JP2010197479A - Alumina fine particle for toner external additive, toner, image forming method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide alumina fine particles for external additive suitable for making toner, having excellent frictional charging stability and photoreceptor charging stability, and preventing toner supply regulation passing failure, sealing scattering on toner supply, toner supply fogging and photoreceptor memory, and toner, and to provide an image forming method and an image forming apparatus excellent in the above effect. <P>SOLUTION: The alumina fine particles for toner external additive are crystalline using γ-alumina phase as main phase and including at least a small quantity of α-alumina phase and spherical. In this toner, the alumina fine particles are externally added. The image forming method and the image forming apparatus use the obtained toner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to alumina fine particles for external toner addition, toner, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, a photosensitive member such as a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, which is a latent image carrier, is rotatably supported on the main body of the image forming apparatus, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive member during an image forming operation. After forming the image, the latent image is visualized with toner by a contact method or a non-contact method, and then the visible image is directly transferred to a transfer material using a corona transfer or a transfer roller. There is a method in which a visible image is once transferred to an intermediate transfer medium such as a transfer drum or a transfer belt, and then retransferred to a transfer material.

  In these image forming apparatuses, two-component toner is generally known as the toner, and relatively stable development is possible. However, a change in the mixing ratio between the developer and the magnetic carrier is likely to occur. It is necessary to maintain it. One-component magnetic toner also has a problem that a clear color image cannot be obtained due to the opacity of the magnetic material.

The toner has a high fluidity and how to uniformly charge the toner in order to obtain a high quality recorded image by repeating the above-described steps. In particular, when applied to a non-contact AC developing system, it is necessary to improve the fluidity of the toner from the viewpoint of improving the flying property and weaken the adhesive force of the toner to the developing roller. From the viewpoint of improving the flight performance, it is necessary to release excessive triboelectric charges accumulated in the toner. In the conventional toner, the fine silica particles is to be externally added is known, silica fine particles occurs charge-up phenomenon during the charging for 10 ¹⁵ Omega · cm or more high resistance as flow improvers, imaging There is a problem that the image density is lowered by repeating the process.

  Therefore, alumina fine particles are externally added to the toner base particles, and the slight charge leakage action releases the excessive frictional charge accumulated in the toner to stabilize the toner triboelectric charge. In addition, attempts have been made to stabilize the charging performance of the photoreceptor by refreshing the surface of the photoreceptor by its polishing action.

  As alumina fine particles, various forms such as α-alumina, γ-alumina, θ-alumina, and a mixture thereof are known. As a method for producing nano-sized alumina, (1) low soda method alumina Fine particles: Showa Denko, Taiheiyo Random, (2) Dawsonite method alumina fine particles: Daimei Chemical, Hinomoto, (3) Spark discharge method alumina: Iwatani Chemical, (4) Flame hydrolysis method alumina: Nippon Aerosil It has been known. Further, as alumina for external addition of toner, for example, α-alumina fine particles have a clear crystal structure, so that it is difficult to form oxygen defects (lattice defects) that are the starting points of charge leakage action, and stabilize frictional charging. Poor function. Furthermore, since the α-alumina fine particles have a large particle diameter and high hardness, there is a defect that the polishing action tends to be manifested excessively. Polishing marks generated on the surface of the photoreceptor are the origin of image defects, or the photosensitive layer is excessive. There are problems such as shortening the service life by scraping.

Further, γ-alumina fine particles, alumina fine particles coated with silicone oil, alumina fine particles subjected to surface treatment with a coupling agent, and the like have been proposed (Patent Documents 1 to 3). Γ-alumina, which is a representative of transition alumina, easily forms oxygen defects (lattice defects) depending on the production method, and also contains a lot of structured water that is chemically adsorbed on the active Al-OH groups on the particle surface, so that charge leakage action It is easy to express. However, there is a problem that the excessive leakage action makes it difficult to control the attenuation of triboelectric charge, and the environmental stability depending on the amount of moisture in the atmosphere is impaired. Furthermore, although γ-alumina can reduce the particle size, it has a feature that it easily forms secondary aggregates due to the effect of active Al—OH groups on the particle surface, and it was treated so as to adhere to the surface of the toner base particles. In some cases, the alumina free external additive present in a poorly dispersed state causes various problems as described below.

  First, the rise of frictional charging decreases with the printing of a large number of sheets, and a toner replenishment fogging phenomenon occurs particularly in a system for replenishing toner. When the developing operation of the toner in the developing device is repeated a number of times, the alumina fine particles of the external additive having a charge leakage effect from the surface are gradually lost due to being embedded or released in the toner base particles, and the rising of the triboelectric charge is reduced. To do. When the developing device is in a toner replenishment format that allows toner to be replenished, toner used for development is newly replenished in addition to residual toner, or in a toner use-up format that does not allow the developing device to replenish toner. In some cases, a toner is newly filled in addition to the residual toner as a regenerative development device, and a charging ability difference occurs at the time of frictional charging between the deteriorated toner damaged in the development device and the new toner. In the one-component development method, when frictional charging between the developing roller, which is a toner carrier, and the toner causes a difference in frictional charging ability, the toner layer on the developing roller passes through the regulation passing mode when an image is formed after refilling with new toner or after refilling. In addition, there are problems such as scattering of the upper seal of the toner layer on the developing roller and fogging of the non-image forming portion on the photosensitive member. Also, in the two-component development method, when the frictional charge between the carrier and the toner has a difference in charging ability between the old and new toner, the developer layer on the magnet roller is scattered and the non-image forming portion on the photoconductor is fogged. Etc. occur.

  The mechanism of this development is that under the situation where the deteriorated toner and the new toner coexist in the developing device, the lower layer side of the toner layer on which the new toner having a good rise in frictional charging is formed on the toner carrier (developing roller), By forming the layer so that the old toner with inferior frictional charge rises as the surface layer side, the old toner on the surface layer with inferior charge is likely to be detached from the toner carrier during the developing operation.

  Second, the phenomenon of photoconductor memory occurs. Part of the alumina fine particles of the external additive that moves on the photoreceptor in synchronism with the toner during the development operation moves on the transfer member in synchronization with the toner during the transfer operation, and some of the alumina fine particles in the free state It tends to remain on the photoreceptor without moving onto the transfer body in synchronization with the toner. A part of the alumina fine particles remaining on the photosensitive member is further removed from the photosensitive member by the cleaning operation. However, since the size is significantly smaller than that of the toner, most of the fine alumina particles remain on the photosensitive member. The alumina fine particles remaining on the photosensitive member tend to concentrate on the image outline when forming an electrostatic latent image, and the alumina fine particles remaining without being reset by the cleaning process during uniform charging or writing exposure A history (photoreceptor memory) as a surface potential fluctuation generated as an obstruction factor in the operation becomes an image formation history one step before the image formation and an afterimage appears.

  As an alumina fine particle for toner external addition, Patent Document 1 describes a hydrophobic γ-crystal alumina polishing substance, but does not describe a problem due to an alumina free external additive with respect to chargeability. Although the alumina fine particles for external toner addition obtained by the aluminum dowsonite method are described, it does not describe the problem associated with the decrease in the rise of frictional charge accompanying the printing of a large number of sheets. Although the alumina fine particles for external addition of the toner obtained by making the fine alumina fine particles are described, they are not intended to be the crystalline alumina fine particles.

JP-A-3-191363 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-240068 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-184988

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention provides an externally added alumina which is excellent in frictional charging stability and photosensitive member charging stability and is suitable for a toner that does not cause toner replenishment regulation passing leakage, toner replenishment seal scattering, toner replenishment fogging, and photoreceptor memory. An image forming method and an image forming apparatus that are excellent in providing fine particles and toner, friction charging stability, and photoreceptor charging stability, and that do not generate toner replenishment regulation passing leakage, toner replenishment seal scattering, toner replenishment fog, and photoreceptor memory. Offering is an issue.

  The alumina fine particles for external addition of the toner of the present invention are characterized by being crystalline and spherical with a γ-alumina phase as a main phase and at least a small amount of an α-alumina phase.

  The alumina fine particles are characterized in that the half-value width of the spectrum derived from γ-alumina in X-ray diffraction analysis is 1.0 ° or less.

  The alumina fine particles are obtained by evaporating metallic aluminum with a direct current arc plasma and oxidizing the vapor.

  The toner of the present invention comprises toner base particles containing at least a binder resin, a colorant and a release agent, a crystalline and spherical shape containing a γ-alumina phase as a main phase and at least a small amount of an α-alumina phase. It is characterized by containing alumina fine particles as an external additive.

The toner base particles have a volume average particle diameter (D ₅₀ ) of 2.0 to 12.0 μm and are obtained by an emulsion aggregation method.

