JP2010101998A - Electrophotographic toner binder and toner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophotographic toner binder excellent in low temperature fixability, hot offset resistance and image stability as performances of a toner. <P>SOLUTION: The electrophotographic toner binder contains a styrene (co)polymer (A) having a weight average molecular weight of 3,000 to less than 30,000, a styrene (co)polymer (B) having a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 to less than 200,000, and a styrene (co)polymer (C) having a weight average molecular weight of 200,000 to 1,200,000, wherein among SP values of (A), (B) and (C), the difference between the maximum and the minimum is not more than 0.10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a toner used for electrophotography, electrostatic recording, electrostatic printing, and the like, and an electrophotographic toner binder used therefor.

In electrophotography, a system using a heat roller is widely adopted to fix an electrostatic latent image visualized with toner.
When this method is used, it is desired that the minimum fixing temperature of toner (the minimum temperature of the heat roller that can obtain a fixing rate of 70%) is low and the hot offset temperature (the minimum temperature of the heat roller that generates hot offset) is high. . In addition, it is desired that a clear image can be obtained even when used for a long time. In order to satisfy these demands, it has been proposed that the molecular weight distribution of the toner binder ranges widely from a low molecular weight to a high molecular weight, and that the order of the glass transition points of the constituent components is defined (see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-9-297432

  However, if the molecular weight distribution is increased in order to lower the minimum fixing temperature and increase the hot offset temperature, on the contrary, sufficient low temperature fixing property, hot offset resistance and image stability cannot be obtained. Further, it is not sufficient to define the order of the glass transition points of the constituent components.

As a result of intensive studies in order to solve the above problems, the present inventor has reached the present invention.
That is, the present invention provides a styrene (co) polymer (A) having a weight average molecular weight of 3,000 or more and less than 30,000, a styrene (co) polymer (B) having a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 or more and less than 200,000, and a weight. A styrene (co) polymer (C) having an average molecular weight of 200,000 to 1,200,000 is contained, and the SP value of (A), (B), and (C) has a maximum value and a minimum value. An electrophotographic toner binder having a difference of 0.10 or less; and a toner containing the electrophotographic toner binder and a colorant.

  The toner binder for electrophotography of the present invention can achieve a high level of low-temperature fixability, hot offset resistance, and storage stability as toner performance, and further, there is no trouble such as image deterioration when used for a long time. Toner can be obtained.

The present invention is described in detail below.
The toner binder for electrophotography of the present invention contains a styrene (co) polymer (A), a styrene (co) polymer (B), and a styrene (co) polymer (C). As a monomer constituting the styrene (co) polymers (A), (B), and (C), a styrene monomer is an essential monomer, and a (meth) acryl monomer and / or a carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomer is included as necessary. It is preferable.
Here, the (co) polymer means a homopolymer or a copolymer, and the styrene (co) polymer means a homopolymer of a styrene monomer or a copolymer of a styrene monomer and another monomer. To do. Moreover, (meth) acryl means acryl and / or methacryl, and the same description method is used hereafter.

  Examples of the styrene monomer include styrene, alkyl styrene having an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms (for example, α-methyl styrene, p-methyl styrene), and the like. Styrene is preferred.

Examples of (meth) acrylic monomers include alkyl groups such as methyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl (meth) acrylate, butyl (meth) acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth) acrylate, lauryl (meth) acrylate, and stearyl (meth) acrylate. Alkyl (meth) acrylate having 1 to 18 carbon atoms; Hydroxylalkyl (meth) acrylate having 1 to 18 carbon atoms of an alkyl group such as hydroxylethyl (meth) acrylate; Dimethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, Diethylaminoethyl (meth) Examples thereof include alkylamino group-containing (meth) acrylates having 1 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group such as acrylate; nitrile group-containing vinyl monomers such as acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile.
Examples of the carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomer include monocarboxylic acids [having 3 to 15 carbon atoms such as (meth) acrylic acid, crotonic acid and cinnamic acid], dicarboxylic acids [having 4 to 15 carbon atoms such as (anhydrous) maleic acid and fumaric acid. , Itaconic acid, citraconic acid], dicarboxylic acid monoester [monoalkyl (carbon number 1 to 18) ester of the above dicarboxylic acid, such as maleic acid monoalkyl ester, fumaric acid monoalkyl ester, itaconic acid monoalkyl ester, citraconic acid monoester Alkyl ester] and the like.
Among these (meth) acrylic monomers and carboxyl group-containing vinyl monomers, alkyl (meth) acrylates having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, (meth) acrylic acid, dicarboxylic acid monoesters, and two kinds thereof It is a mixture of the above.

