JP2014114407A - Method for manufacturing resin particle dispersion, method for manufacturing electrostatically charged image development toner, electrostatically charged image development agent, toner cartridge, process cartridge, image formation method, and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for manufacturing a resin particle dispersion encumbered with a low environmental load specific to a production process and capable of yielding an electrostatically charged image development toner exhibiting excellent charging characteristics in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment.SOLUTION: The provided method for manufacturing a resin particle dispersion comprises: a mixing step of obtaining an admixture by mixing a binder resin and a strong basic compound and/or surfactant; and an emulsifying step of obtaining a resin particle dispersion by dispersing the admixture within an aqueous medium including an amine compound and/or ammonia or by adding an amine compound and/or ammonia to a dispersion obtained by adding the admixture to an aqueous medium.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for producing a resin particle dispersion, a method for producing an electrostatic image developing toner, an electrostatic image developer, a toner cartridge, a process cartridge, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus.

The toner production method has been changed from a conventional kneading and pulverization method to a wet production method in which particles are granulated in a solution or water, and a wet production method has become mainstream. Examples of the wet manufacturing method include a suspension polymerization method, a dissolution suspension method, and an emulsion aggregation coalescence method.
Among them, as a method for producing toner and resin particles that do not use an organic solvent, a method is proposed in which resin is melted, water is added, and phase inversion emulsification is performed. For example, a toner material mixture is put into a kneader, kneaded under heat and pressure, and added with an emulsifier mixed with a surfactant, a pH adjuster, and ion-exchanged water, thereby atomizing and agglomerating to form toner particles. The method of doing is taken (refer patent document 1). In addition, for example, a method of obtaining an aqueous dispersion by melt-kneading a resin, a surfactant, and an additive, and adding water and a basic substance to the melt-kneaded product to cause phase inversion is also disclosed (Patent Document 2). reference).

JP 2010-122687 A JP 2006-241623 A

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a resin particle dispersion which can obtain an electrostatic charge image developing toner having a small environmental load in the production process and excellent charging characteristics in a high temperature and high humidity environment. .
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing an electrostatic charge image developing toner having a small environmental load in the production process and excellent charging characteristics in a high temperature and high humidity environment.

The above-described problems of the present invention have been solved by means described in the following <1>, <2>, <7> to <13>, and <17> to <22>. It is described below together with <3> to <6> and <14> to <16>, which are preferred embodiments.
<1> A mixing step of mixing a binder resin with a strongly basic compound and / or a surfactant to obtain a mixture, and dispersing the mixture in an aqueous medium containing an amine compound and / or ammonia, or An emulsification step of dispersing the mixture in an aqueous medium and then adding an amine compound and / or ammonia to obtain a resin particle dispersion, and a method for producing a resin particle dispersion,

<2> Mixing step of mixing a binder resin and a strongly basic compound to obtain a mixture, and dispersing the mixture in an aqueous medium containing an amine compound and / or ammonia, or mixing the mixture in an aqueous medium Emulsifying step of adding an amine compound and / or ammonia to obtain a resin particle dispersion after dispersing the resin, and a method for producing a resin particle dispersion,
<3> The method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to <2>, wherein in the mixing step, at least a strongly basic compound and a surfactant are mixed.
<4> The method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to <2> or <3>, wherein the binder resin has an acid group,
<5> The method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to any one of the above <2> to <4>, wherein the binder resin is a polyester resin.
<6> The above, wherein the total amount of the strongly basic compound and the amine compound and / or ammonia is 30 to 500 mol% as a neutralization ratio with the acid group of the binder resin. 4>, a method for producing the resin particle dispersion according to
<7> a step of aggregating the resin particles in a dispersion containing the resin particle dispersion obtained by the method according to any one of the above <2> to <6> to obtain aggregated particles, and A process for producing an electrostatic charge image developing toner, comprising the step of heating and aggregating the aggregated particles,
<8> An electrostatic charge image developer comprising the electrostatic charge image developing toner obtained by the method according to <7> and a carrier,
<9> a toner cartridge containing at least an electrostatic charge image developing toner obtained by the method according to <7> above,
<10> Developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with an electrostatic image developing toner or an electrostatic image developer to form a toner image, an image carrier, and the surface of the image carrier At least one selected from the group consisting of a charging means for charging the toner and a cleaning means for removing the toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier, and the electrostatic image developing toner or the electrostatic charge As the image developer, the electrostatic charge image developing toner obtained by the method according to <7> above, or the process cartridge containing the electrostatic charge image developer according to <8> above,
<11> A latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier, and a developing step of developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with a developer containing toner to form a toner image. And a fixing step of fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the transfer medium, and the developer as a method according to the above <7>. Image forming method using the obtained electrostatic charge image developing toner or the electrostatic charge image developer according to <8>,
<12> An image carrier, a charging unit for charging the image carrier, an exposure unit for exposing the charged image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier, and development including toner Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with an agent to form a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image from the image holding member to the surface of the transfer target, and toner transferred to the surface of the transfer target An electrostatic image developing toner obtained by the method described in <7> above, or the electrostatic image developer described in <8> above. Image forming apparatus,

<13> A mixing step in which a binder resin and a surfactant are mixed to obtain a mixture, and the mixture is dispersed in an aqueous medium containing an amine compound and / or ammonia, or the mixture is dispersed in an aqueous medium. An emulsion step of adding an amine compound and / or ammonia after dispersion to obtain a resin particle dispersion, and a method for producing a resin particle dispersion,
<14> The method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to <13>, wherein the binder resin has an acid group,
<15> The method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to <13> or <14>, wherein the binder resin is a polyester resin.
<16> The resin particles according to <14>, wherein the total addition amount of the amine compound and / or ammonia is an amount that is 30 to 500 mol% as a neutralization ratio with the acid group of the binder resin. A method for producing the dispersion,
<17> At least a step of aggregating the resin particles in a dispersion containing the resin particle dispersion obtained by the method according to any one of the above <13> to <16> to obtain aggregated particles, and A process for producing an electrostatic charge image developing toner, comprising the step of heating and aggregating the aggregated particles,
<18> An electrostatic charge image developer comprising the electrostatic charge image developing toner obtained by the method according to <17> and a carrier,
<19> a toner cartridge containing at least the electrostatic image developing toner obtained by the method according to <17>,
<20> Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with an electrostatic image developing toner or an electrostatic image developer to form a toner image, an image carrier, and the surface of the image carrier At least one selected from the group consisting of a charging means for charging the toner and a cleaning means for removing the toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier, and the electrostatic image developing toner or the electrostatic charge An electrostatic charge image developing toner obtained by the method according to <17> or a process cartridge containing the electrostatic charge image developer according to <18> as an image developer,
<21> A latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier, and a developing step of developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with a developer containing toner to form a toner image. And a fixing step of fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the transfer medium, and the developer according to the method described in <17> above An image forming method using the obtained electrostatic charge image developing toner or the electrostatic charge image developer according to <18>,
<22> Image carrier, charging unit for charging the image carrier, exposure unit for exposing the charged image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier, and development including toner Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with an agent to form a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image from the image holding member to the surface of the transfer target, and toner transferred to the surface of the transfer target And an electrostatic charge image developing toner obtained by the method according to <17> or the electrostatic charge image developer according to <18>, as a developer. Image forming apparatus.

  According to the invention described in <1> above, an electrostatic charge image developing toner having a small environmental load in the production process and excellent charging characteristics in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment as compared with the case without this configuration. A method for producing a resin particle dispersion that can be obtained is provided.

According to the invention described in <2> above, an electrostatic charge image developing toner having a low environmental load in the production process and excellent charging characteristics in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment as compared with the case without this configuration. A method for producing a resin particle dispersion that can be obtained is provided.
According to the invention described in <3>, the electrostatic charge image development is more excellent in charging characteristics in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment than when not mixing at least a strongly basic compound and a surfactant in the mixing step. A method of producing a resin particle dispersion capable of obtaining a toner is provided.
According to the invention described in <4> above, a method for producing a resin particle dispersion that is easier to emulsify than the case where the binder resin does not have an acid group is provided.
According to the invention described in the above <5>, a method for producing a resin particle dispersion having a smaller environmental load in the production process is provided as compared with the case where the binder resin is not a polyester resin.
According to the invention described in <6>, the electrostatic charge image developing toner is superior in charging characteristics in a high temperature and high humidity environment as compared with the case where the neutralization rate is less than 30 mol% or more than 500 mol%. A method for producing a resin particle dispersion having a small particle size distribution value of resin particles is provided.
According to the invention described in the above <7>, an electrostatic charge image developing toner excellent in charging characteristics in a high temperature and high humidity environment can be easily produced as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the invention described in <8> above, an electrostatic charge image developer excellent in charging characteristics in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment is provided as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the invention described in <9>, there is provided a toner cartridge that accommodates an electrostatic charge image developing toner excellent in charging characteristics under a high temperature and high humidity environment as compared with the case without this configuration.
According to the invention described in <10>, there is provided a process cartridge that accommodates an electrostatic image developing toner excellent in charging characteristics in a high temperature and high humidity environment as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the invention described in <11> above, an image forming method excellent in charging characteristics in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment is provided as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the invention described in <12> above, an image forming apparatus excellent in charging characteristics in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment is provided as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

According to the invention described in <13> above, an electrostatic charge image developing toner having a small environmental load in the production process and excellent charging characteristics in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment as compared with the case without this configuration. A method for producing a resin particle dispersion that can be obtained is provided.
According to the invention described in <14> above, a method for producing a resin particle dispersion that is easier to emulsify than the case where the binder resin does not have an acid group is provided.
According to the invention described in the above <15>, a method for producing a resin particle dispersion having a smaller environmental load in the production process is provided as compared with the case where the binder resin is not a polyester resin.
According to the invention described in <16>, the electrostatic charge image developing toner is superior in charging characteristics under a high temperature and high humidity environment as compared with the case where the neutralization rate is less than 30 mol% or more than 500 mol%. And a method for producing a resin particle dispersion having a small particle size distribution value of resin particles is provided.
According to the invention described in the above <17>, an electrostatic charge image developing toner excellent in charging characteristics in a high temperature and high humidity environment can be easily produced as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the invention described in <18> above, an electrostatic charge image developer excellent in charging characteristics in a high temperature and high humidity environment is provided as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the invention described in <19>, a toner cartridge is provided that accommodates an electrostatic image developing toner that is superior in charging characteristics in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment as compared with the case without this configuration.
According to the invention described in <20>, there is provided a process cartridge that accommodates an electrostatic charge image developing toner excellent in charging characteristics in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment as compared with the case without the present configuration.
According to the invention described in <21> above, an image forming method excellent in charging characteristics in a high temperature and high humidity environment is provided as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.
According to the invention described in <22> above, an image forming apparatus excellent in charging characteristics in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment can be provided as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus preferably used in the present embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the process cartridge used suitably for this embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, the description “A to B” represents not only a range between A and B but also a range including A and B which are both ends thereof. For example, if “A to B” is a numerical value range, it represents “A or more and B or less” or “B or more and A or less”.

