JP2012203007A - Electrostatic latent image developing toner and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrostatic latent image developing toner that prevents image deletion or reduction in image density during long-term printing, in an image forming device including a latent image carrier having a conductive substrate on which a photosensitive layer made of at least amorphous silicon is formed and a cleaning part having an elastic blade, and to provide an image forming method that prevents the image deletion or the reduction in image density during long-term printing, using the image forming device.SOLUTION: An external additive is attached to a toner base particle containing at least a binder resin and a colorant. The external additive contains titanium oxide. The titanium oxide has an average primary-particle diameter of more than 100 nm and less than or equal to 250 nm. The isolation rate of the titanium oxide in the electrostatic latent image developing toner measured by classifying the isolated titanium oxide in the electrostatic latent image developing toner by a pneumatic classifier is 40 mass% or less.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic latent image developing used in an image forming apparatus including a latent image carrying portion in which a photosensitive layer made of at least amorphous silicon is formed on a conductive substrate and a cleaning portion having an elastic blade. The present invention relates to a toner and an image forming method using the above-described image forming apparatus.

  In general, in an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, a latent image carrier made of a photoconductive photoreceptor or a dielectric is charged by corona charging or the like, and then a laser, LED or the like is applied on the charged latent image carrier. The electrostatic latent image formed by exposure is visualized by reversal development to form a high-quality image.

  Conventionally, as a latent image carrier used in such an image forming method, a latent image carrier having a photosensitive layer made of an organic photoconductor (OPC) or selenium is generally used. However, in recent years, the use of a latent image carrier having a photosensitive layer made of amorphous silicon has been studied in response to demands for improving the durability of image forming apparatuses. Although the latent image carrier is worn by being rubbed against a printing material or an elastic blade described later, amorphous silicon is extremely excellent in wear resistance. Therefore, from the viewpoint of wear of the latent image carrier, an image forming apparatus is High durability can be realized. Specifically, the reduction rate of the film thickness due to the abrasion of amorphous silicon is 1/100 or less of the organic photoconductor.

  Further, after the toner image is transferred to the surface of the printing material such as paper, the toner remaining on the surface of the latent image carrying portion having the photosensitive layer made of amorphous silicon is removed by the cleaning portion. As such a cleaning unit, an elastic blade is widely used because it has a simple structure with few movable parts and can downsize the image forming apparatus.

  When a latent image carrier having a photosensitive layer made of amorphous silicon is used, a discharge product is generated on the surface of the latent image carrier when the latent image carrier is charged by the charging unit. When discharge products accumulate on the surface of the latent image carrier, a phenomenon called “image flow” occurs in which the electrostatic latent image is disturbed in a high temperature and high humidity environment.

  In order to solve the problem of the image flow, a toner having an abrasive external additive such as titanium oxide adhered to the surface is used, and the toner is pressed against the surface of the latent image carrier by an elastic blade to carry the latent image. A method for removing discharge products on the surface of the part has been proposed.

As a toner for solving the problem of image flow in an image forming apparatus having a latent image carrier having a photosensitive layer made of amorphous silicon, the average primary particle diameter is 90 nm or less, and the average aggregate particle diameter is 0.5 to There has been proposed a toner in which conductive fine particles such as titanium oxide having a BET specific surface area of 2.0 m or more and having a BET specific surface area of 15 m ² / g or more are adhered to the surface of toner base particles as an external additive (Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-189890 A

  However, with the toner of Patent Document 1, the occurrence of image flow is suppressed, but the degree of suppression is not sufficient, and further improvement is required. Further, the toner of Patent Document 1 has a problem that image density tends to decrease when printing with a low printing rate is performed for a long time and the toner is stirred in the developing device for a long time.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and includes an image forming apparatus including a latent image carrying unit in which a photosensitive layer made of at least amorphous silicon is formed on a conductive substrate, and a cleaning unit having an elastic blade. An object of the present invention is to provide a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image that can suppress the occurrence of image flow and a decrease in image density when printing over a long period of time. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming method using the above-described image forming apparatus, which can suppress the occurrence of image flow and a decrease in image density when printing is performed for a long period of time.

  The inventors have attached an external additive to the surface of toner base particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, the external additive contains titanium oxide, and titanium oxide has an average primary particle size of 100 nm. The present invention has found that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by using an electrostatic latent image developing toner that exceeds 250 nm and has a release rate of titanium oxide in the electrostatic latent image developing toner of 40% by mass or less. It came to complete. Specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) An electrostatic latent image developing toner used in an image forming apparatus including a latent image carrying portion in which a photosensitive layer made of at least amorphous silicon is formed on a conductive substrate and a cleaning portion having an elastic blade. There,
An external additive is attached to the surface of toner base particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, and the external additive contains titanium oxide, and the titanium oxide has an average primary particle diameter of more than 100 nm and not more than 250 nm. Yes, the release rate of the titanium oxide in the electrostatic latent image developing toner measured by classifying free titanium oxide in the electrostatic latent image developing toner with an airflow classifier is 40% by mass or less. Toner for electrostatic latent image development.

  (2) The electrostatic latent image developing toner according to (1), wherein a content of the titanium oxide is 0.5 to 5% by mass with respect to a mass of the electrostatic latent image developing toner.

  (3) The electrostatic latent image developing toner according to (2), wherein a content of the titanium oxide is 1 to 4% by mass with respect to a mass of the electrostatic latent image developing toner.

  (4) In an image forming apparatus including a latent image carrying portion in which a photosensitive layer made of at least amorphous silicon is formed on a conductive substrate and a cleaning portion having an elastic blade, at least a binder resin and a colorant are included. An external additive is attached to toner base particles, and the external additive contains titanium oxide, and the titanium oxide has an average primary particle diameter of more than 100 nm and not more than 250 nm, and the electrostatic latent image is detected by an airflow classifier. An image forming method, wherein an image is formed using an electrostatic latent image developing toner having a liberation rate of titanium oxide measured by classifying free titanium oxide in a developing toner.

  (5) The image forming method according to (4), wherein a content of the titanium oxide is 0.5 to 5% by mass with respect to a mass of the electrostatic latent image developing toner.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus including a latent image carrying unit in which a photosensitive layer made of at least amorphous silicon is formed on a conductive substrate, and a cleaning unit having an elastic blade, the occurrence of image flow or a long An electrostatic latent image developing toner capable of suppressing a decrease in image density when printing over a period can be provided. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming method using the above-described image forming apparatus that can suppress the occurrence of image flow and the decrease in image density when printing over a long period of time.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of the object of the present invention. . In addition, although description may be abbreviate | omitted suitably about the location where description overlaps, the summary of invention is not limited.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment of the present invention relates to an electrostatic latent image developing toner (hereinafter also referred to as toner). An electrostatic latent image developing toner according to a first embodiment includes an image forming apparatus including a latent image carrying unit in which a photosensitive layer made of at least amorphous silicon is formed on a conductive substrate, and a cleaning unit having an elastic blade. Used in.

  In the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, image flow is likely to occur in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, but according to the toner of the present invention, the occurrence of image flow is satisfactorily suppressed.

