatibility with binders such as polycarbonate. Charge transport after coating when used as a charge transport material for electrophotographic photoreceptors The film physical properties of the layer are improved.

  As a result, by using a photoconductor using the amine compound represented by the general formula (1) as a charge transport material and using a light source having a short wavelength of 350 to 500 nm, an image defect (for example, a defect in a halftone portion) ) And a print image with excellent sharpness can be created.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

<< Amine Compound Represented by General Formula (1) >>
The amine compound represented by the general formula (1) of the present invention will be described.

In the general formula (1), Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ⁴ and Ar ⁵ each independently represent an aryl group which may have a substituent, and Ar ³ and Ar ⁶ each independently represent a substituent. Represents an arylene group which may have Z represents a heterocyclic group having a cyclic structure containing a hetero atom, and may be substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group, or an aryl group.

Examples of the aryl group represented by Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ⁴ , Ar ⁵ include a phenyl group and a tolyl group. Examples of the substituent of the aryl group include a prime number 1-4 alkyl group or an alkoxy group.

As the arylene group represented by Ar ³ or Ar ⁶ , a phenylene group or a tolylene group is preferable, and a phenylene group is particularly preferable. Examples of the substituent for the arylene group include an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group.

  Examples of the heterocyclic group having a cyclic structure containing a hetero atom represented by Z include a 4- to 6-membered heterocyclic group containing an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and nitrogen.

Z in the general formula (1) is preferably a heterocyclic group represented by the general formula (2). In the general formula (2), R ₁ ~R ₈ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X ₁ is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.

Also. Z in the general formula (1) is preferably a heterocyclic group represented by the general formula (3). In the general formula (3), R ₁ ~R ₉ are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X ₂ represents a nitrogen.

Furthermore, Z in the general formula (1) is preferably a heterocyclic group represented by the general formula (4). In the general formula (4), R ₁ ~R ₆ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X _3, X ₄ represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom. n represents an integer of 0 to 2.

  Specific examples of the amine compound represented by the general formula (1) are illustrated below, but the amine compound of the present invention is not limited thereto.

  Below, the synthesis example of the amine compound represented by General formula (1) is shown.

(Synthesis of CTM-1)
In a 200 ml four-necked flask, 18 g of N, N-bis (p-methylphenyl) aniline, 3 g of tetrahydro-4H-pyran-4-one and 5 ml of acetic acid were weighed, and 0.3 g of methanesulfonic acid was added. The mixture was stirred at 75 to 85 ° C. for 14 hours under a nitrogen stream, cooled to room temperature, added with 150 ml of toluene and 100 ml of water, and washed with a separatory funnel until the aqueous layer became neutral. The toluene layer was transferred to a 300 ml eggplant flask and concentrated. After concentration, the target product was separated and purified by column chromatography. The yield was 5.9g. The structure of the obtained compound was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and mass spectrum.

(Synthesis of CTM-9)
In the synthesis of CTM-1, CTM-9 was synthesized in the same manner except that the raw material tetrahydro-4H-pyran-4-one was changed to tetrahydro-4H-thiopyran-4-one. The structure of the obtained compound was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and mass spectrum.

  Other compounds can be synthesized in the same manner.

<Photoconductor>
The photoreceptor of the present invention is a photoreceptor composed of a photosensitive layer containing a charge generation material and a charge transport material on a conductive support, wherein the charge transport material is an amine compound represented by the general formula (1). It is characterized by being.

  The structure of the photoreceptor of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it contains the amine compound represented by the general formula (1) as a charge transport material, and examples thereof include the following structures.

(1) A structure in which a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are sequentially laminated as a photosensitive layer on a conductive support. (2) A charge generation layer, a first charge transport layer and a second charge transport as a photosensitive layer on a conductive support. (3) Configuration in which a single layer containing a charge transport material and a charge generation material is formed as a photosensitive layer on a conductive support. (4) Photosensitivity of the photoconductor of (1) to (3) above. A structure in which a surface protective layer is further formed on the layer.

  The photoreceptor of the present invention may have any of the above configurations. The surface layer of the photoconductor is a layer in which the photoconductor is in contact with the air interface. When only a single-layer type photoconductive layer is formed on the conductive support, the photoconductive layer is the surface layer. In the case where a single-layer or laminated photosensitive layer and a surface protective layer are laminated on the conductive support, the surface protective layer is the outermost surface layer.