(Method for producing resin particle dispersion)
The method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to this embodiment includes a mixing step of mixing a binder resin with a strongly basic compound and / or a surfactant to obtain a mixture, and an aqueous medium containing an amine compound and / or ammonia. Or an emulsifying step in which an amine compound and / or ammonia is added to obtain a resin particle dispersion after the mixture is dispersed in an aqueous medium.
The resin particle dispersion of this embodiment is a resin particle dispersion obtained by the method for producing a resin particle dispersion of this embodiment.
Further, the resin particle dispersion obtained by the method for producing a resin particle dispersion of the present embodiment is suitably used as a resin particle dispersion for producing an electrostatic charge image developing toner.

Conventionally, amine compounds and ammonia have been used as basic substances when emulsifying and dispersing resins, but the present inventors have found that amine compounds and ammonia remain in resin particle dispersions or resin particles. In addition, the present invention has the problem that the amine compound and ammonia cause a problem that the charging characteristics of the electrostatic image developing toner deteriorate in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment when the resin particles are used as a raw material for the electrostatic image developing toner. Found them.
However, as a result of detailed studies by the present inventors, a strong basic substance and / or a surfactant and at least one selected from the group consisting of an amine compound and ammonia are used in combination. By adding at least one selected from the group consisting of the amine compound and ammonia after adding the substance and / or surfactant, a cation derived from a strongly basic substance is contained inside the amine compound or ammonia. It was found that the incorporation of amine compounds and ammonia into the resin particles was suppressed easily.
Further, in the method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to the present embodiment, the binder resin is easily dispersed in the aqueous medium, and the resin particle dispersion can be obtained with less environmental load.

<Mixing process>
The method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to this embodiment includes a mixing step in which a binder resin is mixed with a strongly basic compound and / or a surfactant to obtain a mixture.
The surfactant and the strongly basic compound are compounds other than amine compounds and ammonia. Moreover, in this embodiment, ammonium salt and an amide compound are compounds other than the amine compound and ammonia used for the emulsification process mentioned later, and may be used as the said surfactant or a strongly basic compound.
In the mixing step, it is preferable to obtain a mixture by mixing at least a binder resin and a strongly basic compound. By using a strongly basic compound, the emulsion dispersibility is excellent and the toner charging characteristics are excellent.
In the mixing step, it is preferable to mix at least a binder resin and a surfactant to obtain a mixture. By using the surfactant, the emulsion dispersibility is excellent and the toner charging property is excellent.
Furthermore, in the mixing step, it is particularly preferable to obtain a mixture by mixing at least a binder resin, a strongly basic compound, and a surfactant. By using a strongly basic compound and a surfactant, the emulsion dispersibility is excellent, and the toner charging property is excellent.

In the mixing step, a strong basic compound or a surfactant may be used alone or in combination of two or more, or one or more strong basic compounds and one or more interfaces. You may use together with an active agent.
The total amount of the strongly basic compound and the surfactant used in the mixing step is preferably 0.01 to 20 parts by weight, and 0.05 to 15 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. Is more preferable, and it is still more preferable that it is 0.1-10 weight part. Within the above range, the emulsifying dispersibility is excellent, and the charging characteristics of the toner are excellent.
In addition, the amount of the strongly basic compound used in the mixing step is preferably 0.01 to 10 parts by weight and more preferably 0.05 to 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. 0.1 to 2 parts by weight is more preferable, and 0.1 to 1.2 parts by weight is particularly preferable. Within the above range, the emulsifying dispersibility is excellent, and the charging characteristics of the toner are excellent.
The amount of the surfactant used in the mixing step is preferably 0.5 to 20 parts by weight, more preferably 1 to 15 parts by weight, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. More preferably, it is 10 parts by weight. Within the above range, the emulsifying dispersibility is excellent, and the charging characteristics of the toner are excellent.

  In the mixing step, it is preferable to mix the binder resin with the strongly basic compound and / or the surfactant without using any solvent. Suspension polymerization and dissolution suspension methods listed as conventional wet manufacturing methods use an organic solvent as a medium, and emulsion aggregation and coalescence methods sometimes use an organic solvent in the process of producing resin particles as a raw material. By mixing with a solvent, it is not necessary to remove the solvent, there is no odor due to the residual solvent, and there is an economic and environmental advantage. In the present embodiment, the “solvent” refers to an organic solvent and does not include an aqueous medium such as water or alcohol, which will be described later.

The mixing temperature in the mixing step is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50 ° C. to 150 ° C., more preferably 50 ° C. to 100 ° C. from the viewpoint of uniformity of mixing and dispersibility in the emulsification step. More preferably, the temperature is from 60 ° C to 90 ° C.
The mixing temperature in the mixing step is preferably a temperature equal to or higher than the softening point of the binder resin in order to facilitate mixing.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a mixing means used for the said mixing process, A well-known mixing apparatus etc. are used. Examples of the mixing apparatus include a roll mill, a kneader, a pressure kneader, a Banbury mixer, a lab plast mill, a uniaxial or biaxial kneading extruder, and the like.

  As the strongly basic compound used in the mixing step, specifically, an alkali metal hydroxide such as lithium, sodium or potassium, or an alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide such as magnesium or calcium is used. Etc. Among them, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide is preferable, alkali metal hydroxide is more preferable, potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide is further preferable, and potassium hydroxide is particularly preferable.

  Examples of the surfactant used in the mixing step include various surfactants such as an anionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a cationic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant. Among these, anionic surfactants are preferred, sulfate ester type or sulfonic acid type anionic surfactants are more preferred, sulfonic acid type anionic surfactants are more preferred, and alkylbenzene sulfonates are particularly preferred.

  As the anionic surfactant, any of carboxylic acid type, sulfuric acid ester type, sulfonic acid type, and phosphoric acid ester type may be used. For example, fatty acid salt, rosinate, naphthenate, ether carboxylate, alkenyl succinate, primary alkyl sulfate, secondary alkyl sulfate, alkyl polyoxyethylene sulfate, alkylphenyl polyoxyethylene sulfate, Sulfuric acid monoacylglycerol salt, acylamino sulfate ester salt, sulfated oil, sulfated fatty acid alkyl ester, α-olefin sulfonate, secondary alkane sulfonate, α-sulfo fatty acid salt, acyl isethionate, dialkyl sulfosuccinate, Alkylbenzene sulfonate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, alkyl diphenyl ether disulfonate, petroleum sulfonate, lignin sulfonate, alkyl phosphate, alkyl polyoxyethylene phosphate, alkylphenyl polyoxyethylene phosphate, pen Examples thereof include a rufluoroalkyl carboxylate, a perfluoroalkyl sulfonate, and a perfluoroalkyl phosphate.

An amphoteric surfactant is a surfactant that has both a cationic group and an anionic group in its molecular structure, and there is a charge separation within the molecular structure, but a substance that has no charge as a whole molecule. means.
Examples of zwitterionic surfactants include N-alkylnitrilotriacetic acid, N-alkyldimethylbetaine, N-alkyloxymethyl-N, N-diethylbetaine, N-alkylsulfobetaine, N-alkylhydroxysulfobetaine, lecithin, Examples include perfluoroalkylsulfonamidoalkylbetaines.

  Examples of the cationic surfactant include N-acylamine salts, quaternary ammonium salts, and imidazolium salts. Specifically, for example, fatty acid polyethylene polyamide, amide, alkyltrimethylammonium salt, dialkyldimethylammonium salt. , Alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salt, alkylpyridinium salt, acylaminoethylmethyldiethylammonium salt, acylaminopropyldimethylbenzylammonium salt, acylaminopropyldimethylhydroxyethylammonium salt, acylaminoethylpyridinium salt, diacylaminoethylammonium salt, diacyloxy Ethylmethylhydroxyethylammonium salt, alkyloxymethylpyridinium salt, 1-acylaminoethyl-2-alkylimidazoli Salt-free, and the like.

  Nonionic surfactants include, for example, esters in which a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid are ester-bonded, ethers such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ether and polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, and ethylene oxide. Examples include fatty acid, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester to which ethylene oxide is added, fatty acid alkanolamide in which a hydrophobic group and a hydrophilic group are bonded by an amide bond, and an alkyl polyglycoside.

  The anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, and nonionic surfactants are not limited to those listed above. In addition to the above, known anionic surfactants , Amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, and nonionic surfactants may be used.

The binder resin used in the mixing step is preferably a binder resin for electrostatic image developing toner.
Examples of the binder resin include polycondensation resins and addition polymerization resins. For example, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, styrene resins mainly composed of polystyrene, poly (α-methylstyrene), and polymethyl. Examples include (meth) acrylic resins, styrene- (meth) acrylic copolymer resins, polyamide resins, polycarbonate resins, polyether resins, polyester resins, and copolymer resins mainly composed of methacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, and the like. .
Among these, a polyester resin is preferable as the binder resin.
The binder resin is preferably a resin having an acid group such as a carboxylic acid group (carboxyl group) or a sulfonic acid group, more preferably a polyester resin having an acid group, and a polyester having a carboxyl group. More preferably, it is a resin. In the above embodiment, dispersion in an aqueous medium in the emulsification step is easier.

As the polycondensation resin, for example, polyester resin and polyamide resin can be preferably exemplified, and in particular, a polyester resin obtained by using a polycarboxylic acid and a polyol as a polycondensable monomer. It is preferable.
Examples of the polycondensable monomer that can be used in this embodiment include polycarboxylic acids, polyols, hydroxycarboxylic acids, polyamines, and mixtures thereof. In particular, the polycondensable monomer is preferably a polyvalent carboxylic acid, a polyol, and further an ester compound (oligomer and / or prepolymer) thereof, through a direct ester reaction or an ester exchange reaction, What obtains a polyester resin is good.
In the present embodiment, the polycondensation resin is obtained by polycondensation of at least one selected from the group consisting of polycondensable monomers, oligomers thereof and prepolymers. Is preferably used.

The polyvalent carboxylic acid is a compound containing two or more carboxyl groups in one molecule. Among these, dicarboxylic acid is a compound containing two carboxyl groups in one molecule. For example, oxalic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, maleic acid, adipic acid, β-methyladipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, Nonanedicarboxylic acid, decanedicarboxylic acid, undecanedicarboxylic acid, dodecanedicarboxylic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, diglycolic acid, cyclohexane-3,5-diene-1,2-carboxylic acid, hexahydroterephthalic acid, malonic acid, pimeline Acid, peric acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, tetrachlorophthalic acid, chlorophthalic acid, nitrophthalic acid, p-carboxyphenylacetic acid, p-phenylenediacetic acid, m-phenylenediacetic acid, o-phenylenediacetic acid, diphenyl Acetic acid, diphenyl-p, p'-dicarboxylic acid, naphth Ren-1,4-dicarboxylic acid, naphthalene-1,5-dicarboxylic acid, naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, anthracene dicarboxylic acid, and cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid.
Examples of the polycarboxylic acid other than dicarboxylic acid include trimellitic acid, trimesic acid, pyromellitic acid, naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid, pyrenetricarboxylic acid, pyrenetetracarboxylic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, Examples thereof include n-dodecyl succinic acid, n-dodecenyl succinic acid, isododecyl succinic acid, isododecenyl succinic acid, n-octyl succinic acid, n-octenyl succinic acid, and the like, and lower esters thereof. Furthermore, these acid halides and acid anhydrides are also used.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
In addition, a lower ester shows that the carbon number of the alkoxy part of ester is 1-8. Specific examples include methyl ester, ethyl ester, n-propyl ester, isopropyl ester, n-butyl ester, and isobutyl ester.

