JP2010231078A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which suppresses uneven deposition of a lubricant on a charging roll even when being used for a long period of time and is capable of obtaining an image in which the occurrence of image unevenness is suppressed. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: an image holder 1; a charging means having a charging roll which charges the image holder while being brought into contact with the surface of the image holder and has ten-point average surface roughness Rz of 2 to 20 μm; an electrostatic latent image-forming means which forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged image holder; a developing means which develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image holder by toner to form a toner image, wherein the toner has a lubricant externally stuck thereto; a transfer means which transfers the toner image to a body to be transferred; and a toner removing means which removes tone remaining on the surface of the image holder after the transfer of the toner image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as printers and copying machines have been widely used, and techniques relating to various elements constituting such image forming apparatuses have also been widely used. Among image forming apparatuses that employ an electrophotographic method, an image carrier is charged using a charging device, and an electrostatic latent image having a potential different from the surrounding potential is formed on the charged image carrier. It is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed in this way is developed with a developer containing toner, and is finally transferred onto a recording medium. Recently, a process cartridge in which components of an image forming apparatus such as an image holding member and a charging device are integrated has become the center of the market. By incorporating this process cartridge into the image forming apparatus, a plurality of components including the image carrier and the charging device are collectively provided in the image forming apparatus, so that maintenance and management are facilitated.

  In an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system, a technique for supplying a lubricant to the surface of a photoreceptor (image carrier) is generally known (for example, see Patent Document 1). Furthermore, a technique for incorporating a lubricant into the developer is also disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  On the other hand, the charging device is a device that functions to charge the image carrier, and the contact charging type charging device that directly contacts the image carrier and charges the image carrier is not in contact with the image carrier. The charging device is roughly classified into two types, that is, a non-contact charging type charging device that charges the image carrier by corona discharge or the like.

  The charging device of the contact charging system includes, for example, a charging member such as a charging roll that directly contacts the surface of the image carrier and rotates in accordance with the movement of the surface of the image carrier to charge the image carrier. As the charging means, a charging roll that is advantageous in terms of cost and space saving is preferable, and examples thereof include a charging roll constituted by a base material and an elastic layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base material (for example, (See Patent Document 3).

  Further, techniques such as providing a charging roll cleaning means and making the surface of the charging roll difficult to adhere are disclosed. Furthermore, charging rolls having a surface with irregularities have been proposed.

JP 2000-35727 A JP-A-11-249519 JP-A-6-250435

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which uneven adhesion of a lubricant to a charging roll is suppressed.

The above object is achieved by the present invention described below.
That is, the invention according to claim 1
An image carrier,
A charging unit having a charging roll that charges the image carrier while being in contact with the surface of the image carrier and has a 10-point average surface roughness Rz of 2 μm or more and 20 μm or less;
Electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged image carrier;
A developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the image holding body with toner to form a toner image, and the toner is a toner to which a lubricant is attached;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer object;
A toner removing means for removing toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the toner image is transferred;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

The invention according to claim 2
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant is a fluorine resin particle.

The invention according to claim 3
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant is particles of polytetrafluoroethylene.

The invention according to claim 4
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an addition amount of the lubricant in the toner is 0.05% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less.
It is.

The invention according to claim 5
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an external attachment ratio of the lubricant to the toner is 70% by number to 100% by number.

The invention according to claim 6
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the charging roll has an outermost surface layer, and the outermost surface layer contains a porous filler.

The invention according to claim 7 provides:
7. The image holding member according to claim 1, wherein the image holding member has an outermost surface layer, and the outermost surface layer of the image holding member contains particles made of the same material as the lubricant. The image forming apparatus described in the above.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, uneven adhesion of the lubricant to the charging roll is suppressed as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the effect that the unevenness of the image of the lubricant on the charging roll is suppressed is remarkable as compared with the case where the lubricant is not a fluorine resin particle.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the effect that the unevenness of the image of the lubricant on the charging roll is suppressed is more significant than when the lubricant is not polytetrafluoroethylene particles.

According to the invention of claim 4, the image of the lubricant on the charging roll can be obtained even when the lubricant is used over a long period of time as compared with the case where the addition amount of the lubricant in the toner is not 0.05% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less. The effect that unevenness is suppressed becomes remarkable.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, image unevenness of the lubricant on the charging roll is suppressed compared to a case where the external attachment rate of the lubricant to the toner is not 70% by number or more and 100% by number or less. The effect becomes remarkable.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, image defects do not occur as compared with the case where the outermost surface layer of the charging roll does not contain a porous filler.
According to the seventh aspect of the invention, image defects do not occur as compared with the case where the outermost surface layer of the image carrier does not contain the same kind of particles as the lubricant.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the charging device in this embodiment. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrophotographic photosensitive member in the present embodiment. It is a schematic cross section which shows the other example of the electrophotographic photoreceptor in this embodiment. It is a schematic cross section which shows the other example of the electrophotographic photoreceptor in this embodiment. It is a schematic cross section which shows the other example of the electrophotographic photoreceptor in this embodiment. It is a schematic cross section which shows the other example of the electrophotographic photoreceptor in this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for explaining the arrangement position of the charging member cleaning roll and the charging roll.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. This embodiment is an example for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.
The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes an image carrier, a charging unit that charges the image carrier while being in contact with the surface of the image carrier, and a static image that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged image carrier. An electrostatic latent image forming unit; a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the image holding member with toner to form a toner image; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a transfer target; and a toner image A toner removing unit that removes toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier after transferring the toner, and the charging unit has a top surface layer having a surface roughness Rz in the range of 2 μm to 20 μm. A roller is provided, and the toner is a toner to which a lubricant is attached.

In order to achieve a longer life of the photoreceptor (image carrier), it is necessary to suppress contamination with time (mainly toner and external additives) of the charging roll and to suppress film abrasion of the photoreceptor. Need to achieve.
In order to suppress the aging contamination of the charging roll, approaches such as application of a cleaning device, improvement from the surface material, and surface roughening have already been proposed. These measures have the effect of suppressing the contamination of the charging roll when no soft lubricant is supplied in order to suppress the wear of the photosensitive member. As a result, the surface frictional resistance of the photoconductor increases, so that the film wear of the photoconductor is significant and the life of the photoconductor is not extended.

  On the other hand, by supplying a lubricant to the photoconductor in order to suppress film abrasion of the photoconductor, an increase in the frictional resistance on the surface of the photoconductor generated during charging is suppressed. Therefore, film abrasion of the photoreceptor is suppressed. This lubricant is generally soft and is supplied onto the photoreceptor so that the effect is exhibited. As a method for supplying the lubricant, it is advantageous in terms of structure and cost without adding a new device by supplying the toner in the toner. However, when used over time for a long period of time, uneven adhesion of the lubricant to the charging roll occurs, the resistance of the charging roll becomes uneven, image unevenness occurs, and the life of the photoreceptor cannot be extended.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, image defects are also prevented against adhesion of a lubricant that is difficult to completely remove while suppressing adhesion of toner and inorganic external additives (silica and titanium) to the charging roll. It is conceivable that the configuration does not occur.
In the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, the charging unit is a charging roll having an outermost surface layer having a surface roughness Rz in a range of 2 μm to 20 μm, and the toner is attached to a lubricant. In this case, the increase in frictional resistance on the surface of the photoconductor generated when charging is suppressed, and even when the toner is used over a long period of time, uneven adhesion of the lubricant to the charging roll is suppressed. Occurrence of image unevenness due to uneven resistance is suppressed.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a process cartridge 20 having at least a charging device (charging means) 21 in an image forming apparatus main body (not shown), an exposure device 30 as an electrostatic latent image forming means, and a transfer. A transfer device 40 as means and an intermediate transfer member 50 are provided. In the image forming apparatus 100, the exposure device 30 is disposed at a position where the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 (image holding member) is exposed from the opening of the process cartridge 20, and the transfer device 40 is interposed via the intermediate transfer member 50. The intermediate transfer member 50 is disposed at a position where a part of the intermediate transfer member 50 is in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1.

  The process cartridge 20 includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member (image carrier) 1 in a case, a charging device 21, a developing device 25 as a developing device, a cleaning device (toner removing device) 27, and a fibrous member (flat brush shape) 29. Are combined and integrated by mounting rails. The case is provided with an opening for exposure. A charging device (charging means) 21 is composed of a charging roll 12 and a cleaning roll 10.

  Here, the cleaning roll 10 is preferably disposed in contact with the charging roll 12 under the following conditions. As shown in FIG. 11, in a cross section orthogonal to each axis of the charging roll 12, the cleaning roll 10, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, a line passing through the axis of the charging roll 12 and parallel to the direction of gravity (in FIG. 11). Of the positions where the dotted line) and the outer periphery of the charging roll 12 intersect, the position above the axis of the charging roll 12 in the direction of gravity is α, and the contact position between the charging roll 12 and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is β. In this case, the cleaning roll 10 is sandwiched between the position α and the position β on the side where the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is disposed with respect to the contact point γ between the cleaning roll 10 and the charging roll 12 with respect to the axis of the charging roll 12. The charging roll 12 is preferably disposed so as to be located outside the outer periphery T of the charging roll 12.

  By disposing the cleaning roll 10 in this way, it is possible to prevent foreign matters that have fallen off the cleaning roll 10 from falling onto the charging roll 12 and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. For this reason, since the charging failure to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 due to the foreign matter is suppressed, the generation of the color point in the image quality is prevented, and the image quality failure is prevented for a long time.

<Charging means>
The charging means in this embodiment includes a charging roll having a 10-point average surface roughness Rz of 2 μm or more and 20 μm or less. Hereinafter, the charging means in this embodiment will be described for each component.

(Charging roll)
First, the charging roll in this embodiment will be described. The charging roll in the present embodiment is a charging member that charges the surface of the image carrier provided in the image forming apparatus, and includes a base material and an outermost surface layer provided on the base material and in contact with the image carrier. It is preferable to have.

The charging roll preferably has at least a base material and an outermost surface layer provided on the base material, and the layer configuration is not particularly limited, and the outermost surface layer may be provided directly on the base material. One or more intermediate layers such as an elastic layer sandwiched between the base material and the outermost surface layer may be provided.
In addition, it is preferable that the charging roll in this embodiment is a charging roll which has the layer structure which provided the elastic layer and the outermost surface layer in this order on the base-material surface.
Hereinafter, the charging roll in the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

[Base material]
The base material (support) functions as an electrode and a support member of the charging roll. For example, a metal or alloy such as aluminum, copper alloy, or stainless steel; iron subjected to plating treatment such as chromium or nickel; What is necessary is just to use what was comprised with electroconductive materials, such as resin. In addition, in this embodiment, electroconductivity means the case where the volume resistivity in 25 degreeC is 1 * 10 < ⁵ > ohm-cm or less. In addition, the semiconductivity described later refers to the case where the volume resistivity at 25 ° C. is 1 × 10 ⁷ Ωcm or more and 1 × 10 ¹³ Ωcm or less, and the insulation refers to the volume resistivity at 25 ° C. of 1 × 10 ^14. The case where it is Ωcm or more.

[Elastic layer]
The elastic layer is preferably formed, for example, by dispersing a conductive agent in a rubber material. Rubber materials include isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, butyl rubber, polyurethane, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide- Examples include allyl glycidyl ether copolymer rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM), acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber (NBR), natural rubber, and blended rubbers thereof. In the present embodiment, the elastic layer refers to a layer composed of a material having rubber-like elasticity, and the conductive agent refers to a compound for reducing resistance.

  Among the above, the rubber material is preferably polyurethane, silicone rubber, EPDM, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether copolymer rubber, NBR or a blend rubber thereof. These rubber materials may be foamed or non-foamed.

  On the other hand, examples of the conductive agent include an electronic conductive agent and an ionic conductive agent.

  Examples of the electronic conductive agent include carbon black such as ketjen black and acetylene black; pyrolytic carbon; graphite; various conductive metals or alloys such as aluminum, copper, nickel, and stainless steel; tin oxide, indium oxide, and titanium oxide. And various conductive metal oxides such as tin oxide-antimony oxide solid solution and tin oxide-indium oxide solid solution; those obtained by conducting the surface of an insulating material; and powders such as conductive polymers such as polypyrrole and polyaniline.

  Examples of the ionic conductive agent include ammonium salts such as tetraethylammonium chloride and lauryltrimethylammonium chloride; alkali metals such as lithium and magnesium, and metal salts of alkaline earth metals.

  These electrically conductive agents may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type. The amount of the conductive agent added to the elastic layer is not particularly limited, but in the case of the electronic conductive agent, it is in the range of 1 part by mass to 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber material. The range is preferably 15 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less. On the other hand, in the case of the ionic conductive agent, it is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 5.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber material, and 0.5 to 3.0 parts by mass. The following range is more preferable.

  When forming the elastic layer, there is no particular limitation on the mixing method and order of mixing the components of the conductive agent, rubber material, and other components (such as a vulcanizing agent and a foaming agent that is added as necessary) constituting the layer. However, as a general method, a method in which all components are mixed in advance with a tumbler, a V blender, etc., and melt-mixed without unevenness by an extruder can be used.

[Outermost surface layer]
Next, the outermost surface layer will be described. The charging roll in this embodiment has a surface ten-point average surface roughness Rz (hereinafter simply referred to as “surface roughness Rz”) in the range of 2 μm or more and 20 μm or less, and the surface roughness Rz of the outermost surface layer is 2 μm. It is preferably 20 μm or less. When the surface roughness Rz of the outermost surface layer is less than 2 μm, adhesion of the toner or the inorganic external additive externally added to the toner to the charging roll occurs, and the resulting image has streak-like image defects. Will occur. On the other hand, when the surface roughness Rz of the outermost surface layer exceeds 20 μm, cracks occur in the outermost surface layer during long-term use due to abnormal discharge, and image defects occur. The surface roughness Rz of the outermost surface layer is preferably in the range of 4 μm to 18 μm, and more preferably in the range of 8 μm to 15 μm.

  The surface roughness Rz (ten-point average roughness) of the outermost surface layer is adjusted by adjusting the particle size of the porous filler, the added amount of the porous filler, the thickness of the outermost surface layer, and the like as described later. Be controlled.

  The surface roughness Rz (ten-point average roughness) of the outermost surface layer is measured by the method of JIS B0601 (1994).

  The resin constituting the outermost surface layer of the charging roll is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyamide resin, acrylic resin, and urethane resin.

  The main component of the outermost surface layer is preferably a polyamide resin. Polyamide resin has good antifouling property because it is difficult for toner and external additives to adhere to it. Further, frictional charging is caused by contact with the image carrier of the image forming apparatus, and it is difficult to charge the image carrier positively. Here, the “main component” means 50% by mass or more of the resin constituting the outermost surface layer. The main component polyamide resin is preferably contained in the range of 50% by mass or more and 99% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the entire resin contained in the outermost surface layer, and 60% by mass or more and 99% by mass. It is more preferable that it is contained in the range of% or less.

  The polyamide resin is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyamide resins described in the polyamide resin handbook, Osamu Fukumoto, 8400 (Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Co., Ltd.). Among them, the outermost surface layer is formed by a coating film forming method such as an immersion method. From the viewpoint of easily forming the solvent, a solvent-soluble polyamide resin such as an alcohol-soluble polyamide resin soluble in alcohol such as methanol or ethanol is preferable, and an alcohol-soluble polyamide resin is more preferable.

  Examples of the solvent-soluble polyamide resin include N-alkoxyalkylated nylon obtained by alkoxyalkylating nylon such as nylon 6, nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 6,6, nylon 6,10, etc., nylon 6, nylon 11, nylon 12, alcohol-soluble polyamide resins such as copolymer nylon, which is a copolymer of at least two of nylon 6, 6, nylon 6, 10, and the like.

  The alcohol-soluble polyamide resin is preferably N-alkoxymethylated nylon, more preferably N-methoxymethylated nylon, from the viewpoint of excellent long-term charge retention.

  The weight average molecular weight of the polyamide resin is preferably 10,000 or more and less than 100,000. When the weight average molecular weight of the polyamide resin is less than 10,000, the strength of the film may be weakened, and when it exceeds 100,000, the film may be uneven. Moreover, it is preferable that the weight average molecular weight of the polyamide resin is smaller within the above range from the viewpoint of good dispersibility of a conductive agent such as carbon black.

  The outermost surface layer preferably contains at least one of a polyvinyl acetal resin, a polyester resin, a phenol resin, an epoxy resin, a melamine resin, and a benzoguanamine resin as a second component resin other than the main component resin. Among these, a polyvinyl acetal resin is preferable from the viewpoint of good dispersibility of the porous filler. The resin of the second component with respect to the resin of the main component is preferably in the range of 0.01% by mass to 50% by mass with respect to 100% by mass of the whole resin, and 0.1% by mass to 40% by mass. A range of less than or equal to mass% is more preferred.