If necessary, the styrene (co) polymers (A), (B), and (C) may be used in combination with other vinyl ester monomers and aliphatic hydrocarbon vinyl monomers.
Examples of vinyl ester monomers include aliphatic vinyl esters (4 to 15 carbon atoms such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, isopropenyl acetate, etc.), unsaturated carboxylic acid polyvalent (2 to 3 or more) alcohol esters [carbon number. 8-200, such as ethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, propylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, neopentyl glycol di (meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, 1,6 hexanediol diacrylate, and polyethylene glycol Di (meth) acrylate, etc.], aromatic vinyl esters (carbon number 9-15, such as methyl-4-vinylbenzoate) and the like.
Aliphatic hydrocarbon vinyl monomers include olefins (2 to 10 carbon atoms, such as ethylene, propylene, butene, octene, etc.), dienes (4 to 10 carbon atoms, such as butadiene, isoprene, 1,6-hexadiene, etc.) and the like. Can be mentioned.
The content of other monomers in all the constituent monomers is preferably 15% or less, more preferably 0.001 to 5%.
In the above and the following, “%” means “% by weight” unless otherwise specified.

The value of the solubility parameter (SP value) of the styrene (co) polymer used in the present invention was calculated by the formula reported by Fedors et al. [Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 147 to 154 (Feb. 1974)].
The SP value of each of the styrene (co) polymers (A), (B), and (C), SP (A), SP (B), and SP (C) has the largest value and the smallest value among them. The difference from the value is usually 0.10 or less, preferably 0.09 or less, more preferably 0.07 or less, and particularly preferably 0.05 or less.
The ranges of SP (A), SP (B), and SP (C) are all preferably 10.00 to 11.00, more preferably 10.10 to 10.90, and particularly preferably 10.20. -10.80.
By setting the SP value to the configuration of the present invention, the performance as a toner is improved. This is considered to be because the compatibility of each component is increased by reducing the difference in SP value.
Further, from the viewpoint of imparting resin strength, it is preferable to set the SP value in the order of SP (A)> SP (B)> SP (C).

The acid values of the styrene (co) polymers (A), (B), and (C) are all preferably 0 to 20, more preferably 0 to 16, particularly preferably from the viewpoint of image stability. Is 0-12.
In the above and below, the acid value is measured by the method defined in JIS K0070 (potentiometric titration method).

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the styrene (co) polymers (A), (B), and (C) used in the present invention is measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
The weight average molecular weight of (A) is usually from 3,000 to less than 30,000, preferably from 3400 to 28,000, and more preferably from 3800 to 25,000, from the viewpoint of low-temperature fixability.
The weight average molecular weight of (B) is usually 30,000 to less than 200,000, preferably 35,000 to 180,000, in order to improve the mixing property of (A) and (C) and to develop the toughness of the resin. Preferably it is 40,000-150,000.
The weight average molecular weight of (C) is usually 200,000 to 1,200,000, preferably 300,000 to 1,100,000, more preferably, from the viewpoint of improving the hot offset resistance of the resin and improving the miscibility with (B). It is 400,000-150,000.

Above and below, the molecular weight of the resin is measured under the following conditions using GPC.
Device (example): Tosoh HLC-8220
Column (example): TSKgel SuperMultipore HZ-M 3 pieces (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation)
Measurement temperature: 40 ° C
Sample solution: 0.25% THF solution Injection volume: 10 μl
Detection device: Refractive index detector Standard material: TOSANDO standard polystyrene (TSK standard POLY STYRENE) 12 points (molecular weight 500 1050 2800 9100 18100 37900 96400 190000 355000 1090000 2890000)

The weight ratio of (A), (B), and (C) [% with respect to the total weight of (A), (B), and (C)] is preferably from the viewpoints of fixability and image stability. (A) :( B) :( C) = (45-80) :( 1-22) :( 19-54), more preferably (A) :( B) :( C) = (50- 76) :( 2-20) :( 20-48).
A plurality of types of (A), (B), and (C) can be combined as long as the molecular weight and the SP value are within predetermined ranges.

