JP2017025140A - Resin composition, electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a resin composition in which deterioration of infrared absorption performance is inhibited.SOLUTION: A resin composition comprises a compound represented by the general formula (I) and a resin. In the general formula (I), Rrepresents a group represented by the general formula (I-R), and each of R, Rand Rindependently represents an alkyl group. In the general formula (I-R), Rrepresents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and e represents an integer from 0 to 3 inclusive.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

  The present invention relates to a resin composition, an electrostatic charge image developing toner, an electrostatic charge image developer, a toner cartridge, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method.

  Conventionally, in an image forming material such as a toner used for image formation, a resin composition containing an infrared absorber has been used.

  For example, Patent Document 1 uses a toner in which an infrared absorbent is agglomerated and dispersed in a binder resin and has a reduced light absorption rate with respect to a laser beam having a specific wavelength after the toner is melted. A laser fixing method is disclosed in which a toner image is fixed on the transfer target body by irradiating the transfer body with laser light of the specific wavelength.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a resin composition and an image forming material containing a perillium-based squarylium compound having a specific structure, and an image forming method using the image forming material.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a laser fixing image forming material containing a perimidine-based squarylium compound having a specific structure, a thermoplastic resin, and a pigment.

  Patent Document 4 discloses an electrophotographic toner containing a binder resin and an infrared absorber, and at least one of the infrared absorbers is a perimidine-based squarylium dye.

  Patent Document 5 contains at least a binder resin, a colorant, and two types of infrared absorbers, and the maximum absorbance of the toner in the wavelength range of 810 nm to 870 nm is twice the maximum absorbance of the toner in the wavelength range of 870 nm to 1000 nm. The non-contact heat fixing color toner as described above is disclosed.

  Patent Document 6 discloses a method for producing a chalcogenopyrylium compound having a specific structure using a substituted acetylene compound.

JP 2014-153621 A JP 2013-147595 A JP 2011-069846 A JP 2010-186014 A JP 2004-157157 A JP 2001-011070 A

The infrared absorber present in the resin composition may be decomposed into different molecules having a smaller molecular weight, and the infrared absorption performance decreases as the decomposition proceeds.
The object of the present invention is to suppress a decrease in infrared absorption performance as compared with a case where only a compound in which R ^{a to} R ^d are n-propyl group or n-butyl group in the following general formula (I) is contained as an infrared absorber. It is providing the made resin composition.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,
The invention according to claim 1
The resin composition containing the compound represented by the following general formula (I), and resin.

(In General Formula (I), R ^a represents a group represented by General Formula (IR), and R ^b , R ^c, and R ^d each independently represents an alkyl group.
In General Formula (IR), R ^e represents hydrogen or a methyl group, and e represents an integer of 0 or more and 3 or less. )

The invention according to claim 2
2. The resin composition according to claim 1, wherein at least one of R ^b , R ^c, and R ^{d in} the general formula (I) is a group represented by the general formula (IR).

The invention according to claim 3
2. The resin composition according to claim 1, wherein all of R ^b , R ^c and R ^{d in} the general formula (I) are groups represented by the general formula (IR).

The invention according to claim 4
The resin composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein R ^e in the general formula (IR) is a methyl group.

The invention according to claim 5
E in the said general formula (IR) is 0, The resin composition as described in any one of Claims 1-4.

The invention according to claim 6
The ratio of the concentration of the compound represented by the general formula (I) in the test solution after the following solution storage test to the concentration in the test solution before the following solution storage test is 1% or more. The resin composition according to claim 5.
-Solution storage test-
In a tetrahydrofuran solution in which the concentration of the compound represented by the general formula (I) is 1 × 10 ⁻³ mol / L, ammonia is further 60 times (molar ratio) of the compound represented by the general formula (I). A test solution added at a concentration is prepared and stored in a sealed container in a 50 ° C. environment for 3 days. The concentration of the compound represented by the general formula (I) in the test solution before and after storage is measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

The invention according to claim 7 provides:
The ratio of the concentration of the compound represented by the general formula (I) in the test solution after the solution storage test to the concentration in the test solution before the solution storage test is 10% or more. The resin composition described in 1.

The invention according to claim 8 provides:
An electrostatic image developing toner comprising the resin composition according to claim 1.

The invention according to claim 9 is:
An electrostatic image developer comprising the electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 8.

The invention according to claim 10 is:
Containing the electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 8;
A toner cartridge to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 11 is:
A developing means for containing the electrostatic charge image developer according to claim 9 and developing the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier as a toner image by the electrostatic charge image developer,
A process cartridge attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 12
An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
An electrostatic charge image forming means for forming an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
Development means for containing the electrostatic charge image developer according to claim 9 and developing the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier as a toner image by the electrostatic charge image developer;
Transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of a recording medium;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

The invention according to claim 13 is:
A charging step for charging the surface of the image carrier;
An electrostatic charge image forming step of forming an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
A developing step of developing an electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier as a toner image with the electrostatic charge image developer according to claim 9;
A transfer step of transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of a recording medium;
A fixing step of fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium;
An image forming method comprising:

According to the inventions according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, only the compound in which R ^{a to} R ^d in the general formula (I) are n-propyl group or n-butyl group is contained as an infrared absorber. Compared with the case where it does, the resin composition by which the fall of the infrared absorption performance was suppressed is provided.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 6, the ratio of the density | concentration in the test solution after the said solution storage test with respect to the density | concentration in the test solution before the said solution storage test as a compound represented by general formula (I) is 1. Compared with the case where only the compound which is less than% is contained, the resin composition in which the fall of infrared absorption performance was suppressed is provided.

  According to the invention of claim 7, the ratio of the concentration in the test solution after the solution storage test to the concentration in the test solution before the solution storage test as the compound represented by the general formula (I) is 10 Compared with the case where only the compound which is less than% is contained, the resin composition in which the fall of infrared absorption performance was suppressed is provided.

According to the invention according to claims 8, 9 and 10, the resin composition containing, as an infrared absorber, only a compound in which R ^{a to} R ^d in the general formula (I) are n-propyl group or n-butyl group. The toner for developing an electrostatic charge image, the electrostatic charge image developer, and the toner cartridge are provided in which the deterioration of the infrared absorption performance is suppressed as compared with the case of containing only the toner.

According to inventions according to claims 11, 12 and 13, a resin composition containing, as an infrared absorber, only a compound in which R ^{a to} R ^d in the general formula (I) are n-propyl group or n-butyl group. The present invention provides a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method in which a reduction in toner image fixability is suppressed as compared with a case where toner for developing an electrostatic charge image containing only toner is used.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment which is an example of the present invention will be described.

<Resin composition>
The resin composition according to the present embodiment includes a compound represented by the following general formula (I) and a resin.

(In General Formula (I), R ^a represents a group represented by General Formula (IR), and R ^b , R ^c, and R ^d each independently represents an alkyl group.
In General Formula (IR), R ^e represents hydrogen or a methyl group, and e represents an integer of 0 or more and 3 or less. )

  The resin composition which concerns on this embodiment contains the compound represented by the said general formula (I) as an infrared absorber, and the fall of infrared absorption performance is suppressed.

The reason for this effect is not necessarily clear, but is presumed as follows.
If an infrared absorber is present in a resin composition containing a resin, it is considered that the molecules of the infrared absorber are gradually decomposed to produce different molecules having a smaller molecular weight. In addition, as a cause which this decomposition | disassembly produces, the base etc. which exist in a resin composition act on the molecule | numerator of an infrared absorber, for example, and have cut | disconnected the bond in a molecule | numerator. Since the efficiency of absorbing infrared rays decreases in the decomposed infrared absorber, the infrared absorption performance decreases as the decomposition of the infrared absorber present in the resin composition proceeds and the concentration of the infrared absorber decreases.
On the other hand, the infrared absorber contained in the resin composition according to the present embodiment has a structure represented by the general formula (I), and has a branched alkyl group at least in the portion of ^Ra. ing. The branched alkyl group is bulky as compared with the linear alkyl group, and therefore, it is possible to suppress the opportunity for the factor (base or the like) contributing to the decomposition to act on the molecule of the infrared absorber. As a result, the decomposition of the infrared absorber present in the resin composition is suppressed, and the deterioration of the infrared absorption performance is suppressed.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the resin composition which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

[Infrared absorber]
The resin composition which concerns on this embodiment contains the compound represented by the said general formula (I) as an infrared absorber.

In general formula (I), R ^a represents a group represented by general formula (IR).
The total number of carbon atoms of the group represented by the general formula (IR) is preferably 6 or less, more preferably 5 or less, further preferably 4 or less, and further preferably 3. The lower limit of the total carbon number is 3.

