JP2009237199A - Electrophotographic photoreceptor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly sensitive electrophotographic photoreceptor. <P>SOLUTION: The electrophotographic photoreceptor is provided with a photosensitive layer containing at least an electron transport agent, a charge generating agent and a binder resin on a conductive substrate, and the electron transport agent is a compound indicated by general formula (1). Here, in the formula (1), R indicates 1-6C alkyl group, 1-6C alkoxy group, 6-20C aralkyl group, 6-20C aryl group, or 3-10 cycloalkyl group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer.

  In the image forming apparatus described above, various photoreceptors having sensitivity in the wavelength region of the light source used in the apparatus are used. One is an inorganic photoreceptor using an inorganic material such as selenium for the photosensitive layer, and the other is an organic photoreceptor using an organic material for the photosensitive layer. Organic photoconductors are easier to manufacture than inorganic photoconductors, and have a wide range of material options such as charge generators, charge transport agents (electron transport agents / hole transport agents), binder resins, etc. Due to its high degree, it has been used in recent years.

  The organic photoconductor includes a so-called laminated photoconductor comprising a charge generating layer containing a charge generating agent and a charge transporting layer containing a charge transporting agent, and a single layer comprising a charge generating agent and a charge transporting agent. And so-called single-layer type photoreceptors.

  Generally, 3,5-dimethyl-3 ', 5'-di-t-butyldiphenoquinone is used as the electron transporting agent contained as a charge transporting agent in these organic photoreceptors. However, sufficient sensitivity cannot be obtained with a photoreceptor containing this electron transport agent.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a phenylbenzodifuranone derivative as a compound that can improve the photosensitivity by lowering the residual potential of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and can be suitably used as a single-layer photoreceptor. Has been. However, the electrophotographic photoreceptor using the phenylbenzodifuranone derivative still has a problem that the photosensitivity is still insufficient.
JP 1999-305456

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor having high sensitivity.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have used an electrophotographic photosensitive agent by using a trifluoroacetylcoumarin derivative having a specific structure represented by the following general formula (1) as an electron transport agent. A new fact that the sensitivity of the body can be improved has been found, and the present invention has been completed.

  That is, the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the present invention is obtained by providing a photosensitive layer containing at least an electron transport agent, a charge generating agent and a binder resin on a conductive substrate. It is a compound represented by Formula (1), It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

[In Formula (1), R is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aralkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or 3 carbon atoms. -10 cycloalkyl groups. ]

  The electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention uses the compound represented by the general formula (1), which is excellent in compatibility with a binder resin and the like and exhibits high charge mobility, as an electron transport agent, so that the residual potential is effectively reduced. In addition to being able to obtain high sensitivity, a good image can be obtained.

The electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention is obtained by providing, on a conductive substrate, a photosensitive layer containing at least an electron transporting agent, a charge generating agent and a binder resin, and further containing a hole transporting agent as necessary. . The photosensitive layer includes a single-layer type photosensitive layer and a laminated type photosensitive layer, and any photosensitive layer can be applied to the present invention.
<Electron transport agent>
The electron transport agent used in the present invention is a compound represented by the general formula (1). Since this compound has high solubility, it has excellent compatibility with a binder resin and the like, and has a long conjugated bond, and thus exhibits high charge mobility.
Examples of the unsaturated carbocycle in the formula (1) include aromatic rings such as benzene, naphthalene, indene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluorene, and pyrene. Examples of the heterocyclic ring include pyridine ring, thiophene ring, imidazole ring, pyrazine ring, triazine ring, indole ring, coumarin ring, fluorene ring, benzofuran ring, furan ring, 1,3-dioxolane ring, pyrazole ring and pyran ring. It is done.
The unsaturated carbocycle and heterocyclic ring may have a substituent, and examples of the substituent include the same substituents as R.
Examples of the alkyl group in R include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl and the like. Examples of the alkoxy group include methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, s-butoxy, t-butoxy, pentyloxy, isopentyloxy, neopentyloxy, hexyloxy and the like.
Examples of the alkoxy group for R include methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, s-butoxy, t-butoxy, pentyloxy, isopentyloxy, neopentyloxy, hexyloxy and the like.
Examples of the aralkyl group in R include benzyl, α-methylbenzyl, phenethyl, styryl, cinnamyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 4-phenylbutyl, 5-phenylpentyl, 6-phenylhexyl group and the like.
Examples of the aryl group for R include phenyl, naphthyl, tolyl, xylyl, anthryl, phenanthryl and the like.
Examples of the cycloalkyl group in R include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl and the like.
In general formula (1), a C1-C6 alkyl group, a C1-C6 alkoxy group, a C6-C20 aralkyl group, a C6-C20 aryl group, or C3-C10 The cycloalkyl group may have a substituent, and examples of the substituent include an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a halogen group, a carboxy group, an ester group, an acyl group, an amino group, an alkylamino group, a nitro group, and a mercapto group. And aryl groups.