  In the toner for developing an electrostatic latent image of the present invention, an external additive is attached to the surface of toner base particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, the external additive contains titanium oxide, and the titanium oxide is an average. The primary particle diameter exceeds 100 nm and is 250 nm or less, and the release rate of titanium oxide is 40% by mass or less. The toner of the present invention may contain a charge control agent, a release agent, magnetic powder, and the like in the binder resin as necessary. Further, the toner of the present invention can be mixed with a carrier and used as a two-component developer, if desired.

  Hereinafter, for the toner for developing an electrostatic latent image of the present invention, a binder resin, a colorant, a charge control agent, a release agent, a magnetic powder, a method for producing toner base particles, an external additive, an external addition treatment, and two components The carrier used for the developer will be described in order.

[Binder resin]
The toner for developing an electrostatic latent image of the present invention is a surface of toner base particles in which a binder and, if necessary, a charge control agent, a release agent, and a magnetic powder component are blended in a binder resin. Further, an external additive containing titanium oxide is attached. The binder resin contained in the toner base particles is not particularly limited as long as it is a resin conventionally used as a binder resin for toner. Specific examples of the binder resin include styrene resin, acrylic resin, styrene-acrylic copolymer, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, vinyl chloride resin, polyester resin, polyamide resin, polyurethane resin, and polyvinyl alcohol. Examples thereof include thermoplastic resins such as resins, vinyl ether resins, N-vinyl resins, and styrene-butadiene resins. Among these resins, styrene acrylic resins and polyester resins are preferable from the viewpoints of dispersibility with respect to the colorant in the toner, chargeability of the toner, and fixing properties with respect to the paper. Hereinafter, the styrene acrylic resin and the polyester resin will be described.

  The styrene acrylic resin is a copolymer of a styrene monomer and an acrylic monomer. Specific examples of the styrene monomer include styrene, α-methylstyrene, vinyl toluene, α-chlorostyrene, o-chlorostyrene, m-chlorostyrene, p-chlorostyrene, p-ethylstyrene, and the like. Specific examples of the acrylic monomer include methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, iso-propyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, iso-butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, meta Examples include (meth) acrylic acid alkyl esters such as methyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, and iso-butyl methacrylate.

  As the polyester resin, those obtained by condensation polymerization or co-condensation polymerization of an alcohol component and a carboxylic acid component can be used. The components used when synthesizing the polyester resin include the following alcohol components and carboxylic acid components.

  Specific examples of the divalent or trivalent or higher alcohol component include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1 Diols such as 1,4-butenediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol; bisphenol A, Bisphenols such as hydrogenated bisphenol A, polyoxyethylenated bisphenol A, polyoxypropylenated bisphenol A; sorbitol, 1,2,3,6-hexanetetrol, 1,4-sorbitan, Entaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, 1,2,5-pentanetriol, glycerol, diglycerol, 2-methylpropanetriol, 2-methyl-1,2,4- Examples include trivalent or higher alcohols such as butanetriol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, and 1,3,5-trihydroxymethylbenzene.

  Specific examples of the divalent or trivalent or higher carboxylic acid component include maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, Sebacic acid, azelaic acid, malonic acid, or n-butyl succinic acid, n-butenyl succinic acid, isobutyl succinic acid, isobutenyl succinic acid, n-octyl succinic acid, n-octenyl succinic acid, n-dodecyl succinic acid, n-dodecenyl succinic acid Divalent carboxylic acids such as acids, isododecyl succinic acid, isododecenyl succinic acid and the like or alkyl or alkenyl succinic acid; 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid (trimellitic acid), 1,2,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid Acid, 2,5,7-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-naphtha Tricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-hexanetricarboxylic acid, 1,3-dicarboxyl-2-methyl-2-methylenecarboxypropane, 1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid , Tetra (methylenecarboxyl) methane, 1,2,7,8-octanetetracarboxylic acid, pyromellitic acid, emporic trimer acid, and other trivalent or higher carboxylic acids. These divalent or trivalent or higher carboxylic acid components may be used as ester-forming derivatives such as acid halides, acid anhydrides, and lower alkyl esters. Here, “lower alkyl” means an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

  When the binder resin is a polyester resin, the softening point of the polyester resin is preferably 80 to 150 ° C, and more preferably 90 to 140 ° C.

  As the binder resin, it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin because it has good fixability. However, not only the thermoplastic resin alone but also a crosslinking agent or a thermosetting resin should be added to the thermoplastic resin. Can do. By introducing a partially crosslinked structure into the binder resin, it is possible to improve the storage stability, form retention, durability and the like of the toner without deteriorating the fixability.

  As the thermosetting resin that can be used together with the thermoplastic resin, for example, an epoxy resin or a cyanate resin is preferable. Specific examples of suitable thermosetting resins include bisphenol A type epoxy resins, hydrogenated bisphenol A type epoxy resins, novolac type epoxy resins, polyalkylene ether type epoxy resins, cycloaliphatic type epoxy resins, cyanate resins and the like. It is done. These thermosetting resins can be used in combination of two or more.

  The glass transition point (Tg) of the binder resin is preferably 50 to 65 ° C, and more preferably 50 to 60 ° C. If the glass transition point of the binder resin is too low, the toners may be fused inside the developing unit of the image forming apparatus, or the storage stability may be reduced. May be partly fused. On the other hand, when the glass transition point is too high, the strength of the binder resin is reduced, and the toner tends to adhere to the latent image carrying portion. When the glass transition point is too high, the low-temperature fixability of the toner tends to decrease.

  In addition, the glass transition point of binder resin can be calculated | required from the change point of specific heat using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). More specifically, it can be determined by measuring an endothermic curve using a differential scanning calorimeter DSC-6200 manufactured by Seiko Instruments Inc. as a measuring device. An endothermic curve obtained by placing 10 mg of a measurement sample in an aluminum pan, using an empty aluminum pan as a reference, and measuring at a measurement temperature range of 25 to 200 ° C. and a temperature increase rate of 10 ° C./min. The glass transition point can be obtained more.

[Colorant]
As the colorant contained in the electrostatic latent image developing toner, a known pigment or dye can be used in accordance with the color of the toner particles. Specific examples of suitable colorants to be added to the toner include black pigments such as carbon black, acetylene black, lamp black, and aniline black; yellow lead, zinc yellow, cadmium yellow, yellow iron oxide, mineral fast yellow, nickel titanium yellow , Yellow pigments such as Navels Yellow, Naphthol Yellow S, Hansa Yellow G, Hansa Yellow 10G, Benzidine Yellow G, Benzidine Yellow GR, Quinoline Yellow Lake, Permanent Yellow NCG, Tartrazine Lake; Red Yellow Yellow Lead, Molybdenum Orange, Permanent Orange Orange pigments such as GTR, Pyrazolone Orange, Vulcan Orange, Indanthrene Brilliant Orange GK; Bengala, Cadmium Red, Lead Tan, Mercury Cadmium, Permanent Red 4R, Lithium Red pigments such as Lured, Pyrazolone Red, Watching Red Calcium Salt, Lake Red D, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B, Alizarin Lake, Brilliant Carmine 3B; Purple such as Manganese Purple, Fast Violet B, Methyl Violet Lake Pigment: Blue pigment such as bitumen, cobalt blue, alkali blue lake, Victoria blue partially chlorinated, First Sky Blue, Indanthrene Blue BC; Chrome Green, Chrome Oxide, Pigment Green B, Malachite Green Lake, Final Yellow Green G, etc. Green pigments; white pigments such as zinc white, titanium oxide, antimony white, zinc sulfide; barite powder, barium carbonate, clay, silica, white carbon, talc, alumina white, etc. It includes the quality pigments. These colorants may be used in combination of two or more for the purpose of adjusting the toner to a desired hue.

  The amount of the colorant used is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired. Specifically, 1-10 mass parts is preferable with respect to 100 mass parts of binder resin, and 3-7 mass parts is more preferable.

(Charge control agent)
The purpose of the charge control agent is to improve the charge level of the toner and the charge start-up characteristic that is an indicator of whether or not the toner can be charged to a predetermined charge level in a short time, and to obtain a toner having excellent durability and stability. used. When developing with positively charged toner, a positively chargeable charge control agent is used. When developing with negatively charged toner, a negatively chargeable charge control agent is used.

  The type of the charge control agent is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired, and can be appropriately selected from charge control agents conventionally used in toners. Specific examples of the positively chargeable charge control agent include pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, orthooxazine, metaoxazine, paraoxazine, orthothiazine, metathiazine, parathiazine, 1,2,3-triazine, 1,2,4-triazine, 1,3,5-triazine, 1,2,4-oxadiazine, 1,3,4-oxadiazine, 1,2,6-oxadiazine, 1,3,4-thiadiazine, 1,3,5-thiadiazine, 1, 2,3,4-tetrazine, 1,2,4,5-tetrazine, 1,2,3,5-tetrazine, 1,2,4,6-oxatriazine, 1,3,4,5-oxatriazine, Azine compounds such as phthalazine, quinazoline, quinoxaline; azine fast red FC, azine fast red 12BK, azine violet BO, azine Direct dyes composed of azine compounds such as Laun 3G, Azin Light Brown GR, Azin Dark Green BH / C, Azin Dep Black EW, and Azin Dee Black 3RL; Nigrosine Compounds such as Nigrosine, Nigrosine Salts, Nigrosine Derivatives; Nigrosine Acid dyes comprising nigrosine compounds such as BK, nigrosine NB, and nigrosine Z; metal salts of naphthenic acid or higher fatty acids; alkoxylated amines; alkylamides; quaternary ammonium salts such as benzylmethylhexyldecylammonium and decyltrimethylammonium chloride It is done. Among these positively chargeable charge control agents, a nigrosine compound is particularly preferable in that a more rapid start-up property can be obtained. These positively chargeable charge control agents can be used in combination of two or more.

  Quaternary ammonium salts, carboxylates, or resins having a carboxyl group as a functional group can also be used as a positively chargeable charge control agent. More specifically, a styrene resin having a quaternary ammonium salt, an acrylic resin having a quaternary ammonium salt, a styrene-acrylic resin having a quaternary ammonium salt, a polyester resin having a quaternary ammonium salt, a carboxylic acid Styrene resin with salt, acrylic resin with carboxylate, styrene-acrylic resin with carboxylate, polyester resin with carboxylate, polystyrene resin with carboxyl group, acrylic with carboxyl group 1 type, or 2 or more types, such as resin, the styrene-acrylic resin which has a carboxyl group, and the polyester-type resin which has a carboxyl group, are mentioned. The molecular weight of these resins is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired, and may be an oligomer or a polymer.

  Among resins that can be used as a positively chargeable charge control agent, a styrene-acrylic copolymer having a quaternary ammonium salt as a functional group from the viewpoint that the charge amount can be easily adjusted to a value within a desired range. A resin is more preferable. Specific examples of preferable acrylic comonomers to be copolymerized with styrene units in a styrene-acrylic copolymer resin having a quaternary ammonium salt as a functional group include methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, and acrylic acid. (Meth) such as iso-propyl, n-butyl acrylate, iso-butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, iso-butyl methacrylate Examples include alkyl acrylates.

  As the quaternary ammonium salt, a unit derived from a dialkylaminoalkyl (meth) acrylate, dialkyl (meth) acrylamide, or dialkylaminoalkyl (meth) acrylamide through a quaternization step is used. Specific examples of the dialkylaminoalkyl (meth) acrylate include dimethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, dipropylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, dibutylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate and the like. Specific examples of dialkyl (meth) acrylamide include dimethylmethacrylamide, and specific examples of dialkylaminoalkyl (meth) acrylamide include dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide. Further, hydroxy group-containing polymerizable monomers such as hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, hydroxypropyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxybutyl (meth) acrylate, and N-methylol (meth) acrylamide can be used in combination during polymerization.

  Specific examples of the negatively chargeable charge control agent include organometallic complexes and chelate compounds. Examples of organometallic complexes and chelate compounds include acetylacetone metal complexes such as aluminum acetylacetonate and iron (II) acetylacetonate, and salicylic acid metal complexes or salicylic acid systems such as chromium 3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylate. Metal salts are preferable, and salicylic acid metal complexes or salicylic acid metal salts are more preferable. These negatively chargeable charge control agents can be used in combination of two or more.

  The amount of the positively or negatively chargeable charge control agent used is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired. The amount of the positively or negatively chargeable charge control agent used is typically preferably 1.5 to 15 parts by mass, and 2.0 to 8.0 parts by mass when the total amount of toner is 100 parts by mass. Part is more preferable, and 3.0 to 7.0 parts by weight is particularly preferable. When the amount of the charge control agent used is too small, it is difficult to stably charge the toner to a predetermined polarity, so that the image density is lowered and the maintainability of the image density is liable to be lowered (maintaining the image density over a long period of time). It becomes difficult). In such a case, the charge control agent is difficult to uniformly disperse, and the fog and the latent image carrier are likely to be contaminated. When the amount of the charge control agent used is excessive, charging failure under high temperature and high humidity due to deterioration of environmental resistance, image failure, and contamination of the latent image carrier are likely to occur.

〔Release agent〕
The toner for developing an electrostatic latent image may contain a release agent for the purpose of improving fixability and offset resistance. The type of release agent added to the toner is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired. The mold release agent is preferably a wax, and examples of the wax include polyethylene wax, polypropylene wax, fluororesin-based wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax, paraffin wax, ester wax, montan wax, rice wax and the like. These waxes can be used in combination of two or more. By adding such a release agent to the toner, it is possible to more efficiently suppress the occurrence of offset and image smearing (dirt around the image when the image is rubbed).

  The amount of the release agent used is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired. The amount of the specific release agent used is preferably 1 to 5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. If the amount of release agent used is too small, the desired effect may not be obtained with respect to suppression of occurrence of offset and image smearing. If the amount of release agent used is excessive, fusion between toners may occur. Depending on the case, the storage stability may decrease.

[Magnetic powder]
In the electrostatic latent image developing toner, magnetic powder can be blended in the binder resin as desired. The type of magnetic powder to be blended with the toner is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired. Examples of suitable magnetic powders include: irons such as ferrite and magnetite; ferromagnetic metals such as cobalt and nickel; alloys containing iron and / or ferromagnetic metals; compounds containing iron and / or ferromagnetic metals; A ferromagnetic alloy subjected to a ferromagnetization treatment such as chromium dioxide.