Styrene (co) polymers (A), (B), and (C) are known monomers such as solution polymerization, bulk polymerization, suspension polymerization, and emulsion polymerization using the radical polymerization initiator (e). It can be synthesized by a polymerization method. Solution polymerization, suspension polymerization and bulk polymerization or a combination thereof are preferred.
The polymerization temperature is preferably 60 to 230 ° C, more preferably 80 to 230 ° C.
The polymerization time is preferably 1 to 30 hours, more preferably 2 to 20 hours.

Examples of (e) include azo polymerization initiators (for example, azobisisobutyronitrile, azobisvaleronitrile, and azobiscyanovaleric acid), and organic peroxide polymerization initiators [for example, benzoyl peroxide, di-t- Butyl peroxide, t-butyl peroxybenzoate, 2,2-bis (4,4-di-t-butylperoxycyclohexyl) propane] and the like.
Of these, di-t-butyl peroxide and 2,2-bis (4,4-di-t-butylperoxycyclohexyl) propane are preferred.
The amount of the polymerization initiator used is preferably 0.01 to 10%, more preferably 0.05 to 8%, and particularly preferably 0.1 to 6% based on the total amount of monomers.

Solvents for solution polymerization include cycloalkane solvents having 5 to 12 carbon atoms (such as cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane); aromatic solvents having 6 to 12 carbon atoms (such as benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene and cumene); ester solvents (Ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, etc.); ether solvents (methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, butyl cellosolve, etc.) are used.
Of these, preferred are aromatic solvents, and more preferred are toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene.

  Moreover, when performing suspension polymerization, it can superpose | polymerize in water using inorganic acid salt dispersing agents (calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, etc.), organic dispersing agents (polyvinyl alcohol, methylcellulose, etc.), etc.

In addition to the styrene (co) polymers (A), (B), and (C), other resins can be added to the electrophotographic toner binder of the present invention as necessary. Examples of other resins include polyester resins and polyamide resins.
The other resin is required not to inhibit the uniformity of the styrene (co) polymer mixture containing (A), (B), and (C), and the addition amount thereof is (A), (B ) And (C), preferably 30% or less, more preferably 20% or less, particularly preferably 10% or less.

Examples of the polyester resin include a polycondensate of a polyol and a polycarboxylic acid. In order to seal the terminal carboxylic acid and terminal alcohol, monoalcohol or monocarboxylic acid can be used in combination.
Among the polyols, dihydric alcohols include aliphatic diols having 2 to 20 carbon atoms and their alkylene oxide adducts, hydroquinone, catechol, bisphenol (such as bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and bisphenol AD), and hydrogenated bisphenol, and Examples thereof include phenolic glycols obtained by adding alkylene oxide to these, and mixtures of two or more thereof. Examples of the alkylene oxide include ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. When a mixture of these alkylene oxides is added, block addition or random addition may be used.
Among these, preferred are ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, 2-3 mol adduct of bisphenol (particularly bisphenol A), and a mixture of two or more of these.
Among the polyols, trihydric or higher alcohols include aliphatic polyhydric alcohols having 3 to 20 carbon atoms (such as sorbitol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropaneglycerol), and alkylene oxide adducts thereof.
Among the polycarboxylic acids, examples of the divalent acid include alkyl or alkenyl dicarboxylic acids having 2 to 20 carbon atoms (for example, succinic acid, maleic acid, and adipic acid), and aromatic carboxylic acids having 8 to 20 carbon atoms (for example, terephthalic acid). , Isophthalic acid) and anhydrides and lower alkyl (methyl, ethyl) esters of these acids.
Among the polycarboxylic acids, trivalent or higher valent acids include aliphatic polycarboxylic acids having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, aromatic polycarboxylic acids having 9 to 20 carbon atoms (1,2,4 benzenetricarboxylic acid, pyromellitic acid, etc. ), And anhydrides and lower alkyl (methyl, butyl, etc.) esters thereof.