A polyol is a compound containing two or more hydroxyl groups in one molecule. Among these, diol is a compound containing two hydroxyl groups in one molecule. Specifically, for example, as diol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,11-undecanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol, 1,13-tridecanediol, 1,14-tetradecanediol, 1,18-octadecanediol, 1,14-eicosandecanediol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol , Dipropylene glycol, polyester Lenglycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene ether glycol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-butenediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, polytetramethylene glycol, Examples include hydrogenated bisphenol A, bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol S, and alkylene oxide (ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, etc.) adducts of the above bisphenols. Among these, preferred are alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols, and particularly preferred are alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols and alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms. It is combined use with.
Moreover, in order to make water dispersibility easy, a 2, 2- dimethylol propionic acid, a 2, 2- dimethylol butanoic acid, a 2, 2- dimethylol valeric acid etc. are illustrated, for example.

Examples of trihydric or higher alcohols include glycerin, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, hexamethylolmelamine, hexaethylolmelamine, tetramethylolbenzoguanamine, tetraethylolbenzoguanamine, sorbitol, trisphenol PA, phenol novolac, Examples thereof include cresol novolac, and alkylene oxide adducts of the above trivalent or higher polyphenols. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
In addition, an amorphous resin or a crystalline resin can be easily obtained by combining these polycondensable monomers.

  Hydroxycarboxylic acid can also be used. Specific examples of the hydroxycarboxylic acid include hydroxyheptanoic acid, hydroxyoctanoic acid, hydroxydecanoic acid, hydroxyundecanoic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, mucoic acid, and citric acid.

  Polyamines include ethylenediamine, diethylenediamine, 1,2-propanediamine, 1,3-propanediamine, 1,4-butanediamine, 1,4-butenediamine, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-butane. Examples include diamine, 1,5-pentanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, 1,4-cyclohexanediamine, 1,4-cyclohexanebis (methylamine), and the like.

  The weight average molecular weight of the polycondensation resin obtained by polycondensation of the polycondensable monomer is preferably 1,500 or more and 40,000 or less, and preferably 3,000 or more and 30,000 or less. More preferred. When the weight average molecular weight is 1,500 or more, the cohesive force of the binder resin is good and the hot offset property is excellent, and when it is 40,000 or less, the hot offset property is excellent and the minimum fixing temperature is excellent. This is preferable. Further, it may be partially branched or cross-linked by selecting the carboxylic acid valence or alcohol valence of the monomer.

Moreover, it is preferable that the acid value of the polyester resin obtained is 1 mg * KOH / g or more and 50 mg * KOH / g or less. The first reason is that control of the particle size and distribution of the toner in the aqueous medium is indispensable for practical use as a high-quality toner, and the acid value is 1 mg · KOH / g or more. In the granulation step, sufficient particle size and distribution can be achieved, and when used in toner, sufficient chargeability can be obtained. Further, when the acid value of the polyester to be polycondensed is 50 mg · KOH / g or less, a sufficient molecular weight for obtaining image quality strength as a toner at the time of polycondensation can be obtained, and the chargeability of the toner under high humidity can be obtained. Is less dependent on the environment and has excellent image reliability.
Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a measuring method of an acid value, It is preferable to measure according to JISK0070.

When using an amorphous polyester resin, the glass transition temperature Tg of the amorphous polyester resin is preferably 50 ° C to 80 ° C, and more preferably 50 ° C to 65 ° C. When the Tg is 50 ° C. or more, the cohesive force of the binder resin itself in a high temperature range is good, and thus the hot offset property is excellent at the time of fixing. Further, when Tg is 80 ° C. or less, sufficient melting is obtained and the minimum fixing temperature is hardly increased.
The glass transition temperature of the binder resin refers to a value measured by a method (DSC method) defined in ASTM D3418-82.

Examples of the addition polymerizable monomer used for the preparation of the addition polymerization type resin include a cationic polymerizable monomer and a radical polymerizable monomer, and a radical polymerizable monomer is preferable.
As radically polymerizable monomers, styrenic monomers, unsaturated carboxylic acids, (meth) acrylates ("(meth) acrylate" means acrylate and methacrylate, and so on. N-vinyl compounds, vinyl esters, halogenated vinyl compounds, N-substituted unsaturated amides, conjugated dienes, polyfunctional vinyl compounds, polyfunctional (meth) acrylates, and the like. . Among these, N-substituted unsaturated amides, conjugated dienes, polyfunctional vinyl compounds, polyfunctional (meth) acrylates, and the like may cause a crosslinking reaction in the produced polymer. it can. These can be used alone or in combination.

Examples of the addition polymerizable monomer that can be used in this embodiment include a radical polymerizable monomer, a cationic polymerizable monomer, or an anion polymerizable monomer. Preferably there is.
The radically polymerizable monomer is preferably a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond, and has an aromatic ethylenically unsaturated compound (hereinafter also referred to as “vinyl aromatic”) or an ethylenically unsaturated bond. Carboxylic acids (unsaturated carboxylic acids), derivatives of unsaturated carboxylic acids such as esters, aldehydes, nitriles or amides, N-vinyl compounds, vinyl esters, halogenated vinyl compounds, N-substituted unsaturated amides, conjugated dienes, many It is more preferably a functional vinyl compound or a polyfunctional (meth) acrylate.

  Specifically, for example, unsubstituted vinyl aromatics such as styrene and p-vinylpyridine, α-substituted styrene such as α-methylstyrene and α-ethylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, 2, Aromatic nucleus substituted styrene such as 5-dimethylstyrene, vinyl aromatics such as aromatic nucleus halogen substituted styrene such as p-chlorostyrene, p-bromostyrene, dibromostyrene, (meth) acrylic acid (in addition, “(meth) acrylic” "Means acrylic and methacrylic, and the same shall apply hereinafter.), Unsaturated carboxylic acids such as crotonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, methyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl ( (Meth) acrylate, propyl (meth) acrylate, butyl (meth) acrylate, pentyl (meth) acrylate Unsaturated carboxylic acid esters such as hexyl (meth) acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth) acrylate, glycidyl (meth) acrylate, benzyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) acrylaldehyde, (meth) acrylonitrile, (meth) acrylamide, etc. Unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives, N-vinyl compounds such as N-vinyl pyridine and N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl esters such as vinyl formate, vinyl acetate and vinyl propionate, vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, vinylidene chloride, etc. Halogenated vinyl compounds, N-methylol acrylamide, N-ethylol acrylamide, N-propanol acrylamide, N-methylol maleamic acid, N-methylol maleamic acid ester, N-methylol maleimide, N-ethylo N-substituted unsaturated amides such as lumaleimide, conjugated dienes such as butadiene and isoprene, polyfunctional vinyl compounds such as divinylbenzene, divinylnaphthalene and divinylcyclohexane, ethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, diethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate , Propylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, tetramethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, neopentyl glycol di (meth) acrylate, hexamethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane di (meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri ( (Meth) acrylate, glycerol di (meth) acrylate, glycerol tri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol di (meth) acrylate, pentaerythrito Tritri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra (meth) acrylate, dipentaerythritol di (meth) acrylate, dipentaerythritol tri (meth) acrylate, dipentaerythritol tetra (meth) acrylate, dipentaerythritol penta (meth) acrylate, Examples include polyfunctional acrylates such as dipentaerythritol hexa (meth) acrylate, sorbitol tri (meth) acrylate, sorbitol tetra (meth) acrylate, sorbitol penta (meth) acrylate, and sorbitol hexa (meth) acrylate. Moreover, the sulfonic acid and phosphonic acid which have an ethylenically unsaturated bond, and those derivatives can also be used. Among these, N-substituted unsaturated amides, conjugated dienes, polyfunctional vinyl compounds, polyfunctional acrylates, and the like can also cause a crosslinking reaction in the produced polymer. These addition polymerizable monomers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

<Emulsification process>
In the method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to the present embodiment, the mixture is dispersed in an aqueous medium containing an amine compound and / or ammonia, or the mixture is dispersed in an aqueous medium and then the amine compound and / or ammonia. And an emulsification step of obtaining a resin particle dispersion.
The timing for adding the amine compound and / or ammonia in the emulsification step may be added to the aqueous medium before the mixture is dispersed, or may be added to the dispersion after the mixture is dispersed in the aqueous medium. The mixture is preferably added to the aqueous medium before being dispersed.
The dispersion in the emulsification step is preferably performed by phase inversion emulsification. That is, in the emulsification step, it is preferable to gradually add and disperse an aqueous medium to the mixture, and it is more preferable to gradually add and disperse an aqueous medium containing an amine compound and / or ammonia to the mixture.
In the emulsification step, it is particularly preferable to use an amine compound and ammonia in combination. In the above aspect, the toner obtained is more excellent in charging characteristics.

Examples of the amine compound used in the emulsification step include primary to tertiary amines. Specifically, for example, ethylamine, diethylamine, 3-ethoxypropylamine, 3-diethylaminopropylamine, sec-butylamine, n -Propylamine, isopropylamine, methylaminopropylamine, dimethylaminopropylamine, methyliminobispropylamine, 3-methoxypropylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, morpholine, N-methylmorpholine, N-ethylmorpholine , Triethylamine, N, N-diethylethanolamine, N, N-dimethylethanolamine, aminoethanolamine, N-methyl-N, N-diethanolamine, iminobispropylamine, etc. It is below.
Among these, the amine compound and ammonia used in the emulsification step preferably include a compound selected from the group consisting of a primary amine compound, a secondary amine compound, and ammonia, and diethylamine and / or ammonia. Is particularly preferred.
In addition, from the viewpoint of toner charging characteristics, the amine compound and / or ammonia used in the emulsification step is preferably ammonia, and from the viewpoint of dispersion stability in the dispersion, it is used in the emulsification step. As an amine compound and / or ammonia, a primary amine and a secondary amine are mentioned preferably, a secondary amine is mentioned more preferably, and a dialkylamine is mentioned further more preferably.
The amine compound is preferably an aliphatic amine compound.
Further, the amine compound is preferably an amine compound having a boiling point of 100 ° C. or lower, more preferably an amine compound having a boiling point of 70 ° C. or lower, from the viewpoint of the charging characteristics of the toner.