  The image forming method of the present invention includes a photoconductor carrying an electrostatic latent image, and a developing device arranged to face the photoconductor in a non-contact state, and the developing device is carried on the photoconductor. A developing roller for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner, and a supply roller that is disposed in pressure-contact with the developing roller and supplies the toner to the developing roller. A toner base particle containing a resin, a colorant and a release agent and a γ-alumina phase as a main phase and at least a small amount of an α-alumina phase in a crystalline and spherical alumina fine particle as an external additive An electrostatic latent image carried on the photosensitive member is developed by supplying toner containing the toner.

  When the above developing device is a toner replenishment type that allows toner to be replenished, development is performed with toner that is newly replenished in addition to residual toner, or a toner use-up type that does not allow toner to be replenished In this case, the toner is developed with newly filled toner in addition to the residual toner.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a photosensitive member carrying an electrostatic latent image, and an electrostatic latent image carried on the photosensitive member that is disposed so as to face the photosensitive member in a non-contact state. Toner containing toner base particles containing colorant and release agent and toner containing γ-alumina phase as main phase and crystalline fine particles containing at least a small amount of α-alumina phase and spherical as external additives The image forming apparatus includes a developing roller that develops, and a developing device that is disposed in pressure contact with the developing roller and includes a supply roller that supplies the toner.

  When the developing device in the image forming apparatus is of a toner replenishment type capable of replenishing toner, development is performed with newly replenished toner in addition to residual toner, or toner can be replenished If not, the development is performed with the newly filled toner in addition to the residual toner.

FIG. 1 is an X-ray diffraction diagram of alumina fine particles in the present invention. FIG. 2 is a scanning electron micrograph (100,000 times) of the alumina fine particles of the present invention. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are views for explaining a method for producing alumina fine particles in the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining main components of the developing device. 6A is an X-ray diffraction pattern of the alumina fine particles of Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 6B is an X-ray diffraction pattern of the alumina fine particles of Comparative Example 2. FIG. 7A is a scanning electron micrograph (100,000 times) of the alumina fine particles of Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 7B is a scanning electron micrograph (100,000 times) of the alumina fine particles of Comparative Example 2.

  An apparatus for producing alumina fine particles for external toner addition according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. The apparatus for producing alumina fine particles for external toner addition shown in FIG. 3 uses an ultra fine particle production apparatus described in JP-A-2002-253953, and (a) is a view showing the apparatus as viewed from above. And (b) is a diagram showing a state viewed from the side.

  An alumina fine particle manufacturing apparatus for external toner addition is filled with a chamber 1 that shuts off the external atmosphere, a plasma arc generating means 6 having a plasma torch 4 and a power source 5, and a working gas such as argon gas supplied to the plasma torch 4. A working gas tank 7, a reaction / cooling gas spray nozzle 9 for spraying a reaction / cooling gas such as oxygen gas filled in the reaction / cooling gas tank 8 on the evaporated gas generated by evaporation of the raw material (metal aluminum) 3, and It is connected to the chamber 1 and has an evaporative gas cooling tank 10 that expands and cools the evaporating gas evaporated from the raw material body 3 and separates the evaporating gas and generated fine particles (alumina fine particles). In this apparatus, the plasma torch 4 is arranged such that the axial direction of the generated plasma arc is oblique with respect to the evaporation surface of the raw material body 3. The reaction / cooling gas spray nozzle 9 is provided so that the raw material body 3 is disposed between the plasma torch 4. Furthermore, the raw material body 3 is held from the outside of the chamber 1, the raw material body holding / feeding device 12 for feeding the raw material body 3, the position where the raw material body 3 is evaporated is detected, the information is analyzed, and the signal is An evaporation surface position detection device 13 that outputs to the body holding / feeding device 12 and determines the feed speed of the raw material body 3.

Metal aluminum is used as a raw material body, and a V-shaped plasma arc C is formed between the center electrode 22 and the electrode 24 of the transfer type plasma torch 4b in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments in the above publication. The arc high temperature portion H near the V-shaped tip of the V-shaped plasma arc C is applied to the metal aluminum in the evaporation crucible to evaporate the metal aluminum. The aluminum vapor generated from the metal aluminum is caused to flow in front of the plasma arc by the gas pressure of the plasma arc, and oxygen gas is blown from the reaction / cooling gas blowing nozzle 9 so as to cross the aluminum vapor. ₂ O ₃ ultrafine particles are formed. The formed Al ₂ O ₃ ultrafine particles and the oxidized evaporative gas are moved to the evaporative gas cooling tank 10 and cooled, and then separated by the collector 11 into Al ₂ O ₃ ultrafine particles and gas. The separated Al ₂ O ₃ ultrafine particles are collected in a collection container installed at the lower part of the evaporative gas cooling tank 10.

The alumina fine particles for external addition of the toner of the present invention are obtained by evaporating metallic aluminum with DC arc plasma and oxidizing the vapor. Alumina pure by this method is 99.9%, primary particle size 24Nm～55nm, is obtained as the BET specific surface area of 30m ² / g~70m ² / g. Examples of commercially available products include “Nano Tek, Al ₂ O ₃ , primary particle size of 30 nm, BET specific surface area of 49.3 m ² / g” manufactured by CI Kasei Co., Ltd. Moreover, the scanning electron micrograph (100,000 times) of the alumina fine particle of this invention is shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the alumina fine particles of the present invention are spherical fine particles, and the particle diameter of each fine particle is also observed.

FIG. 1 shows X-ray diffraction data of alumina fine particles for external addition of the present invention. As is clear from FIG. 1, the alumina fine particles for external toner addition of the present invention have peaks peculiar to γ-alumina crystals (for example, 2θ is 45.9 °, 67.0 °, etc.), and each peak The half-value widths are 0.314 and 0.415. For example, when the X-ray spectrum is expressed by CPS intensity ratio I _a-max / I _{a-min as} in Patent Document 3, it is possible to compare whether γ-alumina is crystalline or amorphous. Although it becomes easy, the alumina fine particles for external addition of the present invention have a peak value at 25.9 of 45.9 ° from FIG. 1, I _a-max = approximately 4500 CPS, and I _a-min = approximately 250 CPS. Therefore, it is calculated that I _a-max / I _a-min = 18, and it is understood that the alumina fine particles for external addition of the present invention are crystalline.

Further, the half width {half the height of the peak value, that is, the difference between the 2θ values corresponding to I _a-min + (I _a-max −I _a-min ) / 2} is This is a general expression method used to show imperfections of crystal grains (crystallites), but it is measured as 0.314 ° at a peak where 2θ is 45.9 °, and 2θ is 67.0 °. The peak is measured at 0.405 °. 6 (a) and 6 (b) show X-ray diffraction data for commercially available γ-alumina fine particles of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, which will be described later. The full width at half maximum is 2θ of 45.9 ° in Comparative Example 1. The peak is measured as 1.756 °, the peak at 2θ of 67.0 ° is measured as 1.496 °, and in Comparative Example 2 the peak at 2θ of 45.9 ° is 1.673 °. It is measured as 1.784 ° at the peak where 2θ is 67.0 °.

  It can be seen that Comparative Examples 1 and 2 have a large full width at half maximum and large crystallite imperfections. The full width at half maximum shows a correspondence with the incompleteness of the crystallite so that the incompleteness of the crystallite becomes small when the half width is small, and the incompleteness of the crystallite becomes large when the half width is large. The imperfection with the crystallites is considered to reflect the degree of oxygen defects (lattice defects), and also to reflect the degree of charge leak action. The alumina fine particles for external addition of the present invention have a peak peculiar to γ-alumina, for example, 2θ at a peak of 45.9 ° or 67.0 °, and a half-value width of 1.0 ° or less. The angle is preferably 0.1 ° to 0.8 °. If the half width is large, the effect of the present invention is not exhibited.

  Further, FIG. 1 also shows a peak peculiar to α-alumina crystal (for example, 2θ is 35 °, etc.), and the γ-alumina phase and the α-alumina phase are mixed. It can be seen that the alumina fine particles for external toner addition of the present invention are mainly composed of γ-alumina phase, mainly composed of γ-alumina, and contain a small amount of α-alumina phase. Moreover, it has a crystal structure from X-ray diffraction data. On the other hand, the alumina fine particles for external addition of Comparative Example 1 described later contain about 1/3 of the δ-alumina phase together with the γ-alumina phase from the X-ray diffraction data.

In the present specification, the BET specific surface area is determined using “Full Automatic Specific Surface Area Meter Macsorb HM model-1201” manufactured by Mountec Co., Ltd., and the particle diameter of the alumina fine particles is observed with a transmission electron microscope. Then, the particle diameter of 100 particles in the field of view is measured to determine the average particle diameter. In addition, X-ray structure diffraction is measured by using “RINT-1400 (gonio radius 185 mm)” manufactured by Rigaku Corporation, and enables spectral analysis such as measurement of half width, etc. Is a diverging slit: 1/2 deg
Scattering slit: 1/2 deg
Receiving slit: 0.3mm
Scan step: 0.02 °
It is.