  In the outermost surface layer, for example, a polyamide resin such as an alcohol-soluble polyamide resin and the second component resin may be reacted by heating or the like to perform crosslinking such as three-dimensional crosslinking. As a result, the durability of the charging roll is improved, and there are almost no image defects due to cracks on the surface of the charging roll, and the charging roll is used over a long period of time.

  Examples of the polyvinyl acetal resin include polyvinyl butyral resin, polyvinyl formal resin, and partially acetalized polyvinyl butyral resin in which a part of butyral is modified with formal, acetoacetal, or the like.

  Examples of the polyester resin include a polyester resin containing an acid-derived constituent component and an alcohol-derived constituent component, and may contain other components as necessary.

  The polyester resin is synthesized from an acid (dicarboxylic acid) component and an alcohol (diol) component. In this specification, the “acid-derived component” is an acid component before the synthesis of the polyester resin. The “alcohol-derived component” refers to a component that was an alcohol component before the synthesis of the polyester resin.

  The acid-derived constituent component is preferably an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and particularly preferably a linear carboxylic acid. For example, succinic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelic acid, sebacic acid, 1,9-nonanedicarboxylic acid, 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid, 1,11-undecanedicarboxylic acid Acid, 1,12-dodecanedicarboxylic acid, 1,13-tridecanedicarboxylic acid, 1,14-tetradecanedicarboxylic acid, 1,16-hexadecanedicarboxylic acid, 1,18-octadecanedicarboxylic acid, etc., or lower alkyl esters thereof, Examples include, but are not limited to, acid anhydrides.

  The acid-derived constituent component preferably includes a constituent component such as a constituent component derived from a dicarboxylic acid having a double bond, a constituent component derived from a dicarboxylic acid having a sulfonic acid group, in addition to a constituent component derived from an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid. .

  The component derived from a dicarboxylic acid having a double bond includes a component derived from a dicarboxylic acid having a double bond. In addition, the component derived from a dicarboxylic acid having a sulfonic acid group includes a component derived from a dicarboxylic acid having a sulfonic acid group, a lower alkyl ester of a dicarboxylic acid having a sulfonic acid group, or an acid anhydride. Ingredients are also included.

  The dicarboxylic acid having a double bond is preferably a dicarboxylic acid, and examples of the dicarboxylic acid include, but are not limited to, fumaric acid, maleic acid, 3-hexenedioic acid, and 3-octenedioic acid. . Moreover, these lower alkyl esters, acid anhydrides, etc. are also mentioned. Among these, fumaric acid, maleic acid and the like are preferable in terms of cost.

  Examples of alcohol constituents include ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, 1,8- Octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,11-dodecanediol, 1,12-undecanediol, 1,13-tridecanediol, 1,14-tetradecanediol, 1,18- Examples include, but are not limited to, octadecanediol and 1,20-eicosanediol.

  Other components included as necessary include diol-derived components having double bonds and diol-derived components having sulfonic acid groups.

  Examples of the diol having a double bond include 2-butene-1,4-diol, 3-butene-1,6-diol, and 4-butene-1,8-diol.

  Examples of the diol having a sulfonic acid group include 1,4-dihydroxy-2-sulfonic acid benzene sodium salt, 1,3-dihydroxymethyl-5-sulfonic acid benzene sodium salt, and 2-sulfo-1,4-butanediol sodium salt. Etc.

  Examples of the phenol resin include resorcin, bisphenol, substituted phenols containing one hydroxyl group such as phenol, cresol, xylenol, paraalkylphenol, paraphenylphenol, substituted phenols containing two hydroxyl groups such as catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, and bisphenol. Monomethylolphenols, dimethylolphenols, trimethylolphenols, which are obtained by reacting a compound having a phenolic structure such as A and bisphenol Z with a phenolic structure and formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde or the like in the presence of an acid or alkali catalyst. Monomers such as methylolphenols, and mixtures thereof, or those oligomerized, and mixtures of monomers and oligomers are preferred.

  The epoxy resin includes monomers, oligomers, and polymers generally having two or more epoxy groups in one molecule, and the molecular weight and molecular structure are not particularly limited. For example, biphenyl type epoxy resin, bisphenol type epoxy resin , Stilbene type epoxy resin, phenol novolac type epoxy resin, cresol novolac type epoxy resin, triphenol methane type epoxy resin, alkyl modified triphenol methane type epoxy resin, triazine nucleus-containing epoxy resin, dicyclopentadiene modified phenol type epoxy resin, phenol Examples include aralkyl type epoxy resins (having a phenylene skeleton, a diphenylene skeleton, etc.), and these may be used alone or in combination. Among these, biphenyl type epoxy resin, bisphenol type epoxy resin, stilbene type epoxy resin, phenol novolac type epoxy resin, cresol novolac type epoxy resin, triphenolmethane type epoxy resin are preferable, biphenyl type epoxy resin, bisphenol type epoxy resin, Phenol novolac type epoxy resins and cresol novolac type epoxy resins are more preferred, and bisphenol type epoxy resins are particularly preferred.

  Examples of the melamine resin and benzoguanamine resin include compounds having a melamine structure or a guanamine structure, and examples thereof include compounds represented by the following general formulas (A) and (B). The compounds represented by the general formulas (A) and (B) can be synthesized by a known method using, for example, melamine or guanamine and formaldehyde (for example, see Experimental Chemistry Course 4th edition, Volume 28, page 430). That's fine.

Formula (A), in _(B), R 1 ~R ₇ represents H, _CH 2 OH, an alkyl ether group.

  Specific examples of the compound represented by the general formula (A) include exemplary compounds: (A) -1 to (A) -22, and specific examples of the compound represented by the general formula (B) include: Although the thing of the structure shown by B) -1 thru | or (B) -6 is mentioned, this embodiment is not limited to these exemplary compounds. These may be used singly or in combination. However, mixing or use as an oligomer is more preferable because solubility in an organic solvent or a main component resin is improved.

  Examples of the melamine resin and benzoguanamine resin include Super Becamine (R) L-148-55, Super Becamine (R) 13-535, Super Becamine (R) L-145-60, Super Becamine (R) TD-126 (above, Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd.), Nikarac BL-60, Nikalac BX-4000 (above, Nihon Carbide) etc. (above guanamine resin), Super Melami No. 90 (Nippon Yushi Co., Ltd.), Super Becamine (R) TD-139-60 (Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd.), Uban 2020 (Mitsui Chemicals), Smitex Resin M-3 (Sumitomo Chemical), Nicarak MW-30 Commercially available products such as those manufactured by Nippon Carbide may be used as they are.

  The outermost surface layer preferably contains a porous filler so that the surface roughness Rz is 2 μm or more and 20 μm or less. In addition, when the outermost surface layer contains a porous filler, the progress of the destruction of the outermost surface layer surface due to fatigue associated with long-term use is suppressed, and the occurrence of cracks in the outermost surface layer is suppressed. By suppressing the occurrence of cracks in the surface layer, the surface resistance of the charging roll varies due to the adhesion or accumulation of toner or toner external additives, etc., on the cracked parts, resulting in unstable charging performance and image quality. The occurrence of defects is suppressed. Therefore, uneven charging is suppressed, the durability of the charging roll is improved, and the charge retention over a long period is excellent. Here, the “porous” of the porous filler is a material having a diameter of 1/2 or less with respect to the diameter of the filler and pores having a depth of 0.001 μm or more in the depth direction on the surface of the filler. That means. Being “porous” is confirmed by observing an FE-SEM (manufactured by JEOL, JSM-6700F), an acceleration voltage of 5 kV, and a secondary electron image. When the depth is less than 0.001 μm, the durability may be insufficient.

  The porous filler is not particularly limited as long as it is a porous material as defined above, but is preferably at least one of polyamide resin, acrylic resin and calcium carbonate.

  When the main component of the outermost surface layer is a polyamide resin, the porous filler is preferably a polyamide resin from the viewpoint of good dispersibility of the main component of the outermost surface layer in the resin. Further, when the main component of the outermost surface layer is N-alkoxymethylated nylon, since a crosslinking reaction with N-alkoxymethylated nylon may occur, the porous filler is preferably a polyamide resin.

  The porous filler may be subjected to a surface treatment. Any surface treatment agent may be used as long as it has desired characteristics, and it may be selected from known materials. Examples of the surface treatment agent include a silane coupling agent, a titanate coupling agent, an aluminum coupling agent, and a surfactant. In particular, a silane coupling agent is preferably used because it provides good adhesion to the binder polymer. Furthermore, a silane coupling agent having an amino group is preferably used.

  As the silane coupling agent having an amino group, any material can be used as long as it can obtain good adhesion to a desired binder polymer. Specific examples include γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-β- (aminoethyl) -γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-β- (aminoethyl) -γ-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, N, N-bis (β-hydroxyethyl) -γ-aminopropyl Although triethoxysilane etc. are mentioned, it is not limited to these.

Moreover, you may use a silane coupling agent in mixture of 2 or more types. Examples of silane coupling agents that may be used in combination with the silane coupling agent having an amino group include vinyltrimethoxysilane, γ-methacryloxypropyl-tris (β-methoxyethoxy) silane, β- (3 , 4-epoxycyclohexyl) ethyltrimethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriacetoxysilane, γ-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-β- (aminoethyl) -Γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-β- (aminoethyl) -γ-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, N, N-bis (β-hydroxyethyl) -γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, γ-chloropropyl Examples include trimethoxysilane. The present invention is not limited to.
Any method may be used as the surface treatment method as long as it is a known method. For example, a dry method or a wet method may be used.

  In addition, the content of the porous filler in the outermost surface layer with respect to the resin is such that the surface roughness Rz of the outermost surface layer tends to be 2 μm or more and 20 μm or less, and the content of the porous filler is 100 as a whole resin. The range of 1 mass% or more and 100 mass% or less is preferable, and the range of 3 mass% or more and 80 mass% or less is more preferable.

  The outermost surface layer preferably contains a conductive agent. When the outermost surface layer contains a conductive agent, the resistance can be easily adjusted.

  Examples of the conductive agent include conductive agents such as an electronic conductive agent and an ionic conductive agent contained in the elastic layer. Among these, the conductive agent is preferably at least one of a conductive polymer, carbon black, and tin oxide from the viewpoint of uneven resistance.

  These electrically conductive agents may be used individually by 1 type, and may be used in combination of 2 or more type. The amount of the conductive agent added to the outermost surface layer is not particularly limited, but in the case of the electronic conductive agent, 1 part by mass or more and 50 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the main component of the outermost surface layer. The following range is preferable, and the range of 3 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less is more preferable. On the other hand, in the case of the ionic conductive agent, it is preferably in the range of 1 to 50 parts by mass, preferably in the range of 3 to 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the main component of the outermost surface layer. More preferably.

  The outermost surface layer is, for example, heated after applying a curable resin composition containing a main component resin, a porous filler, and optionally a second component resin, a conductive agent, etc. to the surface of the elastic layer, etc. It is formed by a method such as drying. In the outermost surface layer, a crosslinking reaction occurs by heating or the like. The outermost surface layer is preferably a layer crosslinked using a catalyst in order to promote curing (crosslinking) during heat drying. An acid catalyst or the like may be used as the catalyst.

  Examples of acid catalysts include acetic acid, chloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, lactic acid, citric acid and other aliphatic carboxylic acids, benzoic acid, phthalic acid, terephthalic acid, trimellit Aromatic carboxylic acids such as acids, methanesulfonic acid, dodecylsulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, dinonylnaphthalenesulfonic acid (DNNSA), dinonylnaphthalenedisulfonic acid (DNNDSA) ), Aliphatic and aromatic sulfonic acids such as phenolsulfonic acid, and phosphoric acid are used, and paratoluenesulfonic acid, dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, and phosphoric acid are preferable from the viewpoint of catalytic ability and film-forming property.

  In addition, as the acid catalyst, the catalytic ability becomes high when a temperature above a certain level is applied. By using a so-called thermal latent catalyst, the catalytic ability is low at the liquid storage temperature of the curable resin composition, and at the time of curing. Since the catalytic ability is increased, both the lowering of the curing temperature and the storage stability (such as dispersion stability) of the curable resin composition are compatible.

  Examples of the heat latent catalyst include at least one of a microcapsule in which an organic sulfone compound or the like is encapsulated with a polymer, an adsorbed acid or the like on a pore compound such as zeolite, a protonic acid, and a protonic acid derivative. A latent acid catalyst blocked with a base, esterified with at least one of a protonic acid and a protonic acid derivative with a primary or secondary alcohol, and at least one of a protonic acid and a protonic acid derivative with vinyl ether And those blocked with at least one of vinyl thioethers, boron trifluoride monoethylamine complex, boron trifluoride pyridine complex, and the like.

  Among these, a thermal latent proton acid catalyst in which at least one of the protonic acid and the protonic acid derivative is blocked with a base is preferable in terms of catalytic ability, storage stability, availability, cost, and the like.

  Examples of the protonic acid of the thermal latent protonic acid catalyst include sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid, formic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfonic acid, monocarboxylic acid, polycarboxylic acids, propionic acid, oxalic acid, benzoic acid, acrylic acid, Methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, phthalic acid, maleic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, o-toluenesulfonic acid, m-toluenesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acid, dinonylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, dinonylnaphthalenedisulfonic acid, Examples include decylbenzenesulfonic acid, undecylbenzenesulfonic acid, tridecylbenzenesulfonic acid, tetradecylbenzenesulfonic acid, dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, and the like. Examples of the proton acid derivative include neutralized products such as alkali metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts of proton acids such as sulfonic acid and phosphoric acid, and polymer compounds in which a proton acid skeleton is introduced into the polymer chain (polyvinyl chloride). Sulfonic acid, etc.). Examples of the base that blocks the protonic acid include amines.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as amines, You may use any of a primary, a secondary, or a tertiary amine.

  As primary amines, methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, isopropylamine, n-butylamine, isobutylamine, t-butylamine, hexylamine, 2-ethylhexylamine, 2-ethylhexylamine, secondary butylamine, allylamine, methylhexylamine, etc. Is mentioned.

  Secondary amines include dimethylamine, diethylamine, di-n-propylamine, diisopropylamine, di-n-butylamine, diisobutylamine, di-t-butylamine, dihexylamine, di (2-ethylhexyl) amine, N-isopropyl-N-. Isobutylamine, di (2-ethylhexyl) amine, disecondary butylamine, diallylamine, N-methylhexylamine, 3-pipecoline, 4-pipecoline, 2,4-lupetidine, 2,6-lupetidine, 3,5-lupetidine, morpholine , N-methylbenzylamine and the like.

  Tertiary amines include trimethylamine, triethylamine, tri-n-propylamine, triisopropylamine, tri-n-butylamine, triisobutylamine, tri-t-butylamine, trihexylamine, tri (2-ethylhexyl) amine, N-methylmorpholine. N, N-dimethylallylamine, N-methyldiallylamine, triallylamine, N, N-dimethylallylamine, N, N, N ′, N′-tetramethyl-1,2-diaminoethane, N, N, N ′, N′-tetramethyl-1,3-diaminopropane, N, N, N ′, N′-tetraallyl-1,4-diaminobutane, N-methylpiperidine, pyridine, 4-ethylpyridine, N-propyldiallylamine, 3 -Dimethylaminopropanol, 2-ethylpyrazine, 2,3- Methylpyrazine, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,4-lutidine, 2,5-lutidine, 3,4-lutidine, 3,5-lutidine, 2,4,6-collidine, 2-methyl-4-ethylpyridine 2-methyl-5-ethylpyridine, N, N, N ′, N′-tetramethylhexamethylenediamine, N-ethyl-3-hydroxypiperidine, 3-methyl-4-ethylpyridine, 3-ethyl-4- Examples include methylpyridine, 4- (5-nonyl) pyridine, imidazole, and N-methylpiperazine.