The amine compound and / or ammonia in the emulsification step may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
The total amount of the amine compound and / or ammonia used in the emulsification step is preferably 0.01 to 20 parts by weight and more preferably 0.05 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. Preferably, it is 0.1 to 5 parts by weight. Within the above range, the dispersion stability of the resin particle dispersion is excellent, and the charging characteristics of the toner are excellent.
When the binder resin has an acid group, the total addition amount of the strongly basic compound in the mixing step and the amine compound and / or ammonia in the emulsification step is a neutralization rate with the acid group of the binder resin. The amount is preferably 30 to 500 mol%, more preferably 100 to 350 mol%, and still more preferably 100 to 250 mol%. When it is 30 mol% or more, the dispersion stability of the resin particle dispersion is excellent, and when it is 500 mol% or less, the charging characteristics of the toner are excellent.

Examples of the aqueous medium used in the present embodiment include water such as distilled water and ion exchange water, and alcohols such as ethanol and methanol. Among these, ethanol and water are preferable, and water such as distilled water and ion-exchanged water is particularly preferable. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
Further, the aqueous medium may contain a water-miscible organic solvent, but it is preferably not included in the emulsification step. Examples of the water-miscible organic solvent include acetone and acetic acid.
Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular as the usage-amount of the aqueous medium in the said emulsification process, It is preferable that the solid content concentration of the obtained resin particle dispersion is 1 to 60 weight, and it is more preferable that it is 5 to 50 weight%. Preferably, it is 10 to 50% by weight.

The emulsifying means used in the emulsification step is not particularly limited, and a known disperser may be used. Examples thereof include a kneader, a homogenizer, a homomixer, a pressure kneader, an extruder, and a media disperser.
The average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter) of the resin particles in the obtained resin particle dispersion is preferably in the range of 60 nm to 300 nm, and more preferably in the range of 150 nm to 250 nm. Within the above range, the cohesiveness of the resin particles is sufficient, and the particle size distribution of the toner can be narrowed.

The volume average particle diameter of the obtained resin particle dispersion is, for example, Microtrac (manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd., Microtrac UPA9340), laser diffraction type particle size distribution analyzer (manufactured by Horiba, Ltd., LA-700). It is preferable to measure with a micro track (manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd., Micro track UPA 9340).
Specific examples of the measuring method include the following methods.
The sample in the state of dispersion is adjusted so as to have a solid content of about 2 g, and ion exchange water is added thereto to make about 40 ml. This is put into the cell until an appropriate concentration is reached, waits for about 2 minutes, and is measured when the concentration in the cell becomes almost stable. The obtained volume average particle diameter for each channel is accumulated from the smaller volume average particle diameter, and the volume average particle diameter (D ₅₀ ) is defined as 50%.

(Electrostatic image developing toner)
The electrostatic image developing toner of the present embodiment (hereinafter also simply referred to as “toner”) binds the resin particles dispersed in the resin particle dispersion obtained by the method for producing the resin particle dispersion of the present embodiment. The toner is at least used as a resin.

<Binder resin>
The binder resin in the electrostatic image developing toner of this embodiment contains at least a resin derived from the resin particle dispersion obtained by the method for producing a resin particle dispersion of this embodiment.
The electrostatic image developing toner of the present embodiment may contain a resin other than the resin derived from the resin particle dispersion obtained by the method for producing the resin particle dispersion of the present embodiment as a binder resin. It is preferably less than 50% by weight, more preferably 20% by weight or less, still more preferably 10% by weight or less, and particularly preferably not contained, based on the total weight of the binder resin contained in . The above aspect is more excellent in fixing characteristics.
The resin other than the resin derived from the resin particle dispersion obtained by the method for producing the resin particle dispersion of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and a known resin used for toner is used.

  Further, the content of the binder resin in the toner of the exemplary embodiment is preferably 10 to 90% by weight, more preferably 30 to 85% by weight, and more preferably 50 to 80% by weight with respect to the total weight of the toner. % Is more preferable.

<Colorant>
The toner of the present exemplary embodiment may contain a colorant as necessary.
As the colorant, known ones can be used, and may be arbitrarily selected from the viewpoints of hue angle, saturation, brightness, weather resistance, OHP permeability, and dispersibility in the toner.
Specifically, various pigments such as watch young red, permanent red, brilliantamine 3B, brilliantamine 6B, dapon oil red, pyrazolone red, resol red, rhodamine B lake, lake red C rose bengal, and acridine series , Xanthene, azo, benzoquinone, azine, anthraquinone, thioindico, dioxazine, thiazine, azomethine, indico, thioindico, phthalocyanine, aniline black, polymethine, triphenylmethane, diphenylmethane Examples thereof include various colorants such as those based on thiazine, thiazine, thiazole and xanthene.

  Specific examples of the colorant include carbon black, nigrosine dye (CI No. 50415B), aniline blue (CI No. 50405), calco oil blue (CI No. azoic Blue 3), chrome yellow (CI No.14090), Ultramarine Blue (CINo.77103), DuPont Oil Red (CINo.26105), Quinoline Yellow (CINo.47005), Methylene Blue Chloride (CINo.52015), Phthalocyanine Blue (CINo.74160) ), Malachite green oxalate (CI No. 42000), lamp black (CI No. 77266), rose bengal (CI No. 45435), and mixtures thereof can be preferably used.

The amount of the colorant used is preferably 0.1 to 20 parts by weight and more preferably 0.5 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the toner. Moreover, as a coloring agent, these pigments, dyes, etc. can be used individually by 1 type, or 2 or more types can be used together.
As a method for dispersing the colorant, an arbitrary method, for example, a general dispersion method such as a rotary shear type homogenizer, a ball mill having a medium, a sand mill, or a dyno mill can be used, and the method is not limited at all. These colorant particles may be added to the mixed solvent at the same time as other particle components, or may be divided and added in multiple stages.

<Release agent>
The electrostatic image developing toner of this embodiment preferably contains a release agent.
Specific examples of the release agent include, for example, ester wax, polyethylene, polypropylene or a copolymer of polyethylene and polypropylene, polyglycerin wax, microcrystalline wax, paraffin wax, carnauba wax, sazol wax, montanic acid ester wax, Acid carnauba wax, palmitic acid, stearic acid, montanic acid, brassic acid, eleostearic acid, valinalic acid and other unsaturated fatty acids, stearyl alcohol, aralkyl alcohol, bephenyl alcohol, carnauvyl alcohol, ceryl alcohol, melylyl Saturated alcohols such as alcohols or further long-chain alkyl alcohols having a long-chain alkyl group; polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol; linoleic acid amide, oleic acid Fatty acid amides such as amide and lauric acid amide; methylene bis stearic acid amide, ethylene biscapric acid amide, ethylene bis lauric acid amide, saturated fatty acid bisamides such as hexamethylene bis stearic acid amide, ethylene bisoleic acid amide, hexamethylene Unsaturated fatty acid amides such as bisoleic acid amide, N, N′-dioleyl adipic acid amide, N, N′-dioleyl sebacic acid amide; m-xylene bisstearic acid amide, N, N′-distearyl Aromatic bisamides such as isophthalic acid amide; fatty acid metal salts such as calcium stearate, calcium laurate, zinc stearate and magnesium stearate (generally called metal soap); styrene and acrylic on aliphatic hydrocarbon wax acid Waxes grafted with any vinyl monomer; partially esterified products of fatty acids such as behenic monoglyceride and polyhydric alcohols; methyl ester compounds having hydroxyl groups obtained by hydrogenation of vegetable oils and the like . Among these, waxes are preferable.

The said mold release agent may be used individually by 1 type, or may use 2 or more types together.
The content of the releasing agent is preferably 1 to 20 parts by weight, and more preferably 3 to 15 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. Within the above range, both good fixing and image quality characteristics can be achieved.

<Other ingredients>
In addition to the above components, various components such as an internal additive, a charge control agent, inorganic powder (inorganic particles), and organic particles may be added to the toner as necessary.
Examples of the internal additive include metals such as ferrite, magnetite, reduced iron, cobalt, nickel and manganese, alloys, and magnetic materials such as compounds containing these metals. When the magnetic material is used as a magnetic toner, the ferromagnetic particles preferably have an average particle size of 2 μm or less, more preferably about 0.1 to 0.5 μm. The amount contained in the toner is preferably 20 to 200 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin component, and particularly preferably 40 to 150 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin component. Further, it is preferable that the magnetic characteristics at the application of 10K oersted are those having a coercive force (Hc) of 20 to 300 oersted, saturation magnetization (σs) of 50 to 200 emu / g, and residual magnetization (σr) of 2 to 20 emu / g.

  Examples of the charge control agent include fluorine surfactants, salicylic acid metal complexes, metal-containing dyes such as azo metal compounds, polymer acids such as polymers containing maleic acid as a monomer component, and quaternary ammonium salts. And azine dyes such as nigrosine.

  The toner may contain an inorganic powder for the purpose of adjusting viscoelasticity. Examples of inorganic powders include silica, alumina, titania, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and cerium oxide. Can be mentioned.

<External additive>
An external additive may be externally added to the surface of the toner as necessary. Examples of the external additive externally added to the surface include inorganic particles and organic particles.
Examples of inorganic particles include silica, alumina, titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanate, zinc oxide, silica sand, clay, mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth, cerium chloride, Examples include Bengala, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride.
Inorganic particles are generally used for the purpose of improving fluidity. The average primary particle size of the inorganic particles is preferably in the range of 1 to 200 nm. The addition amount of the inorganic particles is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 20 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the toner.

It is preferable that the surface of the inorganic particles is previously hydrophobized. This hydrophobization treatment is more effective for improving the powder fluidity of the toner, as well as the environmental dependency of charging and the resistance to carrier contamination.
The hydrophobizing treatment may be performed by immersing the inorganic particles in a hydrophobizing agent. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular as said hydrophobic treatment agent, For example, a silane coupling agent, a silicone oil, a titanate coupling agent, an aluminum coupling agent etc. are mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, silane coupling agents are preferable.

  Organic particles are generally used for the purpose of improving cleaning properties and transfer properties. Specifically, for example, fluorine resin powders such as polyvinylidene fluoride and polytetrafluoroethylene, fatty acid metal salts such as zinc stearate and calcium stearate. , Polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate and the like.

Among these, it is preferable to use inorganic oxides such as titania and silica from the viewpoint of improving fluidity and charging characteristics.
Moreover, an external additive may be used individually by 1 type, or may use 2 or more types together.
The ratio of the external additive externally added to the toner base particles before external addition is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 5 parts by weight, and in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the toner base particles. Is more preferable.

<Aspects and physical properties of toner>
The toner of the present embodiment is preferably a core-shell toner, and it is preferable that both the core and the shell include a resin derived from the resin particle dispersion obtained by the method for producing a resin particle dispersion of the present embodiment.
The thickness (average total thickness) of the shell layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 2.5 μm.
The amount of the shell layer is preferably 0.01 to 40% by weight and more preferably 0.1 to 35% by weight with respect to the total weight of the toner base particles.