Examples of polyamide resins include lactam ring-opening polymers, aminocarboxylic acid polycondensates, and polycondensates of the above polycarboxylic acids and polyamines.
Examples of the lactam include lactams having 6 to 12 carbon atoms such as caprolactam, enantolactam, laurolactam, and undecanolactam.
Examples of aminocarboxylic acids include aminocarboxylic acids having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, such as amino acids (such as glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine), ω-aminocaproic acid, ω-aminoenanthic acid, and ω-aminocaprylic acid. , Ω-aminopelargonic acid, ω-aminocapric acid, 11-aminoundecanoic acid, and 12-aminododecanoic acid.
The ring-opening polymerization and polycondensation reaction can be performed by a conventional method using a known catalyst or the like.

The weight average molecular weight of the electrophotographic toner binder of the present invention containing the styrene (co) polymers (A), (B), and (C) is preferably 150,000 to 350,000, more preferably 160,000 to It is 340,000, particularly preferably 170,000 to 330,000.
The ratio (Mw / Mn) between the weight average molecular weight Mw and the number average molecular weight Mn is preferably 15 to 150, more preferably 20 to 120, from the viewpoint of the fixing temperature range and image stability.

The glass transition point (Tg) of the toner binder for electrophotography of the present invention containing the styrene (co) polymers (A), (B), and (C) is from the viewpoint of storage stability and low-temperature fixability. Preferably it is 50-75 degreeC, More preferably, it is 51-70 degreeC, Most preferably, it is 53-67 degreeC.
In the above and below, the glass transition point (Tg) is measured by a method (DSC method) defined in ASTM D3418-82 using DSC20, SSC / 580 manufactured by Seiko Denshi Kogyo Co., Ltd.

In the toner binder for electrophotography of the present invention, a release agent (G) can be contained in order to further improve the low-temperature fixability and offset resistance.
Examples of the release agent (G) include polyolefin wax, natural wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax, aliphatic alcohol having 30 to 50 carbon atoms, fatty acid having 30 to 50 carbon atoms, and a mixture thereof.

  Examples of polyolefin waxes include olefin (co) polymer (G-1), olefin (co) polymer oxide (G-2), and olefin (co) polymer maleic modification (G-3). And a copolymer (G-4) of an olefin and an unsaturated carboxylic acid and / or an unsaturated carboxylic acid alkyl ester.

(G-1) includes (co) polymers such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, isobutylene, 1-hexene, 1-dodecene, 1-octadecene, and mixtures thereof (for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene / propylene). Copolymer, ethylene / 1-butene copolymer, and propylene / 1-hexene copolymer).
(G-1) includes those obtained by (co) polymerization of olefins (G-1-1) and heat-reduced polyolefins (G-1-2).

  Examples of (G-1-2) include polyolefins obtained by thermally degrading polyolefin resins (for example, polyethylene and polypropylene) having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 50,000 to 5,000,000.

Examples of (G-2) include the oxides of (G-1) above.
The oxidation can be performed by a known method using oxygen and / or ozone, for example, by the method described in US Pat. No. 3,692,877.

(G-3) includes maleic acid monomers of the above (G-1) [maleic acid and its derivatives (maleic anhydride; monomethyl maleate, monobutyl maleate, dimethyl maleate, etc., carbon number of maleic acid] 1-4 mono- or dialkyl ester)] modified products and the like.
The modification can be performed by a known method, for example, by reacting (G-1) and a maleic acid monomer by a solution method or a melting method using a known peroxide catalyst. be able to.

(G-4) includes the olefin and unsaturated carboxylic acid [(meth) acrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic anhydride, etc.] and / or unsaturated carboxylic acid alkyl ester [(meth) acrylic acid alkyl (alkyl carbon And a copolymer with alkyl maleate (alkyl 1 to 18 alkyl ester, etc.)] and the like.
The copolymerization can be performed by a known method using a known catalyst.

The number average molecular weight of the polyolefin wax is preferably 1000 to 30,000, more preferably 1500 to 25000, and particularly preferably 2000 to 20,000, from the viewpoint of filming on the carrier and the releasability.
The melting point of the polyolefin wax is preferably 50 to 165 ° C., more preferably 60 to 160 ° C., particularly 65 to 155 ° C., from the viewpoints of filming on a carrier and releasability.

Examples of natural waxes include carnauba wax, montan wax, paraffin wax, and rice wax.
Examples of the Fischer-Tropsch wax include Sasol wax H1.
Examples of the aliphatic alcohol having 30 to 50 carbon atoms include triacontanol.
Examples of the fatty acid having 30 to 50 carbon atoms include triacontane carboxylic acid.