  Commercially available products may be used as the heat latent catalyst. Commercially available products include “NACURE2501” (toluenesulfonic acid dissociation, methanol / isopropanol solvent, pH 6.0 to 7.2, dissociation temperature 80 ° C.), “NACURE2107” (p-toluenesulfonic acid) manufactured by King Industries. Dissociation, isopropanol solvent, pH 8.0 to 9.0, dissociation temperature 90 ° C.), “NACURE 2500” (p-toluenesulfonic acid dissociation, isopropanol solvent, pH 6.0 to 7.0, dissociation temperature 65 ° C.), “ NACURE2530 "(p-toluenesulfonic acid dissociation, methanol / isopropanol solvent, pH 5.7 to 6.5, dissociation temperature 65 ° C)," NACURE2547 "(p-toluenesulfonic acid dissociation, aqueous solution, pH 8.0 to 9.0) Hereinafter, dissociation temperature 107 ° C.), “NAC “RE2558” (p-toluenesulfonic acid dissociation, ethylene / glycol solvent, pH 3.5 to 4.5, dissociation temperature 80 ° C.), “NACUREXP-357” (p-toluenesulfonic acid dissociation, methanol solvent, pH 2.0 or more) 4.0 or less, dissociation temperature 65 ° C.), “NACUREXP-386” (p-toluenesulfonic acid dissociation, aqueous solution, pH 6.1 to 6.4, dissociation temperature 80 ° C.), “NACUREXC-2211” (p-toluene) Sulfonic acid dissociation, pH 7.2 to 8.5, dissociation temperature 80 ° C.), “NACURE 5225” (dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid dissociation, isopropanol solvent, pH 6.0 to 7.0, dissociation temperature 120 ° C.), “NACURE 5414” (Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid dissociation, xylene solvent, dissociation temperature 120 ° C.), NACURE 5528 "(dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid dissociation, isopropanol solvent, pH 7.0 to 8.0, dissociation temperature 120 ° C)," NACURE5925 "(dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid dissociation, pH 7.0 to 7.5, dissociation temperature 130 ° C) ), “NACURE 1323” (disinyl naphthalene sulfonic acid dissociation, xylene solvent, pH 6.8 to 7.5, dissociation temperature 150 ° C.), “NACURE 1419” (dinonyl naphthalene sulfonic acid dissociation, xylene / methyl isobutyl ketone solvent, dissociation) 150 ° C.), “NACURE1557” (disinylnaphthalenesulfonic acid dissociation, butanol / 2-butoxyethanol solvent, pH 6.5 to 7.5, dissociation temperature 150 ° C.), “NACUREX 49-110” (dinonylnaphthalene Sulfonic acid dissociation, isobutanol / isopropanol solvent, pH 6.5 to 7.5, dissociation temperature 90 ° C., “NACURE3525” (dinonylnaphthalenedisulfonic acid dissociation, isobutanol / isopropanol solvent, pH 7.0 to 8.5 , Dissociation temperature 120 ° C.), “NACUREXP-383” (dinonylnaphthalenedisulfonic acid dissociation, xylene solvent, dissociation temperature 120 ° C.), “NACURE3327” (dinonylnaphthalenedisulfonic acid dissociation, isobutanol / isopropanol solvent, pH 6.5 or higher 7.5 or less, dissociation temperature 150 ° C.), “NACURE4167” (phosphate dissociation, isopropanol / isobutanol solvent, pH 6.8 to 7.3, dissociation temperature 80 ° C.), “NACUREXP-297” (phosphate dissociation, Water / Isopropano Le solvents, pH 6.5 to 7.5, dissociation temperature 90 ° C., "NACURE4575" (phosphoric acid dissociation, pH 7.0 to 8.0, dissociation temperature 110 ° C.), and the like.

  These thermal latent catalysts may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The blending amount of the heat latent catalyst is preferably in the range of 0.01% by mass to 20% by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the solid content in the curable resin composition solution, and is 0.1% by mass to 10% by mass. A range of less than or equal to mass% is more preferred. If the addition amount exceeds 20% by mass, it may precipitate as a foreign substance after the heat treatment, and if it is less than 0.01% by mass, the catalytic activity may be lowered.

  The film thickness of the outermost surface layer is preferably thick considering the durability due to wear as a charging roll, but the surface roughness Rz of the outermost surface layer tends to be 2 μm or more and 20 μm or less, and the charging ability to the image carrier ( If the thickness is too large, the charging ability to the image carrier may be deteriorated), the range of 0.01 μm to 1,000 μm is preferable, the range of 0.1 μm to 500 μm is more preferable, and 0.5 μm. The range of 100 μm or less is more preferable.

  The outermost surface layer may be formed on the support member by dip coating, spray coating, vacuum deposition, plasma, or the like. In terms of ease of manufacturing in these methods, dip coating is used. The method is advantageous.

(Cleaning member)
The charging unit in the present embodiment preferably includes a cleaning member as a cleaning member for cleaning the outer surface of the charging roll. The cleaning member preferably includes a core material and an elastic layer provided on the outer peripheral surface of the core material, and the elastic layer preferably includes a foam. Furthermore, you may have the application layer which apply | coated the elastic layer. Moreover, you may provide the intermediate | middle layer, the elastic layer, etc. using the hot-melt-adhesive etc. which are pinched | interposed between a core material and an elastic layer as needed.

  By applying an elastic layer containing foam, the advantages of using a charging roller can be maintained, as well as contamination of the charging roller due to adhesion of toner, paper dust, and other foreign matters, image flow and image blur caused by this. Avoid image defects such as. In addition, the cleaning member is provided with conductivity, and not only does the distortion during the nip occur, but also maintains a good charging function, and prevents the charging roller and the image carrier from being damaged.

The shape of the cleaning member according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a roll shape, a brush shape, and a pad (plate) shape. Among these, it is preferable that the charging roll is less stressed (so-called cleaning roll), but if the charging roll in this embodiment is used, a pad (plate) -shaped cleaning member stressed by the charging roll can be obtained. Even when used, even when used for a long period of time, image defects due to cracks on the surface of the charging roll are suppressed, and the cost of the cleaning member is reduced.
Next, each member of the cleaning member will be described.

  The core material will be described. As the core material, generally, a molded article such as iron, copper, brass, stainless steel, aluminum or nickel may be used. Further, as the core material, a resin molded product in which particles or the like are dispersed may be used.

  As a material constituting the elastic layer of the cleaning member, any material may be used as long as desired characteristics can be obtained. For example, polyurethane resin, polystyrene resin, polyethylene, polypropylene resin, nylon resin, melamine resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, silicone rubber, natural rubber, ethylene Examples thereof include foams (foam) such as propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, acrylic rubber, and chloroprene rubber. Of these, polyurethane foam is particularly preferred.

  The polyurethane foam constituting the elastic layer of the cleaning member is obtained, for example, using at least a polyol, a foam stabilizer, and a reaction catalyst.

  As the polyol, polyoxypropylene glycol, polyoxytetramethylene glycol, polyester polyol, polycaprolactone polyol, polycarbonate polyol, or the like may be used. These polyols may be used individually by 1 type, and 2 or more types may be mixed and used for them.

  In addition, an isocyanate may be used for crosslinking with the polyol. Isocyanates include tolylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanate, naphthalene diisocyanate, tolidine diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate, hydrogenated xylene diisocyanate, hydrogenated diphenylmethane diisocyanate, triisocyanate, tetramethylxylene diisocyanate, lysine ester tosiisocyanate. Lysine diisocyanate, trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate, dimer acid diisocyanate, norbornene diisocyanate and the like may be used. Isocyanate may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Examples of the reaction catalyst include triethylamine, tetramethylethylenediamine, triethylenediamine (TEDA), bis (N, N-dimethylamino-2-ethyl) ether, N, N, N ′, N′-tetramethylhexamethylenediamine, Examples include amine catalysts such as bis (2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether (TOYOCAT-ET, manufactured by Tosoh Corporation), carboxylic acid metal salts such as potassium acetate and potassium octylate, and organometallic compounds such as dibutyltin dilaurate. . Among these, the use of an amine-based catalyst is preferable because it is suitable for the production of water-foamed polyurethane foam. These reaction catalysts may be used individually by 1 type, and may mix and use 2 or more types.

  As the foam stabilizer, silicone-based surfactants such as dimethyl silicone oil and polyether-modified silicone oil, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants may be used.

  The amount of the catalyst used is preferably in the range of 0.01% by mass to 5% by mass, more preferably in the range of 0.05% by mass to 3% by mass, based on the total amount of polyol and isocyanate. The range of 1 mass% or more and 1 mass% or less is more preferable. When a catalyst is not used, an unreacted polymer remains on the cleaning roll, and an image defect may occur due to bleeding at the contact portion with the charging roll.

  Next, other blends will be described. Examples of other blends include a conductive agent. Examples of the conductive agent include carbon conductive agents such as ketjen black, acetylene black, oil furnace black, and thermal black, and ionic conductive agents such as ammonium compounds such as tetraethylammonium and stearyltrimethylammonium chloride.

  Examples of other blends include additives such as flame retardants, deterioration inhibitors, and plasticizers. In addition, these other compounds may be used alone or in combination. These additives may be used alone or in combination.

  In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the number of foam cells (cells / 25 mm) is in the range of 20 or more and 200 or less as the form of the foam. When the number is less than 20 or exceeds 200, the charging roll cleaning performance may not be satisfied.

  A method for producing a polyurethane foam will be described. There is no restriction | limiting in particular about the manufacturing method of a polyurethane foam, Although what is necessary is just based on a conventional method, if the example is shown, it will be as follows. First, as a raw material, a polyurethane polyol, a foam stabilizer, a catalyst, and a conductive agent as necessary are mixed, and then heated and reacted and cured to obtain a polyurethane foam.

  The temperature and time for mixing the raw materials are not particularly limited, but the mixing temperature is usually in the range of 10 to 90 ° C., preferably in the range of 20 to 60 ° C. The mixing time is usually about 10 seconds to 20 minutes, preferably about 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Moreover, when making it heat-react and cure, a polyurethane foam is obtained by making it foam by a conventionally well-known method.

  Here, the foaming method is not particularly limited, and any method such as a method using a foaming agent or a method of mixing bubbles by mechanical stirring may be used.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the cleaning member will be described. As a manufacturing method of the cleaning roll, for example, a raw material is injected into a mold and foamed, and a polyurethane foam having a desired shape is coated on a core material. A polyurethane foam is slab-molded to obtain a desired shape. Examples of the method include a method of coating the core material after processing by grinding or the like.

(Charging device)
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of the charging unit in the present embodiment. The charging device (charging means) 21 includes a charging roll 12 for charging a member to be charged (for example, an image holding member) and a cleaning roll (cleaning member) 10 disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the charging roll 12. Have. A charging roll having an outermost surface layer (the aforementioned outermost surface layer) 14 is applied as the charging roll 12.

  The cleaning roll 10 contacts the outer peripheral surface (elastic layer surface) of the cleaning roll 10 with the outermost surface layer 14 of the charging roll 12, for example, in a freely detachable state. Further, the charging roll 12 may be installed so as to be reciprocally movable in the axial direction. Thus, when cleaning is not required (for example, when the image forming apparatus is stopped for a long time), the cleaning roll 10 is placed away from the charging roll 12 and the surface of the charging roll 12 is cleaned.

  When the cleaning roll 10 is in contact with the charging roll 12, the cleaning roll 10 is arranged in a state of being pressed against the charging roll 12, and rotates with the rotation of the charging roll 12. This prevents the occurrence of scratches on the charging roll 12.

  In the charging device 21, the member to be charged (for example, an image carrier) is charged by the charging roll 12 while cleaning the surface of the charging roll 12 by the cleaning roll 10.

  By applying the above-described charging roll, the occurrence of cracks in the outermost surface layer is suppressed, and adhesion or deposition of toner or an external additive of the toner on the cracked portion causes the charging roll to It is possible to suppress the occurrence of image defects due to variations in surface resistance resulting in unstable charging performance. Further, since the durability of the surface of the charging roll 12 is high and the pressing force of the cleaning roll 10 to the charging roll 12 is increased, the charging roll 12 is cleaned more favorably.

  Here, the cleaning roll 10 is preferably disposed in contact with the charging roll 12 under the following conditions. As shown in FIG. 11, in a cross section orthogonal to each axis of the charging roll 12, the cleaning roll 10, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, a line passing through the axis of the charging roll 12 and parallel to the direction of gravity (in FIG. 11). Of the positions where the dotted line) and the outer periphery of the charging roll 12 intersect, the position above the axis of the charging roll 12 in the direction of gravity is α, and the contact position between the charging roll 12 and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is β. In this case, the cleaning roll 10 is sandwiched between the position α and the position β on the side where the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is disposed with respect to the contact point γ between the cleaning roll 10 and the charging roll 12 with respect to the axis of the charging roll 12. The charging roll 12 is preferably disposed so as to be located outside the outer periphery T of the charging roll 12.

  By disposing the cleaning roll 10 in this way, it is possible to prevent foreign matters that have fallen off the cleaning roll 10 from falling onto the charging roll 12 and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. For this reason, since the charging failure to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 due to the foreign matter is suppressed, the generation of the color point in the image quality is prevented, and the image quality failure is prevented for a long time.

  Next, the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrophotographic photosensitive member used in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. An electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 shown in FIG. 6 includes a support 2 and a photosensitive layer 3. The photosensitive layer 3 has a structure in which an undercoat layer 4, a charge generation layer 5, a charge transport layer 6 and a protective layer 7 are laminated on the support 2 in this order.

  7 to 10 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating other examples of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The electrophotographic photosensitive member shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes the photosensitive layer 3 in which the functions are separated into the charge generating layer 5 and the charge transporting layer 6 as in the electrophotographic photosensitive member shown in FIG. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the charge generation material and the charge transport material are contained in the same layer (single-layer type photosensitive layer 8).

  The electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 shown in FIG. 7 has a structure in which a charge generation layer 5, a charge transport layer 6 and a protective layer 7 are sequentially laminated on a support 2. In addition, the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 shown in FIG. 8 has a structure in which an undercoat layer 4, a charge transport layer 6, a charge generation layer 5, and a protective layer 7 are sequentially laminated on a support 2.

  In addition, the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 shown in FIG. 9 has a structure in which an undercoat layer 4, a single-layer type photosensitive layer 8, and a protective layer 7 are sequentially laminated on a support 2. The electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 shown in FIG. 10 has a structure in which a single-layer type photosensitive layer 8 and a protective layer 7 are sequentially laminated on a support 2.

  In the electrophotographic photosensitive member shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the undercoat layer 4 is not necessarily provided.

  The photosensitive layer provided in the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 includes a single layer type photosensitive layer containing a charge generation material and a charge transport material in the same layer, or a layer containing a charge generation material (charge generation layer) and a charge transport material. Any of the function-separated type photosensitive layers provided separately with the contained layer (charge transport layer) may be used. In the case of the function-separated type photosensitive layer, any of the stacking order of the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer may be the upper layer. In the case of a function-separated photosensitive layer, a higher function is realized because the functions are separated so that each layer only has to satisfy each function.

  The electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is not particularly limited, and known ones may be applied. Hereinafter, as a representative example, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is based on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 shown in FIG. Each element will be described.

  As the support 2, for example, a metal plate, a metal drum, a metal belt, or the like configured using a metal or an alloy such as aluminum, copper, zinc, stainless steel, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium, indium, gold, or platinum is used. Can be mentioned. Further, as the support 2, a paper, a plastic film, a belt, or the like on which a conductive compound such as a conductive polymer or indium oxide, or a metal or alloy such as aluminum, palladium, or gold is applied, vapor-deposited, or laminated may be used.

  The surface of the support 2 is preferably roughened to have a centerline average roughness (Ra) of 0.04 μm or more and 0.5 μm or less in order to prevent interference fringes generated when laser light is irradiated. When the center line average roughness (Ra) of the surface of the support 2 is less than 0.04 μm, the effect of preventing interference tends to be insufficient because it is close to a mirror surface. On the other hand, when the center line average roughness (Ra) exceeds 0.5 μm, the image quality tends to be insufficient even if a film is formed. When non-interfering light is used as a light source, it is not particularly necessary to roughen the interference fringes, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects due to irregularities on the surface of the support 2, which is suitable for a longer life.

  Surface roughening methods include wet honing by suspending an abrasive in water and spraying it on the support, or centerless grinding, in which the support is pressed against a rotating grindstone, and grinding is performed continuously, anodization Processing.

  Further, as another roughening method, without roughening the surface of the support 2, the conductive or semiconductive powder is dispersed in the resin, and a layer is formed on the support surface. You may use the method of roughening by the particle | grains disperse | distributed in the layer.

  The anodizing treatment is to form an oxide film on the aluminum surface by anodizing in an electrolyte solution using aluminum as an anode. Examples of the electrolyte solution include a sulfuric acid solution and an oxalic acid solution. However, the intact porous anodic oxide film is chemically active, easily contaminated, and has a large resistance fluctuation due to the environment. Therefore, the pores in the anodized film are sealed with pressurized water vapor or boiling water (a metal salt such as nickel may be added) by volume expansion due to a hydration reaction, and a sealing treatment is performed to change to a more stable hydrated oxide. May be.

  The thickness of the anodized film is preferably 0.3 μm or more and 15 μm or less. When this film thickness is less than 0.3 μm, the barrier property against implantation tends to be poor and the effect tends to be insufficient. On the other hand, if it exceeds 15 μm, there is a tendency that the residual potential increases due to repeated use.