The volume average particle diameter (D _50v ) of the toner of the exemplary embodiment is preferably 2 μm or more and 20 μm or less, more preferably 3 μm or more and 15 μm or less, and further preferably 3 μm or more and 12 μm or less. Within the above range, transfer unevenness in a high temperature and high humidity environment is further suppressed.
Further, the volume average particle diameter (D _50v ) of the toner base particles in the toner of the exemplary embodiment is preferably 2 μm or more and 20 μm or less, more preferably 3 μm or more and 15 μm or less, and further preferably 3 μm or more and 12 μm or less. Within the above range, transfer unevenness in a high temperature and high humidity environment is further suppressed.
The toner preferably has a narrower particle size distribution. More specifically, the ratio between the 16% diameter (D _16p ) and the 84% diameter (D _84p ) in terms of the smaller number particle size of the toner is expressed as a square root. (GSDp), that is, GSDp represented by the following formula is preferably 1.40 or less, more preferably 1.31 or less, and particularly preferably 1.27 or less. Moreover, it is preferable that GSDp is 1.15 or more.
_{GSDp = {(D 84p) /} (D 16p)} 0.5
If the volume average particle size and GSDp are both in the above ranges, extremely small particles do not exist, and therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in developability due to an excessive charge amount of the small particle size toner.

A Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Beckman-Coulter) can be used for measuring the average particle diameter of particles such as toner. In this case, measurement can be performed using an optimum aperture depending on the particle size level of the particles. The particle diameter of the measured particle is expressed by a volume average particle diameter.
When the particle size is about 5 μm or less, the particle size can be measured using a laser diffraction / scattering particle size distribution measuring device (LA-700, manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.).
Furthermore, when the particle size is on the order of nanometers, it can be measured using a BET specific surface area measuring device (Flow Sorb II 2300, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation).

In this embodiment, the toner shape factor SF1 is preferably in the range of 110 to 160, and more preferably in the range of 120 to 150. Within the above range, transfer unevenness in a high temperature and high humidity environment is further suppressed.
The shape factor SF1 is a shape factor indicating the degree of unevenness on the particle surface, and is calculated by the following equation.

In the formula, ML indicates the maximum length of the particle, and A indicates the projected area of the particle.
As a specific measurement method of SF1, for example, first, an optical microscope image of toner spread on a slide glass is taken into an image analysis device through a video camera, SF1 is calculated for 50 toners, and an average value is obtained. Is mentioned.

(Method for producing electrostatic image developing toner)
The method for producing an electrostatic charge image developing toner according to the present embodiment obtains agglomerated particles by aggregating the resin particles in a dispersion containing the resin particle dispersion obtained by the method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to the present embodiment. A process (hereinafter also referred to as “aggregation process”), and a process of heating and coalescing the aggregated particles (hereinafter also referred to as “fusion process”).

<Aggregation process>
The toner manufacturing method of the present embodiment includes an aggregating step of aggregating the resin particles in a dispersion containing the resin particle dispersion obtained by the resin particle dispersion manufacturing method of the present embodiment to obtain aggregated particles. It is preferable.
In the aggregation step, the resin particle dispersion obtained by the method for producing the resin particle dispersion of the present embodiment mixed with each other, and, if necessary, in the colorant dispersion and the release agent dispersion Each particle is aggregated in an aqueous medium to form aggregated particles having a desired volume average particle diameter in the aggregate. The aggregated particles are formed by heteroaggregation or the like, and a surfactant or an aggregating agent may be added for the purpose of stabilizing the aggregated particles and controlling the particle size / particle size distribution. The formation of the aggregated particles is preferably performed by adding an aggregating agent while stirring with a rotary shearing type homogenizer. The temperature in the aggregation step is not particularly limited as long as the aggregation proceeds, but is preferably 10 ° C to 55 ° C.
In the present embodiment, depending on the purpose, at least one of the resin particle dispersion, the colorant dispersion, and the release agent dispersion includes an internal additive, a charge control agent, an inorganic particle, and an organic particle. In addition, other components (particles) such as a lubricant and an abrasive may be dispersed. Further, for example, other components (particles) may be dispersed in at least one of the binder resin dispersion, the colorant dispersion, and the release agent dispersion, or the resin particle dispersion and the colorant. You may mix the dispersion liquid which disperse | distributes another component (particle | grains) in the liquid mixture formed by mixing a dispersion liquid and a mold release agent dispersion liquid.

Examples of the dispersion medium in the dispersion liquid such as the colorant dispersion liquid and the release agent dispersion liquid include an aqueous medium.
What was mentioned above is mentioned as an aqueous medium used for this embodiment. Among these, ethanol and water are preferable, and water such as distilled water and ion-exchanged water is particularly preferable. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
The aqueous medium may contain a water-miscible organic solvent. Examples of the water-miscible organic solvent include acetone and acetic acid.

The aggregating step is a step of making the pH of the dispersion containing the resin particle dispersion obtained by the method for producing a resin particle dispersion of this embodiment acidic (preferably pH 6 or less), and adding an aggregating agent to the dispersion And a step of making the pH of the dispersion alkaline (preferably pH 8 or higher) in this order. By making the pH of the dispersion acidic, the cohesion is excellent, and by making the pH alkaline, the aggregation is stopped or suppressed.
Moreover, in the said aggregation process, after adding a flocculant to a dispersion liquid, it is preferable to heat the temperature of a dispersion liquid to 35 to 55 degreeC.

[Surfactant]
In the exemplary embodiment, a surfactant can be used for the purpose of stabilizing the dispersion of the resin particle dispersion, the colorant dispersion, the release agent dispersion, and the like in the aggregation process, for example, during the production of the toner.
Examples of the surfactant include anionic surfactants such as sulfate ester, sulfonate, phosphate ester, and soap; cationic surfactants such as amine salt type and quaternary ammonium salt type; polyethylene Nonionic surfactants such as glycols, alkylphenol ethylene oxide adducts, polyhydric alcohols and the like can be mentioned. Among these, an ionic surfactant is preferable, and an anionic surfactant and a cationic surfactant are more preferable.

In toners, anionic surfactants generally have a strong dispersing power and are excellent in dispersing resin particles and colorants. Moreover, it is advantageous to use an anionic surfactant as the surfactant for dispersing the release agent.
The nonionic surfactant is preferably used in combination with the anionic surfactant or the cationic surfactant. The said surfactant may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

  The content of the surfactant in the colorant dispersion and the release agent dispersion may be a level that does not hinder the present embodiment, and is generally small, specifically 0.01 wt. % To 3% by weight, more preferably 0.05% to 2% by weight, and more preferably 0.1% to 1% by weight. preferable. Within the above range, each dispersion such as a colorant dispersion and a release agent dispersion is stable, neither aggregation nor release of specific particles occurs, and the effects of the present embodiment are sufficiently obtained. In general, a suspension-polymerized toner dispersion having a large particle size is stable even when a small amount of a surfactant is used.

[Flocculant]
In the aggregating step, agglomeration is caused by pH change or the like, and particles having a toner particle diameter containing a binder resin and a colorant can be prepared. At the same time, an aggregating agent may be added in order to stably and rapidly aggregate the particles or to obtain aggregated particles having a narrower particle size distribution.
As the flocculant, a compound having a monovalent or higher charge is preferable, and specific examples of the compound include water-soluble surfactants such as the above-mentioned ionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, Acids such as nitric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, (poly) aluminum chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, aluminum sulfate, calcium sulfate, aluminum nitrate, silver nitrate, copper sulfate, sodium carbonate, inorganic acid metal salts, sodium acetate, formic acid Examples thereof include aliphatic acids such as potassium, sodium oxalate, sodium phthalate and potassium salicylate, metal salts of aromatic acids, and metal salts of phenols such as sodium phenolate.

In consideration of the stability of the aggregated particles, the stability of the coagulant with respect to heat and time, and the removal during washing, a metal salt of an inorganic acid is preferable as the coagulant in terms of performance and use. Specific examples include metal salts of inorganic acids such as (poly) aluminum chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, aluminum sulfate, calcium sulfate, aluminum nitrate, silver nitrate, copper sulfate, and sodium carbonate.
The amount of these flocculants to be added varies depending on the valence of the charge, but it is preferable that all of them are small in quantity. Is preferably 0.5% by weight or less. Since the amount of the flocculant is preferably small, it is preferable to use a compound having a large valence.

[Production method of colorant dispersion]
The colorant dispersion is formed by dispersing at least a colorant.
The colorant is dispersed by a known method. For example, a rotary-type homogenizer, a ball-type mill, a sand mill, an attritor-type media type dispersing machine, a high-pressure counter-collision type dispersing machine, or the like is preferably used. The colorant may be an ionic surfactant having polarity and dispersed in an aqueous solvent using a homogenizer as described above to produce a colorant particle dispersion. A coloring agent may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together. The volume average particle size of the colorant (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as an average particle size) is preferably 1 μm or less, more preferably 0.5 μm or less, and 0.01 to 0.5 μm. Is particularly preferred.
In addition, rosin, rosin derivatives, coupling agents, polymer dispersions are added as dispersants to further stabilize the dispersion stability of the colorant in the aqueous medium and lower the energy of the colorant in the toner. Agents and the like.

[Method for preparing release agent dispersion]
The release agent dispersion is formed by dispersing at least a release agent.
The release agent is dispersed by a known method, and for example, a rotary shearing type homogenizer, a media type dispersing machine such as a ball mill, a sand mill, or an attritor, a high pressure opposed collision type dispersing machine or the like is preferably used. The release agent may be a ionic surfactant having polarity and dispersed in an aqueous solvent using a homogenizer as described above to prepare a release agent particle dispersion. In this embodiment, a mold release agent may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together. The average particle size of the release agent particles is preferably 1 μm or less, and more preferably 0.01 to 1 μm.

<Addition step and shell adhesion step>
The toner manufacturing method of the present embodiment includes an addition step of adding resin particles to the dispersion containing the aggregate after the aggregation and forming the aggregate, and attaching the resin particles to the surface of the aggregate And a shell attaching step for obtaining aggregated particles. The resin particles are preferably resin particles contained in a resin particle dispersion obtained by the method for producing a resin particle dispersion of the present embodiment. That is, the adding step is preferably a step of further adding a resin particle dispersion obtained by the method for producing a resin particle dispersion of the present embodiment to the dispersion containing the aggregates.

The amount of the resin particles added in the addition step is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the total weight of the aggregates obtained in the aggregation step. More preferably, it is -8 weight part, and it is still more preferable that it is 1-5 weight part.
As the flocculant used in the shell adhering step, the flocculant added in the flocculant step may be used as it is or may be newly added.
The temperature of the dispersion liquid in the shell attaching step is not particularly limited as long as the temperature allows the resin particles to adhere to the surface of the aggregates, but the temperature of the dispersion liquid in the aggregation step is preferably the same as that of the dispersion liquid. .
In addition, the addition step and the shell adhesion step may be performed while the addition step is performed, or the shell adhesion step may be performed after the addition step. Regarding the addition step subsequent to the shell attachment step, it is preferable to take an interval in consideration of the time during which the resin particles added in the previous addition step adhere to the surface of the aggregate in the shell attachment step.
In the addition step and / or the shell attachment step, a surfactant may be added or the pH may be adjusted for the purpose of stabilizing the aggregate and controlling the particle size / particle size distribution.

<Fusion process>
The method for producing an electrostatic charge image developing toner according to this embodiment preferably includes a fusing step of fusing the aggregated particles by heating.
In the fusing step, the binder resin in the aggregated particles melts at a temperature condition higher than its melting point or glass transition temperature, and the aggregated particles change from an indeterminate shape to a more spherical shape.
The heating temperature in the fusion step is preferably in the range of (melting temperature of the used crystalline resin +0 to 50) ° C. or (glass transition temperature of the used amorphous resin particles +0 to 50) ° C. The melting temperature of the crystalline resin used + 0 to 40) ° C. or (the glass transition temperature of the amorphous polyester resin particles + 10 to 40) ° C. is more preferable.
The heating time may be as long as fusion between particles is performed, and is preferably 0.5 to 10 hours.
Cooling is performed after the aggregated particles are fused to obtain fused particles. Also, in the cooling process, the cooling rate is increased in the vicinity of the melting temperature of the release agent and binder resin (melting temperature ± 10 ° C range), so-called rapid cooling enables recrystallization of the release agent and binder resin. It may be suppressed to suppress surface exposure.

<Other processes>
After completion of the fusion process, a desired toner may be obtained through an arbitrary washing process, solid-liquid separation process, drying process, external addition process, and the like.
In the washing step, it is preferable to sufficiently perform substitution washing with ion-exchanged water from the viewpoint of chargeability. The solid-liquid separation step is not particularly limited, but suction filtration, pressure filtration, and the like are preferably used from the viewpoint of productivity. Furthermore, the drying process is not particularly limited, but freeze drying, flash jet drying, fluidized drying, vibration fluidized drying, etc. are preferably used from the viewpoint of productivity. In the toner of the present exemplary embodiment, the moisture content after drying is preferably adjusted to 1.0% by weight or less, and more preferably adjusted to 0.5% by weight or less.
The method for externally adding inorganic particles such as silica and titania to the surface of the toner base particles in the external addition step is not particularly limited, and a known method is used, for example, adhesion by a mechanical method or a chemical method. The method of letting it be mentioned.

(Electrostatic image developer)
The electrostatic charge image developer of the present exemplary embodiment (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “developer”) is not particularly limited as long as it contains the electrostatic charge image developing toner of the exemplary embodiment. May be a one-component developer used in the above, or a two-component developer containing a toner and a carrier. In the case of a one-component developer, a toner containing magnetic metal particles or a non-magnetic one-component toner containing no magnetic metal particles may be used.

The carrier is not particularly limited as long as it is a known carrier, and iron powder carriers, ferrite carriers, surface-coated ferrite carriers, and the like are used. Each surface-added powder may be used after a desired surface treatment.
Specific examples of the carrier include the following resin-coated carriers. Examples of the carrier core particle include normal iron powder, ferrite, and magnetite molding, and the volume average particle size is preferably 30 to 200 μm.

  Examples of the coating resin for the resin-coated carrier include styrenes such as styrene, parachlorostyrene, and α-methylstyrene; methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, acrylic acid 2 -Α-methylene fatty acid monocarboxylic acids such as ethylhexyl, methyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate; nitrogen-containing acrylics such as dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate; acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, etc. Vinyl nitriles; vinyl pyridines such as 2-vinyl pyridine and 4-vinyl pyridine; vinyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether and vinyl isobutyl ether; vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl ethyl ketone, vinyl isopropenyl Homopolymers such as vinyl ketones such as ketones; olefins such as ethylene and propylene; vinyl-based fluorine-containing monomers such as vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoroethylene; and copolymers comprising two or more types of monomers Furthermore, silicone resins containing methyl silicone, methyl phenyl silicone, etc., polyesters containing bisphenol, glycol, etc., epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, polyamide resins, cellulose resins, polyether resins, polycarbonate resins and the like can be mentioned. These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The coating amount of the coating resin is preferably in the range of about 0.1 to 10 parts by weight and more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the core particles.

  For the production of the carrier, a heating type kneader, a heating type Henschel mixer, a UM mixer, or the like is used. Depending on the amount of the coating resin, a heating type fluidized rolling bed, a heating type kiln, or the like is used.

When a carrier in which ferrite particles are used as a core and coated with a resin in which carbon black or the like as a conductive agent and melamine beads or the like as a charge control agent are dispersed in methyl acrylate or ethyl acrylate and styrene or the like is used as a carrier, Since the resistance controllability is excellent even when the film thickness is increased, the image quality and the image quality maintenance are excellent, which is more preferable.
The mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier in the developer is not particularly limited and is selected according to the purpose.

(Image forming method)
An image forming method using the toner of this embodiment will be described. The toner of the exemplary embodiment is used in an image forming method using a known electrophotographic method. Specifically, it is used in an image forming method having the following steps.
That is, a preferable image forming method includes a charging step for uniformly charging the surface of the electrostatic charge image holding member, a latent image forming step for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged electrostatic charge image holding member, and the electrostatic charge image. Developing a latent image formed on the surface of the holding body with a developer containing at least toner to form a toner image, and transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the electrostatic image holding body to the transfer target A transfer step for fixing, a fixing step for fixing the toner image transferred to the transfer target, and a cleaning step for removing residual toner on the surface of the electrostatic charge image holding member after transfer. The toner of the present embodiment described above is used. Further, the transfer step may use an intermediate transfer member that mediates transfer of the toner image from the electrostatic latent image holding member to the transfer target.

Each of the above steps is a general step per se, and is described in, for example, JP-A-56-40868 and JP-A-49-91231. Note that the image forming method of the present embodiment can be carried out by using a known image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine.
The electrostatic latent image forming step is a step of forming an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier (photoconductor).
The developing step is a step of developing the electrostatic latent image with a developer layer on a developer holding member to form a toner image. The developer layer is not particularly limited as long as it contains the electrostatic image developing toner of this embodiment.
The transfer step is a step of transferring the toner image onto a transfer target. Examples of the transfer medium in the transfer process include an intermediate transfer medium and a recording medium such as paper.
In the fixing step, for example, there is a method of forming a copy image by fixing the toner image transferred onto the transfer paper by a heating roller fixing device in which the temperature of the heating roller is set to a constant temperature.
The cleaning step is a step of removing the electrostatic charge image developer remaining on the image carrier.
As the transfer target, a recording medium such as an intermediate transfer member or paper can be used.
Examples of the recording medium include paper used for electrophotographic copying machines and printers, OHP sheets, etc., for example, coated paper whose surface is coated with resin, art paper for printing, and the like. Etc. can be used suitably.

  The image forming method of the present embodiment may further include a recycling step. The recycling step is a step of transferring the electrostatic charge image developing toner collected in the cleaning step to a developer layer. The image forming method including the recycling process is performed using an image forming apparatus such as a toner recycling system type copying machine or facsimile machine. Further, the present invention may be applied to a recycling system in which the cleaning process is omitted and toner is collected simultaneously with development.

(Image forming device)
The image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to an image forming apparatus using the electrostatic image developing toner of this embodiment.
The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes an image carrier, a charging unit that charges the image carrier, and an exposure unit that exposes the charged image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier. Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image; transfer means for transferring the toner image from the image carrier to the surface of the transfer body; and transferring the toner image to the surface of the transfer body. A fixing unit for fixing the toner image, and the toner is preferably the electrostatic charge image developing toner according to the exemplary embodiment.
The image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it includes at least the image holding member, the charging unit, the exposure unit, the developing unit, the transfer unit, and the fixing unit as described above. However, other cleaning means, static elimination means, and the like may be included as necessary.
In the transfer unit, the transfer may be performed twice or more using an intermediate transfer member. Examples of the transfer medium in the transfer unit include an intermediate transfer medium and a recording medium such as paper.

The image carrier and each of the above-described units can preferably use the configurations described in the respective steps of the image forming method. As each of the above-described means, a known means in the image forming apparatus can be used. In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may include means and devices other than the above-described configuration. Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may simultaneously perform a plurality of the above-described means.
The image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment preferably includes a cleaning unit that removes the electrostatic charge image developer remaining on the image carrier.
Examples of the cleaning means include a cleaning blade and a cleaning brush, and a cleaning blade is preferable.

In this image forming apparatus, for example, the part including the developing unit may be a cartridge structure (process cartridge) that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus. As the process cartridge, a developer holding body is used. The process cartridge of the present embodiment is preferably used that includes at least the electrostatic charge image developer of the present embodiment.
Hereinafter, although an example of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment is shown, it is not necessarily limited to this. The main parts shown in the figure will be described, and the description of the other parts will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a quadruple tandem full-color image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is the first of the electrophotographic systems that outputs yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) images based on color-separated image data. Fourth image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K (image forming means) are provided. These image forming units (hereinafter simply referred to as “units”) 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are juxtaposed in the horizontal direction so as to be separated from each other. The units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K may be process cartridges that are detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Above each of the units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, an intermediate transfer belt 20 as an intermediate transfer member is extended through each unit. The intermediate transfer belt 20 is provided by being wound around a driving roller 22 and a support roller 24 that are in contact with the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 that are spaced apart from each other from the left to the right in the drawing. It is designed to travel in the direction toward 10K. The support roller 24 is urged in a direction away from the drive roller 22 by a spring or the like (not shown), and tension is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 20 wound around both. Further, an intermediate transfer member cleaning device 30 is provided on the side of the image carrier of the intermediate transfer belt 20 so as to face the driving roller 22.
Further, each of the developing devices (developing means) 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K of the units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K includes yellow, magenta, cyan, and black contained in the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K. The four colors of toner are supplied.

  Since the first to fourth units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K have the same configuration, the first unit that forms a yellow image disposed on the upstream side in the intermediate transfer belt traveling direction here. 10Y will be described as a representative. It should be noted that reference numerals with magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are attached to portions equivalent to the first unit 10Y instead of yellow (Y), so that the second to fourth units are added. Description of 10M, 10C, 10K is omitted.

The first unit 10Y has a photoreceptor 1Y that functions as an image holding member. Around the photoreceptor 1Y, a charging roller 2Y that charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y, and an exposure apparatus 3 that forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged surface with a laser beam 3Y based on the color-separated image signal. A developing device (developing means) 4Y for supplying the electrostatic latent image with charged toner to develop the electrostatic latent image, and a primary transfer roller 5Y (primary transfer) for transferring the developed toner image onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 And a photoreceptor cleaning device (cleaning means) 6Y for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y after the primary transfer.
The primary transfer roller 5Y is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 20 and is provided at a position facing the photoreceptor 1Y. Further, a bias power source (not shown) for applying a primary transfer bias is connected to each of the primary transfer rollers 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K. Each bias power source varies the transfer bias applied to each primary transfer roller under the control of a control unit (not shown).

Hereinafter, an operation of forming a yellow image in the first unit 10Y will be described. First, prior to the operation, the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is charged to a potential of about −600V to −800V by the charging roller 2Y.
The photoreceptor 1Y is formed by laminating a photosensitive layer on a conductive substrate (volume resistivity at 20 ° C .: 1 × 10 ⁻⁶ Ωcm or less). This photosensitive layer usually has a high resistance (a resistance equivalent to that of a general resin), but has a property that the specific resistance of the portion irradiated with the laser beam changes when irradiated with the laser beam 3Y. Therefore, a laser beam 3Y is output to the surface of the charged photoreceptor 1Y via the exposure device 3 in accordance with yellow image data sent from a control unit (not shown). The laser beam 3Y is applied to the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y, whereby an electrostatic latent image of a yellow print pattern is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y.

The electrostatic latent image is an image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y by charging, and the specific resistance of the irradiated portion of the photosensitive layer is lowered by the laser beam 3Y, and the charged charge on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y is reduced. On the other hand, it is a so-called negative latent image formed by the charge remaining in the portion not irradiated with the laser beam 3Y.
The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 1Y in this way is rotated to the development position as the photoreceptor 1Y travels. Then, at this development position, the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 1Y is converted into a visible image (developed image) by the developing device 4Y.

  In the developing device 4Y, for example, yellow toner having a volume average particle diameter of 7 μm including at least a yellow colorant, a crystalline resin, and an amorphous resin is accommodated. The yellow toner is triboelectrically charged by being agitated inside the developing device 4Y, and has a charge of the same polarity (negative polarity) as the charged electric charge on the photoreceptor 1Y, and a developer roll (developer holder). Is held on. As the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y passes through the developing device 4Y, the yellow toner is electrostatically attached to the latent image portion on the surface of the photoreceptor 1Y, and the latent image is developed with the yellow toner. . The photoreceptor 1Y on which the yellow toner image is formed continues to run, and the toner image developed on the photoreceptor 1Y is conveyed to the primary transfer position.

When the yellow toner image on the photoreceptor 1Y is conveyed to the primary transfer, a primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 5Y, and an electrostatic force from the photoreceptor 1Y toward the primary transfer roller 5Y acts on the toner image. Then, the toner image on the photoreceptor 1Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20. The transfer bias applied at this time is a (+) polarity opposite to the polarity (−) of the toner. For example, in the first unit 10Y, it is controlled to about +10 μA by a control unit (not shown).
On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photoreceptor 1Y is removed and collected by the photoreceptor cleaning device 6Y.

Further, the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer rollers 5M, 5C, and 5K after the second unit 10M is also controlled according to the first unit.
Thus, the intermediate transfer belt 20 onto which the yellow toner image has been transferred by the first unit 10Y is sequentially conveyed through the second to fourth units 10M, 10C, and 10K, and the toner images of the respective colors are superimposed and transferred in a multiple manner.

  The intermediate transfer belt 20 onto which the four color toner images have been transferred in a multiple manner through the first to fourth units is disposed on the intermediate transfer belt 20, the support roller 24 in contact with the inner surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20, and the image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 20. The secondary transfer roller (secondary transfer means) 26 is connected to a secondary transfer portion. On the other hand, a recording sheet (transfer object) P is fed to a gap where the secondary transfer roller 26 and the intermediate transfer belt 20 are pressed against each other via a supply mechanism, and a secondary transfer bias is applied to the support roller 24. . The transfer bias applied at this time is a (−) polarity that is the same polarity as the polarity (−) of the toner, and an electrostatic force from the intermediate transfer belt 20 toward the recording paper P is applied to the toner image, and the transfer bias is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 20. The toner image is transferred onto the recording paper P. The secondary transfer bias at this time is determined according to the resistance detected by a resistance detection means (not shown) for detecting the resistance of the secondary transfer portion, and is voltage-controlled.

Thereafter, the recording paper P is sent to a fixing device (fixing means) 28, where the toner image is heated, and the color-superposed toner image is melted and fixed on the recording paper P. The recording paper P on which the color image has been fixed is carried out toward the discharge unit, and a series of color image forming operations is completed.
The image forming apparatus exemplified above is configured to transfer the toner image onto the recording paper P via the intermediate transfer belt 20, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the toner image is directly transferred from the photoconductor. It may be a structure that is transferred to a recording sheet.

<Process cartridge, toner cartridge>
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a preferred example of a process cartridge containing the electrostatic charge image developer according to the present embodiment. The process cartridge 200 includes, together with the photosensitive member 107, a charging roller 108, a developing device 111 including a developer holding member 111A, a photosensitive member cleaning device (cleaning unit) 113, an opening 118 for exposure, and for static elimination exposure. Are combined and integrated using the mounting rail 116.
The process cartridge 200 is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body including a transfer device 112, a fixing device 115, and other components not shown. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on the recording paper 300 is configured.

  The process cartridge shown in FIG. 2 includes a charging roller 108, a developing device 111, a cleaning device (cleaning means) 113, an opening 118 for exposure, and an opening 117 for static elimination exposure. Are selectively combined. The process cartridge of the present embodiment includes at least a developing device 111 including a developer holding member 111A, and includes a photosensitive member 107, a charging device 108, a cleaning device (cleaning means) 113, an opening 118 for exposure, and static elimination. You may provide at least 1 sort (s) selected from the group comprised from the opening part 117 for exposure.

  Next, the toner cartridge of this embodiment will be described. The toner cartridge is mounted so as to be detachable from the image forming apparatus, and at least the toner cartridge for storing toner to be supplied to the developing means provided in the image forming apparatus. The toner is in the form. It should be noted that at least the toner may be accommodated in the toner cartridge of the present embodiment, and for example, a developer may be accommodated depending on the mechanism of the image forming apparatus.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus having a configuration in which the toner cartridge is detachable, the toner of the present embodiment is easily supplied to the developing device by using the toner cartridge containing the toner of the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus having a configuration in which the toner cartridges 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8K are attached to and detached from each other. The developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K each have their respective developing devices (colors). And a toner supply pipe (not shown). Further, when the amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge is low, this toner cartridge may be replaced.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present embodiment is not limited to these examples.
In the following examples, “part” means “part by weight” and “%” means “% by weight” unless otherwise specified.

(Measuring method)
The molecular weight of the resin (weight average molecular weight (Mw), number average molecular weight (Mn)) was determined by using a THF soluble material, GPC / HLC-8120 manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, column / TSKgel SuperHM-M (15 cm, manufactured by Tosoh Corporation). ), And the molecular weight was calculated using a molecular weight calibration curve prepared with a monodisperse polystyrene standard sample.
Microtrac (manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd., Microtrac UPA9340) was used to measure the particle size of the resin particles in the resin particle dispersion.
The solid content concentration was determined using a moisture meter MA35 (manufactured by Sartorius Mechatronics Japan Co., Ltd.).

The volume average particle size of the toner was measured using a Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Beckman-Coulter). As the electrolytic solution, ISOTON-II (manufactured by Beckman-Coulter) was used.
As a measuring method, first, 0.5 mg to 50 mg of a measurement sample is added to 2 ml of a 5% aqueous solution of a surfactant, preferably sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate as a dispersant, and this is added to 100 ml to 150 ml of the electrolytic solution. Added. The electrolytic solution in which the measurement sample is suspended is subjected to a dispersion treatment with an ultrasonic disperser for about 1 minute, and the particle size is 2.0 μm or more and 60 μm or less using the Coulter Multisizer II with an aperture having an aperture diameter of 100 μm. The particle size distribution of particles in the range was measured. The number of particles to be measured was 50,000.
For the divided particle size range (channel), draw the cumulative distribution from the small diameter side with respect to the divided particle size range (channel), and define the 50% cumulative particle size as the weight average particle size or volume average particle size, respectively. To do.

Example 1
<Synthesis of polyester resin>
Bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2.2 mol adduct: 40 mol parts Bisphenol A propylene oxide 2.2 mol adduct: 60 mol parts terephthalic acid: 100 mol parts trimellitic anhydride: 3 mol parts Stirrer, thermometer, condenser In addition, 0.5 parts of the above monomer components other than trimellitic anhydride and tin dioctanoate with respect to a total of 200 parts of the monomer components were charged into a reaction vessel equipped with a nitrogen gas introduction tube. After reacting at 235 ° C. for 6 hours under a nitrogen gas stream, the temperature was lowered to 200 ° C., trimellitic anhydride was added and reacted for 1 hour. The temperature was further raised to 220 ° C. over 4 hours and polymerized under a pressure of 10 kPa to obtain a pale yellow transparent polyester resin.
The obtained polyester resin had a glass transition temperature Tg by DSC of 59 ° C., a weight average molecular weight Mw by GPC of 20,000, a number average molecular weight Mn of 7,000, and an acid value AV of 13 mgKOH / g.

<Preparation of resin particle dispersion 1>
Heat and knead 300 parts of the polyester resin obtained above, 3 parts of 50% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) and 20 parts of a surfactant (sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate) at a temperature of 80 ° C. and a rotation speed of 50 rpm with a small kneader. did. Subsequently, 1.9 parts of diethylamine dissolved in ion-exchanged water, 4.5 parts of 10% ammonia water, and 600 parts of ion-exchanged water were added and emulsified to obtain a resin particle dispersion 1. The volume average particle diameter of the resin particles was 200 nm. The solid content concentration was 40% by weight.
A preferable range of the resin particle dispersion is a volume average particle diameter of 190 nm to 220 nm and a distribution of 1.26 or less. A toner in the range of Δ does not mean that toner cannot be produced.

<Preparation of pigment dispersion>
After mixing 50 parts of carbon black (manufactured by Cabot, Mogal L), 6 parts of an anionic surfactant (manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Neogen RK), 200 parts of ion-exchanged water, and the above components at room temperature. The mixture was dispersed for 60 minutes with a disperser to obtain a pigment dispersion having a volume average particle size (D _50v ) of 200 nm. The solid content concentration was 20% by weight.

<Preparation of release agent dispersion>
Paraffin wax (manufactured by Nippon Seiwa Co., Ltd., HNP0190,) 50 parts, anionic surfactant (manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Neogen R), 150 parts of ion-exchanged water, and the above components are mixed to 120 parts. After heating to ° C., the mixture was passed through a pressure discharge type homogenizer (manufactured by Gorin, high-pressure homogenizer) for dispersion treatment to obtain a release agent dispersion having a volume average particle diameter (D _50v ) of 200 nm. The solid content concentration was 20% by weight.

<Preparation of Toner Particle 1>
400 parts of resin particle dispersion 1, 60 parts of pigment dispersion, 80 parts of release agent dispersion, 550 parts of ion-exchanged water are put into a coagulation tank 1 having a jacket capable of heating and cooling, nitric acid is added, and pH is adjusted. Adjusted to 4.0 and mixed. Add 1.5 parts of polyaluminum chloride, mix and disperse using a disperser (Caitron, manufactured by Taiheiyo Kiko Co., Ltd.), then cause sludge retention near the wall of the gas-liquid interface with a 4-slope paddle It was heated at a jacket temperature of 50 ° C. with stirring at no rotation speed. When the volume average particle diameter D _50v reached 5.0 μm, 120 parts of the resin particle dispersion was added and stirred for 10 minutes to produce core / shell aggregated particles. 7.0 parts of an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to adjust the pH to 9.0. Thereafter, the internal temperature was heated to 90 ° C., and the particles were coalesced to obtain a toner particle dispersion 1. The obtained toner particle dispersion was filtered, washed repeatedly with ion-exchanged water, and dried with a vacuum dryer to obtain toner particles 1. The volume average particle diameter D _50v was measured and found to be 5.8 μm.

<Preparation and Evaluation of Toner for Electrostatic Image Developer>
An electrostatic charge image developing toner was obtained by externally adding 1 part of colloidal silica (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., R972) to 100 parts of the obtained toner particles 1 and mixing using a Henschel mixer. .
The toner distribution was evaluated with a target of 5.5 to 7 μm. Distribution is square root (D ₈₄ / D ₁₆ ) ^0.5 of the ratio of 16% diameter (D ₁₆ ) and 84% diameter (D ₈₄ ) on a volume basis when particles are measured from the smaller side with the aforementioned Coulter Multisizer II. evaluated. 1.25 or less is preferable, and evaluation is (circle) and the thing exceeding 1.25 was set to (triangle | delta).
100 parts of ferrite particles (manufactured by Powdertech Co., Ltd., average particle size 50 μm) and 1 part of polymethyl methacrylate resin (manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., weight average molecular weight 95,000) are mixed in a pressure kneader together with 500 parts of toluene. The mixture was mixed at room temperature (25 ° C.) for 15 minutes, and then heated to 70 ° C. while mixing under reduced pressure. Toluene was distilled off, cooled, and sized using a 105 μm sieve to obtain a ferrite carrier ( Resin-coated carrier) was prepared.
This ferrite carrier and the above-mentioned electrostatic charge image developing toner were mixed to prepare a two-component electrostatic charge image developer having a toner concentration of 7% by weight.

Using this electrostatic charge image developer, the following evaluation was performed on the charging characteristics. The results are shown in Table 1.
The charge amount is determined by modifying the obtained electrostatic charge image developer using DocuCentre Color400 (Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.) A stirring test was performed. More specifically, the developer was stirred by leaving it to stand for 12 hours or more in an environment of 30 ° C. and 80% humidity, and then passing a blank sheet without forming an image. The charge amounts of the 10th and 1000th sheets were measured using a blow-off powder charge amount measuring device (TB-200) manufactured by Toshiba Chemical Corporation. The evaluation is as follows.
G6: Both the 10th sheet and the 1000th sheet are between 40 and 60 μC / g, and the ratio (charge amount on the 1000th sheet) / (charge amount on the 10th sheet) is 0.9 or more.
G5: Both the 10th sheet and the 1000th sheet are between 40-60 μC / g, and the ratio (charge amount on the 1000th sheet) / (charge amount on the 10th sheet) is 0.8 or more and 0.9. Is less than.
G4: Either the 10th sheet or the 1000th sheet is not between 40 and 60 μC / g, but the ratio (charge amount on the 1000th sheet) / (charge amount on the 10th sheet) is 0.8 or more and 0. Is less than 9.
G3: Any of the 10th sheet and the 1000th sheet is not between 40 and 60 μC / g, but the ratio (charge amount on the 1000th sheet) / (charge amount on the 10th sheet) is 0.75 or more and 0.00. Is less than 8.
G2: Any of the 10th sheet and the 1000th sheet is not between 40 and 60 μC / g, but the ratio (charge amount on the 1000th sheet) / (charge amount on the 10th sheet) is 0.7 or more. It is less than 75.
G1: Neither the 10th sheet nor the 1000th sheet is between 40 and 60 μC / g.
In addition, it is allowable up to G2.

(Example 2)
When preparing the resin particle dispersion, the polyester resin, potassium hydroxide aqueous solution and surfactant are heated and kneaded, then added to 500 parts of ion-exchanged water, emulsified, and further dissolved in 100 parts of ion-exchanged water. The resin particle dispersion 2 was obtained by adding 1.9 parts of diethylamine and 4.5 parts of 10% aqueous ammonia. By using the obtained resin particle dispersion 2, toner particles 2 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 3)
Resin particle dispersion 3 and toner particles 3 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the surfactant was not added during the preparation of the resin particle dispersion. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

Example 4
Resin particle dispersion 4 and toner particles 4 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the aqueous potassium hydroxide solution was not added during the preparation of the resin particle dispersion. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 5)
Resin particle dispersion 5 and toner particles 5 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 10% ammonia water was not added and 3.7 parts of diethylamine was used at the time of preparing the resin particle dispersion. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 6)
Resin particle dispersion 6 and toner particles 6 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that diethylamine was not added and 9 parts of 10% ammonia water was used in the preparation of the resin particle dispersion. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 7)
The resin particle dispersion 7 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that no surfactant was added, 10% ammonia water was used, and 3.7 parts of diethylamine was used at the time of preparing the resin particle dispersion. As a result, toner particles 7 were obtained. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 8)
Resin particle dispersion 8 and toner were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that no surfactant was added, diethylamine was not used, and 9 parts of 10% ammonia water was used in the preparation of the resin particle dispersion. Particles 8 were obtained. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

Example 9
The resin particle dispersion was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that no potassium hydroxide aqueous solution was added, 10% aqueous ammonia was used, and 3.7 parts of diethylamine was used at the time of preparing the resin particle dispersion. 9 and toner particles 9 were obtained. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 10)
In the production of the resin particle dispersion, the resin particle dispersion 10 and the resin particle dispersion 10 and Toner particles 10 were obtained. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 11)
When preparing the resin particle dispersion, heating and kneading without adding a surfactant, followed by addition to ion-exchanged water, emulsification, and further 10% ammonia water 9 dissolved in 100 parts of ion-exchanged water 9 Part was added to obtain a resin particle dispersion 11. By using the obtained resin particle dispersion 11, toner particles 11 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 12)
At the time of preparing the resin particle dispersion, heating and kneading without adding an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution, followed by addition to ion-exchanged water, emulsification, and further 10% ammonia water dissolved in 100 parts of ion-exchanged water 9 parts were added to obtain a resin particle dispersion 12. Using the resulting resin particle dispersion 12, toner particles 12 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 13)
Resin particle dispersion 13 and toner particles 13 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the aqueous potassium hydroxide solution was changed to sodium hydroxide at the time of preparing the resin particle dispersion. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 14)
Resin particle dispersion 14 and toner particles 14 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the surfactant was changed to sodium stearate when the resin particle dispersion was prepared. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 15)
Resin particle dispersion 15 and toner particles 15 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the surfactant was changed to sodium dodecyl sulfate when preparing the resin particle dispersion. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 16)
Resin particle dispersion 16 and toner particles 16 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that diethylamine was changed to triethylamine when the resin particle dispersion was prepared. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 17)
Resin particle dispersion 17 and toner particles 17 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 5 except that 0.6 parts of 50% by weight aqueous KOH and 0.6 parts of diethylamine were used at the time of preparing the resin particle dispersion. . The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Example 18)
Resin particle dispersion 18 and toner 18 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 5 except that 7 parts of 50 wt% KOH aqueous solution and 10 parts of diethylamine were used at the time of preparing the resin particle dispersion. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Comparative Example 1)
Resin particle dispersion 19 and toner 19 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that diethylamine and 10% aqueous ammonia were not added and 9 parts of a 50 wt. It was. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Comparative Example 2)
The resin particle dispersion 20 and the toner 20 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 50% by weight aqueous solution of KOH and 10% ammonia water were not added and 7.4 parts of diethylamine was used at the time of preparing the resin particle dispersion. Got. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

(Comparative Example 3)
In preparing the resin particle dispersion, 3.7 parts of diethylamine was added instead of the 50% by weight aqueous solution of KOH in Example 1, and then heated and kneaded. A resin particle dispersion 21 and a toner 21 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 10 parts of ammonia water was not added. The evaluation results and characteristics of the resin particle dispersion and toner are shown in Table 1.

  1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K: photosensitive member, 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K: charging roller, 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K: laser beam, 3: exposure device, 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K: developing device, 5Y , 5M, 5C, 5K: primary transfer roller, 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K: photoconductor cleaning device (cleaning means), 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8K: toner cartridge, 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K: image formation Unit: 20: intermediate transfer belt, 22: drive roller, 24: support roller, 26: secondary transfer roller (secondary transfer means), 28: fixing device (fixing means), 30: intermediate transfer member cleaning device, P: Recording paper, 107: photoconductor, 108: charging roller, 111: developing device, 111A: developer holding member, 112: transfer device, 113: photoconductor cleaning device (cleaning hand) ), 115: fixing device, 116: mounting rails, 117, 118: opening, 200: a process cartridge, 300: recording paper

Claims (13)

A mixing step of mixing a binder resin with a strongly basic compound and / or a surfactant to obtain a mixture, and
An emulsification step of dispersing the mixture in an aqueous medium containing an amine compound and / or ammonia, or dispersing the mixture in an aqueous medium and then adding an amine compound and / or ammonia to obtain a resin particle dispersion. A method for producing a resin particle dispersion, comprising:   The method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to claim 1, wherein at least the strongly basic compound is mixed in the mixing step.   The method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to claim 1, wherein at least a surfactant is mixed in the mixing step.   The manufacturing method of the resin particle dispersion liquid as described in any one of Claims 1-3 which mixes a strong basic compound and surfactant at least in the said mixing process.   The method for producing a resin particle dispersion according to claim 1, wherein the binder resin has an acid group.   The manufacturing method of the resin particle dispersion liquid as described in any one of Claims 1-5 whose said binder resin is a polyester resin.   The total addition amount of the strongly basic compound and the amine compound and / or ammonia is an amount that is 30 to 500 mol% as a neutralization ratio with the acid group of the binder resin. A method for producing a resin particle dispersion. A step of aggregating the resin particles in a dispersion containing the resin particle dispersion obtained by the method according to claim 1 to obtain aggregated particles; and
And a step of heating and aggregating the aggregated particles.   An electrostatic charge image developer comprising the electrostatic charge image developing toner obtained by the method according to claim 8 and a carrier.   A toner cartridge containing at least an electrostatic charge image developing toner obtained by the method according to claim 8. The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier is developed with an electrostatic image developing toner or an electrostatic image developer to form a toner image, and the image carrier and the surface of the image carrier are charged. And at least one selected from the group consisting of a charging means for cleaning, and a cleaning means for removing toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier,
The electrostatic charge image developing toner obtained by the method according to claim 8 or the electrostatic charge image developer according to claim 9 is accommodated as the electrostatic charge image developing toner or the electrostatic charge image developer. Process cartridge. A latent image forming step for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier;
A developing step of forming a toner image by developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with a developer containing toner;
A transfer step of transferring the toner image onto the surface of the transfer target; and
A fixing step of fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the transfer target,
An image forming method using the electrostatic image developing toner obtained by the method according to claim 8 or the electrostatic image developer according to claim 9 as the developer. An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the image carrier;
Exposure means for exposing the charged image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier;
Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with a developer containing toner to form a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image from the image carrier to the surface of the transfer target;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the transfer target,
An image forming apparatus using the electrostatic charge image developing toner obtained by the method according to claim 8 or the electrostatic charge image developer according to claim 9 as the developer.

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