  The alumina fine particles for external addition of the toner according to the present invention have the following effects: (1) Alumina fine particles adhering to the surface of the toner base particles exhibit a predetermined charge leakage action and have the effect of stabilizing the frictional charge of the toner. (2) Alumina fine particles The surface of the photosensitive member is refreshed by the polishing action to stabilize the charging performance of the photosensitive member. (3) Further, when the developing device can supply toner, it is newly supplied in addition to the residual toner. Toner replenishment fog is developed in a toner replenishment type developing device that is a toner to be used, or in a toner exhaustion type developing device that is a newly filled toner in addition to residual toner when the developing device cannot replenish toner. (4) Residual memory generated due to free external additives remaining on the photoreceptor can be reduced.

  The triboelectric charging of the toner of (1) stabilizes the toner externally added alumina fine particles of the present invention, although it is a transition alumina containing a γ-alumina phase as a main phase and an α-alumina phase. It is thought that it has By having a clear crystal form, while appropriately forming oxygen defects (lattice defects) that are the starting point of charge leak action expression, it is possible to reduce the structural water that is chemically adsorbed due to the small number of Al-OH groups on the particle surface, As a result, it is considered that the triboelectric charge can be easily controlled, and the environmental stability is improved without depending on the amount of moisture in the atmosphere.

  In particular, the half width of the γ-alumina-derived spectrum in the X-ray diffraction data is set to 1.0 ° or less in order to reduce the incompleteness of the crystallite of the γ-alumina phase of the alumina fine particles. By reducing the incompleteness of the phase, there is an effect in stabilizing the expression of the weak charge leakage action.

  The charging performance of the photoconductor (2) is stabilized by the fact that the alumina fine particles for external toner addition of the present invention are transitional alumina containing a γ-alumina phase as a main phase and an α-alumina phase, but a clear crystal. It is thought to have a form. It is considered that the alumina fine particles have a γ-alumina phase as a main phase and thus exhibit an appropriate polishing action suitable for refreshing the surface of the photoreceptor. In addition, since there are few active groups on the particle surface, it forms spherical primary particles that can be easily dispersed without forming secondary aggregates, so that an appropriate polishing action can be achieved without generating polishing marks on the surface of the photoreceptor. It is thought that it can be sustained.

  In particular, the half width of the γ-alumina-derived spectrum in the X-ray diffraction data is set to 1.0 ° or less in order to reduce the incompleteness of the crystallite of the γ-alumina phase of the alumina fine particles. It is thought that the polishing action can be controlled by reducing the incompleteness of the phase.

(3) Toner replenishment fogging is reduced because the alumina fine particles for external addition of the present invention are transition alumina containing a γ-alumina phase as a main phase and an α-alumina phase. In addition, because of the small number of active groups on the particle surface, it forms spherical primary particles that easily disperse without forming secondary aggregates, so that alumina fine particles adhering to the toner surface can be prevented from being buried or released. It is considered that the rising performance of frictional charging is maintained. As a result, in the situation where the deteriorated toner and the new toner coexist in the developing device, the toner difference does not occur at the rise of the frictional charging, and the image is not fogged at the non-image forming portion on the photoconductor during the image formation after the new toner is replenished. It is thought that it does not occur.

  In particular, the half width of the γ-alumina-derived spectrum in the X-ray diffraction data is set to 1.0 ° or less in order to reduce the incompleteness of the crystallite of the γ-alumina phase of the alumina fine particles. It is considered that the rising performance of triboelectric charging can be maintained by reducing the imperfection of the phase.

  The reason for reducing the photoconductor memory (4) is that the alumina fine particles for external addition of the present invention have a spherical shape that is easily dispersed without forming secondary aggregates because of the small number of active groups on the particle surface. This is considered to constitute primary particles. When the alumina fine particles are externally added to the toner surface, they can be attached in a uniformly dispersed state in the form of primary particles, so that it is possible to suppress the generation of asynchronous components that behave away from the toner surface. As a result, no external additive remains on the photoconductor during the transfer operation from the development operation, and it is considered that the photoconductor memory can be reduced.

  In particular, the half width of the γ-alumina-derived spectrum in the X-ray diffraction data is set to 1.0 ° or less in order to reduce the incompleteness of the crystallite of the γ-alumina phase of the alumina fine particles. It is considered that spherical imperfectly dispersed primary particles can be formed without forming secondary aggregates by reducing the incompleteness of the phase.

  The alumina fine particles for external addition of the present invention are added in an amount of 0.2 parts by mass to 5.0 parts by mass, preferably 0.5 parts by mass to 2.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the toner base particles. It is good to add. If the amount of treatment with respect to the toner base particles is larger than this, there is a problem that the charge leakage action is excessively generated or free external additives are generated, and if it is less, the desired polishing effect cannot be obtained.

  In the examples described later, the alumina fine particles which have not been hydrophobized are used, but may be hydrophobized with a silane organic compound such as alkylalkoxysilane, siloxane, silane, or silicone oil. In particular, alkylalkoxysilanes are preferably used, such as vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriacetoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, isobutyltrimethoxysilane. Dimethyldimethoxysilane, dimethyldiethoxysilane, trimethylmethoxysilane, hydroxypropyltrimethoxysilane, phenyltrimethoxysilane, n-hexadecyltrimethoxysilane, n-octadecyltrimethoxysilane and the like.

  In addition to alumina fine particles, (1) hydrophobic small silica particles (hereinafter referred to as hydrophobic small silica particles), (2) hydrophobic monodispersed spherical large silica particles, and (3) positively charged silica as external toner additives Try particles.

(1) The hydrophobic small silica particles have a number average primary particle diameter of 7 to 16 nm, preferably 10 to 12 nm, a bulk specific gravity of 0.1 to 0.2 g / cm ³ and a two-component charge amount (5 min). Value) of −20 to −80 μC / g, “R8200” manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., and “RX200 (bulk specific gravity of 0.02 to 0.06 g / cm ³ , two-component charge amount ( 5 min value) −100 to −300 μC / g) ”. Both are obtained by vapor phase oxidation (dry method) of silicon halogen compounds, and differ in bulk specific gravity and two-component charge amount (5 min value).

The smaller the number average primary particle diameter of the hydrophobic small silica particles, the higher the fluidity of the obtained toner. However, when the number average primary particle diameter is smaller than 7 nm, the silica fine particles are embedded in the toner base particles when externally added. Conversely, if the number average primary particle diameter exceeds 16 nm, the fluidity may be deteriorated. The hydrophobic small silica particles are added in an amount of 0.5 to 3.0 parts by weight, preferably 1.0 to 2.0 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the toner base particles. Due to the charging property and high fluidity, the formation of the compressed aggregate in the rubber thin layer regulating portion can be suppressed.

The bulk specific gravity is obtained by pouring the powder through a funnel into a 100 ml measuring cylinder, stopping the injection when it reaches 100 ml, measuring the weight at this time, and substituting it into the following equation.
Bulk specific gravity (g / cm ³ ) = {(weight after sample injection) − (weight before sample injection)} / {volume of graduated cylinder (100 ml)}.

  Next, (2) the hydrophobic monodispersed spherical large silica particles have a number average primary particle size of 50 to 250 nm, preferably 80 to 150 nm. Hydrophobic monodisperse spherical large silica particles are spherical with a Wadell sphericity of 0.6 or more, preferably 0.8 or more. Monodispersed spherical silica fine particles are obtained by a sol-gel method that is a wet method, and have a specific gravity of 1.3 to 2.1. When the hydrophobic monodisperse spherical large silica particles have an average particle size of less than 50 nm, it becomes impossible to maintain the fluidity and charging stability by preventing the embedding of the fine particles of silica particles on the surface of the toner base particles. In addition, the spacer effect cannot be obtained, and if it is larger than 250 nm, it is difficult to adhere to the toner base particles and to be easily detached from the surface of the toner base particles.

Examples of the hydrophobic monodisperse spherical large silica particles include “Seahoster KE-P10S2” (number average primary particle diameter 100 nm) manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. The number average primary particle diameter is 100 nm, hydrophobized (surface) treatment with silicone oil, the true specific gravity is 2.2, the bulk specific gravity is 0.25 to 0.35, the BET specific surface area is 10 to 14 m ² / g, two components Charge amount (5 min value) is 0 to −50 μC / g.