  A synthesis method of the general formula (1) will be described based on the following chemical reaction formula (1).

  Step (a) Ethyltrifluoroacetoacetate and ferroceneamine acetate are added to a THF solution of the following compound (A), and the mixture is stirred and refluxed for 0.5 to 5 hours. After the reaction, 2.7 g of the residual compound (B) is obtained from the reaction solution.

  Step (b) Paratoluenesulfonic acid is added to a chlorobenzene solution of the obtained compound (B), and the mixture is stirred at 80 to 100 ° C. for 1 to 8 hours. The compound (1) can be obtained by purifying the individual obtained after the reaction.

  R is the same as above.

In the present invention, in addition to the compound represented by the general formula (1), other known electron transport agents can be used in combination. Examples of these other electron transporting agents include diphenoquinone derivatives, benzoquinone derivatives, naphthoquinone derivatives, anthraquinone derivatives, malononitrile derivatives, thiopyran derivatives, thioxanthone derivatives (2,4,8-trinitrothioxanthone, etc.), fluorenone derivatives (3,4,4, etc.). 5,7-tetranitro-9-fluorenone derivatives), anthracene derivatives, acridine derivatives, dinitrobenzene, dinitroanthracene, dinitroacridine, succinic anhydride derivatives, maleic anhydride derivatives, dibromomaleic anhydride derivatives, etc. The compound which has is mentioned.
<Charge generator>
Examples of the charge generator include phthalocyanine pigments such as metal-free phthalocyanine, hydroxygallium phthalocyanine, chlorogallium phthalocyanine, α-titanyl phthalocyanine, Y-titanyl phthalocyanine, and V-hydroxygallium phthalocyanine, perylene pigments, bisazo pigments, diketo Pyrrolopyrrole pigment, metal-free naphthalocyanine pigment, metal naphthalocyanine pigment, squaraine pigment, trisazo pigment, indigo pigment, azulenium pigment, cyanine pigment, pyrylium pigment, ansanthrone pigment, triphenylmethane pigment, selenium pigment, toluidine pigment , Organic photoconductors such as pyrazoline pigments and quinacridone pigments, inorganic materials such as selenium, selenium-tellurium, selenium-arsenic, cadmium sulfide, and amorphous silicon Such as a conductive material. Of these, metal-free phthalocyanine, chlorogallium phthalocyanine, α-titanyl phthalocyanine, Y-titanyl phthalocyanine, and V-hydroxygallium phthalocyanine are preferable. These charge generating agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
<Binder resin>
Examples of the binder resin include a styrene polymer, a styrene-butadiene copolymer, a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, a styrene-maleic acid copolymer, an acrylic polymer, a styrene-acrylic copolymer, polyethylene, and ethylene. -Vinyl acetate copolymer, chlorinated polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyester, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polysulfone, diallyl phthalate resin, ketone resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyether Thermoplastic resins such as resins, silicone resins, epoxy resins, phenol resins, urea resins, melamine resins, unsaturated polyesters, alkyd resins, polyurethanes, other crosslinkable thermosetting resins, and epoxy-acrylic resins. DOO, urethane - photocurable resin such as acrylate. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more.
<Hole transport agent>
Furthermore, in the present invention, a hole transport agent may be contained in the photosensitive layer. In particular, in a single layer type photoreceptor, a hole transport agent and an electron transport agent are contained in the photosensitive layer. Examples of the hole transport agent include N, N, N ′, N′-tetraphenylbenzidine derivatives, N, N, N ′, N′-tetraphenylphenylenediamine derivatives, N, N, N ′, N′— Tetraphenylnaphthylene diamine derivatives, N, N, N ′, N′-tetraphenylphenanthrylenediamine derivatives, oxa such as 2,5-di (4-methylaminophenyl) -1,3,4-oxadiazole Pyrazoline compounds such as diazole compounds, styryl compounds such as 9- (4-diethylaminostyryl) anthracene, carbazole compounds such as polyvinyl carbazole, organic polysilane compounds, 1-phenyl-3- (p-dimethylaminophenyl) pyrazoline Compounds, hydrazone compounds, indole compounds, oxazole compounds, isoxazole compounds Mono, thiazole Kago compounds, Chiajizoru Kei Kago, imidazole compounds, pyrazole compound, Ya nitrogen-containing cyclic Shiki Kago material such as Toriazoru Kei Kago was Rareru include Chijimigo O Wa compound.
<Photosensitive layer>
(Single layer type)
The single-layer type photosensitive layer in the present invention is composed of a single photosensitive layer containing the above-described electron transport agent, charge generating agent, and binder resin in the same layer. This single-layer type photosensitive layer has an advantage that it has a simple layer structure and is excellent in productivity, can suppress film defects when forming the layer, and can improve optical characteristics with few interfaces between layers. The charge transport agent includes an electron transport agent and a hole transport agent, and as described above, it is preferable to use the electron transport agent and the hole transport agent in combination, particularly in a single layer type photoreceptor.