In the general formula (I-R), R ^e represents hydrogen or a methyl group, preferably a methyl group. When R ^e in the general formula (I-R) is a methyl group, the terminal is a trifurcated structure (tertiary), and the infrared absorption performance is further prevented from lowering than when R ^e is hydrogen. The This is considered to be because the structure in which R ^e is a methyl group is more bulky than the case in which R ^e is hydrogen, and the decomposition of the compound represented by the general formula (I) is further suppressed. It is done.

  In general formula (IR), e represents an integer of 0 or more and 3 or less, e is preferably 0 or more and 2 or less, e is preferably 0 or more and 1 or less, and more preferably 0. The smaller the value of e in the general formula (IR), the more the decrease in infrared absorption performance is suppressed. This is because the smaller the value of e, the closer the distance between the branched structure portion in the group represented by the general formula (IR) and the squarylium structure in the compound represented by the general formula (I), It is thought that the factor (base etc.) that contributes to the reaction suppresses the opportunity of acting on the molecule of the compound represented by the general formula (I), and the decomposition is further suppressed.

  Specific examples of the group represented by the general formula (IR) include i-propyl group, t-butyl group, i-butyl group (2-methylpropan-1-yl group), i-pentyl group (3 -Methylbutan-1-yl group), t-pentyl group (2,2-dimethylpropan-1-yl group), i-hexyl group (4-methylpentan-1-yl group), t-hexyl group (3, 3-dimethylbutan-1-yl group) and t-heptyl group (4,4-dimethylpentan-1-yl group). Among these, i-propyl group, t-butyl group, and i-butyl group (2-methylpropan-1-yl group) are more preferable, and t-butyl group is still more preferable.

In general formula (I), R ^b , R ^c and R ^d each independently represents an alkyl group. It is preferable that at least one of R ^b , R ^c, and R ^d is a group represented by the general formula (IR), and all of R ^b , R ^c, and R ^d are the general formula (IR). It is more preferable that it is group represented by these. As the number of groups represented by the general formula (IR) in the general formula (I) increases, the decrease in the infrared absorption performance is further suppressed. This is because the more groups represented by the general formula (IR), the more bulky the structure, and the factors (bases, etc.) that contribute to decomposition act on the molecules of the compound represented by the general formula (I). This is thought to be due to suppression and further suppression of decomposition.
When one of R ^b , R ^c and R ^d is a group represented by the general formula (IR), that is, the compound represented by the general formula (I) is represented by the general formula (IR). R ^a and R ^b may be a group represented by the general formula (IR), and R ^a and R ^c or R ^d may be represented by the general formula (I-R). It may be a group represented by R).
In addition, when two or more of R ^{a to} R ^d are groups represented by the general formula (IR), the structures of the groups represented by a plurality of general formulas (IR) are the same. It may or may not be. A preferable structure in the case where at least one of R ^b , R ^c and R ^d is a group represented by the general formula (IR) is the same as that described above.

In general formula (I), when at least one of R ^b , R ^c and R ^d is other than the group represented by general formula (IR), the alkyl group is linear, branched, and cyclic Any structure may be used. In this case, the alkyl group preferably has a larger number of branches and more preferably has a shorter carbon chain. The number of carbon atoms is preferably 1 or more and 20 or less, more preferably 1 or more and 8 or less, and still more preferably 1 or more and 6 or less.
Specific examples include methyl group, ethyl group, n-propyl group, n-butyl group, n-pentyl group, n-hexyl group, s-butyl group (2-butyl group), and 2-methylbutan-2-yl group. 3-methylbutan-2-yl group, 3,3-dimethylbutan-2-yl group, 3-pentyl group, 2-methylpentan-3-yl group, 3-methylpentan-3-yl group, cyclopentyl group, A cyclohexyl group etc. are mentioned. When at least one of R ^b , R ^c and R ^d is other than the group represented by the general formula (IR), among the above specific examples, a 2-methylbutan-2-yl group, 3-methylpentane- A 3-yl group is preferred.

Specific examples (exemplary compounds) of the compounds represented by formula (I) are shown below. In addition, the compound shown by general formula (I) is not limited at all by these.
First, specific examples having four groups represented by the general formula (IR) are shown.

  Next, specific examples having two groups represented by formula (IR) are shown.

  Among the specific examples of the compounds represented by the general formula (I) listed above, exemplary compounds (Ia-1) to (Ia-7), (Ib-1) to (Ib) -6) and (Ic-1) to (Ic-6) are preferable. Furthermore, (Ia-1), (Ib-3), and (Ic-3) are more preferable, and exemplary compound (Ia-1) is most preferable.

Concentration in the test solution before and after the solution storage test The compound represented by the general formula (I) is contained in the test solution after the solution storage test with respect to the concentration in the test solution before the solution storage test shown below. The concentration ratio is preferably 1% or more. Furthermore, 10% or more is more preferable, 30% or more is further preferable, and 50% or more is particularly preferable. By the said ratio being 1% or more, the resin composition in which the fall of infrared absorption performance was suppressed more is obtained.

-Solution storage test-
Using the compound represented by the general formula (I), a solution of tetrahydrofuran (THF) having a concentration of 1 × 10 ⁻³ mol / L is prepared. Here, a 28 mass% aqueous ammonia solution is added so that the molar ratio of ammonia is 60 times that of the compound represented by the general formula (I) to prepare a test solution, which is stored in a sealed container at 50 ° C. for 3 days. . For the test solution before and after storage for 3 days, the concentration is measured by HPLC, and the ratio (%) of the concentration after storage to the concentration before storage is calculated from the concentration in the test solution before and after the solution storage test.

-Measurement by HPLC-
A high performance liquid chromatography apparatus (HPLC apparatus, manufacturer: Shimadzu Corporation, model number: LC-10A) is used. As a column for HPLC, a column of manufacturer: Chemco Co., Ltd., trade name: CHEMCOSORB, product number: 5-ODS-H, inner diameter: 4.6 mm, length: 150 mm is used. As measurement conditions, column temperature: 45 ° C., injection volume of measurement sample: 10 μl, flow rate of measurement sample: 1 ml / min, detection wavelength: 254 nm, mobile phase: mixed solution of acetonitrile and water (acetonitrile: water = 9: The condition is 1).

  An example of a method for synthesizing the compound represented by the general formula (I) will be described.

In the case where R ^{a to} R ^d are all compounds having the same structure, the compound represented by the general formula (I) is synthesized according to the following scheme 1, for example. However, in Scheme 1, the synthesis route of Compound (I) -A in which R ^{a to} R ^d in General Formula (I) are all groups represented by General Formula (IR) and are groups having the same structure Show.

  First, the starting material 1 is allowed to act dropwise on an organic solvent (for example, tetrahydrofuran) solution of an organic magnesium halide (for example, Grignard reagent, for example, ethylmagnesium chloride) under cooling in an inert atmosphere. Thereafter, the temperature may be returned to room temperature (for example, 23 ° C. to 25 ° C.) or higher in order to complete the reaction. Next, under cooling, a formic acid derivative (for example, ethyl formate) is allowed to act dropwise. Thereafter, the temperature may be returned to room temperature (for example, 23 ° C. to 25 ° C.) or higher in order to complete the reaction. An organic substance is extracted from the mixture after the reaction, and intermediate A is obtained from the separated organic layer.

  Next, the intermediate A and an oxidizing reagent (for example, manganese oxide) are added to a solvent (for example, cyclohexane), and the mixture is reacted by heating under reflux. Water generated during the reaction may be removed. Intermediate B is obtained from the organic layer of the reaction mixture. In addition, when obtaining the intermediate body B, you may refine | purify.

  Next, the cycloaddition reaction is performed on intermediate B. For example, sodium hydrogensulfide n hydrate is added to a solvent (for example, ethanol), and the intermediate B is added dropwise under cooling. Thereafter, the reaction is carried out at room temperature (for example, 23 ° C. to 25 ° C.), and after removing the solvent from the reaction solution, sodium chloride is added until saturation, followed by liquid separation to recover the organic phase to obtain Intermediate C from the organic phase. In addition, when obtaining the intermediate C, you may refine | purify.

  Next, a solvent (eg, anhydrous tetrahydrofuran) and intermediate C are mixed in an inert atmosphere, and a Grignard reagent (eg, methylmagnesium bromide) is added dropwise. After completion of the dropwise addition, the reaction solution is heated to reflux, and then ammonium bromide is added dropwise under cooling. The separated organic layer is dried and concentrated to give intermediate D.

  Next, in an inert atmosphere, intermediate D and squaric acid are dispersed in a solvent (such as a mixed solvent of cyclohexane and isobutanol), a basic compound (such as pyridine) is added, and the mixture is heated to reflux to obtain compound (I). -A is obtained. Water generated during the reaction may be removed. Further, purification, isolation, concentration and the like may be performed.