  The hydrophobic monodispersed spherical large silica particles are added in an amount of 0.2 to 2.0 parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the toner base particles. When the amount of the hydrophobic monodispersed spherical large silica particles is less than 0.2 parts by mass, the toner filling density increases, and when the toner layer is regulated with a regulating blade when the developing roller rotates, the toner layer becomes thinner. It becomes difficult, and there are problems of regulation leakage and scattering. Further, if added more than 2.0 parts by mass, the toner layer filling density is too low, and when the toner layer passes through the regulating blade during rotation of the developing roller, a part of the toner leaks without being held by the developing roller, Further, due to the layer thickness formation unevenness that occurs in the developing roller cycle of the toner layer, there is a problem that when a full-color image is output, the density uniformity in the paper feeding direction is impaired and the developing roller cycle unevenness appears.

  The addition ratio (mass ratio) of the large particle size silica (2) to the small particle size silica (1) may be 1: 4 to 4: 1, preferably 2: 3 to 3: 2. It is preferable for imparting fluidity to the film and obtaining long-term charging stability. The large particle size silica and the small particle size silica are in a total amount of 1.25 to 5.0 parts by mass, preferably 2.0 to 3.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the toner base particles in consideration of the mixing ratio of both. Part by mass is added.

  The silica fine particles are preferably hydrophobized. By making the surface of the negatively chargeable silica fine particles hydrophobic, the fluidity and chargeability of the toner are further improved. Hydrophobization of silica fine particles is performed by using a silane compound such as hexamethyldisilazane or dimethyldichlorosilane; or a silicone oil such as dimethylsilicone, methylphenylsilicone, fluorine-modified silicone oil, alkyl-modified silicone oil, or epoxy-modified silicone oil. For example, a method commonly used by those skilled in the art, such as a wet method or a dry method.

(3) The positively chargeable silica particles have a number average primary particle diameter of 20 nm to 40 nm. The positively chargeable silica fine particles are preferably hydrophobized, and are added to reduce the change in chargeability with respect to changes in the external environment, maintain stable chargeability, and improve toner fluidity. The Hydrophobization of the positively chargeable silica fine particles is performed using an aminosilane coupling agent, amino-modified silicone oil, or the like. Hydrophobic positively chargeable silica fine particles are commercially available NA50H manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd. (crystal is amorphous, spherical, number average primary particle size is 30 nm, hydrophobized (surface) treated with hexamethyldisilazane and aminosilane. , The true specific gravity is 2.2, the bulk specific gravity is 0.0671, the BET specific surface area is 44.17 m ² / g, the carbon content is 2% or less, the two-component charge amount (5 min value) 40 μC / g), or manufactured by Cabot Corporation. TG820F and the like are exemplified.

  Next, the toner base particles in the present invention are colored particles having a small particle diameter, and are preferably obtained by an emulsion aggregation method, but can be obtained by a phase inversion emulsification coalescence method or a pulverization method. But you can.

  In the emulsion aggregation method, polymerization is performed by dispersing monomers, polymerization initiators, emulsifiers (surfactants), etc. in water, and a dispersion consisting of the formed resin particles, a colorant, a release agent and necessary In accordance with the above, a charge control agent or the like and a dispersion liquid such as an aggregating agent (electrolyte) are mixed to obtain colored particles that are aggregated and heat-fused. The colored particles obtained in this way are preferably mixed with a dispersion of resin particles, and the colored particles are used as a core to attach and heat fuse the resin particles to form a coating (shell) to form a core-shell structure. The exposure of the mold component to the surface of the colored particles can be prevented to further prevent the wax (release agent) component from adhering to the developing roller or the like, and toner mother particles excellent in filming prevention can be obtained.

  Examples of the monomer in the emulsion aggregation method toner include styrene, o-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methoxystyrene, p-ethylstyrene, vinyltoluene, and 2,4. -Dimethylstyrene, pn-butylstyrene, p-phenylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene, divinylbenzene, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, acrylic acid n- Octyl, dodecyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, 2-chloroethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, propyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, meta Isobutyl toluate, n-octyl methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, phenyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, cinnamic acid, ethylene Glycol, propylene glycol, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, ethylene, propylene, butylene, isobutylene, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, vinyl bromide, vinyl fluoride, vinyl acetate, vinyl propylene acid, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, vinyl methyl ether , Vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl ketone, vinyl hexyl ketone, vinyl naphthalene and the like. Among these, a styrene allyl copolymer is preferable from the viewpoint of chargeability.

Further, as colorants, carbon black, lamp black, magnetite, titanium black, chrome yellow, ultramarine blue, aniline blue, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, Hansa Yellow G, rhodamine 6G, calco oil blue, quinacridone, benzidine yellow, rose bengal, Malachite Green Lake, Quinoline Yellow, C.I. I. Pigment red 48: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 57: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 122, C.I. I. Pigment red 184, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 12, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 17, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 97, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 180, C.I. I. Solvent Yellow 162, C.I. I. Pigment blue 5: 1, C.I. I. Dye and pigment such as CI Pigment Blue 15: 3 can be used alone or in combination.

  Examples of the mold release agent include paraffin wax, microwax, microcrystalline wax, cadilla wax, carnauba wax, rice wax, montan wax, polyethylene wax, polypropylene wax, oxidized polyethylene wax, oxidized polypropylene wax and the like. Among these, it is preferable to use polyethylene wax, polypropylene wax, carnauba wax, ester wax and the like.

  Examples of the polymerization initiator in the emulsion aggregation method include potassium persulfate, sodium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, hydrogen peroxide, 4,4′-azobiscyanovaleric acid, t-butyl hydroperoxide, benzoyl peroxide, 2,2 '-Azobis-isobutyronitrile and the like.

  Examples of the emulsifier (surfactant) include sodium dodecylbenzene sulfate, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, sodium pentadecyl sulfate, sodium octyl sulfate, sodium oleate, sodium laurate, potassium stearate, calcium oleate, dodecyl ammonium chloride, dodecyl ammonium bromide. , Dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, dodecyl pyridinium chloride, hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, dodecyl polyoxyethylene ether, hexadecyl polyoxyethylene ether, lauryl polyoxyethylene ether, sorbitan monooleate polyoxyethylene ether, and the like.

  Examples of the flocculant (electrolyte) include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, lithium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, lithium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, calcium sulfate, zinc sulfate, aluminum sulfate, and iron sulfate. Can be mentioned.

  The component ratio of the colored particles (toner base particles) is 3 to 10 parts by weight, preferably 4 to 8 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polymerization monomer, and 3 to 15 parts by weight for the colorant. Part by mass, preferably 5 to 10 parts by mass.

  Moreover, as a polymerization initiator in emulsion polymerization, it is 0.03-2 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of polymerization monomers, Preferably it is 0.1-1 mass part, As an emulsifier (surfactant), 0.01- As 0.1 mass part and a flocculant (electrolyte), it is 0.05-5 mass parts, Preferably it is used in the ratio of 0.1-2 mass parts.

  Moreover, it is good also as what is obtained by the phase inversion emulsification coalescence method. The phase inversion emulsification coalescence method is described in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3,867,893. (1) An aqueous medium is obtained by emulsifying a mixture containing at least a polyester resin and an organic solvent in an aqueous medium. A first step of forming fine particles of the mixture therein, and then (2) a second step of adding a dispersion stabilizer and further adding electrolyte sequentially to combine the fine particles to produce an aggregate of fine particles, ( 3) After removing the organic solvent contained in the aggregate, fine particles are separated from the aqueous medium, washed, and then dried to sequentially perform a third step. In addition, when a styrene acrylic resin is used as the binder resin, it can be made into a binder resin having excellent charge stability due to its excellent moisture resistance, and when it is a polyester resin, it is excellent in transparency of the obtained image and suitable for a color image. I can do it.

The particle diameter of the colored particles (toner mother particles) in the present invention is 2.0 to 12.0 μm, preferably 50% volume average particle diameter (D ₅₀ ) as measured by “Multisizer III” type manufactured by Beckman Coulter. It is 3.0-9.0 micrometers. When the average particle diameter is 12.0 μm or less, even when a latent image is formed at a high resolution of 600 dpi or more, the resolution reproducibility can be excellent. When the thickness is 2.0 μm or less, the hiding property by the toner is lowered due to the reduction in the development efficiency, and the amount of the external additive used is increased to improve the fluidity, and as a result, the fixing performance tends to be lowered. There is.

As the toner base particle shape, toner particles having a shape close to a true sphere are preferable. Specifically, the toner base particles are
R = L ₀ / L ₁
{However, in the formula, L ₁ (μm) is the perimeter of the projected image of the toner particles to be measured, and L ₀ (μm) is a perfect circle having an area equal to the area of the projected image of the toner particles to be measured (completely The perimeter of a geometric circle). }
The average circularity (R) represented by the formula is 0.95 to 0.99, preferably 0.96 to 0.98. The average circularity of the toner is a value measured with a flow type particle image analyzer (FPIA2100 manufactured by Sysmex). As a result, the transfer efficiency is high, and even when continuous printing is performed, there is little fluctuation in the transfer efficiency, the charge amount is stabilized, and the toner has excellent cleaning properties.