The film thickness of the single layer type photosensitive layer is 5 to 100 μm, preferably 10 to 50 μm. In the single-layer type photosensitive layer, the charge generating agent is 0.1 to 50 parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 30 parts by weight, and the electron transport agent is 5 to 100 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. , Preferably 10 to 80 parts by mass, respectively. Moreover, when it contains a hole transport agent, it is good to make it contain in the ratio of 5-500 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of binder resin, Preferably it is 25-200 mass parts.
(Laminated type)
On the other hand, the laminated photosensitive layer is constituted by laminating a charge transport layer containing a charge transport agent and a charge generation layer containing a charge generator on a conductive substrate. Further, a photoconductive layer containing a charge transporting agent together with a charge generating agent may be combined with a charge transporting layer and a charge generating layer. There are various combinations of the layered photosensitive layer depending on the order of formation of the charge generation layer, the charge transport layer, etc., and the type of charge transport agent (electron transport agent / hole transport agent) contained in both layers. In the invention, it is necessary that at least one of the charge transport layer and the photoconductive layer contains a compound represented by the general formula (1a) or (1b) as an electron transport agent. In addition, since the laminated photoconductor separates functions such as charge generation and charge transport in each layer, there is an advantage that constituent materials are not wasted and sensitivity is easily improved.

  The charge generation layer has a thickness of 0.01 to 5 μm, preferably 0.1 to 3 μm, and the charge transport layer has a thickness of 2 to 100 μm, preferably 5 to 50 μm. In the charge generating layer of the laminated photosensitive layer, the charge generating agent is preferably contained in an amount of 5 to 1000 parts by weight, preferably 30 to 500 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. In the charge transport layer, the electron transport agent may be contained in an amount of 1 to 250 parts by mass, preferably 5 to 150 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. Moreover, when using together an electron transport agent and a hole transport agent, the total amount is 10-500 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of binder resin, Preferably it is good to make it contain in the ratio of 30-200 mass parts.

In addition to the components described above, various additives can be blended in the photosensitive layer within a range that does not adversely affect image formation. Examples of such additives include antioxidants, radical scavengers, singlet quenchers, deterioration inhibitors such as UV absorbers, softeners, plasticizers, surface modifiers, extenders, thickeners, dispersions. Stabilizers, waxes, acceptors, donors and the like can be mentioned. In order to improve sensitivity, for example, known sensitizers such as terphenyl, halonaphthoquinones, and acenaphthylene may be used in combination with the charge generator.
<Conductive substrate>
As the conductive substrate, various conductive materials can be used. For example, iron, aluminum, copper, tin, platinum, silver, vanadium, molybdenum, chromium, cadmium, titanium, nickel, palladium, indium, stainless steel Metal materials such as brass, plastic materials on which the above metals are deposited or laminated, plastic materials in which conductive fine particles such as carbon black are dispersed, and glass coated with aluminum iodide, tin oxide, indium oxide, etc. Can be mentioned. A barrier layer may be formed between the conductive substrate and the photosensitive layer as long as the characteristics of the photoreceptor are not impaired. A protective layer may be formed on the surface of the photosensitive layer.

  The conductive substrate is used in the form of a drum or a sheet according to the structure of the image forming apparatus to be used. The conductive substrate preferably has sufficient mechanical strength. In order to form a single-layer type photosensitive layer, an electron transport agent, a charge generator and a binder resin, and optionally a hole transport agent and other additives together with an appropriate solvent, a roll mill, a ball mill, an attritor, a paint What is necessary is just to prepare a dispersion by mixing using a shaker, an ultrasonic disperser, etc., apply this dispersion on a conductive substrate by a known means, and dry it. In order to form the charge generating layer and the charge transport layer of the multilayer photoreceptor, a dispersion is prepared by the same method as described above together with the charge generator and the charge transport agent together with an appropriate binder resin and solvent, and this is publicly known. What is necessary is just to apply | coat and dry by the means of.

  Examples of the solvent for preparing the dispersion include alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and butanol, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as n-hexane, octane and cyclohexane, and aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene. , Halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride and chlorobenzene, ethers such as dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, dioxane and dioxolane, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and cyclohexanone, acetic acid Examples include esters such as ethyl and methyl acetate, dimethylformaldehyde, dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. That. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Further, in order to improve the dispersibility of the charge generating agent and the charge transport agent and the smoothness of the surface of the photoreceptor, a surfactant, a leveling agent and the like may be used.