In the case where R ^a and R ^d have the same structure and R ^b and R ^c have the same structure Next, R ^a and R ^d in the general formula (I) are groups having the same structure, and R ^b and R ^c A synthetic route of a compound in which ^c is a group having the same structure and different from R ^a and R ^d will be described.
This compound is synthesized by changing the synthesis of intermediate A in compound (I) -A to the method shown in Scheme 2 below.

In Scheme 2, first, the starting material 2 and the additive material 2 are added and reacted in a Grignard reagent (an organic solution (for example, a THF solution or the like) to which (for example, ethylmagnesium bromide) has been added). A strong acid (such as hydrochloric acid) is added to the solution after the reaction under cooling, and then ether is added at room temperature (such as 23 ° C. to 25 ° C.) to obtain intermediate A ′ from the organic layer. In addition, you may refine | purify when obtaining intermediate body A '.
Thereafter, synthesis is performed in the same manner except that the intermediate A shown in the above-mentioned scheme 1 is changed to the intermediate A ′.

In the case where R ^a and R ^b are the same structure and R ^c and R ^d are the same structure, R ^a and R ^b in the general formula (I) are groups having the same structure, and R ^c and R ^{d Are} compounds having the same structure and different from R ^a and R ^b , two types of intermediates D in the compound (I) -A having different structures of R ₁ are prepared, Synthesis is performed in the same manner as in Scheme 1 using these two kinds of intermediates D, and the obtained compound is purified.

In addition, the compounds having the same structure in three of R ^{a to} R ^d , the compounds having the same two structures in which two of them are different, and the compounds having different structures in the other two are also shown in Scheme 1 and Scheme 2 above. It can be synthesized according to the production method.

  The maximum absorption wavelength in the tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution of the compound represented by the general formula (I) is preferably in the range of 760 nm to 1200 nm, preferably in the range of 780 nm to 1100 nm, and preferably in the range of 800 nm to 1000 nm. Range is more desirable.

The molar extinction coefficient at the maximum absorption wavelength in the THF solution of the compound represented by the general formula (I) is preferably 100,000 Lmol ⁻¹ cm ⁻¹ or more and 600,000 Lmol ⁻¹ cm ⁻¹ or less, and 200,000 Lmol ^−1. cm ^-1 than 600,000 ^{L mol} -1 ^{cm -1} or less is preferable, 250,000 ^{L mol} -1 ^{cm -1} or more 600,000 ^{L mol} -1 ^{cm -1} or less is more preferable.

The compound represented by the general formula (I) is preferably present in a solid dispersion state in the resin composition. When the compound represented by the general formula (I) is present in the resin composition in a solid dispersion state, the mass average particle diameter is preferably 10 nm to 1000 nm, preferably 10 nm to 500 nm, more preferably 20 nm to 300 nm. desirable.
In addition, the compound represented by general formula (I) may exist in a resin composition in the molecular dispersion state disperse | distributed on a molecular level.

In addition to the compound represented by the general formula (I), the resin composition according to this embodiment may further include a known infrared light absorber. For example, when the resin composition is used for an electrostatic charge image developing toner, a known infrared light absorber may be used in combination as long as the fixing property is not affected.
Known infrared absorbers include, for example, cyanine compounds, merocyanine compounds, benzenethiol metal complexes, mercaptophenol metal complexes, aromatic diamine metal complexes, diimonium compounds, aminium compounds, nickel complex compounds, phthalocyanine compounds, anthraquinones. Compounds, naphthalocyanine compounds, croconium compounds and the like can be used.
Specific examples of known infrared light absorbers include nickel metal complex infrared light absorbers (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc .: SIR-130, SIR-132), bis (dithiobenzyl) nickel (manufactured by Midori Chemical Co., Ltd .: MIR). -101), bis [1,2-bis (p-methoxyphenyl) -1,2-ethylenedithiolate] nickel (manufactured by Midori Chemical Co., Ltd .: MIR-102), tetra-n-butylammonium bis (cis-1, 2-diphenyl-1,2-ethylenedithiolate) nickel (manufactured by Midori Chemical Co., Ltd .: MIR-1011), tetra-n-butylammonium bis [1,2-bis (p-methoxyphenyl) -1,2-ethylenedithio Rate] Nickel (Midori Chemical Co., Ltd .: MIR-1021), bis (4-tert-1,2-butyl-1,2-dithiophenolate) nickel-teto -N-butylammonium (manufactured by Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd .: BBDT-NI), cyanine infrared absorber (Fuji Film (registered trademark): IRF-106, IRF-107), cyanine infrared absorber (Yamamoto Kasei Co., Ltd., YKR2900), aminium, diimonium-based infrared absorber (Nagase Chemtech Co., Ltd .: NIR-AM1, IM1), imonium compound (Nippon Carlit Co., Ltd .: CIR-1080, CIR-1081), aminium compound (Nippon Carlit Co., Ltd .: CIR-960, CIR-961), anthraquinone compounds (Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd .: IR-750), aminium compounds (Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd .: IRG-002, IRG-003, IRG- 003K), polymethine compounds (Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd .: IR-820B), diimonium compounds (Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd .: IR) G-022, IRG-023), dian compound (Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd .: CY-2, CY-4, CY-9), soluble phthalocyanine (Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd .: TX-305A), naphthalocyanine (Yamamoto Kasei Co., Ltd.) Manufactured by YKR5010, manufactured by Sanyo Dye Co., Ltd .: Sample 1), inorganic material system (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd .: ytterbium UU-HP, manufactured by Sumitomo Metals Co., Ltd .: indium tin oxide), and the like.
Among these, a diimonium compound or a croconium compound is preferable.

〔resin〕
The resin composition according to the present embodiment further contains a resin (binder resin).

-Binder resin-
Examples of the binder resin include styrenes (eg, styrene, parachlorostyrene, α-methylstyrene, etc.), (meth) acrylic acid esters (eg, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, acrylic acid). n-butyl, lauryl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, etc.), ethylenically unsaturated nitriles (for example, acrylonitrile, Methacrylonitrile, etc.), vinyl ethers (eg, vinyl methyl ether, vinyl isobutyl ether, etc.), vinyl ketones (vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl ethyl ketone, vinyl isopropenyl ketone, etc.), olefins (eg, ethylene, propylene, etc.) Emissions, a homopolymer of a monomer such as butadiene) and the like, or a vinyl-based resin composed of these monomers with two or more combinations copolymer.
As the binder resin, for example, epoxy resin, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, polyamide resin, cellulose resin, polyether resin, non-vinyl resin such as modified rosin, a mixture of these with the vinyl resin, or these Examples also include a graft polymer obtained by polymerizing a vinyl monomer in the coexistence.
These binder resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

A polyester resin is suitable as the binder resin.
Examples of the polyester resin include known polyester resins.

  As a polyester resin, the condensation polymer of polyhydric carboxylic acid and polyhydric alcohol is mentioned, for example. In addition, as a polyester resin, a commercial item may be used and what was synthesize | combined may be used.

Examples of the polyvalent carboxylic acid include aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (eg, oxalic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, succinic acid, alkenyl succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, etc.) Alicyclic dicarboxylic acids (for example, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid), aromatic dicarboxylic acids (for example, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, etc.), their anhydrides, or lower (for example, having 1 or more carbon atoms) 5 or less) alkyl esters. Among these, as polyvalent carboxylic acid, aromatic dicarboxylic acid is preferable, for example.
The polyvalent carboxylic acid may be used in combination with a dicarboxylic acid or a trivalent or higher carboxylic acid having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure. Examples of the trivalent or higher carboxylic acid include trimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, anhydrides thereof, and lower (for example, having 1 to 5 carbon atoms) alkyl esters.
Polyvalent carboxylic acid may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

Examples of the polyhydric alcohol include aliphatic diols (for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butanediol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, etc.), alicyclic diols (for example, cyclohexanediol, cyclohexanedimethanol, Hydrogenated bisphenol A, etc.) and aromatic diols (for example, ethylene oxide adducts of bisphenol A, propylene oxide adducts of bisphenol A, etc.). Among these, as the polyhydric alcohol, for example, aromatic diols and alicyclic diols are preferable, and aromatic diols are more preferable.
As the polyhydric alcohol, a trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol having a crosslinked structure or a branched structure may be used together with the diol. Examples of the trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol include glycerin, trimethylolpropane, and pentaerythritol.
A polyhydric alcohol may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polyester resin is preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 80 ° C. or lower, and more preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 65 ° C. or lower.
The glass transition temperature is determined from a DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and more specifically described in the method for determining the glass transition temperature in JIS K 7121-1987 “Method for Measuring Plastic Transition Temperature”. Of “extrapolated glass transition start temperature”.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the polyester resin is preferably from 5,000 to 1,000,000, and more preferably from 7,000 to 500,000.
The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the polyester resin is preferably from 2,000 to 100,000.
The molecular weight distribution Mw / Mn of the polyester resin is preferably 1.5 or more and 100 or less, and more preferably 2 or more and 60 or less.
The weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The molecular weight measurement by GPC is performed with a THF solvent using a Tosoh GPC / HLC-8120GPC as a measuring device and a Tosoh column / TSKgel SuperHM-M (15 cm). The weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are calculated using a molecular weight calibration curve prepared from a monodisperse polystyrene standard sample from this measurement result.