  Among these, preferred are polyolefin wax, natural wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax, and mixtures thereof, and more preferred are heat-reduced polyethylene, heat-reduced polypropylene, paraffin wax, and Fischer-Tropsch wax.

  The method for mixing the styrene (co) polymers (A), (B), and (C) is not particularly limited, but a method in which (A), (B), and (C) are separately polymerized and mixed in a solution state, Examples include a method of polymerizing another polymer in the presence of each polymer.

  In order to obtain a toner binder containing the release agent (G) and / or other resin, (A), (B), and (C), and the release agent (G) and / or other resin are used as a solution. Or a melt mixing method using a twin-screw extruder or a compounding pot capable of heating and stirring, and in the presence of a release agent (G) and / or other resin (A), (B ), (C) may be manufactured.

  The toner of the present invention comprises the toner binder for electrophotography of the present invention and a colorant, and various additives such as a release agent, a charge control agent and a fluidizing agent can be mixed as necessary.

Known pigments, dyes and magnetic powders can be used as the colorant. Specifically, carbon black, Sudan Black SM, First Yellow-G, Benzidine Yellow, Pigment Yellow, Indian First Orange, Irgasin Red, Paranitroaniline Red, Toluidine Red, Carmine FB, Pigment Orange R, Lake Red 2G, Rhodamine FB, Rhodamine B lake, Methyl violet B lake, Phthalocyanine blue, Pigment blue, Brilliant green, Phthalocyanine green, Oil yellow GG, Kayaset YG, Orazol brown B, Oil pink OP, and magnetic powder [eg, ferromagnetic metal powder (Iron, cobalt, nickel, etc.), magnetite, hematite, and ferrite].
The content of the colorant in the toner of the present invention is preferably 1 to 15%, more preferably 2 to 10% when using a dye or pigment, and preferably 15 when using magnetic powder. -70%, More preferably, it is 30-60%.

As a mold release agent, the same thing as the above-mentioned mold release agent (G) is mentioned.
The amount of the release agent in the toner of the present invention is preferably 0 to 10%, more preferably 1 to 8%.

Examples of the charge control agent include metal-containing azo dyes, nigrosine dyes, and quaternary ammonium salt compounds.
The content of the charge control agent in the toner of the present invention is preferably 0 to 5%, more preferably 1 to 5%.

Examples of the fluidizing agent include known materials such as colloidal silica, alumina powder, titanium oxide powder, and calcium carbonate powder.
The content of the fluidizing agent in the toner of the present invention is preferably 0 to 5%.

Examples of the toner production method include a known kneading and pulverizing method. For example, the toner constituents are dry blended using a Henschel mixer or the like, then melt-kneaded at 70 ° C. to 190 ° C. using a twin screw extruder or the like, then coarsely pulverized, and finally a jet pulverizer or the like. Fine particles are used and further classified to obtain particles having a volume average particle diameter (D50) of 5 to 15 microns.
D50 is measured using a Coulter counter [for example, trade name: Multisizer III (manufactured by Beckman Coulter)].
Further, in the above method, the fluidizing agent can be used after being mixed (externally added) after the toner is made into fine particles.

If necessary, the toner is mixed with carrier particles such as ferrite whose surface is coated with glass beads and / or a resin (acrylic resin, silicone resin, etc.) and used as a developer. Further, instead of the carrier particles, it can be charged by friction with a member such as a charging blade.
Next, the toner is moved to the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor, and further moved onto a support (paper, polyester film, etc.).
Furthermore, the recording material is fixed to a support by a known hot roll fixing method or the like.

  EXAMPLES The present invention will be further described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, a part shows a weight part.

  The toner test method is as follows.

(1) Minimum Fixing Temperature After 30 parts of an evaluation sample (toner) and 800 parts of a ferrite carrier (F-150, manufactured by Powdertech) were uniformly mixed to obtain a two-component developer, it was subjected to the following test.
A fixing unit of a commercially available monochrome copier [SF8400A, manufactured by Sharp Corporation] was remodeled from an unfixed image developed using a commercially available monochrome copier [AR5030, manufactured by Sharp Corporation], and the heat roller temperature was made variable. Fixing was performed at a process speed of 145 mm / sec with a fixing machine. An image having an image density (ID) = 0.6 was rubbed in 5 reciprocations by the Gakushin friction fastness test (rubbing with paper), and the fixing rate (ID after friction 100 × 100 / The heat roller temperature at which ID before friction was 70% or more was defined as the minimum fixing temperature.