  As a method for adding the above-mentioned external additives to the toner base particles, a Henschel mixer (made by Mitsui Miike Co., Ltd.), a Q-type mixer (made by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.), a mechano-fusion system (made by Hosokawa Micron Co., Ltd.), a mechano mill (Okada Seiko Co., Ltd.) Etc.). When multistage processing is performed using a Henschel mixer, the processing operation conditions at each stage are appropriately selected from the range of a rotational peripheral speed of 30 to 50 m / s and a processing time of 2 to 15 minutes.

  In addition, the order of addition of the external additives is preferably a multi-stage process consisting of three stages. The toner base particles are first treated with alumina fine particles as the first stage, and then with hydrophobic monodispersed spherical large silica particles as the second stage. Small silica particles are treated and adhered, and positively charged silica fine particles are preferably treated as the third stage. As a result, the charge distribution can be adjusted at the time of regulating the thin layer, and a negatively chargeable one-component non-magnetic toner that can suppress the formation of an electrostatic aggregate due to a charge-up phenomenon can be obtained.

In addition, in the present invention, other hydrophobized external additives, for example, hydrophobic medium silica particles {fumed silica, “RX50” manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., within a range that does not impair the purpose of adding the external additive particles described above. “True specific gravity 2.2, volume average particle diameter D ₅₀ = 40 nm (standard deviation = 20 nm)}, a metal salt selected from zinc, magnesium, calcium and aluminum of higher fatty acids which are metal soap particles, magnesium stearate, Calcium stearate, zinc stearate, monoaluminum stearate, trialuminum stearate, etc. may be added externally, and zinc oxide, strontium oxide, tin oxide, zirconia oxide, magnesium oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, oxidation Fine particles of metal oxide such as cerium, fine particles of nitride such as silicon nitride, carbon Fine particles of carbides such as silicon nitride, resin particles, fine particles of metal salts such as calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, strontium titanate, and inorganic fine particles such as a composite thereof may be added.

The toner of the present invention has a flow softening temperature (Tf1 / 2) of 90 ° C. to 140 ° C. and a glass transition temperature (Tg) in the range of 40 ° C. to 70 ° C. The flow softening temperature (Tf1 / 2) was measured using a flow tester (CFT-500) manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation with a nozzle diameter of 1.0 mmΦ × 1.0 mm, a load of 10 kg per unit area (cm ² ), and 6 ° C. per minute. It is a value measured at the rate of temperature rise. Further, the glass transition temperature (Tg) is a value measured at a rate of temperature increase of 10 ° C. per minute by a second run method using a “differential scanning calorimeter (DSC-220C)” manufactured by Seiko Instruments Inc.

Next, the image forming method and the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the printer 10 includes a charging unit 30, an exposure unit 40, and a developer holding unit 50 along the rotation direction of the photosensitive member 20. A primary transfer unit 60, an intermediate transfer member 70, a cleaning unit 75, and a secondary transfer unit 80, a fixing unit 90, and the like.

  The photoreceptor 20 has a cylindrical conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, is rotatable around a central axis, and rotates clockwise as indicated by an arrow. The charging unit 30 is a device for charging the photoconductor 20, and the exposure unit 40 is a device for forming a latent image on the photoconductor 20 charged by irradiating a laser. The exposure unit 40 irradiates the charged photoconductor 20 with a modulated laser beam based on the image signal. Then, the laser beam is turned on / off at a predetermined timing, and a dot-like latent image is formed in a grid-divided area on the photoreceptor 20 that rotates at a predetermined speed.

  The developing device holding unit 50 converts the latent image formed on the photoreceptor 20 into black (K) toner contained in the black developing device 51, magenta (M) toner contained in the magenta developing device 52, and cyan developing device. This is an apparatus for developing using cyan (C) toner accommodated in 53 and yellow (Y) toner accommodated in the yellow developing device 54. The developing device holding unit 50 can move the positions of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, and 54 by rotating. Each time the photosensitive member 20 rotates once, one of the four developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54 is selectively opposed to the photosensitive member 20, and the opposed developing devices 51, 52, 53, 54, The latent images formed on the photoconductor 20 are sequentially developed with the toner accommodated in 54.

  The primary transfer unit 60 is a device for transferring a single color toner image formed on the photoconductor 20 to the intermediate transfer body 70. When four color toners are sequentially transferred in a superimposed manner, the full color toner is transferred to the intermediate transfer body 70. An image is formed. The intermediate transfer member 70 is an endless belt, and is driven to rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive member 20. The secondary transfer unit 80 is a device for transferring a single color toner image or a full color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer body 70 to a recording medium such as paper, film, or cloth.

  The fixing unit 90 is a device for fusing a single color toner image or a full color toner image transferred onto a recording medium onto a recording medium such as paper to form a permanent image. The cleaning unit 75 is provided between the primary transfer unit 60 and the charging unit 30 and has a rubber cleaning blade 76 that is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor 20. The cleaning unit 75 is disposed on the intermediate transfer body 70 by the primary transfer unit 60. After the toner image is transferred, the toner T remaining on the photoconductor 20 is scraped off and removed by the cleaning blade 76.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the developing unit as a representative of the cyan developing unit, and is a cross-sectional view showing the main components of the developing unit. The developing device 54 includes a housing 540 that accommodates toner T, a developing roller 510, a toner supply roller 550 for supplying toner to the developing roller 510, and a layer thickness for regulating the layer thickness of the toner carried on the developing roller 510. There are a regulating blade 560, an upper seal 520 for sealing the upper gap between the housing 540 and the developing roller 510, an end seal 527 for sealing the gap on the end side between the housing 540 and the developing roller 510, and the like. is doing.

A toner container 530 is formed inside the housing 540. The toner container 530 is divided into a first toner container 530a and a second toner container 530b by a partition wall 545. When the developing device holding unit 50 rotates, the toner stored in the first toner storage portion 530a and the second toner storage portion 530b is once collected on the upper communicating side of the developing position. When returning to the state shown in FIG. 5, the toners are mixed and returned to the first toner storage portion 530a and the second toner storage portion 530b. That is, the toner T in the developing device is agitated by the rotation of the developing device holding unit 50. For this reason, the toner storage unit 530 is not provided with a stirring member, but a stirring member for stirring the toner T stored in the toner storage unit 530 may be provided. As shown in FIG. 5, the housing 540 has an opening 572 in the lower portion, and a developing roller 510 described later is provided so as to face the opening 572.

  The roller portion of the toner supply roller 550 is formed of, for example, urethane foam having elasticity. The toner supply roller 550 is rotatably supported and is accommodated in the first toner accommodating portion 530a, supplies toner T to the developing roller 510, and excess toner remaining on the developing roller 510 after development. T is peeled off from the developing roller 510.

  The toner supply roller 550 and the developing roller 510 having a metal surface are assembled to the housing 540 while being pressed against each other. The roller portion of the toner supply roller is made of a foam member having an Asker F hardness of 70 °, and is preferably in contact with the developing roller 510 in a state of being elastically deformed with a contact depth of 0.7 mm to 1.3 mm. As the contact depth of the toner supply roller is increased, the charge rising of the toner supplied to the consumption unit can be improved. The toner supply roller 550 is rotated in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the developing roller 510 (counterclockwise in FIG. 5) (clockwise in FIG. 5), that is, the toner supply roller 550 is rotated with respect to the developing roller 510. Rotate.

  Further, when the toner can be replenished, the developing device is mixed with the newly replenished toner in addition to the residual toner, or when the toner cannot be replenished, in addition to the residual toner. The toner is mixed with newly filled toner.

  In order to obtain sufficient chargeability in the toner of the present invention, it is necessary to charge by developing a thin layer on a developing roller with a regulating member, but colored particles obtained by an emulsion aggregation method or a phase inversion emulsion coalescence method. Tends to be partially lost (partially missing aggregated particles) due to stress during thin layer regulation. For this reason, the wax component contained therein is exposed, causing filming of the developing roller 510, the regulating member 560, and the upper seal 520.

  In the order of the external addition treatment of the present invention, the hydrophobic monodispersed spherical large silica particles are easily moved on the colored particle surface by externally treating the hydrophobic monodispersed spherical large silica particles after the external addition treatment of the alumina fine particles. It is considered to be. When printing with a large number of sheets, hydrophobic monodispersed spherical large silica particles move to the generated defects and are rearranged so as to fill the defects and cover the wax to prevent filming. It is considered to be done.