The polyester resin is obtained by a well-known manufacturing method. Specifically, for example, the polymerization temperature is set to 180 ° C. or higher and 230 ° C. or lower, the pressure in the reaction system is reduced as necessary, and the reaction is performed while removing water and alcohol generated during the condensation.
In addition, when the monomer of the raw material is not dissolved or compatible at the reaction temperature, a solvent having a high boiling point may be added and dissolved as a solubilizing agent. In this case, the polycondensation reaction is performed while distilling off the solubilizer. If a monomer with poor compatibility is present in the copolymerization reaction, the monomer with poor compatibility and the monomer and the acid or alcohol to be polycondensed are condensed in advance and then polymerized together with the main component. It is good to condense.

<Toner for electrostatic image development>
Next, the electrostatic image developing toner according to the exemplary embodiment will be described.
The electrostatic image developing toner according to this embodiment (hereinafter also simply referred to as “toner”) includes the resin composition according to the above-described embodiment. The toner according to the exemplary embodiment includes toner particles and, if necessary, an external additive, and the resin composition according to the exemplary embodiment is preferably contained in the toner particles.

  In the toner particles, the content of the compound represented by the general formula (I) is desirably 0.01% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, and 0.01% by mass with respect to the total mass of the toner particles. It is more preferably 1% by mass or less and more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less.

  In the toner particles, the content of the binder resin is preferably 40% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less, more preferably 50% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, and more preferably 60% by mass or more with respect to the entire toner particles. 85 mass% or less is more preferable.

(Toner particles)
The toner particles may include, for example, a colorant, a release agent, and other additives in addition to the resin composition according to the present embodiment.

-Colorant-
Examples of the colorant include carbon black, chrome yellow, hansa yellow, benzidine yellow, sren yellow, quinoline yellow, pigment yellow, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolone orange, vulcan orange, watch young red, permanent red, brilliant carmine 3B, and brilliant. Carmine 6B, Dupont Oil Red, Pyrazolone Red, Resol Red, Rhodamine B Lake, Lake Red C, Pigment Red, Rose Bengal, Aniline Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Calco Oil Blue, Methylene Blue Chloride, Phthalocyanine Blue, Pigment Blue, Phthalocyanine Green, Various pigments such as malachite green oxalate, or acridine, xanthene, , Benzoquinone, azine, anthraquinone, thioindico, dioxazine, thiazine, azomethine, indico, phthalocyanine, aniline black, polymethine, triphenylmethane, diphenylmethane, thiazole, and other dyes Etc.
A colorant may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  As the colorant, a surface-treated colorant may be used as necessary, or it may be used in combination with a dispersant. A plurality of colorants may be used in combination.

  The content of the colorant is, for example, preferably 1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, and more preferably 3% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less with respect to the entire toner particles.

-Release agent-
Examples of mold release agents include hydrocarbon waxes; natural waxes such as carnauba wax, rice wax, and candelilla wax; synthetic or mineral / petroleum waxes such as montan wax; ester types such as fatty acid esters and montanic acid esters Wax; and the like. The release agent is not limited to this.

The melting temperature of the release agent is preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 110 ° C. or lower, and more preferably 60 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower.
Note that the melting temperature is obtained from the DSC curve obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) according to “melting peak temperature” described in JIS K 7121-1987 “Method for measuring the melting temperature of plastics”. .

  The content of the release agent is, for example, preferably 1% by mass to 20% by mass and more preferably 5% by mass to 15% by mass with respect to the entire toner particles.

-Other additives-
Examples of other additives include known additives such as a magnetic material, a charge control agent, and inorganic powder. These additives are contained in the toner particles as internal additives.

-Toner particle characteristics-
The toner particles may be toner particles having a single layer structure, or toner particles having a so-called core / shell structure composed of a core (core particle) and a coating layer (shell layer) covering the core. May be.
Here, the core-shell toner particles include, for example, a binder resin, a compound represented by the general formula (I), and, if necessary, other additives such as a colorant and a release agent. It is good to be comprised by the made core part and the coating layer comprised including binder resin.

  The volume average particle diameter (D50v) of the toner particles is preferably 2 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and more preferably 4 μm or more and 8 μm or less.

In addition, various average particle diameters and various particle size distribution indexes of toner particles are measured using Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.), and an electrolytic solution is measured using ISOTON-II (manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc.). The
In the measurement, 0.5 mg to 50 mg of a measurement sample is added as a dispersant to 2 ml of a 5% aqueous solution of a surfactant (preferably sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate). This is added to 100 ml or more and 150 ml or less of the electrolytic solution.
The electrolyte in which the sample is suspended is dispersed for 1 minute with an ultrasonic disperser, and the particle size distribution of particles having a particle size in the range of 2 μm to 60 μm is measured using a 100 μm aperture with a Coulter Multisizer II. taking measurement. The number of particles to be sampled is 50,000.
For the particle size range (channel) divided based on the measured particle size distribution, the cumulative distribution is drawn from the smaller diameter side to the volume and number, respectively, and the particle size to be 16% is the volume particle size D16v, the number particle size D16p, a particle size that is 50% cumulative is defined as a volume average particle size D50v, a cumulative number average particle size D50p, and a particle size that is 84% cumulative is defined as a volume particle size D84v and a number particle size D84p.
Using these, the volume average particle size distribution index (GSDv) is calculated as (D84v / D16v) ^1/2 and the number average particle size distribution index (GSDp) is calculated as (D84p / D16p) ^1/2 .

  The shape factor SF1 of the toner particles is preferably 110 or more and 150 or less, and more preferably 120 or more and 140 or less.

The shape factor SF1 is obtained by the following formula.
Formula: SF1 = (ML ² / A) × (π / 4) × 100
In the above formula, ML represents the absolute maximum length of the toner, and A represents the projected area of the toner.
Specifically, the shape factor SF1 is quantified mainly by analyzing a microscope image or a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image using an image analyzer, and is calculated as follows. That is, by capturing an optical microscope image of particles dispersed on the surface of a slide glass into a Luzex image analyzer using a video camera, obtaining the maximum length and projected area of 100 particles, calculating by the above formula, and obtaining the average value can get.

(External additive)
Examples of the external additive include inorganic particles. As the inorganic particles, SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , CuO, ZnO, SnO ₂ , CeO ₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , MgO, BaO, CaO, K ₂ O, Na ₂ O, ZrO ₂ , CaO. _{SiO 2, K 2 O · (} TiO 2) n, Al 2 O 3 · 2SiO 2, CaCO 3, MgCO 3, BaSO 4, MgSO 4 , and the like.

The surface of the inorganic particles as an external additive is preferably subjected to a hydrophobic treatment. The hydrophobic treatment is performed, for example, by immersing inorganic particles in a hydrophobic treatment agent. The hydrophobizing agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include silane coupling agents, silicone oils, titanate coupling agents, aluminum coupling agents and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
The amount of the hydrophobizing agent is usually 1 part by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the inorganic particles, for example.

  Examples of external additives include resin particles (resin particles such as polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and melamine resin), cleaning activators (for example, metal salts of higher fatty acids typified by zinc stearate, fluorine-based high molecular weight substances). Particle) and the like.

  The external addition amount of the external additive is, for example, preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 2.0% by mass or less with respect to the toner particles.

(Toner production method)
Next, a toner manufacturing method according to this embodiment will be described.
The toner according to the exemplary embodiment can be obtained by externally adding an external additive to the toner particles after the toner particles are manufactured.

The toner particles may be produced by any of a dry production method (for example, a kneading and pulverizing method) and a wet production method (for example, an aggregation coalescence method, a suspension polymerization method, a dissolution suspension method, etc.). The production method of the toner particles is not particularly limited, and a known production method is adopted.
Among these, it is preferable to obtain toner particles by an aggregation and coalescence method.