  Further, the support 2 may be subjected to treatment with an acidic aqueous solution or boehmite treatment. What is necessary is just to implement the process by the acidic processing liquid containing phosphoric acid, chromic acid, and hydrofluoric acid as follows, for example. First, an acidic treatment liquid is adjusted. The mixing ratio of phosphoric acid, chromic acid and hydrofluoric acid in the acidic treatment liquid is such that phosphoric acid is in the range of 10% by mass to 11% by mass, chromic acid is in the range of 3% by mass to 5% by mass, and hydrofluoric acid is 0.00%. The concentration of these acids is preferably in the range of 13.5% by mass or more and 18% by mass or less. The treatment temperature is preferably 42 ° C. or more and 48 ° C. or less. However, by keeping the treatment temperature high, a thicker film can be formed faster. The film thickness is preferably from 0.3 μm to 15 μm. If it is less than 0.3 μm, the barrier property against injection tends to be poor and the effect tends to be insufficient. On the other hand, if it exceeds 15 μm, there is a tendency that the residual potential increases due to repeated use.

  The boehmite treatment may be performed, for example, by immersing in pure water of 90 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower for 5 minutes or longer and 60 minutes or shorter, or by contacting with heated steam of 90 ° C. or higher and 120 ° C. or lower for 5 minutes or longer and 60 minutes or shorter. Good. The film thickness is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 5 μm or less. This may be further anodized using an electrolyte solution with low film solubility such as adipic acid, boric acid, borate, phosphate, phthalate, maleate, benzoate, tartrate, citrate. Good.

  The undercoat layer 4 is formed on the support 2. The undercoat layer 4 includes, for example, at least one of an organometallic compound and a binder resin.

  Organic metal compounds include zirconium chelate compounds, zirconium alkoxide compounds, organic zirconium compounds such as zirconium coupling agents, organic titanium compounds such as titanium chelate compounds, titanium alkoxide compounds, and titanate coupling agents, aluminum chelate compounds, and aluminum coupling agents. In addition to organoaluminum compounds such as antimony alkoxide compounds, germanium alkoxide compounds, indium alkoxide compounds, indium chelate compounds, manganese alkoxide compounds, manganese chelate compounds, tin alkoxide compounds, tin chelate compounds, aluminum silicon alkoxide compounds, aluminum titanium alkoxide compounds, Aluminum zirconium alkoxide compound It is below.

  As the organometallic compound, it is particularly preferable to use an organozirconium compound, an organotitanyl compound, or an organoaluminum compound because it has a low residual potential and exhibits good electrophotographic characteristics.

  As the binder resin, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl methyl ether, poly-N-vinylimidazole, polyethylene oxide, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, polyamide, polyimide, casein, gelatin, polyethylene, polyester, phenol resin, Examples include known vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, epoxy resins, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl pyridine, polyurethane, polyglutamic acid, polyacrylic acid, and the like. When these are used in combination of two or more, the mixing ratio may be set as necessary.

  The undercoat layer 4 includes vinyltrichlorosilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, vinyltris-2-methoxyethoxysilane, vinyltriacetoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, and γ-methacryloxypropyl. Trimethoxysilane, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, γ-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane, γ-2-aminoethylaminopropyltrimethoxysilane, γ-mercapropropyltrimethoxysilane, γ-ureidopropyltriethoxysilane, β A silane coupling agent such as −3,4-epoxycyclohexyltrimethoxysilane may be contained.

  Further, in the undercoat layer 4, an electron transporting pigment may be mixed and dispersed from the viewpoint of lowering the residual potential and environmental stability. Examples of the electron transport pigment include organic pigments such as perylene pigment, bisbenzimidazole perylene pigment, polycyclic quinone pigment, indigo pigment, and quinacridone pigment described in JP-A-47-30330, cyano group, nitro group, Examples thereof include organic pigments such as bisazo pigments and phthalocyanine pigments having electron-withdrawing substituents such as nitroso groups and halogen atoms, and inorganic pigments such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide.

  Among these pigments, perylene pigments, bisbenzimidazole perylene pigments, polycyclic quinone pigments, zinc oxide, and titanium oxide are preferable in view of high electron mobility.

  Further, the surface of these pigments may be surface-treated with the above-mentioned coupling agent or binder resin for the purpose of controlling dispersibility, charge transporting property and the like.

  If the amount of the electron transporting pigment is too large, the strength of the undercoat layer 4 may be reduced and a coating film defect may be caused. Therefore, it is preferably 95% by mass or less, more preferably based on the total solid content of the undercoat layer 4. Is used at 90 mass% or less.

  Moreover, it is preferable to add various organic compound powders or inorganic compound powders to the undercoat layer 4 for the purpose of improving electrical characteristics and light scattering properties. In particular, white pigments such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, zinc white, zinc sulfide, lead white, lithopone, inorganic pigments as extender pigments such as alumina, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, polytetrafluoroethylene resin particles, benzoguanamine resin particles, Styrene resin particles are effective.

  The volume average particle diameter of the additive powder is preferably 0.01 μm or more and 2 μm or less. The powder is added as necessary, but the addition amount is preferably 10% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, and 30% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, based on the total solid content of the undercoat layer 4. More preferably.

  The undercoat layer 4 is formed using, for example, an undercoat layer forming coating solution containing the above-described constituent materials. The organic solvent used in the coating solution for forming the undercoat layer is one that dissolves an organometallic compound or a binder resin and does not cause gelation or aggregation when an electron transporting pigment is mixed or dispersed. It is preferable.

  Examples of the organic solvent include methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, benzyl alcohol, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, methyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and methylene chloride. , Chloroform, chlorobenzene, toluene and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  As a method for mixing or dispersing each constituent material, for example, a conventional method using a ball mill, a roll mill, a sand mill, an attritor, a vibrating ball mill, a colloid mill, a paint shaker ultrasonic wave, or the like is applied. Mixing or dispersing is performed in an organic solvent, for example.

  As a coating method for forming the undercoat layer 4, usual methods such as a blade coating method, a wire bar coating method, a spray coating method, a dip coating method, a bead coating method, an air knife coating method, and a curtain coating method are used. That's fine.

  Drying is usually performed at a temperature at which a solvent is evaporated and a film is formed. In particular, the support 2 that has been subjected to the acidic solution treatment and the boehmite treatment is preferably formed with the undercoat layer 4 because the defect concealing power of the substrate tends to be insufficient.

  The thickness of the undercoat layer 4 is preferably 0.01 μm or more and 30 μm or less, more preferably 0.05 μm or more and 25 μm or less.

  The charge generation layer 5 includes a charge generation material and, if necessary, a binder resin.

  Known charge generation materials include azo pigments such as bisazo and trisazo, condensed aromatic pigments such as dibromoanthanthrone, organic pigments such as perylene pigments, pyrrolopyrrole pigments, and phthalocyanine pigments, and inorganic pigments such as trigonal selenium and zinc oxide. What is necessary is just to use. As the charge generation material, metal and metal-free phthalocyanine pigments, trigonal selenium, dibromoanthanthrone, and the like are particularly preferable when a light source having an exposure wavelength of 380 nm to 500 nm is used. Among them, hydroxygallium phthalocyanine disclosed in JP-A-5-263007 and JP-A-5-279591, chlorogallium phthalocyanine disclosed in JP-A-5-98181, JP-A-5-140472 and special Dichlorotin phthalocyanine disclosed in Kaihei 5-140473 and titanyl phthalocyanine disclosed in JP-A-4-189873 and JP-A-5-43813 are particularly preferred.

Further, among the above hydroxygallium phthalocyanines, in the spectral absorption spectrum, it has an absorption maximum at 810 nm or more and 839 nm or less, the primary particle diameter is 0.10 μm or less, and the specific surface area value by BET method is 45 m ² / What is more than g is preferable.

  The binder resin may be selected from a wide range of insulating resins. Moreover, you may select from organic photoconductive polymers, such as poly-N-vinyl carbazole, polyvinyl anthracene, polyvinyl pyrene, polysilane. Preferred binder resins include polyvinyl butyral resin, polyarylate resin (polycondensate of bisphenol A and phthalic acid, etc.), polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, phenoxy resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyamide resin, acrylic resin. Insulating resins such as, but not limited to, polyacrylamide resin, polyvinyl pyridine resin, cellulose resin, urethane resin, epoxy resin, casein, polyvinyl alcohol resin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone resin. These binder resins may be used alone or in a combination of two or more.

  The charge generation layer 5 is formed, for example, by vapor deposition of a charge generation material or a coating liquid for forming a charge generation layer containing a charge generation material and a binder resin. When the charge generation layer 5 is formed using a charge generation layer forming coating solution, the blending ratio (mass ratio) of the charge generation material and the binder resin is preferably in the range of 10: 1 to 1:10.

  As a method for dispersing each of the constituent materials in the charge generation layer forming coating solution, a usual method such as a ball mill dispersion method, an attritor dispersion method, or a sand mill dispersion method may be used. At this time, a condition in which the crystal form of the pigment is not changed by dispersion is preferable. Further, at the time of this dispersion, it is effective that the particles have a particle size of preferably 0.5 μm or less, more preferably 0.3 μm or less, and further preferably 0.15 μm or less.

  Solvents used for dispersion include methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, benzyl alcohol, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, methyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, and methylene chloride. Ordinary organic solvents such as chloroform, chlorobenzene and toluene. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  When the charge generation layer 5 is formed using the charge generation layer forming coating solution, the coating method includes blade coating, wire bar coating, spray coating, dip coating, bead coating, air knife coating. Ordinary methods such as a method for applying a curtain and a curtain coating method may be used.

  The film thickness of the charge generation layer 5 is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 5 μm or less, more preferably 0.2 μm or more and 2.0 μm or less.

  The charge transport layer 6 includes a charge transport material and a binder resin, or a polymer charge transport material.

  Examples of charge transport materials include quinone compounds such as p-benzoquinone, chloranil, bromanyl and anthraquinone, tetracyanoquinodimethane compounds, fluorenone compounds such as 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone, xanthone compounds, and benzophenone compounds. , Electron transport compounds such as cyanovinyl compounds and ethylene compounds, triarylamine compounds, benzidine compounds, arylalkane compounds, aryl-substituted ethylene compounds, stilbene compounds, anthracene compounds, hydrazone compounds, etc. Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, hole transporting compounds. These charge transport materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Moreover, as a charge transport material, the compound shown by the following general formula (a-1), (a-2) or (a-3) from a viewpoint of mobility (mobility) is preferable.

In the above formula (a-1), R ¹⁶ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and n10 represents 1 or 2. Ar ₆ and Ar ₇ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, —C ₆ H ₄ —C (R ³⁸ ) ═C (R ³⁹ ) (R ⁴⁰ ), or —C ₆ H ₄ —CH. = CH-CH = C (Ar) ₂ and the substituent is a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms And a substituted amino group substituted with. R ³⁸ , R ³⁹ and R ⁴⁰ represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.

In the above formula (a-2), R ¹⁷ and R ^{17 ′} each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R ¹⁸ , R ^{18 ′} , R ¹⁹ and R ^{19 ′} are each independently an amino group substituted with a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or an alkyl group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms. group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl ^{group, -C (R 38) = C} (R 39) (R 40), or, a -CH = CH-CH = C ( Ar) 2, R 38, R 39 and R ⁴⁰ independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. N2 and n3 each independently represents an integer of 0 or more and 2 or less.

In the formula _{(a-3), R 21} is a hydrogen atom, 1 to 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, 1 to 5 carbon atoms in the alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or,, -CH = CH- CH = C (Ar) ₂ is shown. Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group. Each R _22, R ₂₃ are independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, 1 to 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, 1 to 5 carbon atoms in the alkoxy group, amino substituted with 1 to 2 of alkyl groups having a carbon number A group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group;

  Examples of the binder resin used for the charge transport layer 6 include polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, methacrylic resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, polystyrene resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, styrene-butadiene copolymer, and vinylidene chloride. Examples thereof include acrylonitrile copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride copolymer, silicone resin, silicone-alkyd resin, phenol-formaldehyde resin, styrene-alkyd resin. These binder resins may be used alone or in a combination of two or more. The blending ratio (mass ratio) of the charge transport material and the binder resin is preferably 10: 1 or more and 1: 5 or less.

  As the polymer charge transport material, a known material having charge transport properties such as poly-N-vinylcarbazole and polysilane may be used. In particular, the polyester polymer charge transport materials disclosed in JP-A-8-176293 and JP-A-8-208820 have a high charge transporting property and are particularly preferable.

  The polymer charge transport material alone may be used as a constituent material of the charge transport layer 6, but may be formed into a film by mixing with the binder resin.

  The charge transport layer 6 is formed using, for example, a charge transport layer forming coating solution containing the above-described constituent materials. Examples of the solvent for the coating solution for forming the charge transport layer include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene and chlorobenzene, ketones such as acetone and 2-butanone, and halogenated fats such as methylene chloride, chloroform and ethylene chloride. Ordinary organic solvents such as aromatic hydrocarbons, cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and ethyl ether, and linear ethers. These may be used individually by 1 type, and may mix and use 2 or more types.

  As a coating method for the charge transport layer forming coating solution, a normal method such as a blade coating method, a wire bar coating method, a spray coating method, a dip coating method, a bead coating method, an air knife coating method, or a curtain coating method may be used. Good.

  The film thickness of the charge transport layer 6 is preferably 5 μm or more and 50 μm or less, more preferably 10 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

  Addition of an antioxidant, a light stabilizer, a heat stabilizer, etc. to the photosensitive layer 3 for the purpose of preventing deterioration of the photoreceptor due to ozone, oxidizing gas, or light or heat generated in the image forming apparatus. An agent may be added.

  Examples of the antioxidant include hindered phenol, hindered amine, paraphenylenediamine, arylalkane, hydroquinone, spirochroman, spiroidanone and their derivatives, organic sulfur compounds, and organic phosphorus compounds. Examples of the light stabilizer include derivatives such as benzophenone, benzotriazole, dithiocarbamate, and tetramethylpiperidine.

  The photosensitive layer 3 may contain at least one electron accepting substance for the purpose of improving sensitivity, reducing residual potential, and reducing fatigue during repeated use.

Examples of the electron accepting substance include succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, dibromomaleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, tetrabromophthalic anhydride, tetracyanoethylene, tetracyanoquinodimethane, o-dinitrobenzene, m-dinitrobenzene. , Chloranil, dinitroanthraquinone, trinitrofluorenone, picric acid, o-nitrobenzoic acid, p-nitrobenzoic acid, phthalic acid and the like. Of these, fluorenone-based, quinone-based, and benzene derivatives having an electron-withdrawing substituent such as Cl, CN, NO ₂ are particularly preferable.

  The protective layer 7 may be made of, for example, the following resin. Examples of the resin include polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, methacrylic resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, polystyrene resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, styrene-butadiene copolymer, vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer, vinyl chloride. -Vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride copolymer, silicone resin, silicone-alkyd resin, phenol-formaldehyde resin, styrene-alkyd resin, poly-N-vinylcarbazole, polysilane, A polymer charge transport material such as a polyester-based polymer charge transport material disclosed in JP-A-8-176293 and JP-A-8-208820 may be used. Among these, thermosetting resins such as phenol resin, thermosetting acrylic resin, thermosetting silicone resin, epoxy resin, melamine resin, urethane resin, polyimide resin, and polybenzimidazole resin are preferable. Among these, in particular, phenol resin, melamine resin, benzoguanamine resin, siloxane resin, and urethane resin are preferably used. For example, a step of drying a solvent after applying a coating liquid containing these resins or their precursors as a main component At the same time, heat treatment is performed to cure and form an insoluble cured film.

  Examples of the phenol resin include monomethylol phenols, monomers of dimethylol phenols or trimethylol phenols, mixtures thereof, oligomers thereof, or mixtures of these monomers and oligomers. This phenol resin is, for example, resorcin, bisphenol, substituted phenols containing one hydroxyl group such as phenol, cresol, xylenol, paraalkylphenol, paraphenylphenol, substituted phenols containing two hydroxyl groups such as catechol, resorcinol, hydroquinone, etc. It is obtained by reacting a compound having a phenol structure such as bisphenols such as bisphenol A and bisphenol Z and biphenols with formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde and the like in the presence of an acid catalyst or an alkali catalyst. As a phenol resin, what is generally marketed as a phenol resin may be used. Moreover, as a phenol resin, a resol type phenol resin is preferable. In the present specification, a relatively large molecule in which the number of repeating molecular structural units is about 2 or more and 20 or less is called an oligomer, and a molecule smaller than that is called a monomer.

Examples of the acid catalyst include sulfuric acid, paratoluenesulfonic acid, phosphoric acid, and the like. As the alkali catalyst, for example, hydroxides or amine catalysts of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals such as NaOH, KOH, Ca (OH) ₂ and Ba (OH) ₂ are used.

  Examples of the amine catalyst include, but are not limited to, ammonia, hexamethylenetetramine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, and triethanolamine. When a basic catalyst is used, the carrier is remarkably trapped by the remaining catalyst, and the electrophotographic characteristics tend to be deteriorated. Therefore, it is preferable to inactivate or remove by neutralizing with an acid or contacting with an adsorbent such as silica gel or an ion exchange resin.