  Next, the electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention will be described with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples.

  The following three types of electron transport agents were used in the examples.

  Ph represents a phenyl group.

  (Synthesis example 1) The synthesis | combining method of a compound (1-1) is demonstrated based on the following chemical reaction formula (1-1).

a) 1.9 g (10 mmol) of ethyl trifluoroacetoacetate and 1.5 g (10 mmol) of ferroceneamine acetate were added to a THF solution of 1.7 g (10 mmol) of the following compound (A-1), and the mixture was stirred and refluxed for 3 hours. After the reaction, the reaction solution was returned to room temperature, water was added thereto and extracted with ether, and then the organic layer was distilled off to obtain 2.7 g of a residue compound (B-1). (Yield 80%)
b) To a chlorobenzene solution of 2.7 g (8 mmol) of the obtained compound (B-1), 0.34 g (2 mmol) of paratoluenesulfonic acid was added and stirred at 90 ° C. for 5 hours. After the reaction, the temperature was returned to room temperature, and the resulting solid was collected by filtration and purified by column chromatography to obtain 1.26 g of compound (1-1). (Yield 55%)

(Synthesis Example 2)
Compound (B-2) was prepared in the same manner as in Step (a) of Synthesis Example 1 except that Compound (A-1) was changed to 1.4 g of Compound (A-2) below in Step (a) of Synthesis Example 1. 2.4 g was obtained. (Yield 80%) Next, in the step (b) of Synthesis Example 1, the same procedure as in the Step (b) of Synthesis Example 1 except that the compound (B-1) was changed to 1.0 g of the following compound (B-2). And 1.0 g of compound (1-2) was obtained. (Yield 50%)

(Synthesis Example 3)
Compound (B-3) was prepared in the same manner as in Step (a) of Synthesis Example 1 except that Compound (A-1) was changed to 2.0 g of the following Compound (A-3) in Step (a) of Synthesis Example 1. 2.7 g was obtained. (Yield 75%) Next, in the step (b) of Synthesis Example 1, the same procedure as in the Step (b) of Synthesis Example 1 except that the compound (B-1) was changed to 1.2 g of the following compound (B-3). And 1.2 g of compound (1-3) was obtained. (Yield 50%)

The electron transport agent used in the comparative examples, the charge generating agent, the binder resin and the hole transport agent used in the examples and comparative examples are as follows.
<Electron transport agent used in comparative example>

    <Charge generator>

<Binder resin>

<Hole transport agent>

[Examples 1 to 6]
[Comparative Examples 1-2]
<Production of electrophotographic photoreceptor>
The combinations shown in Table 1 were used for the electron transport agent, charge generator, binder resin, and hole transport agent. That is, 100 parts by weight of a binder resin (Resin-1: bisphenol Z-type polycarbonate resin having a viscosity average molecular weight of 50,000), 50 parts by weight of a hole transporting agent (H-1) with respect to 800 parts by weight of tetrahydrofuran as a solvent. 3 parts by weight of the charge generating agent (XH ₂ Pc or Y-TiOPc) shown in Table 1 and 50 parts by weight of the electron transporting agent (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, ET-1) shown in Table 1 Was added. This mixture was mixed and dispersed with an ultrasonic disperser for 1 hour to prepare a dispersion for a single-layer type photosensitive layer. Next, the obtained dispersion is applied on a conductive base material (aluminum tube) by dip coating, dried with hot air at 100 ° C. for 30 minutes, and electrophotographic having a single-layer type photosensitive layer having a thickness of 30 μm. A photoreceptor was obtained.

Next, the sensitivity characteristics of the electrophotographic photosensitive member obtained above were evaluated as follows. That is, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is charged to 700 V using a drum sensitivity tester (manufactured by GENTEC), and then monochromatic light having a wavelength of 780 nm extracted from the light of the halogen lamp using a bandpass filter (half-color) Value width: 20 nm, light quantity: 1.5 μJ / cm ² ) was exposed [irradiation time: 0.08 seconds (80 msec)]. Then, the surface potential (residual potential) at the time when 0.33 seconds (330 msec) had elapsed from the start of exposure was measured and used as sensitivity. The results are shown in Table 1.

  From Table 1, the electrophotographic photoreceptors of Examples 1 to 6 using the compound represented by the general formula (1) as the electron transport agent have higher sensitivity than the electrophotographic photoreceptor of the comparative example. I understand that.

Claims (1)

An electrophotographic photosensitive member in which a photosensitive layer containing at least an electron transport agent, a charge generator and a binder resin is provided on a conductive substrate,
The electrophotographic photoreceptor, wherein the electron transfer agent is a compound represented by the following general formula (1).

[In Formula (1), R is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aralkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or 3 carbon atoms. -10 cycloalkyl groups. ]