Specifically, for example, when toner particles are produced by an aggregation coalescence method,
A step of preparing a resin particle dispersion in which resin particles to be a binder resin are dispersed (resin particle dispersion preparation step), and a resin particle dispersion (after mixing other particle dispersions as necessary) In the dispersion), the resin particles (other particles as necessary) are aggregated to form aggregated particles (aggregated particle formation step), and the aggregated particle dispersion in which the aggregated particles are dispersed is heated. Then, toner particles are manufactured through a process of fusing and coalescing the aggregated particles to form toner particles (fusing and coalescing process).

  In the present embodiment, as the other particle dispersion, a dispersion in which at least the compound represented by the general formula (I) (infrared absorber) is dispersed is used.

Details of each step will be described below.
In the following description, a method of obtaining toner particles containing a colorant and a release agent will be described. However, the colorant and the release agent are used as necessary. Of course, you may use other additives other than a coloring agent and a mold release agent.

-Preparation step of resin particle dispersion-
First, together with a resin particle dispersion in which resin particles to be a binder resin are dispersed and an infrared absorbent dispersion in which the compound represented by the general formula (I) (infrared absorber) is dispersed, for example, colorant particles A colorant particle dispersion in which is dispersed and a release agent particle dispersion in which release agent particles are dispersed are prepared.

  Here, the resin particle dispersion is prepared, for example, by dispersing resin particles in a dispersion medium using a surfactant.

Examples of the dispersion medium used for the resin particle dispersion include an aqueous medium.
Examples of the aqueous medium include water such as distilled water and ion exchange water, and alcohols. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

Examples of the surfactant include anionic surfactants such as sulfate ester, sulfonate, phosphate, and soap; cationic surfactants such as amine salt type and quaternary ammonium salt type; polyethylene glycol And nonionic surfactants such as polyphenols, alkylphenol ethylene oxide adducts, and polyhydric alcohols. Among these, an anionic surfactant and a cationic surfactant are particularly mentioned. The nonionic surfactant may be used in combination with an anionic surfactant or a cationic surfactant.
Surfactant may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

Examples of the method for dispersing the resin particles in the dispersion medium in the resin particle dispersion include a general dispersion method such as a rotary shear homogenizer, a ball mill having media, a sand mill, and a dyno mill. Depending on the type of resin particles, the resin particles may be dispersed in the resin particle dispersion using, for example, a phase inversion emulsification method.
The phase inversion emulsification method is a method in which a resin to be dispersed is dissolved in a hydrophobic organic solvent in which the resin is soluble, and a base is added to the organic continuous phase (O phase) to neutralize the aqueous medium. (W phase) is added to convert the resin from W / O to O / W (so-called phase inversion) to form a discontinuous phase and disperse the resin in an aqueous medium in the form of particles. It is.

The volume average particle size of the resin particles dispersed in the resin particle dispersion is, for example, preferably 0.01 μm to 1 μm, more preferably 0.08 μm to 0.8 μm, and further preferably 0.1 μm to 0.6 μm. preferable.
In addition, the volume average particle diameter of the resin particles is based on the particle size range (channel) divided by using the particle size distribution obtained by measurement with a laser diffraction particle size distribution measuring apparatus (for example, LA-700 manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.). The cumulative distribution is subtracted from the small particle diameter side with respect to the volume, and the particle diameter that becomes 50% cumulative with respect to all the particles is measured as the volume average particle diameter D50v. The volume average particle size of particles in other dispersions is also measured in the same manner.

  As content of the resin particle contained in a resin particle dispersion liquid, 5 to 50 mass% is preferable, for example, and 10 to 40 mass% is more preferable.

  As in the case of the resin particle dispersion, for example, an infrared absorbent dispersion, a colorant particle dispersion, and a release agent particle dispersion in which the compound represented by the general formula (I) (infrared absorbent) is dispersed. Is also prepared. That is, with respect to the volume average particle diameter of the particles in the resin particle dispersion, the dispersion medium, the dispersion method, and the content of the particles, the compound represented by the general formula (I) dispersed in the infrared absorbent dispersion (infrared ray) The same applies to the absorbent), the colorant particles dispersed in the colorant particle dispersion, and the release agent particles dispersed in the release agent particle dispersion.

-Aggregated particle formation process-
Next, the infrared absorbent dispersion, the colorant particle dispersion, and the release agent particle dispersion are mixed together with the resin particle dispersion.
In the mixed dispersion, the resin particles, the infrared absorber, the colorant particles, and the release agent particles are hetero-aggregated, and the resin particles, the infrared absorber, and the colorant have a diameter close to the diameter of the target toner particles. Aggregated particles including particles and release agent particles are formed.

Specifically, for example, the flocculant is added to the mixed dispersion, and the pH of the mixed dispersion is adjusted to acidic (for example, the pH is 2 or more and 5 or less), and a dispersion stabilizer is added as necessary. The resin particles are heated to a glass transition temperature (specifically, for example, the glass transition temperature of the resin particles −30 ° C. or more and the glass transition temperature −10 ° C. or less), and the particles dispersed in the mixed dispersion liquid are aggregated. , Forming aggregated particles.
In the agglomerated particle forming step, for example, the aggregating agent is added at room temperature (for example, 25 ° C.) while stirring the mixed dispersion with a rotary shearing homogenizer, and the pH of the mixed dispersion is acidic (for example, the pH is 2 or more and 5 or less). ), And after adding a dispersion stabilizer as necessary, the heating may be performed.

Examples of the flocculant include a surfactant having a polarity opposite to that of the surfactant used as the dispersant added to the mixed dispersion, an inorganic metal salt, and a divalent or higher-valent metal complex. In particular, when a metal complex is used as the flocculant, the amount of the surfactant used is reduced, and the charging characteristics are improved.
If necessary, an additive that forms a complex or a similar bond with the metal ion of the flocculant may be used. As this additive, a chelating agent is preferably used.

Examples of inorganic metal salts include metal salts such as calcium chloride, calcium nitrate, barium chloride, magnesium chloride, zinc chloride, aluminum chloride, and aluminum sulfate, and inorganic substances such as polyaluminum chloride, polyaluminum hydroxide, and calcium polysulfide. Examples thereof include metal salt polymers.
A water-soluble chelating agent may be used as the chelating agent. Examples of the chelating agent include oxycarboxylic acids such as tartaric acid, citric acid, and gluconic acid, iminodiacid (IDA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and the like.
As addition amount of a chelating agent, 0.01 mass part or more and 5.0 mass part or less are preferable with respect to 100 mass parts of resin particles, for example, and 0.1 mass part or more and less than 3.0 mass parts are more preferable.

-Fusion / unification process-
Next, the aggregated particle dispersion in which the aggregated particles are dispersed is heated to, for example, a glass transition temperature or higher of the resin particles (for example, a temperature of 10 to 30 ° C. higher than the glass transition temperature of the resin particles). Are fused and united to form toner particles.

Through the above steps, toner particles are obtained.
In addition, after obtaining the aggregated particle dispersion liquid in which the aggregated particles are dispersed, the aggregated particle dispersion liquid and the resin particle dispersion liquid in which the resin particles are dispersed are further mixed, and the resin particles are further added to the surface of the aggregated particles. A process of aggregating to adhere to form second aggregated particles, and heating the second aggregated particle dispersion in which the second aggregated particles are dispersed to fuse and coalesce the second aggregated particles. The toner particles may be manufactured through a step of forming toner particles having a core / shell structure.

Here, after completion of the fusion / unification process, toner particles formed in the solution are dried through a known washing process, solid-liquid separation process, and drying process to obtain toner particles.
In the washing step, it is preferable to sufficiently carry out 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, etc. are preferably performed from the viewpoint of productivity. Also, the drying process is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of productivity, freeze drying, flash jet drying, fluidized drying, vibration fluidized drying, or the like is preferably performed.

  The toner according to the exemplary embodiment is manufactured, for example, by adding an external additive to the obtained dry toner particles and mixing them. Mixing may be performed by, for example, a V blender, a Henschel mixer, a Laedige mixer, or the like. Further, if necessary, coarse toner particles may be removed using a vibration sieving machine, a wind sieving machine, or the like.

<Electrostatic image developer>
The electrostatic charge image developer according to the exemplary embodiment includes at least the toner according to the exemplary embodiment.
The electrostatic image developer according to this embodiment may be a one-component developer including only the toner according to this embodiment, or may be a two-component developer mixed with the toner and a carrier.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a carrier, A well-known carrier is mentioned. As a carrier, for example, a coated carrier in which the surface of a core made of magnetic powder is coated with a coating resin; a magnetic powder dispersion type carrier in which magnetic powder is dispersed and mixed in a matrix resin; a porous magnetic powder is impregnated with a resin Resin impregnated type carriers; and the like.
The magnetic powder-dispersed carrier and the resin-impregnated carrier may be a carrier in which the constituent particles of the carrier are used as a core material and this is coated with a coating resin.

  Examples of the magnetic powder include magnetic metals such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, and magnetic oxides such as ferrite and magnetite.