  The peripheral speed of the developing roller 510 is preferably 250 to 400 mm / s, and the larger the peripheral speed, the easier the rearrangement of the large silica. In addition, the peripheral speed of the toner supply roller 550 is preferably 400 to 600 mm / s, and the larger the toner velocity, the more the toner flow in the developing chamber is activated and the toner triboelectric charge state can be homogenized. Further, the movement of the hydrophobic monodispersed spherical large silica particles on the surface of the colored particles is promoted by the peripheral speed and the peripheral speed difference between the developing roller and the supply roller. Supply) and the frictional charge contrast difference corresponding to the toner consumption part / toner non-consumption part is less likely to occur. The peripheral speed difference (peripheral speed ratio) indicated by the supply roller peripheral speed / developing roller peripheral speed is preferably 1.4 to 1.7. The larger the peripheral speed ratio, the easier the rearrangement of the large silica, and at the same time, the resetting property (peeling / supplying) of the toner on the developing roller is enhanced and the replacement of the toner on the developing roller can be promoted.

In the present invention, the developing roller 510 carries the toner T and conveys it to the developing position facing the photoconductor 20. The developing roller 510 is made of metal, such as 5056 aluminum alloy or 60
It is made of an aluminum alloy such as 63 aluminum alloy, an iron alloy such as STKM, etc., and may be subjected to nickel plating, chrome plating, or the like, if necessary. The surface of the developing roller 510 has a surface roughness (Rz) of 5 to 8 μm by a roughening process by sandblasting.

  Further, the developing roller 510 is rotatable about the central axis, and rotates in a direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 5) opposite to the rotation direction of the photoconductor 20 (clockwise in FIG. 5). Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the developing device 54 develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 in a non-contact state.

  The regulating blade 560 applies a charge to the toner T carried on the developing roller 510 and regulates the layer thickness of the toner T carried on the developing roller 510. The regulation blade 560 has a rubber part 560a and a rubber support part 560b. The rubber part 560a is made of silicon rubber, urethane rubber, or the like, and is a rubber having a tack force of 60 to 80 gf under the following measurement conditions by a tacking tester “TAC-II” manufactured by Resuka Co., Ltd.

Measuring probe: φ5
Indentation load: 10g
Indentation speed: 30 mm / min
Peeling speed: 600mm / min
Measurement temperature 24 ° C. (room temperature).

  As a result of measuring the tack force of the rubber for regulating blade {EPSON (LP-9000C) thermosetting urethane rubber} of this example, the standard probe was 71 to 72 gf, and the toner was stuck to the tip of the probe was 110 to 130 gf.

  The rubber support portion 560b is a thin plate having a spring property such as phosphor bronze or stainless steel. The rubber part 560a is supported along one longitudinal side of the rubber support part 560b along the longitudinal direction of the rubber support part 560b, and the other end side of the rubber support part 560b is supported by the blade support metal plate 562. In this state, it is attached to the housing 540 via the blade support sheet metal 562. Further, a blade back member 570 made of malt plane or the like is provided on the side opposite to the developing roller 510 side of the regulating blade 560.

  Here, the rubber portion 560 a is pressed from the central portion of the developing roller 510 to both ends by the elastic force due to the bending of the rubber support portion 560 b. Further, the blade back member 570 prevents the toner T from entering between the rubber support portion 560b and the housing 540, stabilizes the elastic force due to the bending of the rubber support portion 560b, and provides rubber from the back of the rubber portion 560a. The rubber portion 560 a is pressed against the developing roller 510 by urging the portion 560 a toward the developing roller 510. Therefore, the blade back member 570 improves the uniform contact property of the rubber portion 560a to the developing roller 510.

  The end of the regulating blade 560 opposite to the side supported by the blade support metal plate 562, that is, the tip is not in contact with the developing roller 510, and a portion away from the tip by a predetermined distance is the developing roller. 510 is in contact with a width. In other words, the regulating blade 560 is not in contact with the developing roller 510 at the edge, but is in contact with the antinode on the flat surface of the rubber portion 560a. The regulating blade 560 is disposed so that the tip thereof faces the upstream side in the rotation direction of the developing roller 510, and is in a so-called counter contact.

The rubber support portion 560b is longer than the rubber portion 560a in the axial direction of the developing roller 510, and extends outward from both ends of the rubber portion 560a. Rubber support 5
An end seal 527 made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric having a thickness thicker than that of the rubber portion 560a is attached to the same surface as the rubber portion and 560a. At this time, the end surface of the rubber portion 560 a in the axial direction is in contact with the side surface of the end seal 527.

  The end seal 527 is provided so as to come into contact with both end portions of the surface of the developing roller 510 where no groove portion is provided when the developing roller 510 is attached, and has a width extending from the end portion of the developing roller 510 to the outside. is doing. Further, the end seal 527 extends sufficiently longer than the tip of the rubber portion 560 a of the regulating blade 560. When the regulating blade 560 is attached to the housing 540, the end seal 527 is placed along a portion of the housing 540 formed so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller 510, and closes the gap between the housing 540 and the developing roller 510. .

  The upper seal 520 prevents the toner T in the developing device 54 from leaking outside, and collects the toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed through the developing position into the developing device without being scraped off. The upper seal 520 is a seal made of a polyethylene film or the like. The upper seal 520 is supported by a seal support sheet metal 522 and is attached to the housing 540 via the seal support sheet metal 522. A seal urging member 524 made of malt plain or the like is provided on the opposite side of the upper seal 520 from the developing roller 510 side. The upper seal 520 is developed by the elastic force of the seal urging member 524. 510 is pressed.

  In the developing device 54 configured as described above, the toner supply roller 550 supplies the toner T accommodated in the toner accommodating portion 530 to the developing roller 510. As the developing roller 510 rotates, the toner T supplied to the developing roller 510 reaches the contact position of the regulation blade 560, and when passing through the contact position, an electric charge is applied and the layer thickness is regulated. The

  The charged toner T on the developing roller 510 reaches a developing position facing the photoconductor 20 by further rotation of the developing roller 510, and a latent image formed on the photoconductor 20 under an alternating electric field at the developing position. For development. Further, the toner T on the developing roller 510 that has passed the developing position by the rotation of the developing roller 510 passes through the upper seal 520 and is collected in the developing unit without being scraped off by the upper seal 520. The toner T still remaining on the developing roller 510 is peeled off by the toner supply roller 550.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples.

Example 1
A method for producing toner base particles will be described. Hereinafter, “part” means part by mass.

(Preparation of resin fine particle dispersion)
・ Styrene ... 370g
・ N-Butyl acrylate ... 30g
・ Acrylic acid ・ ・ ・ 8g
・ Dodecanethiol ・ ・ ・ 24g
-Carbon tetrabromide ... 4g.

6 g of nonionic surfactant (Nonipol 400: manufactured by Sanyo Kasei Co., Ltd.) and 10 g of anionic surfactant (Neogen SC: manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) were ion-exchanged. The mixture was emulsified and dispersed in a flask dissolved in 550 g of water, and 50 g of ion-exchanged water having 4 g of ammonium persulfate dissolved therein was added thereto while slowly mixing for 10 minutes. After carrying out nitrogen substitution, the inside of the flask was stirred and heated in an oil bath until the contents reached 70 ° C., and emulsion polymerization was continued for 5 hours. As a result, a resin fine particle dispersion in which resin particles having an average particle diameter of 150 nm, Tg = 58 ° C., and weight average molecular weight Mw = 11500 was obtained. The solid content concentration of this dispersion was 40% by mass.

(Preparation of colorant dispersion)
-Cyan pigment B15: 3 ... 60 g
・ Nonionic surfactant (Nonipol 400: Sanyo Kasei Co., Ltd.) ・ ・ 5g
-Ion exchange water ... 240g.

  The above components are mixed and dissolved, stirred for 10 minutes using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50: manufactured by IKA), and then dispersed by an optimizer to disperse colorant particles having an average particle size of 250 nm. A colorant dispersion was prepared.

(Preparation of release agent dispersion)
・ Polyethylene wax (PW725: Toyo Petrolite Co., Ltd.) ・ 100g
・ Ionic surfactant (Neogen RK: Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) ・ ・ 5g
-Ion exchange water ... 200g.

  The solution in which the above components are mixed is heated to 95 ° C. and sufficiently dispersed with a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50: manufactured by IKA), and then dispersed with a pressure discharge homogenizer, and the average particle size is 210 nm. A release agent dispersion liquid in which release agent particles are dispersed was prepared.

(Preparation of toner base particles)
・ Resin fine particle dispersion prepared above 234 parts ・ Colorant dispersion prepared above 30 parts ・ Release agent dispersion prepared above 40 parts ・ Polyaluminum chloride (Asada Chemical) "PAC100W") .. 1.8 parts. Ion exchange water. 600 parts.

The above components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask using a homogenizer (Ultra Turrax T50: manufactured by IKA), and then heated to 50 ° C. while stirring the inside of the flask in a heating oil bath. After maintaining at 50 ° C. for 30 minutes, it was confirmed that aggregated particles having a D ₅₀ (volume average particle diameter) of 4.5 μm were formed. Further, the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised and maintained at 56 ° C. for 1 hour, and D ₅₀ (volume average particle diameter) was 5.3 μm.

Thereafter, 26 parts of the resin fine particle dispersion was added to the dispersion containing the aggregate particles, and then the temperature of the heating oil bath was raised to 50 ° C. and held for 30 minutes. After adding 1N sodium hydroxide to the dispersion containing the aggregated particles and adjusting the pH of the system to 5.0, the stainless steel flask was sealed and heated to 95 ° C. while continuing to stir for 4 hours. Retained and encapsulated. After cooling, it was filtered off, washed four times with ion exchange water, and then lyophilized to obtain toner base particles. The toner base particles had a D ₅₀ (volume average particle diameter) of 5.5 μm.

(Toner preparation)
After 2 kg of the toner base particles obtained above were charged into a Henschel mixer (20 L), alumina fine particles (“Nano Tek, Al ₂ O ₃ , primary particle size 30 nm manufactured by CI Kasei Co., Ltd.) were added in an amount per 100 g of toner base particles. , BET specific surface area 49.3 m ² / g ") 2.0 g (hereinafter the same), was charged and treated at a peripheral speed of 40 m / s for 2 minutes.

Next, 0.5 g of hydrophobic monodispersed spherical large silica particles (“KEP10S2” primary particle size 100 nm, silicon oil-treated product manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.) and hydrophobic small silica particles (“RX200” manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., primary particle size 12 nm) , 2.0 g of HMDS (hexamethyldisilazane) -treated product) was added, and treated at a peripheral speed of 40 m / s for 2 minutes. After the treatment, coarse particles were removed with a sonic sieve using a metal mesh having a mesh size of 63 μm to obtain the toner of the present invention.

(Comparative Example 1)
In the preparation of the toner of Example 1, alumina fine particles and the amount added thereof were “AEROXIDE C805 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., crystal system (ratio): γ phase 2/3, δ phase 1/3, primary particle size 13 nm, BET specific surface area. The toner of Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that it was changed to 1.0 g of “100 m ^{2 /} g”.

(Comparative Example 2)
In the preparation of the toner of Example 1, the alumina fine particles and the addition amount thereof were changed to “Daimicron TM-300, crystal system: about 90% γ phase, purity 99.99%, primary particle size 7 nm, BET specific surface area manufactured by Daimei Chemical Co., Ltd. The toner of Comparative Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 0.5 g of “225 m ^{2 /} g” was used.

(Image formation)
Each obtained toner was mounted on the image forming apparatus (LP9000C, manufactured by Seiko Epson Corporation) shown in FIG. The developing roller was formed to have a surface roughness of Rz = 7 μm, which was obtained by subjecting the surface of an iron hollow shell having an outer diameter of φ18 to sand blasting and then Ni-P plating. The protruding amount of the restricting member was 0.76 mm. The supply roller was made of urethane sponge having an outer diameter of φ19 and Asker F hardness of 70 °, and was pressed against the developing roller at a contact depth of 1.0 mm. Further, the process speed is 210 mm / s, the peripheral speed of the developing roller is 336 mm / s, the peripheral speed of the supply roller is 504 mm / s, and the peripheral speed difference (peripheral speed ratio) indicated by the supply roller peripheral speed / developing roller peripheral speed is ) Was 1.5. Further, a color image was formed by an AC jumping development method under the conditions of a development gap of 100 μm from the photosensitive member, a direct current bias of −150 v, an alternating current bias of 1000 kHz (pp) at a frequency of 3.0 kHz, and a duty of 60%. The bias potential set value of each process unit is a default fixed bias potential, and the toner amount adjustment patch sensor is not operated. Moreover, the test environment was 22-24 degreeC / 45-55% RH.

Next, evaluation criteria for evaluation items and evaluation methods are shown below.
(1) Regulation passing mole This refers to a phenomenon in which when the toner layer on the developing roller passes through the regulating blade, a part of the toner leaks without being held by the developing roller, and was visually evaluated in the following four stages. 3 or more is acceptable according to the following criteria.

Lv4 (◯): No toner leakage from the regulating blade onto the developing roller, and no contamination with toner.
Lv3 (Δ): A state in which toner leakage occurs intermittently when the developing roller rotates, and a toner amount smaller than the size of sesame particles is adhered to such an extent that the ground can be seen.
Lv2 (x): A state in which toner leakage occurs intermittently when the developing roller rotates, and the toner amount adheres and accumulates to such an extent that the background cannot be seen.
Lv1 (x): Toner leakage occurs intermittently when the developing roller rotates, and toner continues to leak without restriction.

(2) Upper seal scattering When the toner layer on the developing roller passes through the upper seal, it means that a part of the toner is scattered without being held by the developing roller. The judgment criteria are as follows.

Lv4 (◯): toner scattering on the developing roller does not occur at the upper seal collecting portion and the toner is not soiled Lv3 (Δ): the scattered toner is thin enough to see the ground on a part of the holder / housing Adhered state Lv2 (x): Scattered toner is accumulated until part of the base on the holder / housing is no longer visible Lv1 (x): Scattered toner appears on the holder / housing over half the area of the base Accumulated until it disappears.

(3) Flight characteristics (OD value)
This indicates the level of development capability when forming a full-color (solid) image, and is expressed by the size of the image density and its uniformity. An average OD value and a minimum OD value of a total of nine points combining the three positions of the front / center / rear of the image and the left / center / right of the image are used.

Lv4 (◯): State where average OD value is 1.30 or more and minimum OD value is 1.20 or more Lv3 (Δ): State LV2 where average OD value is 1.20 or more and minimum OD value is 1.10 or more ( X): State where average OD value is 1.10 or more and less than 1.20 Lv1 (x): state where average OD value is less than 1.10.

(4) Fog (OD value)
The amount of fog on the photoconductor (OPC) is determined by forcibly stopping the image formation process halfway when printing a white solid pattern, and the white solid (background) fog toner remaining on the photoconductor is removed from the mending tape (Sumitomo). Transfer and collect with 3M). After the transfer and recovery of the tape is affixed to J paper (Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.), the OD value (optical reflection density) is measured with a Macbeth densitometer. The OD value of the tape alone was about 0.1, and the difference of the OD value was taken as the fog toner density.

Lv4 (◯): State in which the OD value for fog toner is 0.10 or less Lv3 (Δ): State in which the OD value for fog toner is 0.15 or less, and exceeds 0.10 Lv2 (×): fog toner The OD value for the minute is 0.20 or less and is more than 0.15 Lv1 (×): The OD value for the fog toner is more than 0.20.

(5) Supply delay The uniformity of image density in the paper feed direction (exposure sub-scanning direction) decreases from the second development roller round to the rear edge with respect to the first round development roller cycle, which is the leading edge of a solid (solid) image. A phenomenon in which a decrease in density (scratch) occurs and was judged visually.

Lv4 (◯): A state in which there is no density decrease in the region from the first rotation of the developing roller cycle, which is the leading edge of the image, to the trailing edge of the image (not distinguishable even through watermarking)
Lv3 (◯): a state in which there is no decrease in density in the region from the first rotation of the developing roller cycle, which is the leading edge of the image, to the trailing edge of the image (can be determined by seeing through)
Lv2 (Δ): A state in which density reduction due to supply delay occurs in a part after the second rotation of the developing roller cycle Lv1 (Δ): Density reduction due to supply delay exceeds half of the development roller cycle in the second and subsequent cycles The state that occurred.

(6) Comprehensive judgment Lv4 (◯): State Lv3 (◯) in which all items are “good” judgments: State Lv2 (×): x judgment in which Δ judgment is two items or less and other items are “good” judgments There is no item, and the state does not correspond to the comprehensive determinations Lv3 and Lv4 Lv1 (x): a state in which one or more items of the determination are applicable.
Table 1 shows the actual machine evaluation results for the toners of Examples and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

次に、課題との対応についての評価基準を以下に示す。
（１） トナー帯電安定性
上述した(1) 規制通過モレ、(2) 上シール飛散、(3) 飛翔性、(4) カブリの４項目について、不具合なく成立している状態
Ｌｖ４（○）：(1) 〜(4) において、すべての項目が○判定である状態
Ｌｖ３（○）：(1) 〜(4) において、△判定が１項目以下であり、上記Ｌｖ４に該当しない状態
Ｌｖ２（△）：(1) 〜(4) において、×判定を含まず、上記Ｌｖ３、Ｌｖ４に該当しない状態
Ｌｖ１（×）：(1) 〜(4) において、×判定が１項目以上該当する状態。

Next, evaluation criteria for dealing with issues are shown below.
(1) Toner charging stability The above-mentioned four items (1) regulation passing leakage, (2) top seal scattering, (3) flightability, and (4) fogging are satisfied without any problems. Lv4 (◯): (1) to (4) State Lv3 (◯) in which all items are ◯ judged: In (1) to (4), △ judgment is 1 item or less, and state Lv2 (△ ): In (1) to (4), a state where X determination is not included and does not correspond to the above Lv3 or Lv4 Lv1 (×): In (1) to (4), a state where X determination corresponds to one or more items.