  As the melamine resin and benzoguanamine resin, various types such as a methylol type in which the methylol group is intact, a full ether type in which all the methylol groups are alkyl etherified, a fluino type, a mixed type of methylol and imino groups may be used. . Among these, the ether type is preferable from the viewpoint of the stability of the coating solution. For example, the compound shown by general formula (A), (B) is mentioned. The compounds represented by the general formulas (A) and (B) can be synthesized by a known method using, for example, melamine or guanamine and formaldehyde (for example, see Experimental Chemistry Course 4th edition, Volume 28, page 430). That's fine.

Formula (A), in _(B), R 1 ~R ₇ represents H, _CH 2 OH, an alkyl ether group.

  Specific examples of the compound represented by the general formula (A) include compounds having structures represented by the following exemplary compounds: (A) -1 to (A) -22, and compounds represented by the general formula (B) Specific examples of the compound include those represented by the following exemplary compounds: (B) -1 to (B) -6. These may be used alone or as a mixture, but are more preferable because they are mixed or used as an oligomer because the solubility in an organic solvent or main polymer is improved.

  Examples of the melamine resin and benzoguanamine resin include Super Becamine (R) L-148-55, Super Becamine (R) 13-535, Super Becamine (R) L-145-60, Super Becamine (R) TD-126 (above, Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd.), Nikarac BL-60, Nikalac BX-4000 (above, Nihon Carbide) etc. (above guanamine resin), Super Melami No. 90 (Nippon Yushi Co., Ltd.), Super Becamine (R) TD-139-60 (Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd.), Uban 2020 (Mitsui Chemicals), Smitex Resin M-3 (Sumitomo Chemical), Nicarak MW-30 Commercially available products such as those manufactured by Nippon Carbide may be used as they are.

  As the urethane resin, polyfunctional isocyanate, isocyanurate, or blocked isocyanate obtained by blocking these with alcohol or ketone may be used. Among these, from the viewpoint of the stability of the coating solution, blocked isocyanate or isocyanurate is preferable, and these are preferable because they are heat-crosslinked with the additive for an electrophotographic photoreceptor used in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.

  As the silicone resin, a resin derived from a compound represented by the following general formula (X) may be used.

  These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Conductive particles may be added to the protective layer 7 in order to lower the residual potential. Examples of the conductive particles include metals, metal oxides, and carbon black. Among these, metals or metal oxides are more preferable. Examples of the metal include aluminum, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, silver, and stainless steel, or those obtained by depositing these metals on the surface of plastic particles. Examples of metal oxides include zinc oxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide, antimony oxide, indium oxide, bismuth oxide, indium oxide doped with tin, tin oxide doped with antimony and tantalum, and zirconium oxide doped with antimony. It is done. These may be used individually by 1 type and may be used in combination of 2 or more type. When two or more types are used in combination, they may be simply mixed or formed into a solid solution or a molten form. From the viewpoint of the transparency of the protective layer 7, the average particle diameter of the conductive particles is preferably 0.3 μm or less, and particularly preferably 0.1 μm or less.

  In addition, a compound represented by the following general formula (X) is added to the curable resin composition for forming the protective layer 7 in order to control various physical properties such as strength and film resistance of the protective layer 7. May be.

Si (R ⁵⁰ ) _(4-c) Q _c (X)
(In the above formula (X), R ⁵⁰ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, Q represents a hydrolyzable group, and c represents an integer of 1 to 4)

  Specific examples of the compound represented by the general formula (X) include the following silane coupling agents. Examples of silane coupling agents include tetrafunctional alkoxysilanes such as tetramethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane (c = 4); methyltrimethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, ethyltrimethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxyethoxysilane, vinyltri Methoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, phenyltrimethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, γ-aminopropyltriethoxy Silane, γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, γ-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, N-β- (aminoethyl) -γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydro Octyl) triethoxysilane, (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) trimethoxysilane, 3- (heptafluoroisopropoxy) propyltriethoxysilane, 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluoroalkyltriethoxysilane, 1H , 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane, trifunctional alkoxysilane such as 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (c = 3); dimethyldimethoxysilane, diphenyldimethoxysilane, methyl Bifunctional alkoxysilanes such as phenyldimethoxysilane (c = 2); monofunctional alkoxysilanes such as trimethylmethoxysilane (c = 1), and the like. Tri- and tetrafunctional alkoxysilanes are preferable for improving the strength of the film, and mono- and bifunctional alkoxysilanes are preferable for improving flexibility and film formability.

  Moreover, you may use the silicone type hard-coat agent mainly produced from these coupling agents. Commercially available hard coat agents include KP-85, X-40-9740, X-40-2239 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Silicone), and AY42-440, AY42-441, AY49-208 (manufactured by Toray Dow Corning). Etc.) may be used.

  In order to increase the strength of the protective layer 7, it is also preferable to use a compound having two or more silicon atoms represented by the following general formula (XI) in the curable resin composition for forming the protective layer 7. .

B- (Si (R ⁵¹ ) _(3-d) Q _d ) ₂ (XI)
(In the above formula (XI), B is a divalent organic group, R ⁵¹ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, Q is a hydrolyzable group, and d is 1 or more and 3 or less. Indicates an integer.)

  More specific examples of the compound represented by the general formula (XI) include the following compounds (XI-1) to (XI-16). Me represents a methyl group, and Et represents an ethyl group.

  Furthermore, a resin that is soluble in an alcohol solvent or a ketone solvent may be added to control the film characteristics and extend the life of the liquid. Examples of this resin include polyvinyl butyral resins, polyvinyl formal resins, and polyvinyl acetal resins such as partially acetalized polyvinyl acetal resins in which a part of butyral is modified with formal or acetoacetal (for example, Sleksui B, K manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) , Polyamide resin, cellulose resin, phenol resin and the like. In particular, polyvinyl acetal resin is preferable from the viewpoint of improving electrical characteristics.

  Various resins may be added for the purpose of discharge gas resistance, mechanical strength, scratch resistance, particle dispersibility, viscosity control, torque reduction, wear amount control, pot life extension, and the like. In the present embodiment, it is preferable to further add a resin that dissolves in alcohol. Examples of resins soluble in alcohol solvents include polyvinyl butyral resins, polyvinyl formal resins, and polyvinyl acetal resins such as partially acetalized polyvinyl acetal resins in which a part of butyral is modified with formal or acetoacetal (for example, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.). ESREC B, K, etc.), polyamide resin, cellulose resin and the like. In particular, polyvinyl acetal resin is preferable from the viewpoint of improving electrical characteristics.

  The resin preferably has a weight average molecular weight of 2,000 to 100,000, and more preferably 5,000 to 50,000. If the weight average molecular weight is less than 2,000, the desired effect tends not to be obtained. If the weight average molecular weight is more than 100,000, the solubility becomes low and the addition amount is limited, or the film formation may be poor during coating. Tend to. The addition amount is preferably 1% by mass to 40% by mass, more preferably 1% by mass to 30% by mass, and most preferably 5% by mass to 20% by mass. When the addition amount is less than 1% by mass, it is difficult to obtain a desired effect. When the addition amount is more than 40% by mass, image blurring at high temperature and high humidity is likely to occur. Moreover, although said resin may be used independently, you may mix and use them.

  Further, for the purpose of extending the pot life, controlling the film characteristics, etc., it is preferable to contain a cyclic compound having a repeating structural unit represented by the following general formula (XII) or a derivative thereof.

In the above formula (XII), A ¹ and A ² each independently represent a monovalent organic group.

  Commercially available cyclic siloxane is mentioned as a cyclic compound which has a repeating structural unit shown by general formula (XII). Specifically, cyclic dimethylcyclosiloxanes such as hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5- Triphenylcyclotrisiloxane, 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-1,3,5,7-tetraphenylcyclotetrasiloxane, 1,3,5,7,9-pentamethyl-1,3,5,7 , 9-pentaphenylcyclopentasiloxane and other cyclic methylphenylcyclosiloxanes, hexaphenylcyclotrisiloxane and other cyclic phenylcyclosiloxanes, and 3- (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) methylcyclotrisiloxane and other fluorine Atom-containing cyclosiloxanes, methylhydro Rokisan mixture pentamethylcyclopentasiloxane, hydrosilyl group-containing cyclosiloxanes such as phenyl hydrocyclosiloxane, and cyclic siloxanes such as vinyl group-containing cyclosiloxanes, such as penta vinyl pentamethylcyclopentasiloxane and the like. These cyclic siloxane compounds may be used individually by 1 type, and 2 or more types may be mixed and used for them.

  Further, various particles may be added to the curable resin composition for forming the protective layer 7 in order to control the contamination resistance adhesion, lubricity, hardness, etc. of the electrophotographic photoreceptor surface. .

  Examples of the particles include silicon atom-containing particles. The silicon atom-containing particles are particles containing silicon as a constituent element, and specifically include colloidal silica and silicone particles. The colloidal silica used as the silicon atom-containing particles has a volume average particle diameter of preferably 1 nm or more and 100 nm or less, more preferably 10 nm or more and 30 nm or less, and an acidic or alkaline aqueous dispersion, or an organic material such as alcohol, ketone or ester. What was chosen from what was disperse | distributed in the solvent and generally marketed may be used. The solid content of colloidal silica in the curable resin composition is not particularly limited, but based on the total solid content in the curable resin composition in terms of film formability, electrical properties, strength, etc. Preferably, it is used in the range of 0.1 to 50% by mass, more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 30% by mass.

  The silicone particles used as the silicon atom-containing particles are preferably substantially spherical and have a volume average particle diameter of preferably 1 nm to 500 nm, more preferably 10 nm to 100 nm. Silicone resin particles, silicone rubber particles, and silicone Those selected from surface-treated silica particles and generally commercially available may be used.

  Silicone particles are small particles that are chemically inert and have excellent dispersibility in resins. Furthermore, since the content required to obtain characteristics is low, the crosslinking reaction is hardly hindered. Improve the surface properties of photographic photoreceptors. In other words, it improves the lubricity and water repellency of the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor while being incorporated substantially uniformly into a strong cross-linked structure, and has good wear resistance and contamination resistance adhesion over a long period of time. To keep etc. The content of the silicone particles in the curable resin composition is preferably in the range of 0.1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, and more preferably in the range of 0.1% by mass or less, based on the total solid content in the curable resin composition. It is the range of 5 mass% or more and 10 mass% or less.

Other particles include fluorine-based particles such as ethylene tetrafluoride, ethylene trifluoride, propylene hexafluoride, vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride, and the 8th Polymer Materials Forum Lecture Proceedings p89. Particles comprising a resin obtained by copolymerizing a fluororesin and a monomer having a hydroxyl group, ZnO—Al ₂ O ₃ , SnO ₂ —Sb ₂ O ₃ , In ₂ O ₃ —SnO ₂ , ZnO— Examples thereof include semiconductive metal oxides such as TiO ₂ , ZnO—TiO ₂ , MgO—Al ₂ O ₃ , FeO—TiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , In ₂ O ₃ , ZnO, and MgO.

  Further, an oil such as silicone oil may be added in order to control the antifouling substance adhesion, lubricity, hardness and the like on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Examples of silicone oil include silicone oil such as dimethylpolysiloxane, diphenylpolysiloxane, and phenylmethylsiloxane, amino-modified polysiloxane, epoxy-modified polysiloxane, carboxyl-modified polysiloxane, carbinol-modified polysiloxane, methacryl-modified polysiloxane, and mercapto. Examples thereof include reactive silicone oils such as modified polysiloxane and phenol-modified polysiloxane. These may be added in advance to the curable resin composition for forming the protective layer 7, or may be impregnated under reduced pressure or increased pressure after the production of the photoreceptor.

  Moreover, you may contain additives, such as a plasticizer, a surface modifier, antioxidant, and a photodegradation inhibitor. Examples of the plasticizer include biphenyl, biphenyl chloride, terphenyl, dibutyl phthalate, diethylene glycol phthalate, dioctyl phthalate, triphenyl phosphoric acid, methyl naphthalene, benzophenone, chlorinated paraffin, polypropylene, polystyrene, and various fluorohydrocarbons.

  In addition, an antioxidant having a hindered phenol, hindered amine, thioether or phosphite partial structure can be added, which is effective in improving the potential stability and image quality when the environment changes.

  Examples of the antioxidant include the following compounds. For example, hindered phenols include “Sumilizer BHT-R”, “Sumilizer MDP-S”, “Sumilizer BBM-S”, “Sumizer WX-R”, “Sumizer NW”, “Sumizer BP-76”, “ "Sumilizer BP-101", "Sumilizer GA-80", "Sumilizer GM", "Sumilizer GS" (manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.), "IRGANOX1010", "IRGANOX1035", "IRGANOX1076", "IRGANOX1098", "IRGANOX1098", "IRGANOX1098", "IRGANOX1098" , “IRGANOX1141”, “IRGANOX1222”, “IRGANOX1330”, “IRGANOX1425WL”, “IRGAN X1520L "," IRGANOX245 "," IRGANOX259 "," IRGANOX3114 "," IRGANOX3790 "," IRGANOX5057 "," IRGANOX565 "(above, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)," ADK STAB AO-20 "," ADK STAB AO-30 " , "ADK STAB AO-40", "ADK STAB AO-50", "ADK STAB AO-60", "ADK STAB AO-70", "ADK STAB AO-80", "ADK STAB AO-330" (manufactured by ADK), Hin Dirtamines include “Sanol LS2626”, “Sanol LS765”, “Sanol LS770”, “Sanol LS744” (manufactured by Sankyo Lifetech Co., Ltd.), “Tinuvin 144”, “Tinuvin 622LD” ( As described above, Ciba Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd., “Mark LA57”, “Mark LA67”, “Mark LA62”, “Mark LA68”, “Mark LA63” (above, manufactured by ADEKA), “Sumilyzer TPS” (above, Sumitomo Chemical) Manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.), and as phosphite systems, “Mark 2112”, “Mark PEP / 8”, “Mark PEP-24G”, “ Mark PEP · 36 ”,“ Mark 329K ”,“ Mark HP · 10 ”(manufactured by ADEKA), and the like, and hindered phenols and hindered amine antioxidants are particularly preferable. Furthermore, they may be modified with a substituent such as an alkoxysilyl group that is crosslinked with the material forming the crosslinked film.

Further, in order to remove the catalyst during synthesis from a resin having a crosslinked structure such as a phenol resin, a melamine resin, or a benzoguanamine resin, the resin is dissolved in an appropriate solvent such as methanol, ethanol, toluene, ethyl acetate, and washed with water. It is preferable to perform treatment such as reprecipitation using a poor solvent, or to perform treatment using, for example, the materials exemplified below. Such materials include Amberlite 15, Amberlite 200C, Amberlist 15E (above, manufactured by Rohm and Haas), Dowex MWC-1-H, Dowex 88, Dowex HCR-W2 (above, Dow Chemical Co., Ltd.), Levacit SPC-108, Levacit SPC-118 (manufactured by Bayer), Diaion RCP-150H (Mitsubishi Kasei), Sumikaion KC-470, Duolite C26-C, Duolite C-433 Cation exchange resins such as Duolite-464 (manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) and Nafion-H (manufactured by DuPont); Amberlite IRA-400, Amberlite IRA-45 (above, Rohm and Haas) Anion exchange resin such as Zr (O ₃ PCH ₂ CH ₂ SO) ₃ H) ₂ , Th (O ₃ PCH ₂ CH ₂ COOH) Inorganic solid having a group containing a proton acid group such as ₂ bonded to the surface; containing a proton acid group such as a polyorganosiloxane having a sulfonic acid group Polyorganosiloxanes; heteropolyacids such as cobalt tungstic acid and phosphomolybdic acid; isopolyacids such as niobic acid, tantalum acid and molybdic acid; unitary metal oxides such as silica gel, alumina, chromia, zirconia, CaO and MgO; silica - alumina, silica - magnesia, silica - zirconia, composite-based metal oxides such as zeolites; acid clay, activated clay, montmorillonite, clay mineral such as kaolinite; LiSO _4, metal sulfates, such as MgSO _4; phosphate zirconia , metal phosphates such as lanthanum phosphate; LiNO , Mn (NO ₃₎ metal nitrate such as _2; inorganic group containing an amino group such as solid obtained by reacting aminopropyltriethoxysilane on silica gel is bonded to a surface solid; amino-modified silicone resin And polyorganosiloxanes containing amino groups such as

  In addition, in order to adjust film properties such as hardness, adhesion, and flexibility, epoxy-containing compounds such as polyglycidyl methacrylate, glycidyl bisphenols, phenol epoxy resins, terephthalic acid, maleic acid, pyromellitic acid, biphenyltetra Carboxylic acids or the like or anhydrides thereof may be added. The addition amount is preferably 0.05 parts by weight or more and 1 part by weight or less, more preferably 0.1 parts by weight or more and 0.7 parts by weight or less, with respect to 1 part by weight of the additive for electrophotographic photosensitive members of the present embodiment. Used in

  Furthermore, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyarylate resin (polycondensate of bisphenol A and phthalic acid, etc.), polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, phenoxy resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyamide resin, acrylic resin, polyacrylamide resin, Insulating resins such as polyvinyl pyridine resin, cellulose resin, urethane resin, epoxy resin, casein, polyvinyl alcohol resin, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone resin may be mixed in a desired ratio. Thereby, the adhesiveness with the charge transport layer 6, coating film defects due to heat shrinkage and repelling, and the like are suppressed.