Examples of the coating resin and matrix resin include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl ketone, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-acrylic acid copolymer. Examples thereof include a polymer, a straight silicone resin containing an organosiloxane bond or a modified product thereof, a fluororesin, a polyester, a polycarbonate, a phenol resin, and an epoxy resin.
The coating resin and matrix resin may contain other additives such as conductive particles.
Examples of the conductive particles include particles of metals such as gold, silver, and copper, carbon black, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, barium sulfate, aluminum borate, and potassium titanate.

Here, in order to coat the surface of the core material with the coating resin, a method of coating with a coating layer forming solution obtained by dissolving the coating resin and, if necessary, various additives in an appropriate solvent may be mentioned. The solvent is not particularly limited, and may be selected in consideration of the coating resin to be used, coating suitability, and the like.
Specific resin coating methods include a dipping method in which the core material is immersed in the coating layer forming solution, a spray method in which the coating layer forming solution is sprayed on the surface of the core material, and a state in which the core material is suspended by flowing air. Examples thereof include a fluidized bed method in which a coating layer forming solution is sprayed, a kneader coater method in which a carrier core material and a coating layer forming solution are mixed in a kneader coater, and the solvent is removed.

  The mixing ratio (mass ratio) of the toner and the carrier in the two-component developer is preferably toner: carrier = 1: 100 to 30: 100, and more preferably 3: 100 to 20: 100.

(Use)
The toner according to the present embodiment may be a light fixing toner or a heat fixing toner, but is particularly preferably used as a light fixing toner. In addition, the toner according to the exemplary embodiment may be a color toner containing a colorant, or may be a transparent toner (so-called invisible toner) that does not contain a colorant. Here, the invisible toner is a toner that forms an image to be decoded (read) using invisible light such as infrared rays, and is fixed as a toner image on a recording medium (for example, paper). Means a toner that is difficult to be visually recognized (ideally not recognized at all).
The invisible toner may contain a colorant as long as the addition amount is not recognized as being present (for example, 1% by mass or less).

<Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming Method>
Next, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to this embodiment using the toner according to this embodiment will be described.
An image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an image carrier, a charging unit that charges the surface of the image carrier, an electrostatic image forming unit that forms an electrostatic image on the surface of the charged image carrier, Developing means for containing an electrostatic charge image developer according to the present embodiment and developing the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier as a toner image with the electrostatic image developer; and the surface of the image carrier A transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the recording medium, and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a charging process for charging the surface of the image carrier, an electrostatic charge image forming process for forming an electrostatic image on the charged surface of the image carrier, and the present embodiment. A developing process for developing the electrostatic image formed on the surface of the image carrier as a toner image by the electrostatic image developer, and transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of the recording medium There is provided an image forming method comprising: a transferring step for fixing; and a fixing step for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium.

  Image formation in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is performed, for example, as follows when an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive member”) is used as an image carrier. First, the surface of the photoreceptor is charged by a corotron charger, a contact charger or the like and then exposed to form an electrostatic charge image. Next, the toner is attached to the electrostatic charge image by being brought into contact with or in proximity to a developing roll having a developer layer formed on the surface, and a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor. The formed toner image is transferred onto the surface of a recording medium such as paper using a corotron charger or the like. Further, the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium is fixed by a fixing device, and an image is formed on the recording medium.

As the photoreceptor, generally, an inorganic photoreceptor such as amorphous silicon or selenium, or an organic photoreceptor using polysilane, phthalocyanine or the like as a charge generation material or a charge transport material is used. In particular, from the viewpoint of abrasion resistance, the photosensitive member is an amorphous silicon photosensitive member for an inorganic photosensitive member, and a resin layer having a crosslinked structure such as a melamine resin, a phenol resin, or a silicone resin on the outermost layer for an organic photosensitive member. It is desirable that the photoreceptor has a so-called overcoat layer.
When a positively chargeable toner is used as the toner, generally, an inorganic photoreceptor represented by amorphous silicon (sometimes abbreviated as “a-Si”) is used, and when a negatively charged toner is used, In general, an organic photoconductor is used.

  In the image forming apparatus and the image forming method in the present embodiment, the toner image is preferably fixed on the recording medium by light fixing by light irradiation. Note that pressure / heat-fixing using a heating member and light-fixing by light irradiation may be used in combination.

As a fixing means for adopting a light fixing method in which a toner image is fixed by irradiating light, any means for fixing by light may be used, and a light fixing device (flash fixing device) is used.
Examples of the light source used in the light fixing device include a normal halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, a flash lamp, and an infrared laser.

As the heating member, a heating roll fixing device, an oven fixing device or the like is desirably used.
As the heating roll fixing device, a heating roll type fixing device is generally used in which a pair of fixing rolls are pressed against each other. As a pair of fixing rolls, a heating roll and a pressure roll are provided facing each other, and a nip is formed by pressure contact. The heating roll has a metal hollow core with a heater lamp inside, and a surface layer made of an oil- and heat-resistant elastic body layer (elastic layer) and a fluororesin, etc. are sequentially formed. Accordingly, an oil- and heat-resistant elastic body layer and a surface layer are sequentially formed on a metal hollow core metal core having a heater lamp inside. The toner image is fixed by passing a recording medium on which the toner image is formed through a nip region formed by the heating roll and the pressure roll.

Among these, the fixing unit is preferably an apparatus that irradiates an infrared laser that irradiates a laser beam of 800 nm or more. This is because this infrared laser is excellent in energy conversion efficiency, that is, light emission efficiency, and it is easy to reduce energy required for fixing means.
Further, the infrared absorbent represented by the general formula (I) has a maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength region of 800 nm or more, the absorption efficiency of the infrared laser light by the infrared absorbent is improved, and It becomes easy to reduce the addition amount of the infrared absorber to be added.

  Hereinafter, an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the main part shown to a figure is demonstrated and the description is abbreviate | omitted about others.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is one that forms a toner image with toner obtained by adding black to three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow.

  The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 feeds the recording medium P wound in a roll shape by a paper feed roller 328, and on the one side of the recording medium P fed in this way, the recording medium P is fed upstream in the feeding direction. Four image forming units 312 (black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C)) are provided in parallel from the side toward the downstream side. A light fixing type fixing device 326 is provided on the downstream side.

The black image forming unit 312K is a known electrophotographic image forming unit. Specifically, a charging unit 316K, an exposure unit 318K, a developing unit 320K, and a cleaner 322K are provided around the photosensitive member 314K, and a transfer unit 324K is provided via the recording medium P. The same applies to the other yellow, magenta, and cyan image forming units 312Y, 312M, and 312C.
When used for monochrome printing, only black (K) may be provided as the image forming unit 312.

  In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, toner images are sequentially transferred by a known electrophotographic method onto each recording medium P 312K, 312Y, 312M, and 312C on the recording medium P drawn from the roll state. The image is fixed by the fixing device 326 to form an image. A heating roll pair (not shown) for fixing the toner image to the recording medium P by pressurization and heating with the recording medium P interposed may be provided at a position where the fixing device 326 is installed. By providing a heating device such as a heater in the roll, the heating roll pair is heated, and when the toner image comes into contact with the heating roll pair, the toner image is melted and fixed on the recording medium P.

<Process cartridge>
The process cartridge according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a developing unit that stores an electrostatic charge image developer and develops the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image holding member as a toner image with the electrostatic charge image developer. It is detachable from the forming apparatus. The electrostatic charge image developer according to this embodiment is applied as the electrostatic charge image developer.

<Toner cartridge>
The toner cartridge according to the present exemplary embodiment is a toner cartridge that stores toner and is detachable from the image forming apparatus. As the toner, the electrostatic image developing toner according to this embodiment is applied.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Unless otherwise specified, “part” and “%” are based on mass.

<Synthesis of infrared absorber>
- Compound Compound ^{R a} to ^{R d} is a t- butyl group in the compound (A1) :( Formula (I) according to the following synthetic scheme (A1)) was synthesized.
A three-necked flask was equipped with a Dean-Stark trap, a reflux condenser, a stirring seal, and a stirring rod to form a reaction vessel. 2,2,8,8-Tetramethyl-3,6-nonadiin-5-ol and cyclohexane were placed in a reaction vessel. Manganese (IV) oxide powder was added, stirred with a three-one motor, and heated to reflux. Water formed during the reaction was removed by azeotropic distillation. It was confirmed by thin layer chromatography that there was no 2,2,8,8-tetramethyl-3,6-nonadiin-5-ol remaining. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool and then filtered under reduced pressure to obtain a yellow filtrate (F1). The solid obtained by filtration was transferred to another container, ethyl acetate was added, and the operation of ultrasonic dispersion and filtration was repeated 4 times to obtain an ethyl acetate extract (F2). The ethyl acetate extract (F2) and the filtrate (F1) were mixed and concentrated with a rotary evaporator and then with a vacuum pump to obtain a liquid colored orange. The orange-colored liquid was distilled under reduced pressure to obtain a pale yellow liquid (Intermediate 1).