  The charge transport layer means a layer having a function of transporting charge carriers generated in the charge generation layer by photoexposure to the surface of the photoreceptor, and the specific detection of the charge transport function is performed by the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer. It can be confirmed by laminating the layer on a conductive support and detecting the optical conductivity.

  Next, the layer structure of the photoconductor will be described focusing on the structure (1).

(Conductive support)
As the conductive support used in the photoconductor of the present invention, either a sheet or a cylinder may be used, but a cylindrical conductive support is preferable in order to design the image forming apparatus compactly.

  The cylindrical conductive support means a cylindrical support that can endlessly form an image by rotating, and is a conductive support having a straightness of 0.1 mm or less and a deflection of 0.1 mm or less. Is preferred. Exceeding the range of straightness and shake makes it difficult to form a good image.

As a material for the conductive support, a metal drum such as aluminum or nickel, a plastic drum deposited with aluminum, tin oxide, indium oxide, or the like, or a paper / plastic drum coated with a conductive substance can be used. The conductive support preferably has a specific resistance of 10 ³ Ωcm or less at room temperature. The conductive support according to the present invention is most preferably an aluminum support. As the aluminum support, one in which components such as manganese, zinc, magnesium and the like are mixed in addition to the main component aluminum is also used.

(Middle layer)
In the present invention, it is preferable to provide an intermediate layer between the conductive support and the photosensitive layer because the defect of the conductive support can be covered.

  The intermediate layer coating solution prepared for forming the intermediate layer is composed of a binder resin, a dispersion solvent, and the like in addition to N-type semiconductor particles such as surface-treated titanium oxide.

  The volume ratio of the N-type semiconductor particles in the intermediate layer is preferably 1.0 to 2.0 times that of the binder resin in the intermediate layer. By using N-type semiconductor particles at such a high density in the intermediate layer, the rectification property of the intermediate layer is increased, and even if the film thickness is increased, an increase in residual potential and deterioration of the dot image can be effectively prevented. A good photoreceptor can be formed.

  As the binder resin, a resin having excellent solvent solubility is required in order to form the intermediate layer with a uniform film thickness. In addition, it is necessary to disperse N-type semiconductor particles and obtain good dispersibility. For this reason, alcohol-soluble polyamide resin is preferable as the binder resin. Examples of such alcohol-soluble polyamide resins include copolymer polyamide resins and methoxymethylated polyamide resins composed of a chemical structure having few carbon chains between amide bonds such as 6-nylon.

(Photosensitive layer)
The layer structure of the photosensitive layer according to the present invention may be a single layer structure having a charge generation function and a charge transport function in one layer on the intermediate layer. It is more preferable to take a layer structure separated into CGL) and a charge transport layer (CTL). By adopting a layer structure with separated functions, it is possible to control the increase in residual potential with repeated use and to easily control other electrophotographic characteristics according to the purpose. In the negatively charged photoconductor, it is preferable that a charge generation layer (CGL) is formed on the intermediate layer, and a charge transport layer (CTL) is formed thereon.

  The photosensitive layer of the function-separated negatively charged photoreceptor will be described below.

(Charge generation layer)
In the photoreceptor of the present invention, it is preferable to use a charge generating material having high sensitivity characteristics in the wavelength region of 350 to 500 nm as the charge generating material. In the present invention, as such a charge generating substance, a phthalocyanine compound, a polycyclic quinone compound, a perylene compound, an azo compound, or the like is preferably used. In particular, it is an X-ray diffraction spectrum by Cu-Kα characteristic X-ray having a high sensitivity to a short wavelength laser having an oscillation wavelength around 405 mm on the market, and has a maximum peak angle of 2θ and 27.3 ° with a titanyl phthalocyanine pigment and many others. A ring quinone pigment is preferably used. These pigments can be used in combination. Examples of pigment compounds preferably used in the present invention are shown below.

  In the present invention, a phthalocyanine compound, a polycyclic quinone compound or an azo compound is preferable, and among them, a polycyclic quinone compound is preferable.

  When a binder resin is used as a CGM dispersion medium during formation of the charge generation layer, a known resin can be used as the binder, but preferred resins include a formal resin, a butyral resin, a silicone resin, a silicone-modified butyral resin, Examples include phenoxy resin. The ratio of the binder resin to the charge generating material is preferably 20 to 600 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. By using these binder resins, the increase in residual potential due to repeated use can be minimized. The thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably from 0.3 to 2 μm.

(Charge transport layer)
The charge transport layer contains a charge transport material and a binder resin. As other substances, additives such as an antioxidant may be contained in addition to the inorganic fine particles as necessary.

  As the charge transport material, the amine compound represented by the general formula (1) is used, but in addition to this, a known hole transport property (P-type) charge transport material may be used in combination. For example, a triphenylamine derivative, a hydrazone compound, a styryl compound, a benzidine compound, a butadiene compound, or the like can be used. These charge transport materials are usually dissolved in a suitable binder resin to form a layer.

  The binder resin used for forming the charge transport layer (CTL) may be either a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin. For example, polystyrene, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, vinyl chloride resin, vinyl acetate resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, phenol resin, polyester resin, alkyd resin, polycarbonate resin, silicone resin, melamine resin, and these resins In addition to copolymer resins containing two or more of the repeating unit structures, and these insulating resins, polymer organic semiconductors such as poly-N-vinylcarbazole can be given. Among these, a polycarbonate resin having a low water absorption rate and excellent dispersibility of the charge transport material and electrophotographic characteristics is preferable.

  The ratio of the binder resin to the charge transport material is preferably 50 to 200 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.

  The thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably 10 to 25 μm. By setting the thickness of the charge transport layer to 10 μm or more, a latent image potential at the time of development can be sufficiently obtained, and image density reduction and dot reproducibility deterioration do not occur. In addition, by setting the thickness of the charge transport layer to 25 μm or less, the diffusion of charge carriers (the diffusion of charge carriers generated in the charge generation layer) is small, and the dot reproducibility is good.

  Solvents or dispersion media used for forming intermediate layers, charge generation layers, charge transport layers and the like include n-butylamine, diethylamine, ethylenediamine, isopropanolamine, triethanolamine, triethylenediamine, N, N-dimethylformamide, acetone , Methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isopropyl ketone, cyclohexanone, benzene, toluene, xylene, chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloropropane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, Tetrachloroethane, tetrahydrofuran, dioxolane, dioxane, methanol, ethanol, butanol, isopropanol, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl Cellosolve, and the like. Although this invention is not limited to these, Solvents friendly to global environment, such as tetrahydrofuran and methyl ethyl ketone, are used preferably. These solvents can be used alone or as a mixed solvent of two or more.

  As a method for forming the intermediate layer, the charge generation layer, the charge transport layer, and the like, a coating processing method such as dip coating and spray coating is used in addition to the slide hopper type coating device.

<Image forming apparatus>
Next, the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor using the amino compound of the present invention as a charge transport layer, using a semiconductor laser having an oscillation wavelength of 350 to 500 nm or a light source of a light emitting diode. An image forming apparatus having an exposure unit and a developing unit that visualizes the electrostatic latent image into a toner image.

  As a light source having a wavelength of 380 to 500 nm, an ultraviolet laser (laser oscillation wavelength 380 nm, violet laser (laser oscillation wavelength 408 nm), blue laser (laser oscillation wavelength 440 nm, 500 nm), light emitting diode (emission wavelength 450 nm), or the like can be used. .

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention can be applied to general electrophotographic apparatuses such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser printer, an LED printer, and a liquid crystal shutter type printer, and further displays, recordings, light printing, plate making and the like using electrophotographic technology. It can be widely applied to apparatuses such as facsimiles.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus using the photoreceptor of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a digital image forming apparatus, and includes an image reading unit A, an image processing unit B, an image forming unit C, and a transfer paper transport unit D as a transfer paper transport unit. .

  An automatic document feeder that automatically conveys the document is provided above the image reading unit A, and the document placed on the document table 11 is separated and conveyed by the document conveying roller 12 to the reading position 13a. The image is read at. The document that has been read is discharged onto the document discharge tray 14 by the document transport roller 12.

  On the other hand, the image of the original when placed on the platen glass 13 is positioned in a V-shape and the reading operation at the speed v of the first mirror unit 15 including the illumination lamp and the first mirror constituting the scanning optical system. Reading is performed by moving the second mirror unit 16 including the second mirror and the third mirror in the same direction at a speed v / 2.

  The read image is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor CCD, which is a line sensor, through the projection lens 17. The line-shaped optical image formed on the image sensor CCD is sequentially photoelectrically converted into an electric signal (luminance signal), and then A / D conversion is performed. In the image processing unit B, processing such as density conversion and filter processing is performed. Is applied, the image data is temporarily stored in the memory.

  In the image forming unit C, as an image forming unit, a drum-shaped photoconductor 21 as an image carrier, a charging means (charging step) 22 for charging the photoconductor 21 on the outer periphery thereof, and a surface potential of the charged photoconductor. Potential detecting means 220 for detecting the toner, developing means (developing process) 23, transfer conveying belt device 45 as a transferring means (transfer process), cleaning device (cleaning process) 26 for the photosensitive member 21, and light neutralizing means (light slow charge). PCL (precharge lamp) 27 as a process is arranged in the order of operation. Further, on the downstream side of the developing unit 23, a reflection density detecting unit 222 for measuring the reflection density of the patch image developed on the photosensitive member 21 is provided. The photosensitive member 21 of the present invention is used as the photosensitive member 21 and is rotated in the clockwise direction shown in the figure.

  The rotating photosensitive member 21 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 22, and then based on an image signal called from the memory of the image processing unit B by an exposure optical system as an image exposure unit (image exposure step) 30. Image exposure is performed. The exposure optical system as the image exposure means 30 which is a writing means uses a semiconductor laser or a light emitting diode emitting a wavelength of 380 to 500 nm (not shown) as a light source, passes through a rotating polygon mirror 31, an fθ lens 34, and a cylindrical lens 35, The optical path is bent by the reflection mirror 32 and main scanning is performed. Image exposure is performed on the photoconductor 21 at the position Ao, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by rotation (sub-scanning) of the photoconductor 21. . In one example of the present embodiment, the character portion is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a semiconductor laser or a light emitting diode can be used as an image exposure light source when an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photoreceptor. By using these image exposure light sources, the exposure dot diameter in the writing direction is narrowed down to 10 to 80 μm, and digital exposure is performed on the photosensitive member, whereby 400 to 2500 dpi (dpi is the number of dots per 2.54 cm). A high-resolution electrophotographic image can be obtained.

The exposure dot diameter refers to the length of the exposure beam along the main scanning direction (Ld: the length is measured at the maximum position) in a region where the intensity of the exposure beam is 1 / e ² or more of the peak intensity.

Examples of the light beam used include a scanning optical system using a semiconductor laser and a solid-state LED scanner, and the light intensity distribution includes a Gaussian distribution and a Lorentz distribution. However, the peak intensity is 1 / e ² or more of each peak intensity. The region is the exposure dot diameter according to the present invention.

  The electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 21 is reversely developed by the developing unit 23, and a visible toner image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 21. In the image forming method of the present invention, it is preferable to use a polymerized toner as the developer used in the developing means. By using a polymerized toner having a uniform shape and particle size distribution in combination with the photoreceptor of the present invention, an electrophotographic image with better sharpness can be obtained.

  In the transfer paper transport section D, paper feed units 41 (A), 41 (B), and 41 (C) are provided below the image forming unit as transfer paper storage means for storing transfer paper P of different sizes. Further, a manual paper feeding unit 42 that performs manual paper feeding is provided on the side, and the transfer paper P selected from any of them is fed along the transport path 40 by the guide roller 43 and fed. The transfer paper P is temporarily stopped by a pair of paper feed registration rollers 44 for correcting the inclination and bias of the transfer paper P to be fed, and then re-feeded. The transport path 40, the pre-transfer roller 43a, the paper feed The toner image on the photosensitive member 21 is guided by the paper path 46 and the entry guide plate 47, and is transferred while being transferred to the transfer conveyance belt 454 of the transfer conveyance belt device 45 by the transfer pole 24 and the separation pole 25 at the transfer position Bo. paper Are transferred to, transfer sheet P is separated from the photosensitive member 21 surface, it is conveyed to the fixing unit 50 by the transfer conveyor belt device 45.

  The fixing unit 50 includes a fixing roller 51 and a pressure roller 52. By passing the transfer paper P between the fixing roller 51 and the pressure roller 52, the toner is fixed by heating and pressing. After the toner image has been fixed, the transfer paper P is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 64.

  The above describes the state in which image formation is performed on one side of the transfer paper. However, in the case of duplex copying, the paper discharge switching member 170 is switched, the transfer paper guide 177 is opened, and the transfer paper P is indicated by a broken line arrow. It is conveyed in the direction of.

  Further, the transfer paper P is transported downward by the transport mechanism 178 and is switched back by the transfer paper reversing unit 179, and the rear end portion of the transfer paper P is transported into the duplex copying paper supply unit 130 as the leading end. The

  The transfer paper P is moved in a paper feed direction by a conveyance guide 131 provided in the double-sided copy paper supply unit 130, the transfer paper P is re-fed by the paper supply roller 132, and the transfer paper P is guided to the conveyance path 40. .

  Again, as described above, the transfer paper P is conveyed in the direction of the photosensitive member 21, the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the transfer paper P, fixed by the fixing unit 50, and then discharged onto the paper discharge tray 64.

  As an image forming apparatus of the present invention, the photosensitive member of the present invention and components such as a developing device and a cleaning device are integrally combined as a process cartridge, and this unit is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body. May be. Further, at least one of a charger, an image exposure device, a developing device, a transfer or separation device, and a cleaning device is integrally supported together with a photosensitive member to form a process cartridge, and is made a single unit that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. Further, it may be configured to be detachable using guide means such as a rail of the apparatus main body.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example is given and this invention is demonstrated in detail, the aspect of this invention is not limited to this.

Example << Preparation of Photoreceptor >>
A photoreceptor was prepared as follows.

<Preparation of Photoreceptor 1>
(Preparation of conductive support)
A washed cylindrical aluminum support was prepared as a conductive support.

(Formation of intermediate layer)
The following intermediate layer coating solution was applied to the surface of the cylindrical aluminum support by a dip coating method to form an intermediate layer having a dry film thickness of 0.3 μm.

Intermediate layer coating solution Polyamide resin (Amilan CM-8000: manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) 60 parts by mass Methanol 1600 parts by mass (formation of charge generation layer)
The following charge generation layer materials were mixed and dispersed for 10 hours using a sand mill to prepare a charge generation layer coating solution. This charge generation layer coating solution was applied onto the intermediate layer by a dip coating method to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.2 μm.

Charge generation layer (CGL) coating solution Polycyclic quinone pigment (CGM2-18) 60 parts by mass Silicone resin solution (KR5240, 15% xylene-butanol solution: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 700 parts by mass 2-butanone 2000 parts by mass (charge transport) Layer formation)
The following charge transport layer materials were mixed and dissolved to prepare a charge transport layer coating solution. This coating solution was applied onto the charge generation layer by a dip coating method, followed by heat drying at 100 ° C. for 60 minutes to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of 20 μm.

Charge Transport Layer (CTL) Coating Solution Charge Transport Material (Exemplary Compound CTM-1) 200 parts by mass Bisphenol Z-type polycarbonate (Iupilon Z300: manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company)
300 parts by mass Tetrahydrofuran 1600 parts by mass Toluene 400 parts by mass Antioxidant (AO1-1) 7.5 parts by mass (production of photoreceptors 2 to 6)
Photoconductors 2 to 6 were prepared in the same manner except that CTM-1 was changed to the charge transport material shown in Table 1 in the production of photoconductor 1.

(Preparation of photoconductor 7)
In the production of the photoreceptor 1, the polycyclic quinone pigment as the charge generation material was changed to Y-type titanyl phthalocyanine (the maximum peak angle of X-ray diffraction by Cu-Kα characteristic X-ray was 27.3 ° at 2θ). Thus, a photoreceptor 7 was produced.

(Preparation of photoconductor 8)
Photoreceptor 8 was produced in the same manner except that the composition of the charge transport layer (CTL) coating solution used in the production of photoconductor 1 was changed as follows. In addition, when the charge transport layer substance did not dissolve, it was dissolved by heating and coating was performed in that state.

Charge transport layer (CTL) coating solution Charge transport material (Comparative CTM-1) 200 parts by mass Bisphenol Z-type polycarbonate (Iupilon Z300: manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company)
300 parts by mass Tetrahydrofuran 1600 parts by mass Toluene 400 parts by mass Antioxidant (AO1-1) 7.5 parts by mass (Preparation of photoconductor 9)
Photoreceptor 9 was produced in the same manner except that Comparative CTM-1 was changed to Comparative CTM-2 shown in Table 1 in preparation of Photoreceptor 8.

(Preparation of photoconductor 10)
A comparative photoconductor 10 was prepared in the same manner except that the composition of the charge transport layer (CTL) coating solution was changed as follows.

Charge transport layer (CTL) coating solution Charge transport material (Comparative CTM-1) 150 parts by weight Bisphenol Z-type polycarbonate (Iupilon Z300: manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company)
300 parts by mass Tetrahydrofuran 1600 parts by mass Toluene 400 parts by mass Antioxidant (AO1-1) 7.5 parts by mass

<< Evaluation of photoconductor >>
The prepared photoreceptor was evaluated for coating film stability, potential stability, fine line reproducibility, and cracks as follows.

(Coating stability)
The prepared photoreceptor was allowed to stand for 1 month in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment (30 ° C., 80% RH), and the surface of the coating was visually observed to evaluate the stability of the coating on the photoreceptor.

(Potential stability)
The effect of external light irradiation was measured. Digital copier Sitos 7085 (manufactured by Konica Minolta Business Technologies) Remodeling machine (using a 405 nm semiconductor laser as the image exposure light source, remodeling to process conditions of 1200 dpi exposure with a beam diameter of 30 μm, and surface of photoreceptor on surface potential meter The exposure portion potential (Vi) was measured before and after the photoconductor was irradiated with a 1000 lux fluorescent lamp for 30 minutes.

(Fine line reproducibility)
Using the evaluation machine, fine line reproducibility evaluation was performed on images created under a normal temperature and normal humidity environment (20 ° C., 55% RH). The fine wire portion was enlarged using a magnifying glass having a magnification of 10 times, and the number of fine wires confirmed in 1 mm was visually counted and evaluated according to the following criteria.

◎: 8 or more ○: 6 to 7 △: 4 to 5 ×: 3 or less (crack)
The modified machine was turned off at 30 ° C. and 80% RH with the photoconductor mounted and left for 2 days. The members around the photoconductor are in a state in which the operation is only stopped during this period, that is, the members such as the cleaning blade and the developer conveying member are kept in contact with the photoconductor. Thereafter, the surface of the photoreceptor was observed to observe the presence or absence of cracks. Moreover, image evaluation was also performed, and the presence or absence of the occurrence of streak-like image defects accompanying the occurrence of cracks was also evaluated and evaluated according to the following criteria.

A: Evaluation of 100 photoconductors, no occurrence of cracks and no occurrence of streak image defects (good)
◯: 100 photoconductors were evaluated, fine cracks were generated, but no streak-like image defects were generated (a level of no problem in practical use).
X: 100 photoconductors were evaluated, and cracks and streak-like image defects were observed (practically problematic level)
The evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

  From Table 1, it can be seen that the photoreceptor of the present invention is superior in coating film stability, potential stability and fine line reproducibility as compared with the comparative photoreceptor, and does not cause image quality defects due to the occurrence of cracks.

1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus using a photoconductor of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 21 Photoconductor 22 Charging means 23 Developing means 24 Transfer pole 25 Separation pole 26 Cleaning device 30 Exposure optical system 45 Transfer conveyance belt apparatus 50 Fixing means 250 Separation claw unit

Claims (8)

An amine compound represented by the following general formula (1):

(In the formula, Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ⁴ and Ar ⁵ each independently represent an aryl group which may have a substituent, and Ar ³ and Ar ⁶ each independently have a substituent. Z represents a heterocyclic group having a cyclic structure containing a hetero atom, which may be substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group, or an aryl group. 2. The amine compound according to claim 1, wherein Z in the general formula (1) is a heterocyclic group represented by the following general formula (2).

(In the formula, R _{1 to} R ₈ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X ₁ represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.) 2. The amine compound according to claim 1, wherein Z in the general formula (1) is a heterocyclic group represented by the following general formula (3).

(Wherein R _{1 to} R ₉ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group, and X ₂ represents nitrogen.) 2. The amine compound according to claim 1, wherein Z in the general formula (1) is a heterocyclic group represented by the following general formula (4).

(Wherein R _{1 to} R ₆ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X ₃ and X ₄ each represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, and n is an integer of 0 to 2). Represents.) An electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a photosensitive layer containing a charge generating material and a charge transport material on a conductive support, wherein the charge transport material is the amine compound according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An electrophotographic photoreceptor characterized by the above. 6. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 5, wherein the charge generation material is a polycyclic quinone compound. An exposure process for forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member using a semiconductor laser having an oscillation wavelength of 350 to 500 nm or a light source of a light emitting diode, and development for visualizing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image An image forming method comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 5, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive member is an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 5. Exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member using a semiconductor laser having an oscillation wavelength of 350 to 500 nm or a light source of a light emitting diode, and development for visualizing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image 6. An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 5, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive member is an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 5.

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