  The particle size of the magnetic powder is not limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired. The particle diameter of the specific magnetic powder is preferably 0.1 to 1.0 μm, and more preferably 0.1 to 0.5 μm. When magnetic powder having a particle diameter in such a range is used, it is easy to uniformly disperse the magnetic powder in the binder resin.

  The magnetic powder can be used that has been surface-treated with a surface treatment agent such as a titanium coupling agent or a silane coupling agent for the purpose of improving dispersibility in the binder resin.

  The usage-amount of magnetic powder is not specifically limited in the range which does not inhibit the objective of this invention. When the toner is used as a one-component developer, the specific amount of the magnetic powder is preferably 35 to 60 parts by mass, more preferably 40 to 60 parts by mass when the total amount of toner is 100 parts by mass. If the amount of magnetic powder used is excessive, the image density may be easily lowered or the fixability may be extremely lowered when printing over a long period of time. If the amount of magnetic powder used is too small, fogging is likely to occur, and the image density may be likely to decrease when printing over a long period of time. When the toner is used as a two-component developer, the amount of magnetic powder used is preferably 20% by mass or less and more preferably 15% by mass or less when the total amount of toner is 100 parts by mass.

[Method for producing toner mother particles]
The toner base particles in the electrostatic latent image developing toner are blended with a binder resin and, if necessary, an optional component such as a release agent, a charge control agent, and magnetic powder. It is obtained by adjusting to a desired particle size by classification.

  The method for producing toner mother particles by blending a binder resin with components such as a colorant, a release agent, a charge control agent, and magnetic powder is particularly limited as long as these components can be well dispersed in the binder resin. Not. As a specific example of a preferable method for producing toner base particles, a binder resin and components such as a colorant, a release agent, a charge control agent, and magnetic powder are mixed with a mixer or the like, and then uniaxial or biaxial extrusion is performed. Examples thereof include a method in which a binder resin and components blended in the binder resin are melt-kneaded by a kneader such as a machine, and the cooled kneaded material is pulverized and classified. The average particle diameter of the toner base particles is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired, but generally 5 to 10 μm is preferable.

(External additive)
The toner for developing an electrostatic latent image includes an external additive including titanium oxide having an average primary particle size of more than 100 nm and 250 nm or less. When the average primary particle diameter of titanium oxide is too small, the image density tends to decrease when printing is performed over a long period of time. When the average primary particle diameter of titanium oxide is excessive, the image density tends to decrease when printing is performed over a long period of time, and the lifetime of the latent image carrier may be shorter than the expected period. A commercially available titanium oxide having such an average primary particle size can be used. In addition, titanium oxide having an average primary particle diameter exceeding 250 nm can be used by pulverizing titanium oxide to have a desired average primary particle diameter by a known pulverization method such as a wet pulverization method using a sand mill. The average primary particle diameter of titanium oxide can be measured with a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer.

  Further, the liberation rate of titanium oxide in the electrostatic latent image developing toner is 40% by mass or less. If the liberation rate of titanium oxide exceeds 40% by mass, the surface of the latent image carrier is not sufficiently polished, and image flow occurs in the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the latent image carrier in a high temperature and high humidity environment. It becomes easy.

  The amount of titanium oxide used is not limited as long as the purpose of the present invention is not impaired as long as the release rate of titanium oxide in the toner for developing an electrostatic latent image is 40% by mass or less. Typically, the amount of titanium oxide used is preferably 0.5 to 5% by mass and more preferably 1 to 4% by mass with respect to the mass of the electrostatic latent image developing toner. When the amount of titanium oxide used is too small, the surface of the latent image carrier tends to be insufficiently polished, and it is difficult to suppress the occurrence of image flow in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment on the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the latent image carrier. . When the amount of titanium oxide used is excessive, the fluidity of the toner tends to deteriorate.

  In the claims and specification of the present application, the liberation rate of titanium oxide is oxidized from toner using a gas stream classifier (DSX-2 (manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industrial Co., Ltd.)) under the following conditions. Titanium is classified, and the fluorescent X-ray intensity of Ti of the toner before classification and the toner from which free titanium oxide is separated is measured, and is obtained according to the following formula. As a fluorescent X-ray analyzer, for example, ZSX100e (manufactured by Rigaku Corporation) can be used.

<Titanium oxide separation conditions>
Sample supply rate: 90 g / min Supply section injection pressure: 0.2 MPa
Adjustable string: 80mm
Louver height: 10mm
Louver clearance: 5mm
Distance ring: 0mm
Center navel: 60mm
U damper: 45 °
Cyclone damper: 30 °
Blower total static pressure: -800 mmAq (-7.85 kPa)

<Titanium oxide release rate calculation formula>
(Fluorescent X-ray intensity of toner before separation of free titanium oxide-fluorescent X-ray intensity of toner after separation of free titanium oxide) / fluorescence X-ray intensity of Ti of toner before separation of free titanium oxide × 100

  For the purpose of improving the fluidity and storage stability of the toner, it is also preferable to use silica as an external additive in addition to titanium oxide.

  The amount of silica added is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired. Typically, the addition amount of silica is preferably 0.1 to 10 parts by mass, and more preferably 0.2 to 5 parts by mass when the mass of the toner is 100 parts by mass. When silica is used in such an amount, it is easy to obtain a toner excellent in fluidity, storage stability, and cleaning properties.

  Silica can be used as hydrophobized silica surface-treated with a hydrophobizing agent. When silica hydrophobized is used, a decrease in charge amount under high temperature and high humidity conditions is suppressed, and a toner excellent in fluidity can be easily obtained. As the hydrophobizing agent, for example, an aminosilane coupling agent can be used. Specific examples of the aminosilane coupling agent include γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, γ-aminopropylmethoxysilane, N- (β-aminoethyl) -γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, γ- (2-aminoethyl). -Γ-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, γ-anilinopropyltrimethoxysilane and the like. In order to supplement the hydrophobizing effect, an aminosilane coupling agent and a hydrophobizing agent other than the aminosilane coupling agent can be used in combination. As the hydrophobizing agent other than the aminosilane coupling agent, hexamethyldisilazane is preferably used because of its excellent hydrophobizing effect and toner fluidity improving effect.

  Silicone oil can also be used as a hydrophobizing agent for silica. The type of silicone oil is not particularly limited as long as a desired hydrophobizing effect is obtained, and various silicone oils conventionally used as a hydrophobizing agent can be used. As the silicone oil, those having a linear siloxane structure are preferable, and any of non-reactive silicone oil and reactive silicone oil can be used. Specific examples of silicone oils include dimethyl silicone oil, phenylmethyl silicone oil, chlorophenyl silicone oil, alkyl silicone oil, chlorosilicone oil, polyoxyalkylene modified silicone oil, fatty acid ester modified silicone oil, methyl hydrogen silicone oil, silanol group-containing Examples include silicone oil, alkoxy group-containing silicone oil, acetoxy group-containing silicone oil, amino-modified silicone oil, carboxylic acid-modified silicone oil, alcohol-modified silicone oil, and the like.

  As a method of hydrophobizing silica, a method of dropping or spraying a hydrophobizing agent such as aminosilane or silicone oil while stirring silica at a high speed, or in a stirring hydrophobizing agent in an organic solvent solution. The method of adding silica is mentioned. The silica subjected to the hydrophobization treatment is obtained by heating after the hydrophobization treatment. When the hydrophobizing agent is dropped or sprayed, the hydrophobizing agent can be used as it is or diluted with an organic solvent or the like.

  The average primary particle diameter of silica is 10 to 100 nm, preferably 12 to 80 nm because it is excellent in the effect of improving the fluidity and storage stability of the toner. In addition, silica easily aggregates primary particles to form primary aggregates, and such primary aggregates have a particle size that is significantly different from that of free titanium oxide. Therefore, classification is performed when measuring the release rate of titanium oxide. Is not separated from the toner and does not affect the value of the release rate of titanium oxide.

[External processing]
By attaching an external additive to the surface of the toner base particles, a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image is produced. The method for attaching the external additive to the surface of the toner base particles is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected from conventionally known methods. Specifically, the processing conditions are adjusted so that the particles of the external additive are not embedded in the toner base particles, and the processing with the external additive is performed by a mixer such as a Henschel mixer or a Nauter mixer.

  The release rate of titanium oxide in the toner for developing an electrostatic latent image is 40% by mass or less, but the release rate of titanium oxide can be adjusted by adjusting the conditions of the external addition treatment. For example, the liberation rate can be reduced by increasing the number of revolutions of a stirrer of a mixer such as a Henschel mixer or a Nauter mixer, or by increasing the processing time. In addition, the internal temperature of the mixer can be increased, the external additive can easily adhere to the toner, and the liberation rate can be reduced.

[Carrier]
The toner for developing an electrostatic latent image can be mixed with a desired carrier and used as a two-component developer. When preparing a two-component developer, it is preferable to use a magnetic carrier.

  Suitable carriers when the electrostatic latent image developing toner of the present invention is used as a two-component developer include those in which a carrier core material is coated with a resin. Specific examples of carrier core materials include particles of iron, oxidized iron, reduced iron, magnetite, copper, silicon steel, ferrite, nickel, cobalt, etc., and particles of alloys of these materials with manganese, zinc, aluminum, etc. , Particles such as iron-nickel alloy, iron-cobalt alloy, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, copper oxide, magnesium oxide, lead oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon carbide, magnesium titanate, barium titanate, lithium titanate, lead titanate , Ceramic particles such as lead zirconate and lithium niobate, particles of high dielectric constant materials such as ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and Rochelle salt, resin carriers in which the above magnetic particles are dispersed in a resin, etc. Is mentioned.

  Specific examples of the resin covering the carrier core material include (meth) acrylic polymers, styrene polymers, styrene- (meth) acrylic copolymers, olefin polymers (polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. ), Polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polycarbonate, cellulose resin, polyester resin, unsaturated polyester resin, polyamide resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, fluororesin (polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyfluoride) Vinylidene chloride, etc.), phenol resin, xylene resin, diallyl phthalate resin, polyacetal resin, amino resin and the like. These resins can be used in combination of two or more.

  The particle diameter of the carrier is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired, but is preferably 20 to 120 μm, more preferably 25 to 80 μm, as measured by an electron microscope.

The apparent density of the carrier is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired. The apparent density varies depending on the carrier composition and surface structure, but is typically 2.0 to 2.5 g / cm ³ .

  When the toner for developing an electrostatic latent image is used as a two-component developer, the toner content is preferably 1 to 20% by mass and more preferably 3 to 15% by mass with respect to the mass of the two-component developer. By setting the toner content in the two-component developer within such a range, it is possible to maintain an appropriate image density and to suppress contamination of the image forming apparatus and adhesion of toner to transfer paper by suppressing toner scattering.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a latent image carrying portion in which a photosensitive layer made of at least amorphous silicon is formed on a conductive substrate, and a cleaning portion having an elastic blade. The present invention relates to an image forming method for forming an image using the electrostatic latent image developing toner. The image forming method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  The image forming apparatus used in the image forming method according to the second embodiment is particularly provided as long as it includes a latent image carrying part in which a photosensitive layer made of at least amorphous silicon is formed on a conductive substrate and a cleaning part having an elastic blade. Although not limited, a tandem color image forming apparatus using a plurality of colors of toner as described later is preferable. Here, an image forming method using a tandem color image forming apparatus will be described.

  The tandem color image forming apparatus described below includes a plurality of latent image carriers arranged in parallel in a predetermined direction in order to form toner images of toners of different colors on the respective surfaces. A plurality of developing units each provided with a developing roller disposed opposite to each latent image carrying unit, carrying and transporting toner on the surface, and supplying the conveyed toner to the surface of each latent image carrying unit; The electrostatic latent image developing toner of the present invention is supplied to the developing unit.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a suitable image forming apparatus used in the image forming method according to the second embodiment. Here, the color printer 1 will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the color printer 1 has a box-shaped device body 1a. In the apparatus main body 1a, a toner image based on image data and the like is transferred to the paper P while feeding the paper P fed from the paper feeding unit 2 and the paper P fed from the paper feeding unit 2. An image forming unit 3 and a fixing unit 4 for performing a fixing process for fixing the unfixed toner image transferred onto the paper P by the image forming unit 3 to the paper P are provided. Further, on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 1a, a paper discharge unit 5 for discharging the paper P subjected to the fixing process by the fixing unit 4 is provided.

  The paper feed unit 2 includes a paper feed cassette 121, a pickup roller 122, paper feed rollers 123, 124, 125, and a registration roller pair 126. The paper feed cassette 121 is provided so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body 1a, and stores the paper P of each size. The pickup roller 122 is provided at the upper left position of the paper feed cassette 121 shown in FIG. 1 and takes out the paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 121 one by one. The paper feed rollers 123, 124, and 125 send out the paper P picked up by the pickup roller 122 to the paper transport path. The registration roller 126 temporarily waits for the paper P sent to the paper transport path by the paper feed rollers 123, 124, 125, and then supplies the paper P to the image forming unit 3 at a predetermined timing.

  The paper feeding unit 2 further includes a manual feed tray (not shown) and a pickup roller 127 that are attached to the left side surface of the device main body 1a shown in FIG. The pickup roller 127 takes out the paper P placed on the manual feed tray. The paper P taken out by the pickup roller 127 is sent out to the paper transport path by the paper feed rollers 123 and 125, and is supplied to the image forming unit 3 by the registration roller 126 at a predetermined timing.

  The image forming unit 3 includes an image forming unit 7, an intermediate transfer belt 31 on which a toner image based on image data transmitted from a computer or the like to the surface (contact surface) of the image forming unit 7 is primarily transferred, A secondary transfer roller 32 is provided for secondary transfer of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 31 onto the paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 121.

  The image forming unit 7 includes a black unit 7K, a yellow unit 7Y, and a cyan unit 7C that are sequentially arranged from the upstream side (right side in FIG. 1) to the downstream side in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 31. And a magenta unit 7M. In each of the units 7K, 7Y, 7C, and 7M, a drum-type latent image carrier 37, which is an image carrier, is disposed at the center position so as to be rotatable in the arrow (clockwise) direction. A charging unit 39, an exposure unit 38, a developing unit 71, a cleaning unit 8, a static eliminator, and the like are sequentially arranged around each latent image carrying unit 37 from the upstream side in the rotation direction.

  The charging unit 39 uniformly charges the peripheral surface of the latent image carrying unit 37 rotated in the direction of the arrow. The charging unit 39 is not particularly limited as long as the peripheral surface of the latent image carrying unit 37 can be uniformly charged, and may be a non-contact type or a contact type. Specific examples of the charging unit include a corona charging device, a charging roller, and a charging brush.

  The surface potential (charging potential) of the latent image carrier 37 is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired. The electrostatic latent image developing toner of the present invention has a distance from the surface on the photosensitive layer side of the conductive substrate to the surface on the photosensitive layer side of the latent image carrying portion 37 of 30 μm or less, the photosensitive layer is thin, and the charging ability is low. Used in combination with the low latent image carrier 37. For this reason, in consideration of the balance between developability and the charging ability of the latent image carrier 37, the surface potential is preferably +200 to + 500V, more preferably + 200V to + 300V. When the surface potential is too low, the developing electric field is insufficient and it is difficult to ensure the image density of the formed image. When the surface potential is too high, problems such as insufficient charging ability, dielectric breakdown of the latent image carrier 37, and increase in the amount of ozone generated are likely to occur depending on the film thickness of the photosensitive layer.

  In the latent image carrier 37, a photosensitive layer made of amorphous silicon is formed on a drum-shaped conductive substrate. The photosensitive layer made of amorphous silicon can be formed by, for example, a vapor phase growth method such as a glow discharge decomposition method, a sputtering method, an ECR method, or an evaporation method. When forming a photosensitive layer made of amorphous silicon, the photosensitive layer can contain H or a halogen element. Further, in order to adjust the characteristics of the photosensitive layer, an element such as C, N, or O may be included, or a group 13 element or a group 15 element in the periodic table (long period type) may be included in the photosensitive layer. Good.

The material constituting the photosensitive layer made of amorphous silicon is not particularly limited as long as it is amorphous silicon. Suitable amorphous silicon materials include amorphous Si, amorphous SiC, amorphous SiO, amorphous SiON and the like. Among these amorphous silicon materials, amorphous SiC is more preferable because of its high resistance and excellent charging characteristics, wear resistance, and environmental resistance. When amorphous SiC is used as the amorphous silicon material, amorphous Si _(1-X) C _X (X is 0.3 or more and less than 1) is preferable, and amorphous Si _(1-X) C _X (X is 0.5 or more). 0.95 or less) is more preferable. Amorphous SiC having such a composition exhibits an extremely high resistance value of 10 ¹² to 10 ¹³ Ωcm, so that the latent image charge flow of the latent image carrier 37 can be suppressed, and the latent image carrier having excellent electrostatic latent image maintenance capability. 37 is obtained. Further, by using amorphous SiC having such a composition, the latent image carrying portion 37 having excellent moisture resistance can be obtained.

  The photosensitive layer may be formed on a carrier blocking layer formed on the conductive substrate. A surface protective layer may be provided on the surface of the photosensitive layer. As the latent image carrier 37, a laminate in which an electroconductive substrate, a carrier blocking layer, a photosensitive layer, and a surface protective layer are laminated in this order is particularly preferably used.

  When the surface protective layer is provided, it is possible to suppress the formation of an oxide film that easily adsorbs discharge products, water molecules, and the like on the surface of the photosensitive layer made of amorphous silicon during discharge by the charging unit 39. Further, by providing the surface protective layer, it is possible to improve the withstand voltage of the latent image carrier 37 and the wear resistance during repeated use. Examples of the material for the surface protective layer include inorganic insulating materials such as amorphous SiC, amorphous SiO, amorphous SiN, amorphous SiON, and amorphous SiCON.

  Although the film thickness of a surface protective layer is not specifically limited in the range which does not inhibit the objective of this invention, 20000 kg or less is preferable and 5000-15000 kg is more preferable. By setting the film thickness of the surface protective layer in such a range, the latent image carrying part 37 in which the pressure resistance performance hardly deteriorates can be produced with excellent efficiency.

  When a carrier blocking layer is provided, during development, carrier injection into the photosensitive layer made of amorphous silicon is blocked to increase electrostatic contrast between the exposed and non-exposed areas, thereby improving image density and reducing background fog. Can be planned. Materials for the carrier blocking layer include amorphous insulating materials such as amorphous SiC, amorphous SiO, amorphous SiN, amorphous SiON, and amorphous SiCON, polyethylene terephthalate, parylene (registered trademark), polytetrafluoroethylene, polyimide, and polyfluorinated ethylene propylene. , Organic insulating materials such as polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyester, polycarbonate, and cellulose acetate resin.

  The thickness of the carrier blocking layer is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired, but is preferably 0.01 to 5 μm, and more preferably 0.1 to 3 μm. When the carrier blocking layer is too thin, it is difficult to obtain a desired carrier blocking effect. When the carrier blocking layer is too thick, it takes a long time to form a film, and the productivity of the latent image carrier 37 may be reduced. There is.

  The distance from the surface on the photosensitive layer side of the conductive substrate of the latent image carrying part 37 to the outermost surface of the latent image carrying part 37 is not particularly limited, but the manufacturing cost of the latent image carrying part 37 can be reduced, and the image with excellent resolution. Is preferably 30 μm or less. The outermost surface of the latent image carrier is the surface of the surface protective layer when the surface protective layer is formed, and the surface of the photosensitive layer when the surface protective layer is not formed. Further, the distance from the surface of the conductive substrate on the photosensitive layer side to the outermost surface of the latent image carrier 37 is the total thickness of the carrier blocking layer, the photosensitive layer, and the surface protective layer.

  The lower limit of the distance from the surface of the latent image carrier 37 on the photosensitive layer side of the conductive substrate to the surface of the latent image carrier 37 on the photosensitive layer side is not particularly limited as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired, but is 10 μm. The above is preferable. If the distance is too short, the latent image carrier 37 may have insufficient charging performance, or interference fringes may occur in the half pattern due to irregular reflection of laser light used for exposure.

  The exposure unit 38 is a so-called laser scanning unit, and laser light based on image data input from a personal computer (PC), which is a host device, on the peripheral surface of the latent image carrier 37 uniformly charged by the charging unit 39. To form an electrostatic latent image based on the image data on the latent image carrier 37. The developing unit 71 supplies the electrostatic latent image developing toner of the present invention to the peripheral surface of the latent image carrying unit 37 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, thereby forming a toner image based on the image data. The configuration of the developing unit 71 is appropriately changed depending on the type of developer and the developing method. The toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the latent image carrier 37 by the developing unit 71 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31.

  After the primary transfer of the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 31 is completed, the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the latent image carrier 37 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 8. The cleaning unit 8 includes an elastic blade 81, and removes toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the latent image holding unit 37 by the elastic blade 81. When the toner according to the first embodiment is used, when the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the latent image carrying unit 37 is removed, the peripheral surface of the latent image carrying unit 37 is well polished, so that the discharge generated during charging The product is efficiently removed, and the occurrence of “image flow” that tends to occur in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment can be suppressed.

  The elastic blade is made of urethane sponge, ethylene-propylene rubber or the like. In the image forming method of the second embodiment, since the toner according to the first embodiment is used, even if the image forming apparatus includes the cleaning unit 8 having the elastic blade 81, a photosensitive layer made of a thin film of amorphous silicon is used. Dielectric breakdown in the vicinity of the tip of the elastic blade 81 on the surface of the latent image carrier provided is prevented.

  The static eliminator neutralizes the peripheral surface of the latent image carrier 37 after the primary transfer is completed. The peripheral surface of the latent image carrier 37 cleaned by the cleaning unit 8 and the static eliminator goes to the charging unit 39 for a new charging process, and a new charging process is performed.

  The intermediate transfer belt 31 is an endless belt-like rotating body, and includes a driving roller 33, a driven roller 34, a backup roller 35, and a front surface (contact surface) side in contact with the peripheral surface of each latent image carrier 37. And a plurality of rollers such as the primary transfer roller 36. The intermediate transfer belt 31 is configured to rotate endlessly by a plurality of rollers in a state in which the intermediate transfer belt 31 is pressed against the latent image carrier 37 by a primary transfer roller 36 disposed to face each latent image carrier 37. . The driving roller 33 is rotationally driven by a driving source such as a stepping motor (not shown), and gives a driving force for rotating the intermediate transfer belt 31 endlessly. The driven roller 34, the backup roller 35, and the primary transfer roller 36 are rotatably provided, and are driven to rotate with the endless rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 31 by the driving roller 33. These rollers 34, 35, 36 are driven to rotate via the intermediate transfer belt 31 according to the main rotation of the drive roller 33 and support the intermediate transfer belt 31.

  The primary transfer roller 36 applies a primary transfer bias (a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity) to the intermediate transfer belt 31. By doing so, the toner image formed on each latent image carrying portion 37 is moved between each latent image carrying portion 37 and the primary transfer roller 36 by driving the drive roller 33 (counterclockwise). The images are sequentially transferred (primary transfer) in an overcoated state to the intermediate transfer belt 31 that circulates in the direction.

  The secondary transfer roller 32 applies a secondary transfer bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the paper P. By doing so, the toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 31 is secondarily transferred onto the paper P between the secondary transfer roller 32 and the backup roller 35, thereby transferring the color onto the paper P. An image (unfixed toner image) is transferred.

  The fixing unit 4 performs a fixing process on the transfer image transferred to the paper P by the image forming unit 3. The fixing unit 4 is disposed opposite to the heating roller 41 heated by the energized heating element and the heating roller 41. Is provided with a pressure roller 42 that is pressed against the peripheral surface of the heating roller 41.

  Then, the transfer image transferred to the paper P by the secondary transfer roller 32 in the image forming unit 3 is fixed by heating and pressing when the paper P passes between the heating roller 41 and the pressure roller 42. Is fixed on the paper P. The paper P subjected to the fixing process is discharged to the paper discharge unit 5. Further, in the color printer 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 6 are disposed at appropriate positions between the fixing unit 4 and the paper discharge unit 5.

  The paper discharge unit 5 is formed by recessing the top of the device main body 1a of the color printer 1, and a paper discharge tray 51 for receiving the discharged paper P is formed at the bottom of the concave portion. .

  The color printer 1 forms an image on the paper P by the image forming operation as described above. In the case of performing development using the electrostatic latent image developing toner according to the first embodiment by the tandem image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, an elastic blade 81 is provided, and at least amorphous silicon is formed on the conductive substrate. Although the latent image carrier 37 having the photosensitive layer formed thereon is provided, the image flow can be suppressed in spite of the structure in which the image flow is likely to occur in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment. A good image can be formed without reducing the density.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. In addition, this invention is not limited at all by the Example.

  A polyester resin used as a binder resin in Examples and Comparative Examples was produced according to the following formulation.

[Production example of polyester resin]
1960 g of propylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, 780 g of ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A, 257 g of dodecenyl succinic anhydride, 770 terephthalic acid, and 4 g of dibutyltin oxide were charged into a reaction vessel. The temperature was raised to 235 ° C. in a nitrogen atmosphere, and the reaction was performed at the same temperature for 8 hours, and then the pressure was reduced to 8.3 kPa and the reaction was performed at the same temperature for 1 hour. Next, after the reaction product was cooled to 180 ° C., trimellitic anhydride was added to adjust the acid value of the polyester resin to a desired value. Thereafter, the temperature was raised to 210 ° C. at a rate of 10 ° C./hour, and the reaction was carried out at the same temperature to obtain a polyester resin.

[Example 1]
(Toner base particle preparation)
87 parts by mass of a polyester resin, 5 parts by mass of a release agent (Ester wax WEP-3 (manufactured by NOF Corporation)), a positively chargeable charge control agent (Bontron P-51 (quaternary ammonium salt) (Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.) 3 parts by mass) and 5 parts by mass of carbon black (MA-100 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation)) were mixed with a Henschel mixer. The resulting mixture was melt kneaded with a twin screw extruder, cooled, and coarsely pulverized with a hammer mill. The coarsely pulverized powder was further finely pulverized with a mechanical pulverizer and then classified with an airflow classifier to obtain toner base particles having a volume average particle diameter of 7.0 μm.

(Toner preparation)
Titanium oxide (EC-100 (manufactured by Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.)) having an average primary particle diameter of 140 nm and silica (REA90 (Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) of 2.0% by mass with respect to the mass of the toner base particles and toner base particles, Manufactured by a Henschel mixer (FM-20B (manufactured by Nihon Coke Kogyo Co., Ltd.)) under conditions of a blade peripheral speed of 40 m / sec, a mixing time of 15 minutes, and a jacket cooling water temperature of 20 ° C. Titanium and silica were adhered to the surface of the toner base particles to obtain a toner. The release rate of titanium oxide in the obtained toner was measured according to the following method. The release rate of titanium oxide in the toner of Example 1 is shown in Table 1.

<Titanium oxide liberation rate>
Using a gas stream classifier (DSX-2 (manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Industry Co., Ltd.)), free titanium oxide was separated from the toner under the following conditions. The fluorescent X-ray intensity of Ti between the toner containing free titanium oxide and the toner from which free titanium oxide was separated was measured, and the titanium oxide release rate of the toner was determined according to the following formula. As an X-ray fluorescence analyzer, SX100e (manufactured by Rigaku Corporation) was used.

<Titanium oxide separation conditions>
Sample supply rate: 90 g / min Supply section injection pressure: 0.2 MPa
Adjustable string: 80mm
Louver height: 10mm
Louver clearance: 5mm
Distance ring: 0mm
Center navel: 60mm
U damper: 45 °
Cyclone damper: 30 °
Blower total static pressure: -800 mmAq (-7.85 kPa)

<Titanium oxide release rate calculation formula>
(Fluorescence X-ray intensity of Ti of toner containing titanium oxide-fluorescence X-ray intensity of toner separated from titanium oxide) / fluorescence X-ray intensity of Ti of toner containing titanium oxide × 100

(2-component developer preparation)
A carrier (average particle diameter of 45 μm) used for a developer used in a page printer (FS-C5400DN (manufactured by Kyocera Mita Corporation)) and a toner of 8% by mass with respect to the mass of a ferrite carrier are mixed with a ball mill. Was mixed for 30 minutes to prepare a two-component developer. Using the obtained two-component developer, the charge amount of the toner of Example 1, the image density, and the occurrence of image flow were evaluated according to the following methods. Table 1 shows the charge amount of the toner of Example 1, the image density, and the evaluation results of the occurrence of image flow.

<Charge amount>
A page printer (FS-) comprising a latent image carrier made of an amorphous silicon photoconductor having a distance of 14 μm from the surface on the photosensitive layer side of the conductive substrate to the outermost surface of the latent image carrier, and a cleaning unit having an elastic blade. The charge amount was evaluated using C5400DN (manufactured by Kyocera Mita Corporation). The developer is filled with the two-component developer obtained in Example 1, the toner obtained in Example 1 is filled in a toner container, and the initial toner is charged in a normal temperature and humidity environment (20 ° C., 65% RH). The amount was measured. Subsequently, 100,000 sheets were continuously printed at a printing rate of 0.1% in a normal temperature and humidity environment (20 ° C., 65% RH), and the charge amount of the toner after continuous printing was measured. The charge amount was measured with a charge amount measuring device (Q / M Meter 210HS (manufactured by TRek)).

<Image density>
An image evaluation pattern was printed by a page printer (FS-C5400DN (manufactured by Kyocera Mita Corporation)) in a normal temperature and humidity environment (20 ° C., 65% RH) to obtain an initial image. Thereafter, after continuous printing of 100,000 sheets at a printing rate of 0.1% in a normal temperature and humidity environment (20 ° C., 65% RH), an image evaluation pattern was printed. The image density of the solid image in the initial image and the image evaluation pattern printed after printing 100,000 sheets was measured with a reflection densitometer (RD914, manufactured by Gretag Macbeth). An image density of 1.30 or more was judged as ◯, and an image density of less than 1.30 was judged as x.

<Image flow>
Using a page printer (FS-C5400DN (manufactured by Kyocera Mita Corporation)), after continuously printing 5,000 sheets at a printing rate of 5% in a normal temperature and humidity environment (20 ° C., 65% RH), It was left still for a whole day and night in a high humidity environment (33 ° C., 85% RH). Thereafter, an image evaluation pattern was printed, and the image flow was evaluated visually. Image flow evaluation criteria are as follows.
○: No image flow is observed.
Δ: Slight image flow is observed.
X: Significant image flow is observed.

[Examples 2 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6]
Table 1 or Table 2 shows the primary particle diameter of titanium oxide, the addition amount of titanium oxide (mass% with respect to the mass of toner mother particles), the addition amount of silica (mass% with respect to the mass of toner mother particles), and the external addition conditions. A toner mother particle, a toner, and a two-component developer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the values were changed to the values described in 1. For the toners of Examples 2 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6, the release rate of titanium oxide was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. Further, using the two-component developer containing the toners of Examples 2 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6, the charge amounts, image densities, and image flows of the toners of Examples 2 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were used. The occurrence of was evaluated. The evaluation results of the toners of Examples 2 to 6 are shown in Table 1, and the evaluation results of the toners of Comparative Examples 1 to 6 are shown in Table 2.

  For example, from the comparison between Example 1 and Example 2 or the comparison between Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, when using titanium oxide having the same primary particle diameter, the peripheral speed of the blade when externally adding titanium oxide is determined. It can be seen that the rate of release of titanium oxide in the toner decreases as the speed is increased and the intensity of stirring is increased. Further, from the comparison between Example 2 and Example 3 and the comparison between Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 6, when the peripheral speed of the blade is the same, the longer the mixing time, the more the release rate of titanium oxide in the toner. I can see it going down. Further, it can be seen from the comparison between Example 1 and Example 6 and the comparison between Example 2 and Example 5 that the release rate of titanium oxide in the toner increases as the amount of titanium oxide used increases.

  According to Table 1, titanium oxide having an average primary particle diameter of more than 100 nm and not more than 250 nm is used, and when the toners of Examples 1 to 6 having a release rate of titanium oxide of 40% by mass or less are used. It can be seen that an image can be formed with a good density before and after continuous printing of 100,000 sheets, and no image flow occurs even in a high temperature and high humidity environment.

  According to Table 2, none of the toners of Comparative Examples 1, 2, and 6 in which the release rate of titanium oxide exceeds 40% by mass cannot maintain a good image density after continuous printing of 100,000 sheets, and the surface of the photoreceptor Is not polished well, it can be seen that image flow tends to occur in a high temperature and high humidity environment.

  Further, from Comparative Examples 3 to 5, even when the release rate of titanium oxide is 40% by mass or less, when the primary particle diameter of titanium oxide is 100 nm or less or exceeds 250 nm, the image flow in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment is Even if it can be suppressed, it can be seen that the image density decreases after 100,000 sheets are continuously printed. Further, with the toner of Comparative Example 5 in which the primary particle diameter of titanium oxide exceeds 250 nm, black streak-like image defects resulting from damage to the photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor occurred after continuous printing of 100,000 sheets. From this, it was found that when the toner of Comparative Example 5 is used, the life of the photoreceptor is shortened.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color printer 1a Apparatus main body 2 Paper feed part 3 Image formation part 37 Latent image holding part 38 Exposure part 39 Charging part 4 Fixing part 6 Conveyance roller 5 Paper discharge part 7 Image formation unit 71 Development part 8 Cleaning part 81 Elastic blade P Paper

Claims (5)

An electrostatic latent image developing toner used in an image forming apparatus, comprising: a latent image carrying portion in which a photosensitive layer made of at least amorphous silicon is formed on a conductive substrate; and a cleaning portion having an elastic blade,
An external additive is attached to the surface of toner base particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, and the external additive contains titanium oxide, and the titanium oxide has an average primary particle diameter of more than 100 nm and not more than 250 nm. Yes, the release rate of the titanium oxide in the electrostatic latent image developing toner measured by classifying free titanium oxide in the electrostatic latent image developing toner with an airflow classifier is 40% by mass or less. Toner for electrostatic latent image development.   The electrostatic latent image developing toner according to claim 1, wherein a content of the titanium oxide is 0.5 to 5 mass% with respect to a mass of the electrostatic latent image developing toner.   The electrostatic latent image developing toner according to claim 2, wherein a content of the titanium oxide is 1 to 4% by mass with respect to a mass of the electrostatic latent image developing toner.   In an image forming apparatus comprising a latent image carrying part in which a photosensitive layer made of at least amorphous silicon is formed on a conductive substrate and a cleaning part having an elastic blade, toner base particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant The external additive contains titanium oxide, and the titanium oxide has an average primary particle size of more than 100 nm and not more than 250 nm. The toner for developing an electrostatic latent image by an airflow classifier An image forming method of forming an image using a toner for developing an electrostatic latent image in which a liberation rate of titanium oxide measured by classifying free titanium oxide therein is 40% by mass or less.   The image forming method according to claim 4, wherein a content of the titanium oxide is 0.5 to 5% by mass with respect to a mass of the electrostatic latent image developing toner.

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