  The protective layer 7 is formed using, for example, a coating solution for forming a protective layer containing the above-described constituent materials. That is, for example, the protective layer 7 is formed by applying a coating liquid for forming a protective layer on the charge transport layer 6 and curing it.

  For the coating solution for forming the protective layer, a solvent such as alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol; ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; tetrahydrofuran; ethers such as diethyl ether and dioxane is used as necessary. Also good. In addition to these, various solvents may be used, but in order to apply the dip coating method generally used in the production of electrophotographic photoreceptors, alcohol-based or ketone-based solvents, or their solvents Mixed solvents are preferred. Moreover, the boiling point is preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 150 ° C. or lower, and may be arbitrarily mixed and used. The amount of the solvent may be set arbitrarily, but if it is too small, the amount of the solvent is likely to be precipitated. Preferably, 1 part by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less are more preferable.

  Furthermore, when crosslinking, a curing catalyst may be used in the protective layer forming coating solution. Examples of the curing catalyst include bissulfonyldiazomethanes such as bis (isopropylsulfonyl) diazomethane, bissulfonylmethanes such as methylsulfonyl p-toluenesulfonylmethane, sulfonylcarbonyldiazomethanes such as cyclohexylsulfonylcyclohexylcarbonyldiazomethane, 2-methyl-2- Sulfonylcarbonylalkanes such as (4-methylphenylsulfonyl) propiophenone, Nitrobenzylsulfonates such as 2-nitrobenzyl p-toluenesulfonate, Alkyl and arylsulfonates such as pyrogallol trismethanesulfonate (g) Benzoin tosylate, etc. Benzoin sulfonates, N-sulfonyloxyimides such as N- (trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy) phthalimide, (4 Pyridones such as fluorobenzenesulfonyloxy) -3,4,6-trimethyl-2-pyridone, 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-trifluoromethyl-1- (3-vinylphenyl) -ethyl-4- Photoacid generators such as sulfonic acid esters such as chlorobenzenesulfonate, onium salts such as triphenylsulfonium methanesulfonate and diphenyliodonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, compounds obtained by neutralizing proton acid or Lewis acid with Lewis base, Lewis acid and Preferable examples include a mixture of alkyl phosphates, sulfonate esters, phosphate esters, onium compounds, and carboxylic anhydride compounds.

Examples of compounds obtained by neutralizing a protonic acid or Lewis acid with a Lewis base include halogenocarboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, sulfuric monoesters, phosphoric mono- and diesters, polyphosphoric esters, boric mono- and diesters, and ammonia. Various amines such as monoethylamine, triethylamine, pyridine, piperidine, aniline, morpholine, cyclohexylamine, n-butylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, or trialkylphosphine, triarylphosphine, trialkylphosphite, triaryl Compounds neutralized with phosphite, as well as Neicure 2500X, 4167, X-47-110, 3525, 5225, which are commercially available as acid-base blocking catalysts (trade names) King Industry Co., Ltd.) and the like. The compound obtained by neutralizing a Lewis acid with a Lewis base, for example _{BF 3, FeCl 3, SnCl 4} , AlCl 3, compounds of Lewis acids such as ZnCl ₂ and neutralized with the above Lewis bases and the like.

  Examples of the onium compound include triphenylsulfonium methanesulfonate, diphenyliodonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, and the like.

  Examples of the carboxylic anhydride compound include acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, butyric anhydride, isobutyric anhydride, lauric anhydride, oleic anhydride, stearic anhydride, n-caproic anhydride, n-caprylic anhydride, and n-capric anhydride. , Palmitic anhydride, myristic anhydride, trichloroacetic anhydride, dichloroacetic anhydride, monochloroacetic anhydride, trifluoroacetic anhydride, heptafluorobutyric anhydride, and the like.

  Specific examples of Lewis acids include, for example, boron trifluoride, aluminum trichloride, ferrous chloride, ferric chloride, ferrous chloride, ferric chloride, zinc chloride, zinc bromide, stannous chloride. Metal halides such as stannic chloride, stannous bromide, stannic bromide, organometallic compounds such as trialkylboron, trialkylaluminum, dialkylaluminum halide, monoalkylaluminum halide, tetraalkyltin , Diisopropoxyethyl acetoacetate aluminum, tris (ethyl acetoacetate) aluminum, tris (acetylacetonato) aluminum, diisopropoxy bis (ethyl acetoacetate) titanium, diisopropoxy bis (acetylacetonato) titanium, tetrakis (N-propylacetate Cetate) Zirconium, Tetrakis (acetylacetonato) zirconium, Tetrakis (ethylacetoacetate) zirconium, Dibutyl bis (acetylacetonato) tin, Tris (acetylacetonato) iron, Tris (acetylacetonato) rhodium, Bis (acetylaceto) Nato) zinc, metal chelate compounds such as tris (acetylacetonato) cobalt, dibutyltin dilaurate, dioctyltin ester malate, magnesium naphthenate, calcium naphthenate, manganese naphthenate, iron naphthenate, cobalt naphthenate, copper naphthenate, Zinc naphthenate, zirconium naphthenate, lead naphthenate, calcium octylate, manganese octylate, iron octylate, cobalt octylate, zinc octylate, zirconium octylate , Tin octylate, lead octylate, zinc laurate, magnesium stearate, aluminum stearate, calcium stearate, cobalt stearate, zinc stearate, and metal soaps such as lead stearate. These may be used individually by 1 type and may be used in combination of 2 or more type.

  The amount of these catalysts used is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 parts by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less, and 0.3 parts by mass with respect to a total of 100 parts by mass of the solid content contained in the protective layer forming coating solution. The amount of 10 parts by mass or less is particularly preferable.

  When the coating liquid for forming the protective layer is applied onto the charge transport layer 6, the coating methods are blade coating method, Mayer bar coating method, spray coating method, dip coating method, bead coating method, air knife coating method, curtain coating. A normal method such as a method may be used. And the protective layer 7 is formed by drying a coating film after application | coating, for example.

  In addition, in the case of application | coating, when a predetermined film thickness cannot be obtained by one application | coating, you may obtain a predetermined film thickness by applying several times. When performing multiple times of repeated application, the heat treatment may be performed at each application, or may be performed after being applied multiple times.

  When the protective layer 7 is formed using a resin having a crosslinked structure, the curing temperature is preferably 100 ° C. or higher and 170 ° C. or lower, more preferably 100 ° C. or higher and 160 ° C. or lower when crosslinking is performed. The curing time is preferably 30 minutes to 2 hours, more preferably 30 minutes to 1 hour, and the heating temperature may be changed in multiple stages.

  The atmosphere in which the crosslinking reaction is performed may be performed in a gas atmosphere inert to so-called oxidation such as nitrogen, helium, and argon, thereby preventing deterioration of electrical characteristics. When the crosslinking reaction is performed in an inert gas atmosphere, the curing temperature may be set higher than in an air atmosphere, and the curing temperature is preferably 100 ° C. or higher and 180 ° C. or lower, more preferably 110 ° C. or higher and 160 ° C. or lower. It is. The curing time is preferably 30 minutes or longer and 2 hours or shorter, more preferably 30 minutes or longer and 1 hour or shorter.

  The thickness of the protective layer 7 is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 15 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and further preferably 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less.

Oxygen permeability at 25 ° C. of the protective layer 7 is preferably not more than ^{4 × 10 12 fm / s ·} Pa, more preferably not more than ^{3.5 × 10 12 fm / s ·} Pa, 3 × 10 More preferably, it is ¹² fm / s · Pa or less.

Here, the oxygen permeation coefficient is a scale representing the ease of oxygen gas permeation of the layer. However, from a different viewpoint, it may be regarded as a substitute characteristic of the physical gap ratio of the layer. Note that the absolute value of the transmittance changes if the type of gas changes, but there is almost no reversal of the magnitude relationship between the layers that are the specimens. Therefore, the oxygen permeation coefficient may be interpreted as a measure expressing the general ease of gas permeation.

  That is, when the oxygen permeation coefficient at 25 ° C. of the protective layer 7 satisfies the above conditions, the gas hardly penetrates into the protective layer 7. Therefore, the penetration of the discharge product generated by the image forming process is suppressed, the deterioration of the compound contained in the protective layer 7 is suppressed, the electrical characteristics are maintained at a high level, and it is effective for improving the image quality and extending the life. is there.

  In the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1, when a single-layer type photosensitive layer is formed, the single-layer type photosensitive layer is formed containing a charge generating material and a binder resin. The charge generation material is the same as that used for the charge generation layer in the function separation type photosensitive layer, and the binder resin is a binder resin used for the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer in the function separation type photosensitive layer. A similar one may be used. The content of the charge generating material in the single layer type photosensitive layer is preferably 10% by mass or more and 85% by mass or less, more preferably 20% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, based on the total solid content in the single layer type photosensitive layer. is there. A charge transport material or a polymer charge transport material may be added to the single-layer type photosensitive layer for the purpose of improving photoelectric characteristics. The addition amount is preferably 5% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less based on the total solid content in the single-layer type photosensitive layer. Moreover, what is necessary is just to use the solvent and coating method used for application | coating which are the same as said each layer. The film thickness of the single-layer type photosensitive layer is preferably about 5 μm to 60 μm, and more preferably 10 μm to 50 μm.

  In this embodiment, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is composed of particles whose outermost layer is made of the same material as a lubricant that is externally attached to a toner described later (the same material, for example, the lubricant is polytetrafluoroethylene, That the outermost surface layer of the photographic photoreceptor 1 contains polytetrafluoroethylene particles), the amount of the lubricant to be externally attached is efficiently coated on the photoreceptor and the lubricant reaches the charging roll. Therefore, it is preferable in that the effect that an image defect does not occur becomes remarkable. Further, the content in the outermost surface layer containing particles of the same material as the lubricant in this case is preferably 1% by mass or more and 20% by mass in that the effect that no image defect occurs is more preferable, and 3% by mass. 12 mass% or more is more preferable. In the above description, the outermost surface layer is a protective layer. However, the outermost surface layer is not limited to the protective layer. For example, the protective layer is not provided and the outermost surface layer is a charge transport layer. Also good. In this case, the charge transport layer preferably contains particles made of the same material as the lubricant attached to the toner.

Next, the developing device 25 will be described. The developing device 25 develops the electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 to form a toner image.
The toner used for the developing device 25 will be described.

The toner is a toner to which a lubricant is attached. In the following description, the toner before externally adding a lubricant, an external additive or the like is referred to as toner base particles.
As described above, the toner according to this embodiment is a toner to which a lubricant is attached. Here, the externally attached lubricant means that the lubricant externally added to the toner base particles adheres without leaving the toner base particles. In this embodiment, the lubricant is externally added. In a state before the toner is put into the developing unit, the external attachment ratio to the toner is 70% by number to 100% by number (preferably 80% by number to 100% by number). . The external attachment rate of the lubricant to the toner is determined by observing the surface of the toner before being put into the developing device with an electron microscope, the number of lubricants adhering to the toner, and the distance from the toner. It is measured by counting the number of lubricants present alone. In this measurement, 20 or more points are observed in a state where one or two toners can be observed in the visual field. Specifically, when the external attachment rate of the lubricant to the toner is defined as K, the number of lubricants adhering to the toner is defined as X, and the number of lubricants present separately from the toner is defined as Y. The external attachment rate K of the lubricant to the toner can be obtained by the following formula.
K (number%) = X / (X + Y) × 100

  In order for the lubricant to be a lubricant externally attached to the toner base particles, a lubricant that is “-” charged is preferable. Here, the “−” charged lubricant is minus when 10 g of developer in a state of being used in the image forming apparatus is dropped by its own weight between conductive plates at intervals of 5 mm to which a DC voltage of 500 V is applied. The amount of the lubricant adhering to the electrode is less than 5% with respect to the amount contained in the developer dropped by its own weight.

  Examples of the “-” charged lubricant include fluororesin particles, tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), polytetra Fluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidenefluorite (PVDF), and tetrafluoroethylene / ethylene copolymer (ETFE) may be mentioned. Particles of fluororesin (resin containing fluorine atoms) are preferred, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is preferred. More preferably, the particles are

  In order for the lubricant to be a lubricant attached to the toner base particles, the particle size of the lubricant is preferably 0.01 μm to 2 μm, and preferably 0.2 μm to 1 μm. It is preferable. The particle size may be equalized by pulverization or the like. The particle size of the lubricant is measured with a Coulter Multisizer in a state of being dispersed in primary particles with a surfactant or the like.

The addition amount of the lubricant in the toner is preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less in that the effect of suppressing the occurrence of image unevenness is remarkable even when used for a long time. 0.1 mass% or more and 0.5 mass% or less are more preferable. The addition amount of the lubricant in the toner is obtained by observing with an electron microscope, measuring the number and size of the toner and the lubricant, and taking into consideration the specific gravity. Specifically, the addition amount R of the lubricant in the toner is obtained from the following formula. Here, ρ1 is the specific gravity of the lubricant, ρ2 is the specific gravity of the toner base particles, A is the number of lubricants, B is the number of toner base particles, D is the average particle size (μm) of the lubricant, E represents the average particle size (μm) of the toner base particles. The addition amount of the lubricant in the toner is an average value of the shape factor calculated from the following formula for arbitrary 100 toners.
· R = (ρ1 × A × π × D 3/6) / (ρ2 × B × π × E 3/6) × 100

The toner base particles include an average shape factor SF1 (SF1 = (ML ² / A) × (π / 4) × 100 (where ML is the maximum particle length (μm), and A is the particle projection surface ( μm ² )) is preferably from 100 to 150, more preferably from 100 to 140. The average shape factor (SF1) is an image of toner mother particles placed on a glass slide. Measured with an optical microscope through a camera, loaded into an image analyzer (LUZEXIII, manufactured by NIRECO), calculated the maximum length (ML) and projected area (A) of toner base particles, and substituted these values into the above formula The average shape factor is an average value of the shape factors calculated from the above formula for arbitrary 100 toner base particles.

  Further, the toner base particles preferably have a volume average particle size of 2 μm or more and 12 μm or less, more preferably 3 μm or more and 12 μm or less, and further preferably 3 μm or more and 9 μm or less. By using toner base particles satisfying the average shape factor and volume average particle size, high development, transferability, and high-quality images can be obtained.

  The toner base particles are not particularly limited by the production method. For example, a kneading and pulverizing method in which a binder resin, a colorant and a release agent, and if necessary, a charge control agent is added, kneaded, pulverized, and classified. A method of changing the shape of particles obtained by the kneading and pulverization method by mechanical impact force or thermal energy; an emulsion polymerization of a polymerizable monomer of a binder resin, a formed dispersion, a colorant, and Emulsion polymerization aggregation method to obtain a toner particle by mixing a release agent and, if necessary, a dispersion such as a charge control agent, and aggregating and heating and melting; a polymerizable monomer for obtaining a binder resin, and coloring Suspension polymerization method in which a solution of an agent, a release agent and, if necessary, a charge control agent is suspended in an aqueous solvent for polymerization; a binder resin, a colorant and a release agent, and if necessary, a charge control agent For example, by dissolving and suspending the solution in an aqueous solvent and granulating it. Toner base particles produced is used.

  Further, a known method such as a production method in which the toner base particles obtained by the above method are used as a core, and agglomerated particles are further adhered and heat-fused to have a core-shell structure may be applied. As a method for producing toner mother particles, suspension polymerization method, emulsion polymerization aggregation method, and dissolution suspension method for producing with an aqueous solvent are preferable from the viewpoint of shape control and particle size distribution control, and emulsion polymerization aggregation method is particularly preferable. .

  The toner base particles include, for example, a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent, and, if necessary, include silica and a charge control agent.

  Binder resins used for toner base particles include styrenes such as styrene and chlorostyrene, monoolefins such as ethylene, propylene, butylene, and isoprene, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl butyrate, and the like. Α-methylene aliphatics such as vinyl esters, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate Homopolymerization of monocarboxylic acid esters, vinyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether and vinyl butyl ether, vinyl ketones such as vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl hexyl ketone and vinyl isopropenyl ketone And copolymers, and polyester resin by copolymerization of dicarboxylic acids and diols.