(2) Hot offset occurrence temperature Fixing was performed in the same manner as in (1) above, and the presence or absence of hot offset on the fixed image was visually determined. The temperature at which hot offset began to occur was defined as the hot offset occurrence temperature.

(3) Image Stability As in (1) above, continuous copying was performed using a commercially available monochrome copying machine [AR5030, manufactured by Sharp Corporation] as a two-component developer, and the change in image quality was evaluated according to the following criteria.
◎ No change in image quality and no fogging after 10,000 copies.
○ Fogging occurs after 10,000 copies.
Δ: Fog is generated after copying 6,000 sheets.
X: Fog occurs after 2,000 copies.

(4) Storage stability Twenty parts of the evaluation sample (toner) was sealed in a glass bottle, allowed to stand in a constant temperature water bath at 50 ° C. for 8 hours, and then subjected to vibration at a vibration strength of 5 for 10 seconds on a sieve having an opening of 355 μm. From the ratio (weight) of the amount of toner remaining on the screen to the amount placed on the screen, the following criteria were used for evaluation. The apparatus used was a powder tester PT-E manufactured by Hosokawa Micron.
○: Residual toner amount on the screen less than 10% Δ: Residual toner amount on the screen more than 10% to less than 20% ×: Residual toner amount on the screen more than 20%

Production Example 1
The autoclave was charged with 250 parts of xylene and replaced with nitrogen, and then heated to 185 ° C. in a sealed state with stirring. A mixed solution of 460 parts of styrene, 35 parts of n-butyl methacrylate, 5 parts of acrylic acid, 15 parts of di-t-butyl peroxide, and 100 parts of xylene was added over 3 hours while controlling the temperature in the autoclave at 185 ° C. It was dropped and polymerized. Further, the polymerization was completed at the same temperature for 1 hour to obtain a polymer solution (A-1).

Production Example 2
The autoclave was charged with 250 parts of xylene and replaced with nitrogen, and then heated to 160 ° C. in a sealed state with stirring. A mixed solution of 411 parts of styrene, 80 parts of n-butyl acrylate, 9 parts of methacrylic acid, 5 parts of di-t-butyl peroxide, and 100 parts of xylene was taken over 3 hours while controlling the temperature in the autoclave at 160 ° C. It was dropped and polymerized. Further, the polymerization was completed at the same temperature for 1 hour to obtain a polymer solution (A-2).

Production Example 3
Polymerization was carried out in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that 465 parts of styrene, 25 parts of acrylonitrile, and 10 parts of acrylic acid were used, to obtain a polymer solution (A-3).

Production Example 4
The autoclave was charged with 250 parts of xylene and replaced with nitrogen, and then heated to 200 ° C. in a sealed state with stirring. A mixed solution of 490 parts of styrene, 10 parts of acrylic acid, 25 parts of di-t-butyl peroxide, and 110 parts of xylene was dropped and polymerized over 3 hours while controlling the temperature in the autoclave at 200 ° C. Further, the polymerization was completed at the same temperature for 1 hour to obtain a polymer solution (RA-4).

Production Example 5
The monomer used was polymerized in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that 420 parts of styrene, 10 parts of n-butyl acrylate and 70 parts of methyl methacrylate were used, and the polymerization initiator was 16 parts of di-t-butyl peroxide. A combined solution (A-5) was obtained.

Production Example 6
Polymerization was carried out in the same manner as in Production Example 2 except that the polymerization temperature was 155 ° C. and the monomers used were 410 parts of styrene, 75 parts of n-butyl acrylate, and 15 parts of methyl methacrylate, and the polymer solution (A-6) was obtained. Obtained.

Production Example 7
After charging 100 parts of xylene in an autoclave and replacing with nitrogen, the temperature was raised to 150 ° C. in a sealed state with stirring. A mixed solution of 412 parts of styrene, 80 parts of n-butyl acrylate, 8 parts of acrylic acid, 2 parts of di-t-butyl peroxide, and 50 parts of xylene was taken for 3 hours while controlling the temperature in the autoclave at 155 ° C. It was dropped and polymerized. Furthermore, after maintaining at the same temperature for 1 hour, it heated up at 175 degreeC and was made to superpose | polymerize for 1 hour, and the polymer solution (B-1) was obtained.