(2) Photoconductor charging stability (photoconductor filming)
The filming phenomenon of the photoconductor in which a part of the discharge product or toner composition is fixed on the surface of the photoconductor (OPC) and the uniform charging is obstructed is observed. Determine the score against the sample of the fixation limit of the magnified microscope image to be produced.

Lv4 (◯): state in which no fixation is observed within one field of the microscope magnified image on the surface of the photoreceptor Lv3 (◯): adhesion of 100 μm or less is observed in 20 fields or less in one field of the microscope magnified image on the surface of the photoreceptor A certain state Lv2 (Δ): a state where 50 μm or less is fixed in one field of view of a magnified image on the surface of the photoreceptor Lv1 (×): a state where the surface of the photoreceptor is magnified within a field of view of the microscope Not applicable to the state.

(3) Toner replenishment regulation passing mole After forming a white solid image corresponding to 6000 sheets of A4 size and consuming the fog toner amount, new toner is replenished to the developing device by an amount corresponding to 10 of the remaining toner weight. Immediately after the new toner is replenished to the developing device, the regulation passage leakage of the toner layer on the developing roller temporarily increases, and the determination of the toner replenishment regulation passage mole is a method for determining the normal fog regulation passage mole. Follow the same procedure.

Lv4 (◯): No toner leakage from the regulating blade onto the developing roller, and no contamination with toner.
Lv3 (Δ): A state in which toner leakage occurs intermittently when the developing roller rotates, and a toner amount smaller than the size of sesame particles is adhered to such an extent that the ground can be seen.
Lv2 (x): A state in which toner leakage occurs intermittently when the developing roller rotates, and the toner amount adheres and accumulates to such an extent that the background cannot be seen.
Lv1 (×): A state in which toner leakage occurs continuously when the developing roller rotates, and toner continues to leak without restriction.

(4) Dispersion of sticker on toner replenishment After forming a solid white image corresponding to 6000 sheets of A4 size and consuming fog toner, new toner is replenished to the developing device by an amount corresponding to 10 of the remaining toner weight. To see the phenomenon that the upper seal scattering on the toner roller on the developing roller temporarily increases immediately after the new toner is replenished to the developing device. Follow the same procedure.

Lv4 (◯): toner scattering on the developing roller does not occur at the upper seal collecting portion and the toner is not soiled Lv3 (Δ): the scattered toner is thin enough to see the ground on a part of the holder / housing Adhered state Lv2 (x): Scattered toner is accumulated until part of the base on the holder / housing is no longer visible Lv1 (x): Scattered toner appears on the holder / housing over half the area of the base Accumulated until it disappears.

(5) Toner replenishment fog A white solid image corresponding to 6000 sheets of A4 size is formed, and after the amount of fog toner is consumed, new toner is replenished to the developing device by an amount corresponding to 10% of the remaining toner weight. This is a phenomenon in which the fog generated in the solid white image formed immediately after the new toner is supplied to the developing device is temporarily increased. The determination of the toner supply fog amount is performed in the same procedure as the normal fog determination method. .

Lv4 (◯): State in which the OD value for fog toner is 0.10 or less Lv3 (Δ): State in which the OD value for fog toner is 0.15 or less, and exceeds 0.10 Lv2 (×): fog toner The OD value for the minute is 0.20 or less and is more than 0.15 Lv1 (×): The OD value for the fog toner is more than 0.20.

(6) Photoconductor memory When a low half density image is formed within one cycle of the photoconductor immediately after an isolated solid image is formed in a white solid image, a solid image history appears as an afterimage in the half density image. I see. Part of the external additive on the toner surface tends to concentrate on the solid image contour on the photoconductor and remain, and the residual external additive that cannot be removed by cleaning blocks the exposure, causing unevenness in the latent image potential of the half image. Appears. In the quantification of the afterimage level, the score is determined by comparing with an image limit sample prepared in advance.

Lv4 (◯): a state in which no afterimage is recognized in the half image Lv3 (Δ): a state in which an afterimage having an unclear outline is recognized in the half image as being thin Lv2 (×): a clear outline in the half image In the state Lv1 (×) where the afterimage is clearly thin, the afterimage having a clear outline is clearly more than the surrounding density (OD value 0. 0).
1 or more).
Table 2 shows the evaluation results of the correspondence between the toners of Examples and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

表１、２から明かなように、本発明のアルミナ微粒子は、摩擦帯電安定性、感光体帯電安定性に優れると共に、トナー補給カブリや感光体メモリーの生じないトナーとするのに適した外添剤であることがわかる。

As is clear from Tables 1 and 2, the alumina fine particles of the present invention are excellent in triboelectric charge stability and photoreceptor charge stability, and are suitable for use as a toner free from toner replenishment fog and photoreceptor memory. It turns out that it is an agent.

  The alumina fine particles for external addition of the toner of the present invention are excellent in frictional charging stability and photosensitive member charging stability, and are toner that does not cause toner replenishment regulation passing leakage, toner replenishment seal scattering, toner replenishment fogging, and photoconductor memory. And an excellent toner, image forming method, and image forming apparatus.

  10 is a printer, 20 is a photoreceptor, 30 is a charging unit, 40 is an exposure unit, 50 is a developing device holding unit, 60 is a primary transfer unit, 70 is an intermediate transfer body, 75 is a cleaning unit, 80 is a secondary transfer unit, Reference numeral 90 is a fixing unit, 510 is a developing roller, 520 is an upper seal, 530 is a toner container, 540 is a housing, 550 is a toner supply roller, 560 is a regulating blade, and T is toner.

Claims (9)

Alumina fine particles for external addition of toner, which are crystalline and spherical, containing a γ-alumina phase as a main phase and at least a small amount of an α-alumina phase. The alumina fine particles for external addition according to claim 1, wherein the alumina fine particles have a FWHM of a spectrum derived from γ-alumina in an X-ray diffraction analysis of 1.0 ° or less. The alumina fine particles for external addition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the alumina fine particles are obtained by evaporating metallic aluminum with a DC arc plasma and oxidizing the vapor. Toner particles containing at least a binder resin, a colorant and a release agent, and crystalline and spherical alumina fine particles containing a γ-alumina phase as a main phase and at least a small amount of an α-alumina phase are removed. A toner comprising as an additive. The toner according to claim 4, wherein the toner base particles have a volume average particle diameter (D ₅₀ ) of 2.0 to 12.0 μm and are obtained by an emulsion aggregation method. A photosensitive member carrying an electrostatic latent image; and a developing device arranged to face the photosensitive member in a non-contact state. The developing device carries toner on the electrostatic latent image carried on the photosensitive member. A developing roller that is pressed against the developing roller, and a supply roller that supplies the toner to the developing roller. The developing device includes at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent as the toner. A toner containing a toner base particle containing an agent and a γ-alumina phase as a main phase and at least a small amount of an α-alumina phase and a crystalline and spherical alumina fine particle as an external additive. An image forming method comprising developing an electrostatic latent image carried on a body. When the developing device is of a toner replenishment type in which toner can be replenished, development is performed with newly replenished toner in addition to residual toner, and the developing device has a toner use-up type in which toner cannot be replenished. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein the development is performed with a newly filled toner in addition to the residual toner. The photosensitive member carrying the electrostatic latent image is disposed opposite to the photosensitive member in a non-contact state, and the electrostatic latent image carried on the photosensitive member includes at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent. A developing roller for developing with toner containing a toner base particle and a γ-alumina phase as a main phase and at least a small amount of an α-alumina phase and a crystalline and spherical alumina fine particle as an external additive; An image forming apparatus comprising: a developing device that is disposed in pressure-contact with the roller and includes a supply roller that supplies the toner. When the developing device is of a toner replenishment type in which toner can be replenished, development is performed with newly replenished toner in addition to residual toner, and the developing device has a toner use-up type in which toner cannot be replenished. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the developing is performed with a newly filled toner in addition to the residual toner.

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