  Particularly representative binder resins include polystyrene, styrene-alkyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-alkyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer. Examples include polymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester resins. Further, polyurethane, epoxy resin, silicone resin, polyamide, modified rosin, paraffin wax and the like can be mentioned.

  As colorants, magnetic powders such as magnetite and ferrite, carbon black, aniline blue, caryl blue, chrome yellow, ultramarine blue, DuPont oil red, quinoline yellow, methylene blue chloride, phthalocyanine blue, malachite green oxalate, Lamp Black, Rose Bengal, C.I. I. Pigment red 48: 1, C.I. I. Pigment red 122, C.I. I. Pigment red 57: 1, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 97, C.I. I. Pigment yellow 17, C.I. I. Pigment blue 15: 1, C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3 is a typical example.

  Typical examples of the release agent include low-molecular polyethylene, low-molecular polypropylene, Fischer tropic wax, montan wax, carnauba wax, rice wax, and candelilla wax.

  As the charge control agent, a known one may be used, and an azo metal complex compound, a metal complex compound of salicylic acid, a resin type charge control agent containing a polar group, or the like may be used. When the toner is manufactured by a wet manufacturing method, it is preferable to use a material that is difficult to dissolve in water in terms of controlling ionic strength and reducing wastewater contamination. The toner base particles may be either a magnetic toner containing a magnetic material or a non-magnetic toner containing no magnetic material.

  The toner used for the developing device 25 may be manufactured by mixing the toner base particles and the lubricant with a Henschel mixer or a V blender. Further, when the toner base particles are produced by a wet method, they may be externally added by a wet method.

  The toner base particles may be added with inorganic particles, organic particles, composite particles obtained by attaching inorganic particles to the organic particles, etc. for the purpose of removing deposits and deteriorated substances on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. .

  Inorganic particles include silica, alumina, titania, zirconia, barium titanate, aluminum titanate, strontium titanate, magnesium titanate, zinc oxide, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, antimony oxide, tungsten oxide, tin oxide, tellurium oxide, Various inorganic oxides such as manganese oxide, boron oxide, silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium carbide, silicon nitride, titanium nitride, and boron nitride, nitrides, borides, and the like are preferably used.

  In addition, the inorganic particles may be mixed with titanium coupling agents such as tetrabutyl titanate, tetraoctyl titanate, isopropyl triisostearoyl titanate, isopropyl tridecylbenzene sulfonyl titanate, bis (dioctyl pyrophosphate) oxyacetate titanate, γ- (2- Aminoethyl) aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, γ- (2-aminoethyl) aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, N-β- (N-vinylbenzylaminoethyl) γ-aminopropyltrimethoxy Silane hydrochloride, hexamethyldisilazane, methyltrimethoxysilane, butyltrimethoxysilane, isobutyltrimethoxysilane, hexyltrimethoxysilane, octyltrimethoxy The treatment may be performed with a silane coupling agent such as silane, decyltrimethoxysilane, dodecyltrimethoxysilane, phenyltrimethoxysilane, o-methylphenyltrimethoxysilane, and p-methylphenyltrimethoxysilane. In addition, those hydrophobized with higher fatty acid metal salts such as silicone oil, aluminum stearate, zinc stearate and calcium stearate are also preferably used.

  Examples of the organic particles include styrene resin particles, styrene acrylic resin particles, polyester resin particles, and urethane resin particles.

  As the particle diameter, a volume average particle diameter of preferably 5 nm to 1000 nm, more preferably 5 nm to 800 nm, and still more preferably 5 nm to 700 nm is used. When the volume average particle diameter is less than the lower limit, the polishing ability tends to be lacking. On the other hand, when the volume average particle diameter exceeds the upper limit, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member tends to be damaged. Moreover, it is preferable that the sum of the addition amount of the particle | grains mentioned above and lubricity particle | grains is 0.6 mass% or more.

  As other inorganic oxides added to the toner, a small diameter inorganic oxide having a primary particle size of 40 nm or less is used for powder fluidity, charge control, etc. It is preferable to add a larger-diameter inorganic oxide. These inorganic oxide particles may be known ones, but it is preferable to use silica and titanium oxide in combination for precise charge control. Further, the surface treatment of the small-diameter inorganic particles increases the dispersibility and increases the effect of increasing the powder fluidity. Furthermore, it is also preferable to add carbonates such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate and inorganic minerals such as hydrotalcite in order to remove the discharge purified product.

  The toner may be mixed with a carrier to be used as a two-component developer. Examples of the carrier include iron powder, glass beads, ferrite powder, nickel powder, or a resin coating on the surface thereof. used. Moreover, what is necessary is just to set the mixing ratio with a carrier arbitrarily.

  The cleaning device 27 includes, for example, a fibrous member (roll shape) 27a and a cleaning blade (blade member) 27b.

Although the cleaning device 27 is provided with the fibrous member 27a and the cleaning blade 27b, the cleaning device 27 may be provided with either one. The fibrous member 27a may have a toothbrush shape in addition to the roll shape. Further, the fibrous member 27a may be fixed to the cleaning device main body, supported so as to be rotated, and further supported so as to be oscillated (vibrated) in the photosensitive member axial direction. Good. As the fibrous member 27a, polyester, nylon, acrylic, etc., cloth-like ones including ultrafine fibers such as Toraysee (made by Toray Industries, Inc.), resin fibers such as nylon, acrylic, polyolefin, polyester, etc. are used as a base material. And brush-like ones planted in the shape of a carpet or carpet. Further, as the fibrous member 27a, a conductive powder or an ionic conductive agent is added to the above-described material to impart conductivity, or a conductive layer is formed inside or outside of each fiber. May be used. When conductivity is imparted, the resistance value of the single fiber is preferably 10 ² Ω or more and 10 ⁹ Ω or less. The fiber thickness of the fibrous member 27a is preferably 30 d (denier) or less, more preferably 20 d or less, and the fiber density is preferably 20,000 fibers / inch ² or more, more preferably 30,000 fibers / inch. inch ² or more.

  The cleaning device 27 is required to remove deposits (for example, discharge products) on the surface of the photoreceptor by using a cleaning blade, a cleaning brush, or the like. In order to achieve this object over a long period of time and stabilize the function of the cleaning member, it is preferable to supply the cleaning member with a lubricating substance (lubricating component) such as metal soap, higher alcohol, wax and silicone oil.

  For example, when a roll-shaped member is used as the fibrous member 27a, it is preferable to supply a lubricating component to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member by bringing it into contact with a lubricating substance such as metal soap or wax. A normal rubber blade is used as the cleaning blade 27b. As described above, when a rubber blade is used as the cleaning blade 27b, supplying a lubricating component to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is particularly effective in suppressing chipping and wear of the blade.

  The process cartridge 20 described above is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and constitutes the image forming apparatus together with the image forming apparatus main body.

  The exposure device 30 may be any device that exposes the charged electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 to form an electrostatic latent image. Further, as the light source of the exposure apparatus 30, it is preferable to use an LED (light emitting diode) array, a scanning laser exposure light source, a multi-beam surface emitting laser, or the like.

  The transfer device 40 may be any device that transfers the toner image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 to a transfer medium (intermediate transfer member 50). For example, a roll-shaped one that is usually used is used.

  As the intermediate transfer member 50, a belt-like member (intermediate transfer belt) such as polyimide, polyamideimide, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polyester, or rubber having semiconductivity is used. Further, as the form of the intermediate transfer member 50, a drum-like member may be used in addition to the belt-like member. There is also a direct transfer type image forming apparatus that does not include the intermediate transfer member.

  The medium to be transferred is not particularly limited as long as it is a medium for transferring a toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. For example, when transferring directly from the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 to paper or the like, paper or the like is a transfer medium, and when the intermediate transfer body 50 is used, the intermediate transfer body is a transfer medium.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the image forming apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 2, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the charging device 21, the developing device 25, and the cleaning device 27 are each formed into a cartridge. It is provided independently as a cleaning cartridge.

  In the image forming apparatus 110, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and other devices are separated, and the charging device 21, the developing device 25, and the cleaning device 27 are screwed, caulked, adhered, or welded to the image forming apparatus main body. Without being fixed, it can be removed by pulling and pushing.

  When an electrophotographic photoreceptor excellent in wear resistance is used, it may not be necessary to make a cartridge. Therefore, the charging device 21, the developing device 25, or the cleaning device 27 is attached to the main body by screws, caulking, bonding, welding, or the like, and can be attached and detached by an operation by pulling out and pushing in. Reduce the cost of hitting parts. Further, two or more of these apparatuses may be attached and detached as an integrated cartridge, thereby further reducing the member cost per print.

  The image forming apparatus 110 has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 100 except that the charging device 21, the developing device 25, and the cleaning device 27 are each formed as a cartridge.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 120 is a tandem image forming apparatus in which four process cartridges 20 are mounted. In the image forming apparatus 120, four process cartridges 20 are arranged in parallel on the intermediate transfer member 50, and one electrophotographic photosensitive member is used for one color. The image forming apparatus 120 has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 100 except that it is a tandem system.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 130 shown in FIG. 5 is a so-called four-cycle image forming apparatus that forms toner images of a plurality of colors with one electrophotographic photosensitive member. The image forming apparatus 130 includes a photosensitive drum 1 that is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow A in the drawing at a predetermined rotational speed by a driving device (not shown), and above the photosensitive drum 1. A charging device 21 for charging the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is provided.

  Further, an exposure device 30 having a surface emitting laser array as an exposure light source is disposed above the charging device 21. The exposure device 30 modulates a plurality of laser beams emitted from a light source in accordance with an image to be formed and deflects the laser beams in the main scanning direction so that the axis of the photosensitive drum 1 is on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Scan in parallel. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1.

  A developing device 25 is disposed on the side of the photosensitive drum 1. The developing device 25 includes a roll-shaped container that is arranged to rotate. Four containers are formed inside the container, and developing units 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K are provided in each container. Each of the developing units 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K includes a developing roll 26, and stores therein toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively.

  Image formation by the image forming apparatus 130 is performed by the photosensitive drum 1 forming an image four times. That is, while the photosensitive drum 1 forms an image four times, the charging device 21 charges the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the exposure device 30 displays Y, M, C, and K images representing the color image to be formed. Scanning the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with a laser beam modulated according to any of the data switches the image data used for modulation of the laser beam every time the photosensitive drum 1 forms an image. Repeat while. Further, the developing device 25 operates the developing device corresponding to the outer peripheral surface in a state where any of the developing rolls 26 of the developing devices 25Y, 25M, 25C, and 25K corresponds to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The photosensitive drum 1 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 1 to a specific color and forms a toner image of the specific color on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 1. Each time the image is formed, the process is repeated while rotating the container so that the developing unit used for developing the electrostatic latent image is switched. Thus, every time the photosensitive drum 1 forms an image, toner images of Y, M, C, and K are sequentially formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

  Further, an endless intermediate transfer belt 50 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 1. The intermediate transfer belt 50 is wound around rolls 51, 53, and 55, and is arranged so that the outer peripheral surface is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The rolls 51, 53, and 55 are rotated by transmission of a driving force of a motor (not shown) to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 50 in the direction of arrow B in FIG.

  A transfer device (transfer device) 40 is disposed on the opposite side of the photosensitive drum 1 with the intermediate transfer belt 50 interposed therebetween, and Y, M, C, and K formed sequentially on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The toner images are transferred one by one to the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 50 by the transfer device 40, and finally, Y, M, C, and K images are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 50.

  A lubricant supply device 31 and a cleaning device 27 are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 on the opposite side of the developing device 25 with the photosensitive drum 1 interposed therebetween. When the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 50, the lubricant is supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1 by the lubricant supply device 31. The area that has held the transferred toner image is cleaned by the cleaning device 27.

  A sheet receiver 60 is disposed below the intermediate transfer belt 50, and a plurality of sheets P as recording materials (transfer media) are accommodated in the sheet receiver 60 in a stacked state. A take-out roll 61 is arranged above the paper receiver 60, and a roll pair 63 and a roll 65 are arranged in this order on the downstream side in the take-out direction of the paper P by the take-out roll 61. The recording paper located in the uppermost position in the stacked state is taken out from the paper receiver 60 when the take-out roll 61 is rotated, and is conveyed by the roll pair 63 and the roll 65.

  A transfer device 42 is disposed on the opposite side of the roll 55 with the intermediate transfer belt 50 interposed therebetween. The paper P conveyed by the roll pair 63 and the roll 65 is fed so that the intermediate transfer belt 50 and the transfer device 42 are sandwiched, and the toner image formed on the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 50 is transferred by the transfer device 42. Is done. A fixing device 44 having a pair of fixing rolls is disposed downstream of the transfer device 42 in the transport direction of the paper P. The paper P on which the toner image is transferred is transferred to the paper P by the fixing device 44. After being fused and fixed, it is discharged out of the image forming apparatus 130 and placed on a paper discharge tray (not shown).

  The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment preferably includes a toner band forming unit that supplies toner to a portion where the amount of toner supply is insufficient when non-image formation is performed. By having the toner band forming means, the toner is evenly supplied to the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1, and even when the toner is used over a long period of time, uneven adhesion of the lubricant to the charging roll is suppressed, and image unevenness may occur. The effect that a suppressed image is obtained becomes remarkable.

  The configuration of the process cartridge according to the present embodiment and the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment are not particularly limited, and may be a known configuration.

Hereinafter, although an example and a comparative example are given and the present invention is explained more concretely in detail, the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

<Production of photoconductor>
(Preparation of photoreceptor 1)
First, a cylindrical aluminum substrate having an outer diameter of Φ30 mm subjected to a honing process was prepared. Next, 100 parts by mass of a zirconium compound (trade name: Orgatics ZC540, manufactured by Matsumoto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), 10 parts by mass of a silane compound (trade name: A1100, manufactured by Nihon Unicar), 400 parts by mass of isopropanol, and butanol 200 parts by mass was mixed to obtain a coating solution for forming the undercoat layer. This coating solution was dip-coated on an aluminum substrate and dried by heating at 150 ° C. for 10 minutes to form an undercoat layer having a thickness of 0.1 μm.

  Next, the Bragg angle (2θ ± 0.2 °) in the CuKα characteristic X-ray diffraction spectrum is 7.5 °, 9.9 °, 12.5 °, 16.3 °, 18.6 °, 25.1. 1 part by weight of hydroxygallium phthalocyanine having a strong diffraction peak at 0 ° and 28.3 °, 1 part by weight of polyvinyl butyral (ESREC BM-S, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.), and 100 parts by weight of n-butyl acetate are mixed. Further, the mixture was treated with a glass shaker with a paint shaker for 1 hour and dispersed to obtain a coating solution for forming a charge generation layer. This coating solution was dip-coated on the undercoat layer and dried by heating at 100 ° C. for 10 minutes to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.15 μm.

  Next, 2 parts by mass of the charge transport material represented by the following formula (VI-1) and a polymer compound having a structural unit represented by the following formula (VI-2) (n represents the number of repetitions. Viscosity average molecular weight 50 , 000) and 20 parts by mass of chlorobenzene were mixed to obtain a charge transport layer forming liquid.

  Polytetrafluoroethylene particle Lubron L2 (Daikin Industries) is added to the resulting charge transport layer forming liquid, charge transport material (VI-1) and polymer compound (VI-2) contained in the charge transport layer forming liquid. The total mass of 100 parts by mass was added to 12 parts by mass and dispersed by a high-pressure liquid collision dispersion method to obtain a charge transport layer coating solution. This charge transport layer coating solution was applied onto the charge generation layer by a dip coating method and heated at 110 ° C. for 40 minutes to form a 34 μm-thick charge transport layer. As described above, a photoreceptor 1 was obtained in which an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer were formed on an aluminum substrate that had been subjected to a honing treatment.

(Preparation of photoconductor 2)
In the production of the photoreceptor 1, the amount of polytetrafluoroethylene particle Lubron L2 (Daikin Industries) added to the charge transport layer forming solution is the same as the charge transport material (VI-1) and polymer contained in the charge transport layer forming solution. Photoconductor 2 was obtained in the same manner as in the preparation of Photoconductor 1, except that the total mass was 100 parts by mass of compound (VI-2) and the amount was changed to 8 parts by mass.

(Preparation of photoreceptor 3)
In the production of the photoreceptor 1, the amount of polytetrafluoroethylene particle Lubron L2 (Daikin Industries) added to the charge transport layer forming solution is the same as the charge transport material (VI-1) and polymer contained in the charge transport layer forming solution. A photoconductor 3 was obtained in the same manner as in the production of the photoconductor 1, except that the total mass was 100 parts by mass of the compound (VI-2) and the amount was changed to 3 parts by mass.

(Preparation of photoconductor 4)
In the production of the photoreceptor 1, a charge transport layer forming solution is prepared without adding polytetrafluoroethylene particles, and is applied as it is on the charge generation layer by a dip coating method and heated at 110 ° C. for 40 minutes. Photoreceptor 4 was obtained in the same manner as for preparation of photoreceptor 1, except that a 34 μm charge transport layer was formed.

<Preparation of cleaning roll for charging member>
Cut urethane foam (polyurethane EP70: cell diameter 50 μm, hardness 320 N: manufactured by INOAC Corporation), insert a core material made of SUS303 with an outer diameter of φ5 mm and a length of 230 mm, and hotmelt adhesive with the core material and urethane After adhering the foam, urethane foam from each end of the core material to 5 mm position was cut off to obtain an elastic roll material. Grinding was performed to obtain a charging member cleaning roll having an outer diameter of 9 mm.

<Preparation of charging roll>
[Formation of adhesive layer and elastic layer]
4 parts by mass of carbon black (Ketjen Black EC, manufactured by Lion) is dispersed in 100 parts by mass of a primer (XJ150, manufactured by Road Far East), and this is the surface of a conductive support having a diameter of 8 mm made of SUS303. Was applied to form a first adhesive layer. Furthermore, 4 parts by mass of carbon black (Ketjen Black EC, manufactured by Lion) was dispersed in 100 parts by mass of a primer (Chelok 258, manufactured by Road Far East), and this was applied to the surface of the first adhesive layer. A second adhesive layer was formed.
Furthermore, a mixture having the composition shown in Table 2 (the mixing ratio in Table 2 is part by mass) was kneaded with an open roll, and formed on the surface of the second adhesive layer using a press molding machine. A 5 mm roll was formed. Thereafter, an elastic roll having a diameter of 12 mm was obtained by polishing.

[Formation of outermost layer]
(Charging roll 1)
A dispersion obtained by diluting 15 parts by mass of a mixture of the compositions shown in the column of the charging roll 1 in Table 3 (the blending ratio shown in Table 3 is part by mass) with 85 parts by mass of methanol and dispersing in a bead mill, After dip-coating on the surface of the elastic roll, heating was performed at 140 ° C. for 30 minutes to crosslink and dry to form an outermost surface layer having a thickness of 10 μm, whereby a charging roll 1 was obtained. The polyamide resin particles 1 listed in Table 3 are 2001UDNAT1 (average particle diameter 5 μm, manufactured by Arkema).

(Charging roll 2)
A charging roll 2 was obtained in the same manner as the charging roll 1 except that polyamide resin particles 2 (2002 DNAT1, average particle diameter 20 μm, manufactured by Arkema) were used in place of the polyamide resin particles 1 as the porous filler.

(Charging roll 3)
The charging roll 3 is the same as the charging roll 1 except that polyacrylic resin particles 1 (MBP-8, average particle diameter of 8 μm, manufactured by Sekisui Plastics) are used in place of the polyamide resin particles 1 as the porous filler. Got.

(Charging roll 4)
A dispersion obtained by diluting 15 parts by mass of a mixture of the compositions shown in the column of the charging roll 4 in Table 3 (the mixing ratio shown in Table 3 is part by mass) with 85 parts by mass of methanol and dispersing in a bead mill, After dip-coating on the surface of the produced elastic roll, it was heated at 140 ° C. for 30 minutes to crosslink and dried to form a surface layer having a thickness of 10 μm, whereby a charging roll 4 was obtained.

(Charging roll 5)
A dispersion obtained by diluting 15 parts by mass of a mixture of the composition shown in the column of the charging roll 5 in Table 3 (the blending ratio shown in Table 3 is part by mass) with 85 parts by mass of methanol and dispersing in a bead mill, After dip-coating on the surface of the produced elastic roll, it was heated at 140 ° C. for 30 minutes to crosslink and dried to form a surface layer having a thickness of 10 μm, whereby a charging roll 5 was obtained.

(Charging roll 6)
A dispersion obtained by diluting 15 parts by mass of a mixture having a composition shown in the column of the charging roll 6 in Table 3 (the blending ratio shown in Table 3 is part by mass) with 85 parts by mass of methanol and dispersing by a bead mill, After dip-coating the surface of the conductive elastic roll A produced in Example 1, it was heated at 140 ° C. for 30 minutes for crosslinking, dried, and a surface layer having a thickness of 10 μm was formed, whereby a charging roll 6 was obtained.

Table 3 shows the details of the produced charging rolls 1 to 6 and the surface roughness Rz produced by the following method.
[Measurement of surface roughness Rz]
The surface roughness Rz of the surface layer was measured by the method of JIS B0601 (1994). As a measuring device, Surfcom 1400 manufactured by Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd. was used. The measurement conditions were cut-off: 0.8 mm, measurement length: 2.4 mm, and traverse speed: 0.3 mm / sec.

<Production of toner>
(Toner 1 preparation)
[Preparation of resin dispersion 1]
・ Styrene: 360 g
N-butyl acrylate: 40 g
・ Acrylic acid: 6g
・ Dodecanethiol: 24g
・ Carbon bromide: 4g
A mixture of the above components mixed and dissolved in a nonionic surfactant Nonipol 400 6g and anionic surfactant Neogen SC 10g dissolved in ion-exchanged water 550g in a flask, emulsified and mixed for 10 minutes Then, 50 g of ion-exchanged water in which 4 g of ammonium persulfate was dissolved was added to perform nitrogen substitution. Thereafter, the flask was heated with an oil bath while stirring until the content reached 70 ° C., and emulsion polymerization was continued for 5 hours. As a result, an anionic resin dispersion 1 having a center diameter of 160 nm, a glass transition point of 59 ° C., and an Mw (weight average molecular weight) of 13500 was obtained.

[Preparation of resin dispersion 2]
・ Styrene: 300 g
-N-butyl acrylate: 100 g
・ Acrylic acid: 8g
Dissolve and emulsify the above ingredients mixed and dissolved in a nonionic surfactant Nonipol 400 6g and anionic surfactant Neogen SC 12g in ion-exchanged water 550g in a flask and slowly mixed for 10 minutes. Then, 50 g of ion exchange water in which 3 g of ammonium persulfate was dissolved was added thereto, and nitrogen substitution was performed. Thereafter, the flask was heated with an oil bath while stirring until the content reached 70 ° C., and emulsion polymerization was continued for 5 hours. As a result, an anionic resin dispersion 2 having a center diameter of 100 nm, a glass transition point of 54 ° C., and a Mw of 450,000 was obtained.

[Preparation of pigment dispersion 1]
・ Carbon Black Mogal L (Cabot): 50g
・ Nonionic surfactant Nonipol 400: 5g
・ Ion exchange water: 200g
The above components were mixed and dissolved, and dispersed with a homogenizer (IKA Ultra Tarrax) for 10 minutes to obtain Pigment Dispersion Liquid 1 having a center particle size of 250 nm.

[Preparation of release agent dispersion 1]
Paraffin wax HNP0190 (melting point: 85 ° C Nippon Seiwa): 50 g
Cationic surfactant Sanizol 50 (Kao): 5g
・ Ion exchange water: 200g
The above components were heated to 95 ° C., dispersed with IKA Ultra Turrax T50, and then dispersed with a pressure discharge homogenizer to obtain a wax dispersion having a center diameter of 520 nm.

[Preparation of Aggregated Particle A]
・ Resin dispersion 1: 130g
-Resin dispersion 2: 70 g
・ Pigment dispersion: 30 g
-Release agent dispersion: 40 g
・ Sanisol B50: 1.5g
The above components were mixed and dispersed in a round stainless steel flask using Ultra Turrax T50, and then heated to 48 ° C. while stirring the flask in an oil bath for heating. After maintaining at 48 ° C. for 40 minutes, observation with an optical microscope confirmed that aggregated particles of about 5 μm were formed. To this, 75 g of resin dispersion 1 was gradually added, and the temperature of the heating oil bath was further raised and maintained at 50 ° C. for 1 hour. When observed with an optical microscope, it was confirmed that aggregated particles of about 6.2 μm were formed.

  Then, after adding 3 g of neogen SC, the stainless steel flask was sealed, heated to 105 ° C. while continuing stirring using a magnetic seal, and held for 4 hours. After cooling, the mixture was filtered and sufficiently washed with ion exchange water to obtain agglomerated particles A. When the particle size of the obtained aggregated particles A was measured with a Coulter counter, the volume GSD as an index of the volume particle size distribution was 1.25 μm. Moreover, it was 121 when the shape factor SF was measured.

  The aggregated particles A are dried and taken out, and 0.5 parts by mass of silica particles having an average particle diameter of 12 nm and 1.0 parts by mass of silica particles having an average particle diameter of 40 nm are added to 100 parts by mass of the aggregated particles A and polytetrafluoro. Toner 1 was obtained by adding 0.3 part by mass of Lubron L2 (Daikin Industries) as ethylene particles and mixing with a Henschel mixer. With respect to the obtained toner 1, the external attachment rate of the lubricant to the toner was measured by the method described above, and it was 90% (most of the Lubron L2 was outside the toner in a particle size range of 0.2 μm to 1 μm It was in the attached state.)

(Preparation of Toner 2)
In preparation of toner 1, toner 2 was obtained in the same manner as preparation of toner 1 except that the addition amount of Lubron L2 was changed to 0.05 parts by mass. With respect to the obtained toner 2, the external attachment ratio of the lubricant to the toner was measured by the method described above, and it was 100% (external attachment to the toner in the range where the particle size of Lubron L2 is 0.2 μm to 1 μm. It was in the state.

(Preparation of Toner 3)
Toner 3 was obtained in the same manner as in the preparation of toner 1 except that the addition amount of Lubron L2 was changed to 0.2 parts by mass in the preparation of toner 1. With respect to the obtained toner 3, the external attachment ratio of the lubricant to the toner was measured by the above-described method. As a result, it was 95% (most of the Lubron L2 was not attached to the toner within a particle size range of 0.2 μm to 1 μm. It was in the attached state.)

(Preparation of Toner 4)
Toner 4 was obtained in the same manner as in Toner 1 except that the amount of Lubron L2 added was changed to 0.8 parts by mass in the preparation of Toner 1. With respect to the obtained toner 4, the external attachment ratio of the lubricant to the toner was measured by the above-described method. As a result, it was found to be 75% (the majority of the Lubron L2 was outside the toner within a particle size range of 0.2 μm to 1 μm. Although it was in an attached state, some of the particles were released from the toner in a particle size range of 1 μm to less than 2 μm.

(Preparation of Toner 5)
Toner 5 was obtained in the same manner as in the preparation of toner 1 except that the addition amount of Lubron L2 was changed to 1.5 parts by mass in the preparation of toner 1. With respect to the obtained toner 5, the external attachment ratio of the lubricant to the toner was measured by the method described above, and it was found to be 70% (the majority of the Lubron L2 was outside the toner in a particle size range of 0.2 μm to 1 μm. Although it was in an attached state, some of the particles were released from the toner in a particle size range of 1 μm to less than 2 μm.

(Production of Toner 6)
Toner 1 was prepared in the same manner as toner 1 except that 0.3 parts by mass of Lubron L2 was replaced with 0.2 parts by mass of polytetrafluoroethylene particle lubrication L173 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.). Obtained. With respect to the obtained toner 6, the external attachment ratio of the lubricant to the toner was measured by the above-described method. As a result, it was found to be 85% (Lublon L2 was almost entirely outside the toner in a particle size range of 0.2 to 1 μm. It was in the attached state.)

(Production of Toner 7)
Toner 7 was obtained in the same manner as in Toner 1 except that the amount of Lubricant L173 added was changed to 0.8 parts by mass in the preparation of Toner 6. With respect to the obtained toner 7, the external attachment ratio of the lubricant to the toner was measured by the method described above, and it was found to be 75% (the majority of the Lubron L2 was external to the toner within a particle size range of 0.2 μm to 1 μm. Although it was in an attached state, some of the particles were released from the toner in a particle size range of 1 μm to less than 2 μm.

(Production of Toner 8)
Toner 8 was obtained in the same manner as Toner 1 except that the amount of Lubricant L173 added was changed to 1.0 part by mass in the preparation of Toner 6. With respect to the obtained toner 8, the external attachment ratio of the lubricant to the toner was measured by the method described above, and it was found to be 70% (the majority of the Lubron L2 was outside the toner in the range of particle size of 0.2 μm to 1 μm Although it was in an attached state, some of the particles were released from the toner in a particle size range of 1 μm to less than 2 μm.

(Preparation of Toner 9)
A toner 9 was obtained in the same manner as in the preparation of the toner 1 except that the addition amount of Lubron L2 was changed to 0.3 parts by mass in the preparation of the toner 1. With respect to the obtained toner 9, the external attachment rate of the lubricant to the toner was measured by the method described above, and it was 100% (external attachment to the toner in the range where the particle size of Lubron L2 is 0.2 μm to 1 μm). It was in the state.

(Production of Toner 10)
Toner 11 was obtained in the same manner as in the preparation of toner 1 except that Lubron L2 was not added.

<Production of developer>
1,000 parts of Mn—Mg ferrite (average particle size 50 μm: manufactured by Powder Tech Co., Ltd .: shape factor SF1 = 120) were added to a kneader, and a perfluorooctylmethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate copolymer (polymerization ratio 20:80, Tg72). C., weight average molecular weight 72,000: manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd.) 150 parts toluene in 700 parts was added, mixed at 25.degree. C. for 20 minutes, heated to 70.degree. C. and dried under reduced pressure, then removed. A coat carrier was obtained. Further, the obtained coated carrier was sieved with a mesh having an opening of 75 μm, and coarse powder was removed to obtain a carrier. 100 parts by mass of this carrier and 7 parts by mass of each of the above toners 1 to 11 were placed in a V blender and stirred for 20 minutes to obtain electrophotographic developers 1 to 11, respectively.

<Examples 1-15, Comparative Examples 1-3>
Each of the charging roll, photoreceptor, and developer shown in Table 3 is mounted on the DocuCentreIII C3300, and a high-temperature and high-humidity environment (28 ° C., 85 ° C.) every 5,000 sheets of A4 paper in a character / picture mixed chart with a printing rate of 5%. % RH) and a low temperature and low humidity environment (10 ° C., 15% RH) were alternately printed for a total of 50,000 sheets. Further, after 50,000 sheets were printed, image disturbance when a 50% halftone image was printed with the DocuCentreIII C3300 in a low temperature and low humidity environment was determined according to the following criteria. Furthermore, the evaluation was similarly performed after 80,000 sheets in total and after 120,000 sheets. The results are shown in Table 3. Table 3 shows the results of ◯ to XX evaluated according to the following criteria, together with general conditions such as image defects. Further, when an image defect appears, the image forming apparatus after the evaluation is disassembled and the cause is investigated. The results are also shown in Table 3.
○: No image defect appeared.
(Triangle | delta): Although the slight image defect appeared, it was a level without a problem.
X: An image defect appeared.
XX: Image defect appeared.

[Evaluation conditions]
Moreover, the said evaluation was performed on the following conditions.
Charging potential: -700V, exposure part potential: -300V, development potential: -600V
Development bias: Vpp: 1.2 kV, frequency: 8.3 kHz, Duty: 65%
Blade pressing force: 2.8 gf / mm
Process speed: 175mm / sec
Charging roll applied bias: 9 Khz, 1.8 KVpp (AC), -740 V (DC)

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrophotographic photoreceptor, 2 support body, 3 photosensitive layer, 4 undercoat layer, 5 charge generation layer, 6 charge transport layer, 7 protective layer, 8 single layer type photosensitive layer, 10 cleaning roll, 12 charging roll, 14 top Surface layer, 20 process cartridge, 21 charging device, 25 developing device, 25Y, 25M, 25C, 25K developing device, 26 developing roller, 27 cleaning device, 27a fibrous member, 27b cleaning blade, 29 fibrous member, 30 exposure device , 31 Lubricant supply device, 40 transfer device, 42 transfer device, 44 fixing device, 50 intermediate transfer member, 51, 53, 55, 65 roller, 52 intermediate transfer belt, 60 tray, 61 take-out roller, 63 roller pair, 100 , 110, 120, 130 Image forming apparatus.

Claims (7)

An image carrier,
A charging unit having a charging roll that charges the image carrier while being in contact with the surface of the image carrier and has a 10-point average surface roughness Rz of 2 μm or more and 20 μm or less;
Electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged image carrier;
Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier with toner to form a toner image, wherein the toner is a toner having a lubricant attached thereto;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer object;
A toner removing means for removing toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the toner image is transferred;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant is particles of a fluorine-based resin.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant is particles of polytetrafluoroethylene.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an addition amount of the lubricant in the toner is 0.05% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an external attachment ratio of the lubricant to the toner is 70% by number or more and 100% by number or less.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charging roll has an outermost surface layer, and the outermost surface layer contains a porous filler.   The image holding member has an outermost surface layer, and the outermost surface layer of the image holding member contains particles made of the same material as the lubricant. The image forming apparatus described in 1.

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