Production Example 8
After charging 100 parts of xylene in an autoclave and replacing with nitrogen, the temperature was raised to 140 ° C. in a sealed state with stirring. A mixed solution of 402 parts of styrene, 100 parts of n-butyl acrylate, 0.6 part of di-t-butyl peroxide, and 50 parts of xylene was added dropwise over 3 hours while controlling the temperature in the autoclave at 140 ° C. And polymerized. Furthermore, after maintaining at the same temperature for 2 hours, it heated up at 175 degreeC and superposed | polymerized for 1 hour, and the polymer solution (B-2) was obtained.

Production Example 9
Polymerization was carried out in the same manner as in Production Example 8 except that 390 parts of styrene, 100 parts of n-butyl acrylate, 10 parts of methyl methacrylate and 1 part of di-t-butyl peroxide were used as the polymerization initiator. A combined solution (B-3) was obtained.

Production Example 10
After replacing the autoclave with nitrogen, 378 parts of styrene, 115 parts of n-butyl acrylate, 7 parts of acrylic acid, and 0.02 part of 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate were charged, and the temperature was raised to 95 ° C. over 1 hour. Next, 4 parts of 2,2-bis (4,4-di-t-butylperoxycyclohexyl) propane was charged, and bulk polymerization was performed at 95 ° C. for 4 hours. Subsequently, 120 parts of xylene was added dropwise over 1 hour, and then the temperature was raised to 110 ° C. over 1 hour, and polymerization was performed at the same temperature for 2 hours. Further, 1.6 parts of 2,2-bis (4,4-di-t-butylperoxycyclohexyl) propane was charged and polymerized for 4 hours. Thereafter, the temperature was raised to 150 ° C. over 1 hour, and after polymerization at the same temperature for 1 hour, 700 parts of xylene was added and diluted to obtain a polymer solution (C-1).

Production Example 11
950 parts of water and 50 parts of 2% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol [PVA235 manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.] are added to a four-necked flask, and 385 parts of styrene, 115 parts of n-butyl acrylate, 2.2-bis (4 A mixed solution consisting of 2 parts of 4-di-t-butylperoxycyclohexyl) propane was added and stirred to obtain a suspension. After sufficiently replacing the flask with nitrogen, the temperature was raised to 95 ° C. to initiate polymerization. Polymerization was continued at the same temperature, and after confirming that the conversion rate was 98% after 24 hours, the temperature was raised to 100 ° C. and kept at the same temperature for 2 hours to complete the polymerization. As a post-treatment, filtration, washing with water and drying were performed to obtain a polymer (C-2).

Production Example 12
The monomer used was polymerized in the same manner as in Production Example 11 except that 368 parts of styrene, 125 parts of n-butyl acrylate and 7 parts of acrylic acid were used, and the polymerization temperature was 85 ° C. to obtain a polymer (C-3). .

Production Example 13
Polymerization was carried out in the same manner as in Production Example 10 except that 395 parts of styrene, 80 parts of n-butyl acrylate, 25 parts of methyl methacrylate, and 0.025 part of 1,6 hexanediol diacrylate were used. C-4) was obtained.

Example 1
An autoclave was charged with 1315 parts of the polymer solution (A-2), 26 parts of the polymer solution (B-2) and 220 parts of the polymer (C-2), and the polymer (A-2) was refluxed with xylene under reflux. (B-2) and (C-2) were uniformly dissolved. Next, the temperature was raised to 170 ° C. while distilling off xylene, and then the pressure was reduced. Solvent removal was continued at a pressure of 1 kPa or less, and it was confirmed by gas chromatography that the xylene content in the resin was 400 ppm or less to obtain a toner binder (TB-1).

Example 2
Example 1 except that the polymer (solution) used was 865 parts of the polymer solution (A-1), 261 parts of the polymer solution (B-1), and 300 parts of the polymer (C-3). In the same manner as above, a toner binder (TB-2) was obtained.

Example 3
Except that the polymer (solution) used was 865 parts of the polymer solution (A-1), 65 parts of the polymer solution (B-1), and 1194 parts of the polymer solution (C-1). 1 to obtain a toner binder (TB-3).

Example 4
Example 1 except that the polymer (solution) used was 1315 parts of polymer solution (A-6), 52 parts of polymer solution (B-2), and 200 parts of polymer (C-2). In the same manner as above, a toner binder (TB-4) was obtained.

Example 5
Except that the polymer (solution) used was 865 parts of the polymer solution (A-5), 130 parts of the polymer solution (B-3), and 1061 parts of the polymer solution (C-4). 1 to obtain a toner binder (TB-5).

Comparative Example 1
Example 1 except that the polymer (solution) used was 885 parts of the polymer solution (RA-4), 261 parts of the polymer solution (B-1), and 300 parts of the polymer (C-2). In the same manner, a comparative toner binder (RTB-1) was obtained.

Comparative Example 2
Except that the polymer (solution) used was 865 parts of the polymer solution (A-3), 196 parts of the polymer solution (B-2), and 928 parts of the polymer solution (C-1). In the same manner as in Example 1, a comparative toner binder (RTB-2) was obtained.

  Table 1 shows the analysis results of the polymer or polymer solution obtained in each of the production examples and the comparative production example (the polymer solution is a desolvated solid content) and the toner binder obtained in each of the examples and comparative examples. Show.

[Examples 6 to 10, Comparative Examples 3 to 4]
[Create Toner]
To each 88 parts of toner binders (TB-1) to (TB-5) and (RTB-1) to (RTB-2), 7 parts of carbon black [MA100 manufactured by Mitsubishi Kasei Co., Ltd.], low molecular weight polypropylene [ After 3 parts of Sanyo Chemical Industries Co., Ltd. Viscol 550P] and 2 parts of a charge control agent (Spiron Black TRH manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.) were uniformly mixed with a Henschel mixer FM10B [manufactured by Mitsui Miike Chemical Co., Ltd.], resin Kneaded with a twin screw extruder (PCM30, manufactured by Ikegai Co., Ltd.) at a temperature of 130 ° C., and the cooled product is finely pulverized with a jet pulverizer (Labjet LJ, manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.), and a dispersion separator. Classification was carried out with [MDS-II, manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.]. Next, toners (T-1) to (T-5) of the present invention having a volume average particle diameter of 9 μm, and 100 parts of toner particles and 0.5 part of colloidal silica (Aerosil R972 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil) are uniformly mixed, and Comparative toners (RT-1) to (RT-2) were obtained.
The volume average particle diameter was measured with a Coulter counter (Multisizer TM3, manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.).

[Test example]
Table 2 shows the evaluation results for toners (T-1) to (T-5) and (RT-1) to (RT-2).
As shown in Table 2, the toners (T-1) to (T-5) of the present invention using the toner binders (TB-1) to (TB-5) of the present invention have excellent low temperature fixability and hot resistance. It has an offset property and is excellent in image stability. On the other hand, comparative toners (RT-1) to (RT-2) using comparative toner binders (RTB-1) to (RTB-2) have poor image characteristics such as a narrow fixing temperature range and fogging. It was a thing. As described above, by using the toner binder of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a toner having no problem in image quality deterioration particularly when the toner is used for a long time.

  The toner binder for electrophotography of the present invention can provide a low level fixing property and hot offset resistance as a toner at a high level, and can further obtain an excellent toner free from troubles such as image quality deterioration when used for a long time. Is extremely useful.

Claims (4)

  A styrene (co) polymer (A) having a weight average molecular weight of 3,000 to less than 30,000, a styrene (co) polymer (B) having a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 to less than 200,000, and a weight average molecular weight of 200,000 A styrene (co) polymer (C) having a content of 1.2 million or less is contained, and the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the SP values of (A), (B), and (C) is 0.10. The toner binder for electrophotography which is the following.   The toner binder for electrophotography according to claim 1, wherein the styrene (co) polymers (A), (B), and (C) have an acid value of 0 to 20.   The weight ratio of the styrene (co) polymers (A), (B), and (C) is (A) :( B) :( C) = (45-80) :( 1-22) :( 19- 54) The toner binder for electrophotography according to claim 1 or 2, which is 54).   A toner containing the electrophotographic toner binder according to claim 1 and a colorant.