  A thermometer and a dropping funnel were installed in a three-necked flask to prepare a reaction vessel. Sodium hydrogen monosulfide n hydrate was added to ethanol and stirred at room temperature (20 ° C.) until dissolved, and then cooled with ice water. When the internal temperature reached 5 ° C., a mixture of intermediate 1 and ethanol was added dropwise little by little. The liquid changed from yellow to orange by the dropwise addition. Since the internal temperature increased due to heat generation, the internal temperature was dropped within the range of 5 ° C. or higher and 7 ° C. or lower while adjusting the dropping amount. Thereafter, the ice water bath was removed, and the mixture was stirred while allowing the temperature to rise naturally at room temperature (20 ° C.). Water was added to the reaction solution, and ethanol was removed by a rotary evaporator. Thereafter, sodium chloride was added until saturation, and the mixture was separated with ethyl acetate to recover the organic phase. The organic phase was washed twice with saturated ammonium chloride and dried over magnesium sulfate. After drying, the solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to recover a brown liquid. This brown liquid was distilled under reduced pressure. A distillate starts to be produced at 200 ° C., but since the first distillate component is not included, the main distillate was selected when the amount of steam increased. A yellow liquid (Intermediate 2) was distilled.

  A stir bar and intermediate 2 were placed in a three-necked flask, and a nitrogen inlet tube and a reflux condenser were attached to replace the nitrogen. Under nitrogen atmosphere, anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added with a syringe, and a 1M tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution of methylmagnesium bromide was added dropwise with a syringe while stirring at room temperature (20 ° C.). After completion of the dropwise addition, the reaction solution was heated and stirred and refluxed. The reaction solution was allowed to cool under a nitrogen atmosphere, and then a solution of ammonium bromide dissolved in water was added dropwise while cooling in an ice-water bath. The reaction mixture was further stirred at room temperature (20 ° C.), n-hexane was added, and the mixture was dried over sodium sulfate. After drying, the n-hexane / THF solution was taken out with a syringe and the inorganic layer was washed with ethyl acetate to obtain an extract. The n-hexane / THF solution and the extract from the inorganic layer were mixed, concentrated under reduced pressure, and then vacuum dried to obtain Intermediate 3.

  Under a nitrogen atmosphere, Intermediate 3 and squaric acid were dispersed in a mixed solvent of cyclohexane and isobutanol, and pyridine was added and heated to reflux. Then isobutanol was added and the reaction mixture was further heated to reflux. Water generated during the reaction was removed by azeotropic distillation. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool and then filtered under reduced pressure to remove hardly soluble substances. The filtrate was concentrated on a rotary evaporator. Methanol was added to the residue, heated to 40 ° C, and then cooled to -10 ° C. Crystals were obtained by filtration, and this was vacuum-dried to obtain compound (A1).

Synthesis of compound (A2) In the synthesis of the compound (A1), 2,8-dimethyl-3,6-nonadiyne instead of 2,2,8,8-tetramethyl-3,6-nonadiin-5-ol Compound (A2): (compound in which R ^{a to} R ^d in formula (I) are i-propyl groups) was synthesized in the same procedure except that -5-ol was used.
(Identification data)
¹ H-NMR spectrum (CDCl ₃ ):
9.1 (2H), 6.8 (2H), 6.1 (2H), 2.8 to 3.0 (4H), 1.2 to 1.3 (24H)
Mass spectrum (FD): m / z = 467
Molar extinction coefficient (ε) spectrum: maximum absorption wavelength (λ _max ) = 809 nm (THF), molar extinction coefficient (ε _max ) at the maximum absorption wavelength = 3.6 × 10 ⁵ M ⁻¹ cm ⁻¹

Synthesis of compound (A3) In the synthesis of the compound (A1), 2,10-dimethyl-4,7-undecadiyne instead of 2,2,8,8-tetramethyl-3,6-nonadiin-5-ol Compound (A3): (a compound in which R ^{a to} R ^d in formula (I) are i-butyl groups) was synthesized in the same procedure except that -6-ol was used.
(Identification data)
¹ H-NMR spectrum (CDCl ₃ ):
9.1 (2H), 6.8 (2H), 6.1 (2H), 2.4 to 2.6 (8H), 1.8 to 2.0 (4H), 0.8 to 1.0 (24H)
Mass spectrum (FD): m / z = 523

Synthesis of comparative compound (B1) In the synthesis of the compound (A1), instead of 2,2,8,8-tetramethyl-3,6-nonadiin-5-ol, tridec-5,8-diin-7- Compound (B1): (a compound in which R ^{a to} R ^d in formula (I) are n-butyl groups) was synthesized in the same procedure except that all was used.

Synthesis of comparative compound (B2) In the synthesis of the compound (A1), undeca-4,7-diin-6--6 instead of 2,2,8,8-tetramethyl-3,6-nonadiin-5-ol Compound (B2): (a compound in which R ^{a to} R ^d in formula (I) are n-propyl groups) was synthesized in the same procedure except that all was used.

<Degradation confirmation test by HPLC>
About the test solution before and behind the following solution storage test, the density | concentration of the infrared absorber contained in a solution was measured with the following HPLC apparatus.
A high performance liquid chromatography apparatus (HPLC apparatus, manufacturer: Shimadzu Corporation, model number: LC-10A) was prepared. As the column for HPLC, the manufacturer: Chemco Corporation, trade name: CHEMCOSORB, product number: 5-ODS-H, inner diameter: 4.6 mm, and length: 150 mm were used. As measurement conditions, column temperature: 45 ° C., injection volume of measurement sample: 10 μl, flow rate of measurement sample: 1 ml / min, detection wavelength: 254 nm, mobile phase: mixed solution of acetonitrile and water (acetonitrile: water = 9: The condition of 1) was adopted. In addition, the following retention times were provided as the retention times until the peak of the target substance (infrared absorber) was detected.
Compound (A1): 10 minutes Compound (A2): 6 minutes Compound (A3): 11 minutes Comparative compound (B1): 15 minutes Comparative compound (B2): 6 minutes

-Solution storage test-
Using the infrared absorbers (compounds A1 to A3 and comparative compounds B1 to B2) obtained above, solutions of 1 × 10 ⁻³ mol / L of tetrahydrofuran (THF) were prepared. A 28% by mass aqueous ammonia solution was added thereto so that the molar ratio of ammonia was 60 times that of the infrared absorber, and the solution was put in a sealed container and stored at 50 ° C. for 3 days. About the test solution (sample) before and behind storage for 3 days, the density | concentration measurement of the infrared absorber by HPLC was performed. As a result, the concentration of each compound in the test solution before and after the solution storage test and the ratio (%) of the concentration after storage to the concentration before storage are shown in Table 1 below.

  In addition, the measurement result (concentration) shown in Table 1 is shown by the ratio with respect to the total amount of the infrared absorber (Compound A1 thru | or A3, comparative compound B1 thru | or B2) added in the test solution. Since it is considered that impurities such as unreacted substances are contained in each compound, the concentration before storage (before decomposition) is also considered to indicate the concentration from which these impurities are removed.

<Production of toner>
(Preparation of dispersion)
-Preparation of first resin particle dispersion-
320 parts of styrene, 80 parts of n-butyl acrylate, 10 parts of acrylic acid, 10 parts of dodecanethiol, 6 parts of nonionic surfactant (Nonipol 400 manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries), anionic surfactant (Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) 10 parts of Neogen R) and 550 parts of ion exchange water were dispersed and emulsified in a flask, and 50 parts of ion exchange water in which 4 parts of ammonium persulfate was dissolved was added while slowly stirring and mixing for 10 minutes. Thereafter, the inside of the flask was replaced with nitrogen, and the system was heated in an oil bath with stirring until the temperature reached 70 ° C., and emulsion polymerization was continued for 5 hours to obtain a first resin particle dispersion.
When the volume average particle diameter (D50) of the resin particles was measured with a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer (LA-700 manufactured by Horiba, Ltd.), it was 155 nm, and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC-50 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) was used. The glass transition temperature of the resin was measured at a temperature rising rate of 10 ° C./min, and it was 54 ° C., and the weight average molecular weight (polystyrene conversion) was measured using THF as a solvent using a molecular weight measuring device (HLC-8020 manufactured by Tosoh Corporation). It was 33,000.

-Preparation of second resin particle dispersion-
As a second resin particle dispersion, a polymerized rosin ester resin particle dispersion (Harima Chemical Co., Ltd. Harrier Star SK-385NS (softening temperature 85 ° C., acid value 8.0 mgKOH / g, solid content 50%)) was prepared.

-Preparation of colorant dispersion-
[Colored dispersion (C)]
Cyan pigment (Pigment Blue 15: 3, manufactured by Dainichi Seika Co., Ltd.), 5 parts of an anionic surfactant (Neogen R, manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) and 200 parts of ion-exchanged water are mixed, and the high-pressure impact disperser Ultima is mixed. Dispersion treatment was performed for 1 hour using Iser (HJP30006 manufactured by Sugino Machine Co., Ltd.) to obtain a colorant dispersion (C). The colorant dispersion (C) had a colorant particle average particle size of 185 nm and a solid content of 20%.

-Preparation of release agent dispersion-
40 parts of paraffin wax (HNP0190 manufactured by Nippon Seiwa Co., Ltd., melting temperature 85 ° C.), 5 parts of cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao Co., Ltd.), and 200 parts of ion-exchanged water are mixed and heated to 95 ° C. and homogenizer. After dispersion using (Ultra Tlux T50 manufactured by IKA), dispersion treatment was performed with a pressure discharge type homogenizer to obtain a release agent dispersion having an average particle size of 550 nm and a release agent concentration of 2% by mass.

-Preparation of infrared absorber dispersion-
[Infrared absorbent dispersion (A1)]
10 parts of an infrared absorber (compound (A1)), 1 part of an anionic surfactant (Neogen R manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.), and 89 parts of ion-exchanged water are mixed, and an ultrasonic homogenizer (US-made by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.) is mixed. 150T) for 30 minutes at 150 W to obtain an infrared absorbent dispersion (A1) having a volume average particle size of 250 nm and a solid content of 11%.

[Other infrared absorbent dispersions]
The infrared absorbent dispersion (B1) is the same as the infrared absorbent dispersion (A1) except that an infrared absorbent (comparative compound (B1)) is used instead of the infrared absorbent (compound (A1)). Got.

(Creation of carrier)
Ferrite particles (average particle size 35 μm, volume electric resistance 10 ⁸ Ω · cm) 100 parts, toluene 14 parts, perfluorooctylethyl acrylate / methyl methacrylate copolymer (copolymerization ratio 10/90, weight average molecular weight 80,000) 1 .6 parts, 0.12 part of carbon black (VXC-72 manufactured by Cabot Corporation), and 0.3 part of crosslinked melamine resin particles (number average particle size 0.3 μm) Dispersing for minutes, a coating layer forming solution was prepared. The coating layer forming solution and the ferrite particles are put into a vacuum degassing kneader and stirred at 60 ° C. for 30 minutes, and then the pressure is reduced to distill off toluene to obtain a carrier having a resin coating layer on the ferrite particle surface. It was.

[Example 1]
(Production of toner particles (A1))
260 parts of the first resin particle dispersion, 20 parts of the second resin particle dispersion, 32.7 parts of the colorant dispersion (C), 2.2 parts of the infrared absorbent dispersion (A1), the release agent dispersion 70 parts, 1.5 parts of a cationic surfactant (Sanisol B50 manufactured by Kao Corporation), 0.36 parts of polyaluminum chloride, and 1000 parts of ion-exchanged water were placed in a round stainless steel flask and homogenizer (manufactured by IKA). After mixing and dispersing using Ultra Turrax T50), the mixture was heated to 48 ° C. with stirring. After maintaining at 48 ° C. for 30 minutes, it was confirmed with an optical microscope that aggregated particles were formed. Thereafter, the pH of the solution was adjusted to 8.0 with an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution having a concentration of 0.5 mol / L, and then heated to 90 ° C. and further stirred for 3 hours.
After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled and subjected to solid-liquid separation by Nutsche suction filtration. The solid content was redispersed in 1000 parts of ion-exchanged water at 30 ° C., stirred for 15 minutes at 300 rpm with a stirring blade, and subjected to solid-liquid separation by Nutsche suction filtration. This redispersion and suction filtration were repeated, and the washing was terminated when the filtrate had an electric conductivity of 10.0 μS / cmt or less. Subsequently, it was charged in a vacuum dryer and dried continuously for 12 hours to obtain toner particles (A1) having a volume average particle diameter of 5.8 μm.

(Production of Toner (A1))
After 100 parts of toner particles (A1) and 1 part of hydrophobic silica (T805 manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) were stirred for 10 minutes at a peripheral speed of 32 m / sec using a Henschel mixer, coarse particles were used using a 45 μm mesh sieve. Then, toner (A1) was obtained.

(Development of developer)
94 parts of the carrier and 6 parts of the toner (c1) were stirred for 20 minutes at 40 rpm using a V-blender, and then sieved with a 177 μm mesh sieve to obtain a developer (A1).

[Comparative Example 1]
-Production of Comparative Developer B1-
Comparative developer B1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the infrared absorbent dispersion (A1) was changed to the infrared absorbent dispersion (B1).

<Evaluation>
The following evaluation was performed using the developers of the obtained Examples and Comparative Examples.
10 mg each of the produced developer A1 and comparative developer B1 was ultrasonically dispersed in 1 ml of a 0.7% by weight sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate aqueous solution to prepare a developer dispersion. This was filtered with a 50 nm filter to prepare an evaluation patch. This patch was stored at 50 ° C. for 30 days, and the change in infrared absorption rate before and after storage was examined with a spectrophotometer U-4100 manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.
The results are shown in Table 2 below.

  In Example 1 using Compound A1, the infrared absorption rate decreased only by 6 points (6%) after storage for 30 days compared to before storage, but in Comparative Example 1 using Comparative Compound B1 before storage, In comparison, the infrared absorptivity decreased by 20 points (20%) after storage for 30 days.

312Y, 312M, 312C, 312K Image forming units 314Y, 314M, 314C, 314K Photoconductors 316Y, 316M, 316C, 316K Chargers 318Y, 318M, 318C, 318K Exposure means 320Y, 320M, 320C, 320K Developers 322Y, 322M, 322C, 322K Cleaner 324Y, 324M, 324C, 324K Transfer device 326 Fixing device 328 Paper feed roller P Recording medium

Claims (13)

The resin composition containing the compound represented by the following general formula (I), and resin.


(In General Formula (I), R ^a represents a group represented by General Formula (IR), and R ^b , R ^c, and R ^d each independently represents an alkyl group.
In General Formula (IR), R ^e represents hydrogen or a methyl group, and e represents an integer of 0 or more and 3 or less. ) 2. The resin composition according to claim 1, wherein at least one of R ^b , R ^c, and R ^{d in} the general formula (I) is a group represented by the general formula (IR). 2. The resin composition according to claim 1, wherein all of R ^b , R ^c and R ^{d in} the general formula (I) are groups represented by the general formula (IR). The resin composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein R ^e in the general formula (IR) is a methyl group.   E in the said general formula (IR) is 0, The resin composition as described in any one of Claims 1-4. The ratio of the concentration of the compound represented by the general formula (I) in the test solution after the following solution storage test to the concentration in the test solution before the following solution storage test is 1% or more. The resin composition according to claim 5.
-Solution storage test-
In a tetrahydrofuran solution in which the concentration of the compound represented by the general formula (I) is 1 × 10 ⁻³ mol / L, ammonia is further 60 times (molar ratio) of the compound represented by the general formula (I). A test solution added at a concentration is prepared and stored in a sealed container in a 50 ° C. environment for 3 days. The concentration of the compound represented by the general formula (I) in the test solution before and after storage is measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).   The ratio of the concentration of the compound represented by the general formula (I) in the test solution after the solution storage test to the concentration in the test solution before the solution storage test is 10% or more. The resin composition described in 1.   An electrostatic image developing toner comprising the resin composition according to claim 1.   An electrostatic image developer comprising the electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 8. Containing the electrostatic image developing toner according to claim 8;
A toner cartridge to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. A developing means for containing the electrostatic charge image developer according to claim 9 and developing the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier as a toner image by the electrostatic charge image developer,
A process cartridge attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus. An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
An electrostatic charge image forming means for forming an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
Development means for containing the electrostatic charge image developer according to claim 9 and developing the electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier as a toner image by the electrostatic charge image developer;
Transfer means for transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of a recording medium;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A charging step for charging the surface of the image carrier;
An electrostatic charge image forming step of forming an electrostatic charge image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
A developing step of developing an electrostatic charge image formed on the surface of the image carrier as a toner image with the electrostatic charge image developer according to claim 9;
A transfer step of transferring a toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier to the surface of a recording medium;
A fixing step of fixing the toner image transferred to the surface of the recording medium;
An image forming method comprising: