JP4566854B2 - Developer, image forming apparatus, image forming method, and process cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a developer used for developing an electrostatic image in electrophotography, electrostatic recording, electrostatic printing, and the like, and an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a process cartridge using the developer.

In image formation by electrophotography, an electrostatic latent image carrier having a photosensitive layer containing a photoconductive substance or the like (hereinafter also referred to as “photosensitive member”, “electrophotographic photosensitive member”, or “image carrier”). ) Forming a latent image on the surface of the electrostatic latent image, and forming a visible image by attaching a charged toner or a developer composed of toner and carrier to the electrostatic latent image. Is transferred to a recording medium such as paper and fixed to form an output image.
In recent years, the technology of copiers and printers using electrophotography has been rapidly expanding from monochrome to full color, and the full color market tends to expand. In color image formation by the full-color electrophotographic method, generally, at least one of three primary colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is laminated to reproduce all colors. In this case, for the purpose of obtaining a clear full color image with excellent color reproducibility, the surface of the fixed toner image is smoothed to some extent to reduce light scattering. For these reasons, the image gloss by a conventional full-color copying machine or the like is often 10 to 50% of medium to high gloss.

  In general, as a method for fixing a dry toner image on a recording medium, a contact heating fixing method in which a heat fixing member such as a fixing roller or a belt having a smooth surface is heated and pressed against the toner is employed. While this method has the advantages of high thermal efficiency and high-speed fixing, and can give gloss and transparency to color toners, it contacts the surface of the heat-fixing member and the molten toner under pressure. Since the toner image is peeled off after being applied, a part of the toner image adheres to the surface of the heat fixing member and is re-transferred onto another image, so-called offset phenomenon occurs. For the purpose of preventing the occurrence of the offset phenomenon, a method of forming a fixing roller surface with silicone rubber or fluorine resin having excellent releasability, and further applying a release oil such as silicone oil to the fixing roller surface Is generally adopted.

Such a fixing method is extremely effective in preventing the occurrence of toner offset, but requires a device for supplying a release oil. As a result, the fixing device becomes larger and the machine becomes smaller. Not suitable for. Therefore, in the case of a monochrome toner, the molecular weight distribution of the binder resin is adjusted so that the melted toner does not break internally, thereby increasing the viscoelasticity at the time of melting of the toner and adding a release agent such as wax in the toner. A method is adopted in which no release oil is applied to the fixing roller (less oil), or the amount of oil applied is very small.
On the other hand, in the color toner, as in the case of the monochrome toner, there is a tendency toward oil-less for the purpose of downsizing the machine and simplifying the configuration. However, as described above, in order to improve color reproducibility with color toners, the surface of the fixed image must be smoothed, and the viscoelasticity of the toner at the time of melting must be reduced. It becomes easier to offset than toner, and it becomes more difficult to make the fixing device less oil and to reduce the amount of oil applied. In addition, when a release agent is contained in the toner, the adhesion of the toner increases and the transferability to the recording medium decreases. Furthermore, there is a problem in that the release agent in the toner contaminates the frictional charging member such as the carrier, thereby lowering the chargeability and lowering the durability of the carrier.

  In addition, regarding the carrier, prevention of filming of toner components on the carrier surface, formation of a uniform carrier surface, prevention of surface oxidation, prevention of moisture sensitivity deterioration, extension of developer life, prevention of carrier adhesion to the photoreceptor surface, photosensitivity For the purpose of protecting the body from scratches or abrasion by the carrier, controlling the charge polarity, or adjusting the charge amount, a core layer surface is usually provided with a hard and high-strength coating layer made of a resin material. . For example, those coated with a specific resin material (see Patent Document 1), and further, various additives added to the coating layer (Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, Patent Document 5, Patent Document 6) , Patent Document 7 and Patent Document 8), an additive added to the carrier surface (see Patent Document 9), and conductive particles larger than the coating layer thickness included in the coating layer (Patent Document) 10), a benzoguanamine-n-butyl alcohol-formaldehyde copolymer is used as a carrier coating material (see Patent Document 11), and a cross-linked product of a melamine resin and an acrylic resin is used as a carrier coating material (see Patent Document 12). Various proposals have been made.

  However, these proposals still have insufficient carrier durability and carrier adhesion prevention effects. In particular, regarding the durability of the carrier, there is a problem that the spent on the carrier surface of the toner and the external additive in the toner contaminates the carrier surface and lowers the charging ability of the carrier, thereby reducing the durability. .

Also, as an external additive for toner, the adhesion of titanium oxide fine particles, which are inorganic fine particles, is specified, and an electrophotographic toner with excellent charge amount, environmental stability of charge, toner admixability, and durability is proposed. (See Patent Document 13).
Further, a positively chargeable toner for developing an electrostatic latent image has been proposed (see Patent Document 14) that can regulate toner adhesion on a plurality of inorganic fine particles as an external additive and can achieve a long life.
However, these proposals have a problem that inorganic fine particles that can be used as external additives are limited. In addition, a reduction in the coating layer due to film scraping of the coating layer and a corresponding decrease in resistance can occur, and a good image can be obtained in the initial stage.However, as the number of copies increases, the image quality of the copied image decreases. There is a problem that it ends up.

  Therefore, while the demand for faster and more beautiful products is increasing, the speed of machines in recent years has been remarkably increased, and with this, the stress experienced by developers has also increased dramatically, and has been expected to have a longer service life than before. Even in the case of a carrier, a sufficient life span is no longer obtained.

JP 58-108548 A JP 54-1555048 A JP 57-40267 A JP 58-108549 A JP 59-166968 A Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-19584 Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 3-628 JP-A-6-202381 JP-A-5-273789 JP-A-9-160304 JP-A-8-6307 Japanese Patent No. 2683624 JP 2000-122337 A JP-A-7-199519

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and achieve the following objects. That is, according to the present invention, a high-definition image with good image density and reproducibility is obtained without occurrence of carrier adhesion, and the change in charge amount and resistance is small. Therefore, as the number of copies increases, It is an object of the present invention to provide a developer capable of maintaining a good image over a long period of time, in which image quality deterioration is greatly improved, and an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a process cartridge using the developer.

Means for solving the problems are as follows. That is,
<1> A developer comprising a toner and a carrier,
The toner is obtained by externally adding at least two kinds of inorganic fine particles to toner base particles containing at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a fluorine-containing compound, and fluorine by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) on the toner surface. The atomic content is 2 to 30 atomic percent,
The carrier has a core material and a coating layer containing at least a binder resin and particles on the surface of the core material, the volume specific resistance of the particles is 10 (Ω · cm) or more, and the particles Of the core material is 70% or more, and the volume average particle diameter (D) of the particles and the thickness (h) of the coating layer are expressed by the following formula: 0.5 ≦ (D / h) ≦ It is a developer characterized by satisfying 1.5.
<2> One of the inorganic fine particles in the toner is titanium oxide fine particles. The content of the titanium oxide fine particles in the toner is Xa (mass%), and ultrasonic treatment is performed at 25 kHz for 1 minute in a dispersion liquid containing a surfactant. The residual ratio of titanium oxide fine particles [(Ya / Xa) × 100] is 80 to 95%, where Ya (mass%) is the residual amount of titanium oxide fine particles remaining in the toner after the above <1>.
<3> One of the inorganic fine particles in the toner is silica fine particles, and the content of the silica fine particles in the toner is Xb (mass%), and ultrasonic treatment is performed at 25 kHz for 1 minute in the dispersion containing the surfactant. When the residual amount of silica fine particles remaining in the toner is Yb (mass%), the residual ratio of silica fine particles [(Yb / Xb) × 100] is 70 to 85% from <1> to <2>.
<4> The developer according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the particles in the coating layer of the carrier are at least one selected from inorganic oxide particles.
<5> The developer according to <4>, wherein the inorganic oxide particles are aluminum oxide.
<6> The developer according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the carrier has a volume resistivity of 10 to 16 [log (Ω · cm)].
<7> The developer according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the carrier has a volume average particle diameter of 20 to 65 μm.
<8> The developer according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the binder resin in the coating layer of the carrier is at least one of an acrylic resin and a silicone resin.
<9> From <1> to <8>, wherein the magnetic moment of the carrier when a magnetic field of 1,000 (10 ³ / 4π · A / m) is applied is 40 to 90 (Am ² / kg). The developer according to any one of the above.
<10> The developer according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the toner is at least one selected from black toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and yellow toner.
<11> The developer according to any one of <1> to <10>, wherein the fluorine-containing compound is at least one selected from fluorine-containing quaternary ammonium salt compounds.
<12> The developer according to <11>, wherein the fluorine-containing quaternary ammonium salt compound is represented by the following structural formula (1).
However, in the structural formula (1), Rf represents a perfluoroalkyl group. R ¹ represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a hydrocarbon group. R ^{2 to} R ⁴ may be the same as or different from each other, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a hydrocarbon group. X represents a divalent organic group. Y represents a counter ion. m represents an integer of 1 or more.
<13> An electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image of <1> to <12> Developing means for developing a visible image by developing using any of the developers, a transferring means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and a fixing means for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium And an image forming apparatus characterized by comprising:
<14> An electrostatic latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and the developer according to any one of <1> to <12> Development step for forming a visible image by developing, a transfer step for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and a fixing step for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium. An image forming method.
<15> The electrostatic latent image carrier and the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier are developed using the developer according to any one of <1> to <12> and visible. And a developing unit that forms an image.
<16> A developer-containing container comprising the developer according to any one of <1> to <12> in a container.

The developer of the present invention includes a toner and a carrier,
The toner is obtained by externally adding at least two kinds of inorganic fine particles to toner base particles containing at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a fluorine-containing compound, and fluorine by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) on the toner surface. The atomic content is 2 to 30 atomic percent,
The carrier has a core material and a coating layer containing at least a binder resin and particles on the surface of the core material, the volume specific resistance of the particles is 10 (Ω · cm) or more, and the particles Of the core material is 70% or more, and the volume average particle diameter (D) of the particles and the thickness (h) of the coating layer are expressed by the following formula: 0.5 ≦ (D / h) ≦ Satisfies 1.5.
In the developer of the present invention, there is no occurrence of carrier adhesion, a high-definition image with good image density reproducibility is obtained, and since the change in charge amount and resistance is small, it occurs as the number of copies increases. Image quality degradation of copied images is greatly improved, and good images can be maintained over a long period of time

  Since the developer-containing container of the present invention contains the developer of the present invention, when image formation is performed by electrophotography using the developer stored in the developer-containing container, carrier adhesion occurs. In addition, a high-definition image with good image density reproducibility is obtained, and furthermore, since the change in charge amount and resistance is small, as the number of copies increases, the image quality degradation of the generated copy image is greatly improved, High quality images can be obtained over a long period of time.

  The process cartridge of the present invention comprises an electrostatic latent image carrier and developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier using the developer of the present invention to form a visible image. And at least. As a result, it can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus, is excellent in convenience, and uses the developer of the present invention, so that a high-definition image with no carrier adhesion and good image density reproducibility can be obtained. Further, since the change in the charge amount and resistance is small, as the number of copies increases, the image quality deterioration of the generated copy image is greatly improved, and a high-quality image can be obtained over a long period of time.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image of the present invention. The image forming apparatus has at least developing means for forming a visible image by developing using a developer, transfer means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and fixing means for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium. In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the electrostatic latent image forming unit forms an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier. The developing means develops the electrostatic latent image using the developer of the present invention to form a visible image. The transfer means transfers the visible image to a recording medium. The fixing unit fixes the transferred image transferred to the recording medium. As a result, a high-definition image with no carrier adhesion and good image density reproducibility can be obtained. Furthermore, since the change in charge amount and resistance is small, the image quality of the copy image that occurs as the number of copies increases. Degradation is greatly improved, and high-quality images can be obtained over a long period of time.

  The image forming method of the present invention includes an electrostatic latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatic latent image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image can be developed using the developer of the present invention. It includes at least a developing step for forming a visual image, a transferring step for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and a fixing step for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium. In the image forming method of the present invention, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier in the electrostatic latent image forming step. In the developing step, the electrostatic latent image is developed using the developer of the present invention to form a visible image. In the transfer step, the visible image is transferred to a recording medium. In the fixing step, the transferred image transferred to the recording medium is fixed. As a result, a high-definition image with no carrier adhesion and good image density reproducibility can be obtained. Furthermore, since the change in charge amount and resistance is small, the image quality of the copy image that occurs as the number of copies increases. Degradation is greatly improved, and high-quality images can be obtained over a long period of time.

  According to the present invention, various problems in the prior art can be solved, high-definition images with good image density and reproducibility can be obtained without occurrence of carrier adhesion, and the change in charge amount and resistance is small. As the number of toner increases, the image quality deterioration of the generated copy image is greatly improved, and a developer capable of maintaining a good image over a long period of time, as well as an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a process cartridge using the developer Can be provided.

(Developer)
The developer of the present invention includes a toner and a carrier,
The toner is formed by externally adding at least two kinds of inorganic fine particles to toner base particles containing at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a fluorine-containing compound, and further contains other components as necessary.
The carrier has a core material, and a coating layer containing at least a binder resin and particles on the surface of the core material, and further has other configurations as necessary.

The content of fluorine atoms on the toner surface by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is 2 to 30 atomic percent, preferably 2 to 10 atomic percent, more preferably 3 to 8 atomic percent, and 4 to 6 The atomic number% is more preferable. Thus, by containing the fluorine-containing compound on the toner surface, the fluidity and chargeability of the toner can be improved, and the transfer of wax, pigment, and the like on the toner base surface to the carrier surface can be prevented. In addition, the fluorine-containing treatment can prevent a minute amount of spent on the carrier surface and prevent the wax and pigment on the surface of the toner base from adhering to the carrier surface. When silica fine particles adhere to the carrier surface, a decrease in charge occurs. In particular, when titanium oxide is spent, the charging ability of the carrier is significantly reduced.
If the fluorine atom content is less than 2 atomic%, the additive may not be sufficiently effective in preventing spent and may cause a decrease in charge. If it exceeds 30 atomic%, adhesion of the toner additive may occur. Is prevented, but the spent on the carrier surface of the fluorine-containing compound increases, which may cause a decrease in charge.
Details of the fluorine-containing compound will be described later.

Here, as a method for measuring the fluorine atom content, for example, an XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) method is used. In particular, it is a region of the extreme surface of the toner surface of about several nm. The measurement method, apparatus type, conditions, and the like are not particularly limited as long as similar results can be obtained, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose, but the following conditions are preferable.
[Measurement equipment and measurement conditions]
Apparatus: PHI 1600S type X-ray photoelectron spectrometer X-ray source: MgKα (400 W)
・ Analysis area: 0.8 × 2.0mm
Pretreatment: The sample was packed in an aluminum pan and measured by adhering it to a sample holder with a carbon sheet.
-Surface atom concentration calculation: The relative sensitivity factor provided by PHI was used. The result obtained is atomic% (number of atoms%).

The particles contained in the coating layer have a volume resistivity of 10 (Ω · cm) or more and a coverage of 70% or more with respect to the core material. The reason for the inclusion of the particles is to create irregularities on the surface of the carrier, and to reduce contact with a strong impact on the binder resin due to friction with the toner or friction between the carriers by agitation for frictionally charging the developer. be able to. As a result, it is possible to prevent toner spent on the carrier.
The volume specific resistance of the particles is preferably 12 to 16 (Ω · cm), and the coverage of the core material is preferably 80% or more.

Here, the volume resistivity of the particles can be measured, for example, as follows. 5 g of a sample is put in a cylindrical vinyl chloride tube having an inner diameter of 1 inch, and the upper and lower sides are sandwiched between electrodes. A pressure of 10 kg / cm ² is applied to these electrodes with a press. Subsequently, measurement with an LCR meter (Yokogawa-HEWLETT-PACKARD 4216A) is performed in this pressurized state to obtain resistance (r). The volume resistivity can be obtained by calculating the obtained resistance value by the following formula 1.
<Formula 1>
Volume resistivity (Ω · cm) = (2.54 / 2) ² × (π / H × r)
However, in Formula 1, H represents the thickness of the sample. r represents a resistance value.

The said coverage is a coverage with respect to the said core material of the said particle | grain, and is represented by following Formula.
<Formula 2>
Coverage ratio = (Ds × ρs × W) / (4 × Df × ρf) × 100
However, in the said Numerical formula 2, Ds represents a carrier core material particle size. ρs represents the true specific gravity of the carrier core material. W represents the ratio of the amount of inorganic oxide particles added to the carrier core material. Df represents the particle size of the inorganic oxide particles. ρf represents the true specific gravity of the inorganic oxide particles.

Here, the true specific gravity of the particles ρf and the carrier core material ρs can be measured using, for example, a dry automatic bulk density meter Accupic 1330 (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). The carrier core particle diameter Ds (volume average particle diameter) can be measured using, for example, an SRA type of a microtrack particle size analyzer (manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.), and in a range setting of 0.7 μm or more and 125 μm or less. What was done was used. Also, methanol is used for the dispersion, and the refractive index is set to 1.33, and the refractive indexes of the carrier and the core material are set to 2.42. The particle diameter Df of the inorganic oxide particles is determined by measuring the volume average particle diameter using an automatic particle size distribution analyzer CAPA-700 (manufactured by Horiba Seisakusho). As a pretreatment for the measurement, 30 ml of aminosilane (SH6020, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone) is put into a juicer mixer. Add 6.0 g of sample, set mixer rotation speed to low, and disperse for 3 minutes. An appropriate amount of the dispersion is added to 500 ml of a toluene solution prepared in advance in a 1000 ml beaker and diluted. The diluting solution is continuously stirred with a homogenizer. This diluted solution is measured with an ultracentrifugal automatic particle size distribution analyzer CAPA-700.
〔Measurement condition〕
・ Rotation speed: 2000rpm
・ Maximum particle size: 2.0μm
・ Minimum particle size: 0.1μm
・ Granularity interval: 0.1 μm
Dispersion medium viscosity: 0.59 mPa · s
-Dispersion medium density: 0.87 g / cm ³
・ Particle density: For the density of particles, enter the true specific gravity value measured using dry automatic bulk density meter Accupic 1330 (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation).

  When the volume resistivity of the particles is less than 10 (Ω · cm), when the particles in the coating layer are deposited on the surface due to film scraping over time, the resistance is significantly reduced locally, A carrier having such a state develops in a solid image. As a result, white spots occur in the image. Also, if the coverage is less than 70%, the probability that the surface of the carrier core material will be exposed due to the film scraping over time is increased, the resistance is locally reduced, and white spots are similarly generated in the image. May end up.

Further, the volume average particle diameter (D) of the particles contained in the coating layer and the coating layer thickness (h) satisfy the following formula: 0.5 ≦ (D / h) ≦ 1.5. It is preferable to satisfy 7 ≦ (D / h) ≦ 1.3. By satisfying 0.5 ≦ (D / h) ≦ 1.5, the particles are more convex than the coating layer. With this friction, contact with a strong impact on the binder resin can be eased. As a result, it is possible to suppress film scraping of the binder resin, which is a place where charging occurs. In addition, since there are many particles on the carrier surface that are more convex than the coating layer, it also exhibits a cleaning effect that efficiently scrapes off the spent component of the toner adhering to the carrier surface due to frictional contact between carriers, preventing toner spent can do.
If the (D / h) is less than 0.5, the particles are buried in the binder resin, so that the effect may be significantly reduced. Since the contact area is small, a sufficient restraining force cannot be obtained, and the particles are easily detached. When detached, it may cause a decrease in resistance.

Here, the thickness (h) of the coating layer is obtained by, for example, observing the cross section of the carrier using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), measuring the thickness of the resin portion of the coating layer covering the carrier surface, and calculating an average value thereof. Can ask for. Specifically, only the thickness of the resin part existing between the core material surface and the particles is measured. The thickness of the resin part existing between the particles and the thickness of the resin part on the particle are not included in the measurement. The average of arbitrary 50 point measurements of the carrier cross section was obtained and defined as the thickness h (μm). Further, the volume average particle diameter (D) of the particles is measured with an ultracentrifugal automatic particle size distribution measuring apparatus CAPA-700 in the same manner as the particle diameter measuring method of the particles.
The thickness (h) of the coating layer is preferably 0.2 to 0.6 μm, and more preferably 0.3 to 0.4 μm.
The volume average particle diameter (D) of the particles is preferably 0.2 to 0.6 μm, and more preferably 0.3 to 0.5 μm.

  When the fluorine atom content of the toner is 2 to 30 atomic percent, the volume resistivity of the particles contained in the carrier, and the coverage and (D / h) with respect to the core material are in the above ranges, As shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, it is excellent in durability, can form a stable image density over a long period of time, and a good developer free of carrier adhesion over time can be obtained. On the other hand, as shown in the area surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 1, if any of them lacks, a good developer that forms durability, forms a stable image density over a long period of time, or does not cause carrier adhesion over time. I can't get it.

One of the inorganic fine particles in the toner is titanium oxide fine particles, the content of the titanium oxide fine particles in the toner is Xa (mass%), and the ultrasonic treatment is performed in an active agent dispersion at 25 kHz for 1 minute. When the residual amount of titanium oxide remaining in the toner is Ya (mass%), the residual ratio of titanium oxide fine particles [(Ya / Xa) × 100] is preferably 80 to 95%, preferably 85 to 90%. Is more preferable.
The residual ratio of the titanium oxide fine particles indicates the ease with which the titanium oxide particles are released from the toner particles. The smaller this value, the weaker the adhesion between the titanium oxide fine particles and the toner, and the easier the release. Therefore, it is possible to obtain excellent fluidity with less excessive release and embedding in toner.
When the residual ratio is less than 80%, the release of the additive is large and the transfer of the additive to the carrier surface is remarkable. In particular, when titanium oxide is spent, the charging ability of the carrier is significantly reduced. On the other hand, if the residual ratio exceeds 95%, the release of additives is suppressed and adhesion to the carrier is prevented, but spent on the carrier surface such as wax and pigment accumulates, which also causes a decrease in charge. May end up.

One of the inorganic fine particles in the toner is silica fine particles, and the content of the silica fine particles in the toner is Xb (mass%). When the residual amount of the remaining silica is Yb (mass%), the residual ratio of silica fine particles [(Yb / Xb) × 100] is preferably 70 to 85%, and more preferably 75 to 80%. By setting the residual rate of silica fine particles within this range, there is little excess release or embedding in the toner, and even when embedded, the free silica fine particles are supplied to the embedded surface to obtain excellent fluidity. be able to.
When the residual ratio of the silica fine particles is less than 70%, the additive release is large and the transfer of the additive to the carrier surface is remarkable. If it is not as fine as titanium oxide fine particles, it will reduce the charging ability of the carrier. In particular, when the residual ratio of the titanium oxide fine particles is large, it is easy to form an aggregate between the silica fine particles and the titanium oxide fine particles. In this case, the spent on the carrier surface is further promoted. On the other hand, when the residual ratio of the silica fine particles exceeds 85%, the release of the additive is suppressed and adhesion to the carrier is prevented, but the fluidity is remarkably lowered. In addition, spent on the carrier surface such as wax and pigment accumulates, which also causes a decrease in charge. Therefore, when the residual ratio of the silica particles and the titanium oxide fine particles is within the above range, the developer can exhibit stable developability over a long period of time.

Here, a specific method for applying ultrasonic vibration to the toner will be described below. First, 5.0 g of a toner is added to 100 ml of a 4% by weight aqueous solution of a surfactant (dry well), and the mixture is sufficiently wetted, and then dispersed using an ultrasonic homogenizer (UT-30, manufactured by SONICS & MATERIALS, INC.). An ultrasonic vibration for 1 minute is applied at a frequency of 25 kHz. Thereafter, the dispersion is subjected to suction filtration, and the obtained toner is sufficiently washed with ion exchange water. Thereafter, the toner is well dried in a high-temperature bath at 38 ° C. for 1 day.
The content X and residual amount Y of silica particles and titanium oxide fine particles in the toner are determined by a fluorescent X-ray analysis method. A calibration curve is prepared by fluorescent X-ray analysis using a toner whose content of inorganic fine particles is clear in advance, and the content of inorganic fine particles in the toner base particles is determined by fluorescent X-ray analysis using this calibration curve. As a fluorescent X-ray apparatus, it can measure using ZSX-100E made from RIGAKU, for example.

<Toner>
The toner includes all commonly used toners, regardless of whether they are monochrome toners, color toners or full color toners. For example, conventionally kneaded and pulverized toners and various polymerized toners that have been used in recent years can be used. Furthermore, so-called oilless toner having a fixing assistant (release agent) can also be used. Since the carrier used in the present invention has excellent spent resistance, good quality can be maintained over a long period of time. In particular, oilless full color toners are generally said to be spent easily because the binder resin is soft, but it can be said that the carrier used in the present invention is very suitable.

  Since the toner is a color toner, the improvement effect is remarkable. This is because the carrier used in the present invention does not contain carbon black in the coating layer, and therefore does not cause image color staining due to carbon black due to film scraping or the like. Therefore, it is very suitable for a color developer in which color reproducibility is regarded as important. The color toner here is not only a color toner generally used in a single color, but also a black toner in addition to a yellow toner, a magenta toner, a cyan toner, a red toner, a green toner, a blue toner and the like used for a full color. Is also included.

  The toner is not particularly limited in terms of production method and material, and can be appropriately selected from known ones according to the purpose. For example, the toner is a small particle size toner so as to output a high-quality and high-definition image. Is preferred. As a method for producing such a toner, there are a pulverization classification method, a suspension polymerization method, an emulsion polymerization method, a polymer suspension method, etc. in which an oil phase is emulsified, suspended or aggregated in an aqueous medium to form toner base particles. is there.

The toner material solution is obtained by dissolving the toner material in a solvent, and the toner material dispersion liquid is obtained by dispersing the toner material in a solvent.
The toner material includes at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a fluorine-containing compound, and includes a charge control agent, a fixing aid (release agent), an external additive, and, if necessary, a fluidity improver. And other components such as a cleaning improver, a magnetic material, and a metal soap.

-Binder resin-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said binder resin, According to the objective, it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, styrene, such as polystyrene, poly-p-styrene, polyvinyltoluene, or the single weight of its substitution Polymer, styrene-p-chlorostyrene copolymer, styrene-propylene copolymer, styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid Copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-α-chloromethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile Copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl Styrene copolymers such as ton copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isopropyl copolymer, styrene-maleic acid ester copolymer, polythyme methacrylate resin, polybutyl methacrylate resin, polyvinyl chloride resin , Polyvinyl acetate resin, polyethylene resin, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyacrylic acid resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, phenol resin, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon resin, aromatic Examples include petroleum resin. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  And as a binder resin for pressure fixing, a well-known thing can be mixed and used. For example, polyolefin such as low molecular weight polyethylene and low molecular weight polypropylene, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid ester copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer, ethylene-chlorinated Vinyl copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, olefin copolymers such as ionomer resins, epoxy resins, polyester resins, styrene-butadiene copolymers, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride, maleic acid-modified phenol resins And phenol-modified terpene resins. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

-Colorant-
As the colorant, known pigments and dyes capable of obtaining yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners can be used and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include cadmium yellow, mineral fast yellow, nickel titanium yellow, navel yellow, naphthol yellow S, Hansa yellow G, Hansa yellow 10G, benzidine yellow GR, quinoline yellow lake, permanent yellow NCG, and tartrazine lake.
Examples of the orange pigment include molybdenum orange, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolone orange, Vulcan orange, indanthrene brilliant orange RK, benzidine orange G, indanthrene brilliant orange GK, and the like.
Examples of red pigments include Bengala, Cadmium Red, Permanent Red 4R, Resol Red, Pyrazolone Red, Watching Red Calcium Salt, Lake Red D, Brilliant Carmine 6B, Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B, Alizarin Lake, Brilliant Carmine 3B, and the like. Is mentioned.
Examples of purple pigments include fast violet B and methyl violet lake.
Examples of the blue pigment include cobalt blue, alkali blue, Victoria blue lake, phthalocyanine blue, metal-free phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine blue partial chlorinated product, first sky blue, and indanthrene blue BC.
Examples of the green pigment include chrome green, chromium oxide, pigment green B, and malachite green lake.
Examples of the black pigment include azine dyes such as carbon black, oil furnace black, channel black, lamp black, acetylene black, and aniline black, metal salt azo dyes, metal oxides, and composite metal oxides.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

The content of the colorant in the toner is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 1 to 15% by weight and more preferably 3 to 10% by weight.
When the content is less than 1% by mass, a desired coloring degree may not be obtained, and when it exceeds 15% by mass, an unnecessarily high coloring degree may be obtained.

-Fluorine-containing compounds-
The fluorine-containing compound is not particularly limited as long as it is a compound containing a fluorine atom, and can be appropriately selected from known compounds depending on the purpose, and may be either an organic compound or an inorganic compound. .
Examples of the fluorine-containing compound include a fluorine-containing quaternary ammonium salt compound, a compound containing a metal-containing azo dye in combination with the fluorine-containing quaternary ammonium salt compound, and the like.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, a fluorine-containing quaternary ammonium salt compound is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of excellent chargeability with time.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said fluorine-containing quaternary ammonium salt compound, According to the objective, it can select suitably from well-known things, For example, the compound represented by following Structural formula (1) is mentioned suitably. .

In the structural formula (1), Rf represents a perfluoroalkyl group. The perfluoroalkyl group preferably has 3 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 15 carbon atoms. For example, C _3n F _6n-1 (where n is 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10). . that of an integer), and the like, specifically, for _{example, CF 3 (CF 2) 5} -, CF 3 (CF 2) 6 -, CF 3 (CF 2) 7 -, CF 3 (CF 2 _{) 8 -, CF 3 (CF} 2) 9 -, CF 3 (CF 2) 10 -, CF 3 (CF 2) 11 -, CF 3 (CF 2) 12 -, CF 3 (CF 2) 13 -, CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) _14- , CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) _15- , CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) _16- , CF ₃ (CF ₂ ) _17- , (CF ₃ ) ₂ CF (CF ₂ ) _6- , etc. Preferably mentioned.

  In the structural formula (1), Y represents a counter ion. Examples of the counter ion include halogen ions, sulfate ions, nitrate ions, phosphate ions, thiocyanate ions, organic acid ions, and the like. Among these, halogen ions such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine are particularly preferable.

In the structural formula (1), X represents a divalent organic group. Examples of the divalent organic group, for _{example, -SO 2 -, - CO -} , - (CH 2) x -, - SO 2 N (R 5) - (CH 2) x -, - (CH 2) x- _{CH (OH) - (CH 2} ) x-, and the like. Here, x represents an integer of 1 to 6. R ⁵ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Among _{these, -SO 2 -, - CO -} , - (CH 2) 2 -, - SO 2 N (C 2 H 5) - (CH 2) 2 -, or _{-CH 2 CH (OH) CH 2} - Are preferred, and —SO ₂ — or —CO— is particularly preferred.
In the structural formula (1), m represents an integer of 1 or more, preferably 1 to 20, and more preferably 1 to 10.

In the structural formula (1), R ¹ represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a hydrocarbon group. R ^{2 to} R ⁴ may be the same as or different from each other, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a hydrocarbon group. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as this hydrocarbon group, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, etc. are mentioned. These may be further substituted with a substituent.
The alkyl group is preferably one having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, for example, methyl group, ethyl group, n-propyl group, isopropyl group, n-butyl group, isobutyl group, sec-butyl group, n-hexyl group, An isohexyl group, an n-heptyl group, an n-octyl group, an isooctyl group, an n-decyl group, an isodecyl group, and the like may be mentioned, and these may be further substituted with a substituent. As the alkenyl group, those having 2 to 10 carbon atoms are more preferable, and examples thereof include a vinyl group, an allyl group, a propenyl group, an isopropenyl group, a butenyl group, a hexenyl group, an octenyl group, and the like. And may be further substituted. As the aryl group, those having 6 to 24 carbon atoms are more preferable, and examples thereof include phenyl group, tolyl group, xylyl group, cumenyl group, styryl group, mesityl group, cinnamyl group, phenethyl group, and benzhydryl group. These may be further substituted with a substituent.

Preferable specific examples of the compound represented by the structural formula (1) include compounds represented by the following structural formula.

In the present invention, in the structural formulas (1) to (27), iodine ion (I ⁻ ) is replaced with bromine ion (Br ⁻ ), chlorine ion (Cl ⁻ ), fluorine ion (F ⁻ ), etc. A compound in place of the halogen atom ion can also be used.

  The method for incorporating the fluorine atom in the toner is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, when the particle shape of the toner is formed, the surface of the particle A method of surface treatment using a fluorine-containing compound, a base toner before addition of inorganic fine particles is dispersed in an aqueous solvent in which a fluorine-containing compound is dispersed (water containing a surfactant is also preferred), and fluorine is contained on the toner surface. For example, a method of obtaining toner base particles by attaching a compound and then removing the solvent and drying.

-Charge control agent-
The charge control agent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, nigrosine, an azine-based dye containing an alkyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms (Japanese Patent Publication No. 42-1627), Basic dyes such as CI Basic Yellow 2 (CI 41000), CI Basic Yellow 3, CI Basic Red 1 (CI 45160), CI Basic Red 9 ( CI 42500), CI Basic Violet 1 (C.I. 42535), C.I.Basic Violet 3 (C.I.42555), C.I.Basic Violet 10 (C.I. 45170) ), CI Basic Violet 14 (C.I. 42510), C.I.Basic Blue 1 (C.I. 42025) CI Basic Blue 3 (C.I. 51005), C.I.Basic Blue 5 (C.I.42140), C.I.Basic Blue 7 (C.I.42595), C.I.Basic Blue Blue 9 (C.I. 52015), C.I.Basic Blue 24 (C.I.52030), C.I.Basic Blue 25 (C.I.52025), C.I.Basic Blue 26 (C.I. 44045), CI Basic Green 1 (C.I.42040), C.I.Basic Green 4 (C.I.42000) and the like, lake pigments of these basic dyes, C.I. Solvent Black 8 (C.I. 26150), benzoylmethyl hexadecyl ammonium chloride, decyl trimethyl chloride, etc. Quaternary ammonium salts, dialkyl tin compounds such as dibutyl or dioctyl, dialkyl tin borate compounds, guanidine derivatives, vinyl polymers containing amino groups, polyamine resins such as condensation polymers containing amino groups, JP-B-41-20153 No. 43, Japanese Patent Publication No. 43-27596, Japanese Patent Publication No. 44-6397, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 45-26478. Sallic acid, dialkyl salicylic acid, naphthoic acid, dicarboxylic acid metal complexes such as Zn, Al, Co, Cr, Fe, etc., sulfonated copper phthalocyanine pigment, organic boron salts, fluorine-containing quaternary ammonium Examples thereof include salts and calixarene compounds. Naturally, color toners other than black should avoid the use of charge control agents that impair the target color, and white metal salts of salicylic acid derivatives are preferably used. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
Among these, N.I. N. N. -Trimethyl- [3- (4-perfluorononenyloxybenzamido) propyl] ammonium iodide is particularly preferred from the viewpoint of charge imparting ability.

  The content of the charge control agent in the toner varies depending on the type of the toner binder, the presence / absence of an additive, a dispersion method, and the like, and cannot be generally specified, but is preferably 0.1 to 10% by mass, for example. 0.2-5 mass% is more preferable.

The toner used in the present invention may contain a fixing aid (release agent) in addition to the binder resin, colorant, fluorine-containing compound, and charge control agent. Accordingly, it can be used in a fixing system in which toner fixing prevention oil is not applied to the fixing roll, so-called oilless system.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said fixing adjuvant, According to the objective, it can select suitably from well-known things, For example, waxes etc. are mentioned suitably.
Examples of the waxes include carbonyl group-containing waxes, polyolefin waxes, long-chain hydrocarbons, and silicone varnishes. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, a carbonyl group-containing wax is preferable.
Examples of the carbonyl group-containing wax include polyalkanoic acid esters, polyalkanol esters, polyalkanoic acid amides, polyalkylamides, dialkyl ketones, and the like. Examples of the polyalkanoic acid ester include carnauba wax, montan wax, trimethylolpropane tribehenate, pentaerythritol tetrabehenate, pentaerythritol diacetate dibehenate, glycerin tribehenate, and 1,18-octadecane. Examples thereof include diol distearate. Examples of the polyalkanol ester include tristearyl trimellitic acid and distearyl maleate. Examples of the polyalkanoic acid amide include dibehenyl amide. Examples of the polyalkylamide include trimellitic acid tristearylamide. Examples of the dialkyl ketone include distearyl ketone. Among these carbonyl group-containing waxes, polyalkanoic acid esters are particularly preferable.
Examples of the polyolefin wax include polyethylene wax and polypropylene wax.
Examples of the long chain hydrocarbon include paraffin wax and sazol wax.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as melting | fusing point of the said fixing adjuvant, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 40-160 degreeC is preferable, 50-120 degreeC is more preferable, 60-90 degreeC is especially preferable.
If the melting point is less than 40 ° C., the wax may adversely affect the heat-resistant storage stability, and if it exceeds 160 ° C., a cold offset may easily occur during fixing at a low temperature.
The melt viscosity of the fixing aid is preferably 5 to 1000 cps, more preferably 10 to 100 cps, as measured at a temperature 20 ° C. higher than the melting point of the wax.
If the melt viscosity is less than 5 cps, the effect of improving hot offset resistance and low-temperature fixability may not be obtained, and if it exceeds 1000 cps, the effect of improving hot offset resistance and low-temperature fixability is obtained. It may disappear.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content in the said toner of the said fixing adjuvant, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0-40 mass% is preferable and 3-30 mass% is more preferable. When the content exceeds 40% by mass, the low-temperature fixability may be hindered or the image quality may be deteriorated (the glossiness is too high).

-External additive-
Regarding the external additive, transferability and durability are further improved by externally adding inorganic fine particles such as silica, titanium oxide, alumina, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride and resin fine particles to the base toner particles. . This effect can be obtained by covering the wax that lowers transferability and durability with these external additives and reducing the contact area due to the toner surface being covered with fine particles. The surface of these inorganic fine particles is preferably subjected to a hydrophobic treatment, and metal oxide fine particles such as silica and titanium oxide subjected to the hydrophobic treatment are preferably used.

  As the resin fine particles, polymethyl methacrylate or polystyrene fine particles having an average particle size of about 0.05 to 1 μm obtained by a soap-free emulsion polymerization method are suitably used. In addition, the hydrophobized silica and the hydrophobized titanium oxide are used in combination, and the external addition amount of the hydrophobized titanium oxide is larger than the hydrophobized silica external charge amount, thereby charging against humidity. The toner can also be excellent in stability. In combination with the above inorganic fine particles, external additives conventionally used such as silica having a specific surface area of 20 to 50 m / g and resin fine particles having an average particle diameter of 1/100 to 1/8 of the average particle diameter of the toner. The durability can be improved by externally adding an external additive having a particle size larger than that of the agent to the toner. This is because the metal oxide particles externally added to the toner tend to be embedded in the base toner particles in the process where the toner is mixed and stirred with the carrier in the developing device, charged, and used for development. This is because it is possible to prevent the metal oxide fine particles from being embedded by externally adding an external additive having a particle size larger than that of the oxide fine particles to the toner. The above-mentioned inorganic fine particles and resin fine particles are contained (internally added) in the toner, but the effect is reduced as compared with the case of external addition, but the effect of improving transferability and durability can be obtained and the pulverization property of the toner can be improved. Can do. In addition, since external addition and internal addition can be used together to suppress embedding of externally added fine particles, excellent transferability can be stably obtained and durability can be improved.

  Typical examples of the hydrophobizing agent used here include dimethyldichlorosilane, trimethylchlorosilane, methyltrichlorosilane, allyldimethyldichlorosilane, allylphenyldichlorosilane, benzyldimethylchlorosilane, bromomethyldimethylchlorosilane. , Α-chloroethyltrichlorosilane, p-chloroethyltrichlorosilane, chloromethyldimethylchlorosilane, chloromethyltrichlorosilane, p-chlorophenyltrichlorosilane, 3-chloropropyltrichlorosilane, 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltri Ethoxysilane, vinylmethoxysilane, vinyl-tris (β-methoxyethoxy) silane, γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriacetoxysilane, divinyldi Chlorosilane, dimethylvinylchlorosilane, octyl-trichlorosilane, decyl-trichlorosilane, nonyl-trichlorosilane, (4-t-propylphenyl) -trichlorosilane, (4-t-butylphenyl) -trichlorosilane, diventyl-dichlorosilane, Dihexyl-dichlorosilane, dioctyl-dichlorosilane, dinonyl-dichlorosilane, didecyl-dichlorosilane, didodecyl-dichlorosilane, dihexadecyl-dichlorosilane, (4-t-butylphenyl) -octyl-dichlorosilane, dioctyl-dichlorosilane, didecenyl-dichlorosilane, dinonedisilane 2-ethylhexyl-dichlorosilane, di-3,3-dimethylbenchyl-dichlorosilane, trihexyl-chlorosilane, Octyl-chlorosilane, tridecyl-chlorosilane, dioctyl-methyl-chlorosilane, octyl-dimethyl-chlorosilane, (4-t-propylphenyl) -diethyl-chlorosilane, octyltrimethoxysilane, hexamethyldisilazane, hexaethyldisilazane, diethyltetra Examples include methyldisilazane, hexaphenyldisilazane, hexatolyldisilazane, titanate coupling agents, and aluminum coupling agents. In addition, as an external additive for the purpose of improving cleaning properties, a lubricant such as a fatty acid metal salt or a fine particle of polyvinylidene fluoride can be used in combination.

The method for externally adding at least two types of inorganic fine particles to the toner base particles is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, a mixer such as a Q mixer or a Henschel mixer is used. This is preferable because the residual ratio of the inorganic fine particles can be easily controlled by the rotational speed of the blades and the time of the mixing treatment.
Further, the wet external addition method in which the external additive is attached to the toner particles in the liquid can treat the external additive with a strong adhesive force, and the residual rate can be easily controlled by the amount of the surfactant used. Therefore, it is a more preferable means. The wet external addition method can be used for toners of any manufacturing method. However, since it is necessary to disperse the toner in water, it is most suitable to be used in the production process of a chemical toner for forming the toner in water. Further, it is preferable to perform this step after the toner particles are formed in water and the used surfactant and the like are removed by washing.

  As a specific method, inorganic fine particles are added and dispersed in water in which toner is dispersed. In addition, inorganic fine particles can be dispersed in an aqueous dispersion in advance. In that case, if it is dispersed using a surfactant having a polarity opposite to the polar group on the toner surface, the adhesion to the toner particle surface is more efficiently performed. In addition, when the inorganic fine particles are hydrophobized and are difficult to disperse in the aqueous dispersion, the inorganic fine particles may be dispersed after the interfacial tension is lowered by using a small amount of alcohol or the like to make it easy to wet. Thereafter, a surfactant aqueous solution having a polarity opposite to the polar group on the toner surface is gradually added to the toner dispersion under stirring. The reverse polarity surfactant is preferably used in an amount of 0.01 to 1% by mass based on the solid content of the toner particles. As a result, the charge of the inorganic fine particle dispersion in water is neutralized by the addition of the surfactant having the reverse polarity, and the inorganic fine particles can be aggregated and adhered to the surface of the toner particles.

The surfactant is not particularly limited as long as it has a polarity opposite to the polar group on the toner surface, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, Examples thereof include ionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants.
Examples of the anionic surfactant include alkylbenzene sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, and phosphate esters.
Examples of the cationic surfactant include amine salt types such as alkylamine salts, aminoalcohol fatty acid derivatives, polyamine fatty acid derivatives, imidazoline, alkyltrimethylammonium salts, dialkyldimethylammonium salts, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salts, pyridiniums. And quaternary ammonium salt types such as salts, alkylisoquinolinium salts, and benzethonium chloride.
Nonionic surfactants such as fatty acid amide derivatives and polyhydric alcohol derivatives such as alanine, dodecyl di (aminoethyl) glycine, di (octylaminoethyl) glycine and the like can be mentioned.
Examples of the amphoteric surfactant include N-alkyl-N, N-dimethylammonium betaine.

  As the toner production method of the present invention, conventionally known methods such as a pulverization method, a polymerization method such as a suspension polymerization method, an emulsion polymerization method, and a polymer suspension method can be applied. For example, in the case of the pulverization method, as a device for kneading the toner, a batch type two roll, a Banbury mixer or a continuous type twin screw extruder, for example, KTK type twin screw extruder manufactured by Kobe Steel, Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd. TEM type twin screw extruder, KCK twin screw extruder, Ikegai Iron Works PCM type twin screw extruder, Kurimoto Iron Works KEX type twin screw extruder, continuous single screw kneader, such as bush Co-kneader manufactured by Co., Ltd. is preferably used. The melt-kneaded product obtained as described above is cooled and then pulverized. For pulverization, for example, coarsely pulverized using a hammer mill, a funnel plex or the like, and further, a fine pulverizer using a jet stream or mechanical pulverization A machine can be used. The pulverization is desirably performed so that the average particle diameter is 3 to 15 μm. Furthermore, it is preferable that the particle size of the pulverized product is adjusted to 5 to 20 μm by a wind classifier or the like. Next, the external additive is externally added to the base toner, and the base toner and the external additive are mixed and stirred using a mixer, and the external additive is crushed and coated on the toner surface. At this time, it is important in terms of durability that external additives such as inorganic fine particles and resin fine particles are uniformly and firmly attached to the base toner.

The suspension polymerization method is an oil-soluble polymerization initiator, emulsification described later in an aqueous medium in which a colorant, a release agent and the like are dispersed in a polymerizable monomer and a surfactant and other solid dispersants are contained. Emulsified and dispersed by the method. Thereafter, a polymerization reaction is performed to form particles, and then wet processing for attaching inorganic fine particles to the toner particle surfaces in the present invention may be performed. At that time, it is preferable to treat the toner particles from which excess surfactant and the like are removed by washing.
Examples of the polymerizable monomer include acrylic acids, methacrylic acid, α-cyanoacrylic acid, α-cyanomethacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, and other acids, acrylamide, By using methacrylamide, diacetone acrylamide or their methylol compounds, vinyl pyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, ethyleneimine, acrylates with methacrylates such as dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, methacrylate, etc. on the toner particle surface. Functional groups can be introduced.
Further, by selecting a dispersant having an acid group or a basic group as the dispersant to be used, the dispersant can be adsorbed and left on the particle surface to introduce a functional group.

  As the emulsion polymerization method, a water-soluble polymerization initiator and a polymerizable monomer are emulsified in water using a surfactant, and a latex is synthesized by a usual emulsion polymerization method. Separately, a dispersion in which a colorant, a release agent and the like are dispersed in an aqueous medium is prepared, and after mixing, the toner is aggregated to a toner size and heat-fused to obtain a toner. Thereafter, wet processing of inorganic fine particles described later may be performed. A functional group can be introduced on the surface of the toner particles by using a latex similar to the monomer that can be used in the suspension polymerization method.

  In the present invention, among these, since the selectivity of the resin is high, the low-temperature fixability is high, the granulation property is excellent, and the particle size, the particle size distribution, and the shape can be easily controlled. The toner is preferably obtained by emulsifying or dispersing a toner material dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous medium and granulating the toner.

The toner material solution is obtained by dissolving the toner material in a solvent, and the toner material dispersion liquid is obtained by dispersing the toner material in a solvent.
Examples of the toner material include an adhesive base obtained by reacting an active hydrogen group-containing compound, a polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound, a binder resin, a release agent, and a colorant. And other components such as resin fine particles and a charge control agent as necessary.

-Toner solution-
The toner solution is prepared by dissolving the toner material in the organic solvent.

-Organic solvent-
The organic solvent is not particularly limited as long as it is a solvent that can dissolve or disperse the toner material, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the boiling point is less than 150 ° C. in terms of ease of removal. Volatile ones are preferred, for example, toluene, xylene, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, chloroform, monochlorobenzene, dichloroethylidene, methyl acetate, acetic acid Examples include ethyl, methyl ethyl ketone, and methyl isobutyl ketone. Among these, toluene, xylene, benzene, methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and the like are preferable, and ethyl acetate is particularly preferable. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as the usage-amount of the said organic solvent, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, 40-300 mass parts is preferable with respect to 100 mass parts of said toner materials, and 60-140 mass parts is preferable. More preferably, 80-120 mass parts is still more preferable.

-Dispersion-
The dispersion is prepared by dispersing the toner solution in an aqueous medium.
When the toner solution is dispersed in the aqueous medium, a dispersion (oil droplets) made of the toner solution is formed in the aqueous medium.

--- Aqueous medium--
The aqueous medium is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones. Examples thereof include water, solvents miscible with water, and mixtures thereof. Among these, Is particularly preferred.
The solvent miscible with water is not particularly limited as long as it is miscible with water, and examples thereof include alcohol, dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, cellosolves, and lower ketones.
Examples of the alcohol include methanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol and the like. Examples of the lower ketones include acetone and methyl ethyl ketone.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

The toner solution is preferably dispersed in the aqueous medium with stirring.
The dispersion method is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected using a known disperser. Examples of the disperser include a low-speed shear disperser, a high-speed shear disperser, and a friction disperser. High pressure jet disperser, ultrasonic disperser, and the like. Among these, a high-speed shearing disperser is preferable in that the particle size of the dispersion (oil droplets) can be controlled to 2 to 20 μm.
When the high-speed shearing disperser is used, conditions such as the rotation speed, dispersion time, and dispersion temperature are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the rotation speed is 1 3,000 to 30,000 rpm is preferable, 5,000 to 20,000 rpm is more preferable, and the dispersion time is preferably 0.1 to 5 minutes in the case of a batch method, and the dispersion temperature is under pressure. 0-150 degreeC is preferable and 40-98 degreeC is more preferable. The dispersion temperature is generally easier to disperse when the temperature is higher.

As an example of the method for producing the toner, a method for producing the toner by forming the adhesive base material in the form of particles will be described below.
In the method of granulating the toner by forming the adhesive base material in the form of particles, for example, the preparation of an aqueous medium phase, the preparation of the toner solution, the preparation of the dispersion, the addition of the aqueous medium, etc. Synthesis of a polymer (prepolymer) capable of reacting with an active hydrogen group-containing compound, synthesis of the active hydrogen group-containing compound, etc.).

The aqueous medium phase can be prepared, for example, by dispersing the resin fine particles in the aqueous medium. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as addition amount in this aqueous medium of this resin microparticles | fine-particles, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, 0.5-10 mass% is preferable.
The toner solution is prepared by mixing the active hydrogen group-containing compound, the polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound, the colorant, the release agent, the charge control agent, the unmodified, in the organic solvent. A toner material such as a polyester resin can be dissolved or dispersed.
In the toner material, components other than the polymer (prepolymer) capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound are added when the resin fine particles are dispersed in the aqueous medium in the preparation of the aqueous medium phase. The toner solution may be added and mixed in the aqueous medium, or may be added to the aqueous medium phase together with the toner solution when the toner solution is added to the aqueous medium phase.

The dispersion liquid can be prepared by emulsifying or dispersing the previously prepared toner solution in the previously prepared aqueous medium phase. When the active hydrogen group-containing compound and the polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound are subjected to an elongation reaction or a crosslinking reaction during the emulsification or dispersion, the adhesive base material is generated.
The adhesive substrate (for example, the urea-modified polyester resin) includes, for example, (1) a polymer that can react with the active hydrogen group-containing compound (for example, the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer (A)). A toner solution is emulsified or dispersed in the aqueous medium phase together with the active hydrogen group-containing compound (for example, the amines (B)) to form a dispersion, and both are subjected to an extension reaction or the like in the aqueous medium phase. (2) The toner solution is emulsified or dispersed in the aqueous medium to which the active hydrogen group-containing compound has been added in advance, to form a dispersion, and in the aqueous medium phase Or (3) the active hydrogen group after the toner solution is added and mixed in the aqueous medium. The organic compound is added to form a dispersion, it may be generated by elongation reaction or crosslinking reaction from particle interfaces in the aqueous medium phase. In the case of (3), a modified polyester resin is preferentially produced on the surface of the toner to be produced, and a concentration gradient can be provided in the toner particles.

  The reaction conditions for producing the adhesive base material by the emulsification or dispersion are not particularly limited, depending on the combination of the polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound and the active hydrogen group-containing compound. The reaction time is preferably 10 minutes to 40 hours, more preferably 2 hours to 24 hours, and the reaction temperature is preferably 0 to 150 ° C, more preferably 40 to 98 ° C.

  In the aqueous medium phase, as a method for stably forming the dispersion containing a polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound (for example, the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer (A)), for example, In an aqueous medium phase, a polymer capable of reacting with the active hydrogen group-containing compound (for example, the isocyanate group-containing polyester prepolymer (A)), the colorant, the release agent, the charge control agent, the unmodified Examples thereof include a method in which the toner solution prepared by dissolving or dispersing the toner material such as polyester resin in the organic solvent is added and dispersed by shearing force. The details of the dispersion method are as described above.

In the preparation of the dispersion, if necessary, a dispersant is used from the viewpoint of stabilizing the dispersion (oil droplets composed of the toner solution) and sharpening the particle size distribution while obtaining a desired shape. Is preferred.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said dispersing agent, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, surfactant, a slightly water-soluble inorganic compound dispersing agent, a polymeric protective colloid, etc. are mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, surfactants are preferable.

Examples of the surfactant include an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and an amphoteric surfactant.
Examples of the anionic surfactant include alkylbenzene sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, phosphate esters, and the like, and those having a fluoroalkyl group are preferable. Examples of the anionic surfactant having a fluoroalkyl group include a fluoroalkylcarboxylic acid having 2 to 10 carbon atoms or a metal salt thereof, disodium perfluorooctanesulfonyl glutamate, 3- [omega-fluoroalkyl (6 carbon atoms). -11) Oxy] -1-alkyl (carbon number 3-4) sodium sulfonate, 3- [omega-fluoroalkanoyl (carbon number 6-8) -N-ethylamino] -1-propanesulfonic acid sodium, fluoroalkyl (Carbon number 11-20) carboxylic acid or its metal salt, perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (carbon number 7-13) or its metal salt, perfluoroalkyl (carbon number 4-12) sulfonic acid or its metal salt, perfluoro Octanesulfonic acid diethanolamide, N-propyl-N- (2-hydroxy Ethyl) perfluorooctanesulfonamide, perfluoroalkyl (carbon number 6-10) sulfonamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt, perfluoroalkyl (carbon number 6-10) -N-ethylsulfonylglycine salt, monoperfluoroalkyl (carbon number) 6-16) Ethyl phosphate ester and the like. Examples of commercially available surfactants having a fluoroalkyl group include Surflon S-111, S-112, S-113 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.); Florad FC-93, FC-95, FC-98, FC -129 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.); Unidyne DS-101, DS-102 (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.); Megafac F-110, F-120, F-113, F-191, F-812, F- 833 (manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.); Xtop EF-102, 103, 104, 105, 112, 123A, 123B, 306A, 501, 201, 204 (manufactured by Tochem Products); 100, F150 (manufactured by Neos) and the like.

  Examples of the cationic surfactant include amine salt type surfactants and quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactants. Examples of the amine salt type surfactant include alkylamine salts, aminoalcohol fatty acid derivatives, polyamine fatty acid derivatives, imidazolines, and the like. Examples of the quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactant include alkyltrimethylammonium salt, dialkyldimethylammonium salt, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salt, pyridinium salt, alkylisoquinolinium salt, benzethonium chloride and the like. . Among the cationic surfactants, aliphatic quaternary ammonium such as aliphatic primary, secondary or tertiary amine acids having a fluoroalkyl group, perfluoroalkyl (6 to 10 carbon atoms) sulfonamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt, etc. Salts, benzalkonium salts, benzethonium chloride, pyridinium salts, imidazolinium salts, and the like. Commercially available products of the cationic surfactant include, for example, Surflon S-121 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.); Florad FC-135 (Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.); Unidyne DS-202 (Daikin Industries Co., Ltd.), Megafuck F-150, F-824 (manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.); Xtop EF-132 (manufactured by Tochem Products);

Examples of the nonionic surfactant include fatty acid amide derivatives and polyhydric alcohol derivatives.
Examples of the amphoteric surfactant include alanine, dodecyldi (aminoethyl) glycine, di (octylaminoethyl) glycine, N-alkyl-N, N-dimethylammonium betaine, and the like.

Examples of the poorly water-soluble inorganic compound dispersant include tricalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, colloidal silica, and hydroxyapatite.
Examples of the polymeric protective colloid include acids, (meth) acrylic monomers containing hydroxyl groups, vinyl alcohol or ethers of vinyl alcohol, esters of vinyl alcohol and compounds containing carboxyl groups, amides Examples thereof include homopolymers or copolymers of compounds or their methylol compounds, chlorides, those having a nitrogen atom or a heterocyclic ring thereof, polyoxyethylenes, and celluloses.
Examples of the acids include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α-cyanoacrylic acid, α-cyanomethacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, and the like. Examples of the (meth) acrylic monomer containing a hydroxyl group include β-hydroxyethyl acrylate, β-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, β-hydroxypropyl acrylate, β-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, and γ-acrylate. -Hydroxypropyl, γ-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, diethylene glycol monoacrylate, diethylene glycol monomethacrylate, glycerol monoacrylate Glycerin monomethacrylate, N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide and the like. Examples of the vinyl alcohol or ethers with vinyl alcohol include vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl propyl ether, and the like. Examples of the esters of vinyl alcohol and a compound containing a carboxyl group include vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, and vinyl butyrate. Examples of the amide compound or these methylol compounds include acrylamide, methacrylamide, diacetone acrylamide acid, or these methylol compounds. Examples of the chlorides include acrylic acid chloride and methacrylic acid chloride. Examples of the homopolymer or copolymer such as those having a nitrogen atom or a heterocyclic ring thereof include vinyl pyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, and ethylene imine. Examples of the polyoxyethylene are polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene, polyoxyethylene alkylamine, polyoxypropylene alkylamine, polyoxyethylene alkylamide, polyoxypropylene alkylamide, polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene Examples thereof include oxyethylene lauryl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl phenyl ester, and polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ester. Examples of the celluloses include methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

In preparing the dispersion, a dispersion stabilizer can be used as necessary.
Examples of the dispersion stabilizer include acids that are soluble in acids and alkalis such as calcium phosphate.
When the dispersion stabilizer is used, the calcium phosphate salt can be removed from the fine particles by a method of dissolving the calcium phosphate salt with an acid such as hydrochloric acid and then washing with water or a method of decomposing with an enzyme.

  In the preparation of the dispersion, a catalyst for the extension reaction or the crosslinking reaction can be used. Examples of the catalyst include dibutyltin laurate and dioctyltin laurate.

  The organic solvent is removed from the obtained dispersion (emulsified slurry). The organic solvent is removed by (1) a method of gradually raising the temperature of the entire reaction system to completely evaporate and remove the organic solvent in the oil droplets, and (2) spraying the emulsified dispersion in a dry atmosphere. And a method of completely removing the water-insoluble organic solvent in the oil droplets to form toner fine particles and evaporating and removing the aqueous dispersant together.

  When the organic solvent is removed, toner particles are formed. The toner particles can be washed, dried, etc., and then classified as desired. The classification can be performed, for example, by removing fine particle portions by a cyclone, a decanter, centrifugation, or the like in a liquid, and the classification operation may be performed after obtaining a powder after drying.

The toner particles thus obtained are mixed with particles of the colorant, release agent, charge control agent, etc., and further applied with a mechanical impact force to remove the toner particles from the surface of the toner particles. It is possible to prevent particles such as molds from being detached.
As a method of applying the mechanical impact force, for example, a method of applying an impact force to the mixture with a blade rotating at high speed, an appropriate collision between particles or composite particles by introducing the mixture into a high-speed air stream and accelerating the mixture is accelerated. The method of making it collide with a board, etc. are mentioned. As an apparatus used in this method, for example, an ong mill (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron), an I-type mill (manufactured by Nippon Pneumatic Co., Ltd.), and a pulverization air pressure are lowered, a hybridization system (Nara Machinery Co., Ltd.) Product), kryptron system (manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.), automatic mortar, and the like.

  The fluorine treatment step is a step of treating the surface of the particles formed by the toner binder with the above-described fluorine-containing compound. By this fluorine treatment step, the fluorine atom content in the toner can be controlled within the range of 2 to 30 atomic percent.

The treatment method is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, when the toner particle shape is formed by generating the toner binder, or the particle shape Before the external additive is added to the particles after forming the particles, the particles are dispersed in the aqueous medium containing the fluorine-containing compound in a dispersed state, and the fluorine-containing compound is formed on the surface of the particles. And a method of removing the aqueous medium and drying it.
The aqueous medium is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known ones. Examples thereof include water, solvents miscible with the water, mixtures thereof, and water containing a surfactant. It is done.
The solvent miscible with water is not particularly limited as long as it is miscible with water, and examples thereof include alcohol, dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, cellosolves, and lower ketones.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as addition amount in this aqueous medium of the said fluorine-containing compound, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, 0.5-10 mass% is preferable.

  The shape, size, etc. of the toner are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. The average circularity, volume average particle size, volume average particle size and number are as follows. It is preferable to have a ratio to the average particle size (volume average particle size / number average particle size).

The average circularity is a value obtained by dividing the perimeter of an equivalent circle having the same projected shape as the toner shape by the perimeter of the actual particles, and is preferably 0.900 to 0.980, for example, 0.950 to 0 .975 is more preferred. In addition, it is preferable that the particles having an average circularity of less than 0.94 is 15% or less.
If the average circularity is less than 0.900, satisfactory transferability and a high-quality image free from dust may not be obtained. If the average circularity exceeds 0.980, image formation employing blade cleaning or the like is employed. In the system, a defective cleaning on the photosensitive member and the transfer belt may occur, and the image may be stained.
The average circularity is measured, for example, by an optical detection band method in which a suspension containing toner is passed through an imaging unit detection band on a flat plate, and a particle image is optically detected and analyzed by a CCD camera. For example, it can be measured using a flow type particle image analyzer FPIA-2100 (manufactured by Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.).

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a volume average particle diameter of the said toner, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 3-8 micrometers is preferable.
When the volume average particle size is less than 3 μm, in the case of a two-component developer, the toner may be fused to the surface of the carrier during long-term agitation in the developing device, and the charging ability of the carrier may be reduced. In the developer, toner filming on the developing roller and toner fusion to a member such as a blade are likely to occur because the toner is thinned. When the thickness exceeds 8 μm, the resolution is high and high. It becomes difficult to obtain an image of an image quality, and when the balance of the toner in the developer is performed, the variation in the particle diameter of the toner may increase.

The ratio of the volume average particle diameter to the number average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter / number average particle diameter) in the toner is preferably 1.00 to 1.25, more preferably 1.10 to 1.25.
When the ratio of the volume average particle diameter to the number average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter / number average particle diameter) exceeds 1.25, the two-component developer causes the surface of the carrier to be agitated for a long period of time in the developing device. If the toner fuses, the chargeability of the carrier may be reduced, and it becomes difficult to obtain a high-resolution and high-quality image. Variation in diameter may be large.

  The volume average particle diameter and the ratio of the volume average particle diameter to the number average particle diameter (volume average particle diameter / number average particle diameter) are, for example, a particle size measuring device “Coulter Counter TAII” manufactured by Coulter Electronics Co., Ltd. Can be measured.

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The carrier has a core material, and a coating layer containing at least a binder resin and particles on the surface of the core material, and further has other configurations as necessary.

−Core material−
The core material is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose from those known as two-component carriers for electrophotography. For example, ferrite, Cu-Zn ferrite, Mn ferrite, Mn-Mg ferrite , Mn—Mg—Sr ferrite, magnetite, iron, nickel and the like.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the volume average particle diameter of the said core material, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, 10-200 micrometers is preferable and 10-60 micrometers is more preferable.

-Coating layer-
The coating layer includes at least a binder resin and particles, and further includes other components as necessary.

  The particles are preferably at least one selected from inorganic oxide particles. Examples of the inorganic oxide particles include aluminum oxide, silica, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, and tin oxide. Among these, aluminum oxide is particularly preferable.

A silicone resin is suitable as the binder resin. This is because the silicone resin has a low surface energy, so that it is difficult to spend the toner component, and it is difficult to accumulate the spent component due to film scraping.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said silicone resin, According to the objective, it can select suitably, All the silicone resins generally known are pointed out, the straight silicone resin which consists only of organosilosan bonds, alkyd resin, polyester Examples thereof include silicone resins modified with resins, epoxy resins, acrylic resins, urethane resins, and the like.
Examples of the silicone resin include commercially available products such as KR271, KR255, KR152 manufactured by Shin-superchemical Co., Ltd., SR2400, SR2406, SR2410 manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone. In this case, it is possible to use the silicone resin alone, but it is also possible to simultaneously use other components that undergo a crosslinking reaction, charge amount adjusting components, and the like. Further, as modified silicone resins, KR206 (alkyd modified), KR5208 (acrylic modified), ES1001N (epoxy modified), KR305 (urethane modified) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., SR2115 manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd. Epoxy modified), SR2110 (alkyd modified) and the like.

Moreover, the improvement effect is remarkable by using together an acrylic resin as said binder resin. This is because acrylic resin has strong adhesiveness and low brittleness, so it has very excellent properties in terms of abrasion resistance, and it is difficult for deterioration such as scraping and peeling of the coating layer to occur. In addition, the particles contained in the coating layer such as conductive particles can be firmly held due to the strong adhesiveness. In particular, a powerful effect can be exhibited in holding particles having a particle size larger than the coating layer thickness.
The acrylic resin refers to all resins having an acrylic component and is not particularly limited. In addition, it is possible to use the acrylic resin alone, but it is also possible to use at least one other component that undergoes a crosslinking reaction at the same time. Examples of other components that undergo a crosslinking reaction include amino resins and acidic catalysts, but are not limited thereto. The amino resin refers to guanamine, melamine resin and the like, but is not limited thereto. Moreover, as the acidic catalyst, any having a catalytic action can be used. For example, it has a reactive group such as a fully alkylated type, a methylol group type, an imino group type, and a methylol / imino group type, but is not limited thereto. Acrylic resin has excellent adhesion properties and low brittleness, so it has excellent wear resistance. On the other hand, its surface energy is high, so when it is combined with easily spent toner, toner component spent accumulates. In some cases, problems such as a decrease in charge amount due to the occurrence of charging. In this case, this problem can be solved by using together a silicone resin that has an effect that it is difficult to spend the toner component due to the low surface energy and the accumulation of the spent component is difficult to progress due to film scraping. However, since the silicone resin has weak adhesiveness and high brittleness, it also has a weak point that it has poor wear resistance. Therefore, it is important to obtain a good balance between the properties of these two resins. It is possible to obtain a coating layer having wear characteristics.

For example, after the coating layer is prepared by dissolving the particles, binder resin, etc. in a solvent to prepare a coating solution, the coating solution is uniformly coated on the surface of the core material by a known coating method, and dried. It can be formed by baking. Examples of the application method include an immersion method, a spray method, and a brush coating method.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said solvent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, toluene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cersol butyl acetate, etc. are mentioned.
The baking is not particularly limited, and may be an external heating method or an internal heating method. For example, a stationary electric furnace, a fluid electric furnace, a rotary electric furnace, a burner furnace, etc. The method of using, the method of using a microwave, etc. are mentioned.

  The volume resistivity of the carrier is preferably 10 to 16 [log (Ω · cm)], and more preferably 12 to 14 [log (Ω · cm)]. When the volume resistivity of the carrier is less than 10 [log (Ω · cm)], carrier adhesion may occur in the non-image area, and when it exceeds 16 [log (Ω · cm)], the edge effect is increased. It may worsen to an unacceptable level. In addition, when it falls below the measurable lower limit of the high resist meter, the volume specific resistance value is not substantially obtained, and it will be treated as a breakdown.

  Here, the volume specific resistance of the carrier is such that a cell 31 made of a fluororesin container containing an electrode 32a and an electrode 32b having a distance between electrodes of 2 mm and a surface area of 2 × 4 cm is filled with the carrier 33 and manufactured by Sankyo Piotech Co., Ltd .: Using a tapping machine PTM-1 type, a tapping operation is performed for 1 minute at a tapping speed of 30 times / min. It is possible to calculate LogR by applying a DC voltage of 1000 V between both electrodes and measuring the DC resistance with a high resistance meter 4329A (4329A + LJK 5HLVLVWDQFH 0HWHU; manufactured by Yokogawa Hewlett-Packard Co., Ltd.) to determine the electrical resistivity RΩ · cm. .

The volume average particle diameter of the carrier is preferably 20 to 65 μm, more preferably 30 to 45 μm. If the volume average particle size is less than 20 μm, the uniformity of the particles is reduced, and a technique that can be fully used on the machine side has not been established. If it exceeds 65 μm, the reproducibility of image details may be poor and a fine image may not be obtained.
Here, the volume average particle diameter of the carrier can be measured using, for example, an SRA type of a microtrack particle size analyzer (manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.), and is set in a range setting of 0.7 μm or more and 125 μm or less. Was used. Also, methanol is used for the dispersion, and the refractive index is set to 1.33, and the refractive indexes of the carrier and the core material are set to 2.42.

1,000 magnetic moment of the carrier at the time of applying a magnetic field ^{(10 3 / 4π · A /} m) is preferably ^{40~90 (Am 2 / kg),} 60~90 (Am 2 / kg) Gayori preferable. By setting the amount within this range, the retention force between the carrier particles is appropriately maintained, so that the dispersion (mixing) of the toner into the carrier or the developer becomes quick and good, but 1,000 (10 ³ / 4π · A If the magnetic moment of the carrier when a magnetic field of / m) is applied is less than 40 (Am ² / kg), carrier adhesion occurs due to insufficient magnetic moment, which is not preferable. On the other hand, if the magnetic moment at 1 kOe exceeds 90 (Am ² / kg), the developer ears formed during development become too hard, and the reproducibility of image details may be poor and a fine image may not be obtained.

Here, the magnetic moment can be measured as follows. Using a BH tracer (BHU-60, manufactured by Riken Denshi Co., Ltd.), 1.0 g of core material particles are packed in a cylindrical cell (inner diameter 7 mm, height 10 mm) and set in an apparatus. The magnetic field is gradually increased and changed to 3,000 (10 ³ / 4π · A / m), then gradually decreased to zero, and then the opposite magnetic field is gradually increased to 3,000 (10 ³ / 4π · A / m). Further, after gradually reducing the magnetic field to zero, a magnetic field is applied in the same direction as the first. In this manner, the BH curve is illustrated, and a magnetic moment of 1,000 (10 ³ / 4π · A / m) can be calculated from the figure.

The developer of the present invention comprises the carrier and the toner.
The mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier in the developer is preferably 1 to 10.0 parts by mass of toner with respect to 100 parts by mass of the carrier.

  The developer of the present invention can be suitably used for image formation by various known electrophotographic methods such as a two-component development method, and is particularly suitable for the following developer-containing containers, process cartridges, image forming apparatuses, and image forming methods. Can be used.

(Image forming apparatus and image forming method)
The image forming method of the present invention includes at least an electrostatic latent image forming step, a developing step, a transfer step, and a fixing step, and other steps appropriately selected as necessary, for example, a static elimination step, a cleaning step. , Including recycling process, control process, etc.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes at least an electrostatic latent image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit, and further appropriately selected as necessary. It has other means, for example, static elimination means, cleaning means, recycling means, control means and the like.

The electrostatic latent image forming step is a step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier.
The electrostatic latent image bearing member (sometimes referred to as “electrophotographic photosensitive member” or “photosensitive member”) is not particularly limited in terms of material, shape, structure, size, etc. Although it can be selected as appropriate, the shape thereof is preferably a drum shape, and examples of the material thereof include inorganic photoreceptors such as amorphous silicon and selenium, organic photoreceptors (OPC) such as polysilane and phthalopolymethine, and the like. Is mentioned. Among these, amorphous silicon or the like is preferable in terms of long life.

The formation of the electrostatic latent image can be performed, for example, by uniformly charging the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and then performing imagewise exposure, and is performed by the electrostatic latent image forming unit. be able to.
The electrostatic latent image forming means includes, for example, at least a charger that uniformly charges the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier and an exposure device that exposes the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier imagewise. Prepare.

The charging can be performed, for example, by applying a voltage to the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier using the charger.
The charger is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a known contact charging device including a conductive or semiconductive roll, brush, film, rubber blade, etc. And non-contact chargers using corona discharge such as corotrons and corotrons.
Further, the charger is preferably one that is arranged in contact or non-contact with the electrostatic latent image carrier and charges the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier by applying DC and AC voltages in a superimposed manner.
Further, the charger is a charging roller disposed in a non-contact proximity to the electrostatic latent image carrier via a gap tape, and the electrostatic latent image is carried by applying a direct current and an alternating voltage to the charging roller. Those that charge the body surface are preferred.

The exposure can be performed, for example, by exposing the surface of the latent electrostatic image bearing member imagewise using the exposure device.
The exposure device is not particularly limited as long as it can expose the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier charged by the charger so as to form an image to be formed, and is appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, various exposure devices such as a copying optical system, a rod lens array system, a laser optical system, and a liquid crystal shutter optical system can be used.
In the present invention, a back light system in which imagewise exposure is performed from the back side of the electrostatic latent image carrier may be employed.

-Development process and development means-
The developing step is a step of developing the electrostatic latent image using the developer of the present invention to form a visible image.
The visible image can be formed, for example, by developing the electrostatic latent image using the developer of the present invention, and can be performed by the developing unit.
The developing means is not particularly limited as long as it can be developed using, for example, the developer of the present invention, and can be appropriately selected from known ones. For example, the developer of the present invention is accommodated. Preferably, the electrostatic latent image has at least a developing device capable of applying the developer in a contact or non-contact manner.

  The developing unit may be a dry developing type, a wet developing type, a single color developing unit, or a multi-color developing unit. Well, for example, a developer having a stirrer for charging the developer by frictional stirring and a rotatable magnet roller is preferable.

In the developing device, for example, the toner and the carrier are mixed and agitated, and the toner is charged by friction at that time, and held on the surface of the rotating magnet roller in a raised state to form a magnetic brush. . Since the magnet roller is disposed in the vicinity of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor), a part of the toner constituting the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the magnet roller is electrically attracted. It moves to the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor) by force. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed with the toner, and a visible image is formed with the toner on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor).
The developer accommodated in the developing device is the developer of the present invention.

-Transfer process and transfer means-
The transfer step is a step of transferring the visible image onto a recording medium. After the primary transfer of the visible image onto the intermediate transfer member using an intermediate transfer member, the visible image is transferred onto the recording medium. A primary transfer step of forming a composite transfer image by transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer body using two or more colors, preferably full color toner as the toner, and a composite transfer image; A mode including a secondary transfer step of transferring the transfer image onto the recording medium is more preferable.
The transfer can be performed, for example, by charging the latent electrostatic image bearing member (photoconductor) of the visible image using a transfer charger, and can be performed by the transfer unit. The transfer means includes a primary transfer means for transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer member to form a composite transfer image, and a secondary transfer means for transferring the composite transfer image onto a recording medium. Embodiments are preferred.
The intermediate transfer member is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known transfer members according to the purpose. For example, a transfer belt and the like are preferable.

The transfer means (the primary transfer means and the secondary transfer means) is a transfer for peeling and charging the visible image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier (photoconductor) to the recording medium side. It is preferable to have at least a vessel. There may be one transfer means or two or more transfer means.
Examples of the transfer device include a corona transfer device using corona discharge, a transfer belt, a transfer roller, a pressure transfer roller, and an adhesive transfer device.
The recording medium is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known recording media (recording paper).

The fixing step is a step of fixing the visible image transferred to the recording medium using a fixing device, and may be performed each time the toner of each color is transferred to the recording medium, or for the toner of each color. You may perform this simultaneously in the state which laminated | stacked this.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said fixing device, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, A well-known heating-pressing means is suitable. Examples of the heating and pressing means include a combination of a heating roller and a pressure roller, a combination of a heating roller, a pressure roller, and an endless belt.
The fixing device includes a heating body including a heating element, a film in contact with the heating body, and a pressure member in pressure contact with the heating body through the film, and the film and the pressure member It is preferably a means for passing through a recording medium on which an unfixed image is formed and fixing by heating.
The heating in the heating and pressing means is usually preferably 80 to 200 ° C.
In the present invention, for example, a known optical fixing device may be used together with or in place of the fixing step and the fixing unit depending on the purpose.

The neutralization step is a step of performing neutralization by applying a neutralization bias to the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be suitably performed by a neutralization unit.
The neutralization means is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected from known neutralizers as long as it can apply a neutralization bias to the electrostatic latent image carrier. Preferably mentioned.

The cleaning step is a step of removing the electrophotographic toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be suitably performed by a cleaning unit.
The cleaning means is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the electrophotographic toner remaining on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and can be appropriately selected from known cleaners. Preferred examples include brush cleaners, electrostatic brush cleaners, magnetic roller cleaners, blade cleaners, brush cleaners, web cleaners, and the like.

The recycling step is a step of recycling the electrophotographic color toner removed in the cleaning step to the developing unit, and can be suitably performed by the recycling unit.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said recycling means, A well-known conveyance means etc. are mentioned.

The control means is a process for controlling the respective steps, and can be suitably performed by the control means.
The control means is not particularly limited as long as the movement of each means can be controlled, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include devices such as a sequencer and a computer.

  One mode for carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes a photosensitive drum 10 as the electrostatic latent image carrier (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive member 10”), a charging roller 20 as the charging unit, and an exposure unit. An exposure device 30, a developing device 40 as the developing unit, an intermediate transfer member 50, a cleaning device 60 as the cleaning unit having a cleaning blade, and a static elimination lamp 70 as the static elimination unit.

  The intermediate transfer member 50 is an endless belt, and is designed to be movable in the direction of an arrow by three rollers 51 that are arranged inside and stretched. Part of the three rollers 51 also functions as a transfer bias roller that can apply a predetermined transfer bias (primary transfer bias) to the intermediate transfer member 50. The intermediate transfer body 50 is provided with a cleaning device 90 having a cleaning blade in the vicinity thereof, and for transferring (secondary transfer) a developed image (toner image) to a transfer sheet 95 as a final transfer material. A transfer roller 80 serving as a transfer unit to which a transfer bias can be applied is disposed to face the transfer roller 80. Around the intermediate transfer member 50, a corona charger 58 for applying a charge to the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 50 is arranged between the photosensitive member 10 and the intermediate transfer member 50 in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer member 50. It is disposed between the contact portion and the contact portion between the intermediate transfer member 50 and the transfer paper 95.

  The developing device 40 includes a developing belt 41 as the developer carrying member, and a black developing unit 45K, a yellow developing unit 45Y, a magenta developing unit 45M, and a cyan developing unit 45C provided around the developing belt 41. . The black developing unit 45K includes a developer accommodating portion 42K, a developer supplying roller 43K, and a developing roller 44K. The yellow developing unit 45Y includes a developer accommodating portion 42Y, a developer supplying roller 43Y, and a developing roller 44Y. The magenta developing unit 45M includes a developer accommodating portion 42M, a developer supplying roller 43M, and a developing roller 44M, and the cyan developing unit 45C includes a developer accommodating portion 42C and a developer supplying roller 43C. And a developing roller 44C. The developing belt 41 is an endless belt, is rotatably stretched around a plurality of belt rollers, and a part thereof is in contact with the photoconductor 10.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, for example, the charging roller 20 charges the photosensitive drum 10 uniformly. The exposure device 30 performs imagewise exposure on the photosensitive drum 10 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 10 is developed by supplying toner from the developing device 40 to form a visible image (toner image). The visible image (toner image) is transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer member 50 by the voltage applied from the roller 51, and further transferred (secondary transfer) onto the transfer paper 95. As a result, a transfer image is formed on the transfer paper 95. The residual toner on the photoconductor 10 is removed by the cleaning device 60, and the charge on the photoconductor 10 is temporarily removed by the charge eliminating lamp 70.

  Another mode for carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3 does not include the developing belt 41 in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, and a black developing unit 45K, a yellow developing unit 45Y, a magenta developing unit 45M, and Except for the fact that the cyan developing unit 45C is arranged directly opposite, it has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Another mode for carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A tandem image forming apparatus 120 shown in FIG. 4 is a tandem color image forming apparatus. The tandem image forming apparatus 120 includes a copying apparatus main body 150, a paper feed table 200, a scanner 300, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 400.
The copying apparatus main body 150 is provided with an endless belt-like intermediate transfer member 50 at the center. The intermediate transfer member 50 is stretched around the support rollers 14, 15 and 16, and can be rotated clockwise in FIG. 4. An intermediate transfer body cleaning device 17 for removing residual toner on the intermediate transfer body 50 is disposed in the vicinity of the support roller 15. The intermediate transfer body 50 stretched by the support roller 14 and the support roller 15 is a tandem type in which four image forming means 18 of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black are arranged in parallel and facing each other along the conveyance direction. A developing device 120 is disposed. An exposure device 21 is disposed in the vicinity of the tandem developing device 120. A secondary transfer device 22 is disposed on the side of the intermediate transfer member 50 opposite to the side on which the tandem developing device 120 is disposed. In the secondary transfer device 22, a secondary transfer belt 24, which is an endless belt, is stretched around a pair of rollers 23, and the transfer paper conveyed on the secondary transfer belt 24 and the intermediate transfer body 50 are in contact with each other. Is possible. A fixing device 25 is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer device 22. The fixing device 25 includes a fixing belt 26 that is an endless belt, and a pressure roller 27 that is pressed against the fixing belt 26.
In the tandem image forming apparatus 120, a sheet reversing device 28 for reversing the transfer paper for image formation on both sides of the transfer paper is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer device 22 and the fixing device 25. Yes.

  Next, formation of a full-color image (color copy) using the tandem developing device 120 will be described. That is, first, a document is set on the document table 130 of the automatic document feeder (ADF) 400, or the automatic document feeder 400 is opened and the document is set on the contact glass 32 of the scanner 300. 400 is closed.

  When a start switch (not shown) is pressed, when the document is set on the automatic document feeder 400, the document is transported and moved onto the contact glass 32, and then the document is set on the contact glass 32. Immediately after that, the scanner 300 is driven, and the first traveling body 33 and the second traveling body 34 travel. At this time, light from the light source is irradiated by the first traveling body 33 and reflected light from the document surface is reflected by the mirror in the second traveling body 34 and is received by the reading sensor 36 through the imaging lens 35 to be color. An original (color image) is read and used as black, yellow, magenta, and cyan image information.

  Each image information of black, yellow, magenta and cyan is stored in each image forming unit 18 (black image forming unit, yellow image forming unit, magenta image forming unit, and cyan image forming unit) in the tandem type developing device 120. Each of the image forming means forms toner images of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan. That is, each image forming means 18 (black image forming means, yellow image forming means, magenta image forming means, and cyan image forming means) in the tandem type developing device 120 is respectively shown in FIG. A photoconductor 10 (black photoconductor 10K, yellow photoconductor 10Y, magenta photoconductor 10M, and cyan photoconductor 10C), a charger 60 for uniformly charging the photoconductor, and each color image information An exposure unit that exposes the photosensitive member in an image corresponding to each color image (L in FIG. 5) to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to each color image on the photosensitive member, and the electrostatic latent image Are developed with each color toner (black toner, yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner) to form a toner image with each color toner, and the toner image is intermediately transferred. A transfer charger 62 for transferring onto the body 50, a photoconductor cleaning device 63, and a static eliminator 64 are provided, and each single color image (black image, yellow image, Magenta image and cyan image) can be formed. The black image, the yellow image, the magenta image, and the cyan image formed in this way are formed on the black photoconductor 10K on the intermediate transfer member 50 that is rotationally moved by the support rollers 14, 15, and 16, respectively. The black image, the yellow image formed on the yellow photoconductor 10Y, the magenta image formed on the magenta photoconductor 10M, and the cyan image formed on the cyan photoconductor 10C are sequentially transferred (primary transfer). Is done. Then, the black image, the yellow image, the magenta image, and the cyan image are superimposed on the intermediate transfer member 50 to form a composite color image (color transfer image).

  On the other hand, in the paper feed table 200, one of the paper feed rollers 142 is selectively rotated to feed out a sheet (recording paper) from one of the paper feed cassettes 144 provided in multiple stages in the paper bank 143. Each sheet is separated and sent to the paper feed path 146, transported by the transport roller 147, guided to the paper feed path 148 in the copying machine main body 150, and abutted against the registration roller 49 and stopped. Alternatively, the sheet feed roller 142 is rotated to feed out sheets (recording paper) on the manual feed tray 54, separated one by one by the separation roller 52, put into the manual feed path 53, and abutted against the registration roller 49 and stopped. . The registration roller 49 is generally used while being grounded, but may be used in a state where a bias is applied to remove paper dust from the sheet. Then, the registration roller 49 is rotated in synchronization with the synthesized color image (color transfer image) synthesized on the intermediate transfer member 50, and a sheet (recording paper) is interposed between the intermediate transfer member 50 and the secondary transfer device 22. The secondary color transfer device 22 transfers the composite color image (color transfer image) onto the sheet (recording paper), thereby transferring the color image onto the sheet (recording paper). Is formed. The residual toner on the intermediate transfer member 50 after image transfer is cleaned by the intermediate transfer member cleaning device 17.

  The sheet (recording paper) on which the color image has been transferred is conveyed by the secondary transfer device 22 and sent to the fixing device 25, where the combined color image (color) is generated by heat and pressure. (Transfer image) is fixed on the sheet (recording paper). Thereafter, the sheet (recording paper) is switched by the switching claw 55 and discharged by the discharge roller 56 and stacked on the discharge tray 57, or switched by the switching claw 55 and reversed by the sheet reversing device 28 and transferred again. After being guided to the position and recording an image on the back surface, the image is discharged by the discharge roller 56 and stacked on the discharge tray 57.

(Process cartridge)
The process cartridge of the present invention develops an electrostatic latent image carrier carrying an electrostatic latent image and the electrostatic latent image carried on the electrostatic latent image carrier using a developer to form a visible image. A developing means for forming the image forming apparatus, and further having other means such as a charging means, an exposure means, a developing means, a transfer means, a cleaning means, and a discharging means, which are appropriately selected as necessary. .
The developing means includes at least a developer container that contains the developer of the present invention, and a developer carrier that carries and conveys the developer contained in the developer container. In addition, a layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness of the developer to be carried may be provided.
The process cartridge of the present invention can be detachably mounted on various electrophotographic apparatuses, facsimiles, and printers, and is preferably detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus of the present invention described later.

Here, FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus having a process cartridge having the developer of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a process cartridge, 2 denotes a charging unit, 3 denotes a developing unit, 4 denotes a photosensitive member, and 5 denotes a cleaning unit.
In the present invention, among the components such as the above-mentioned photoreceptor, charging means, developing means, and cleaning means, the developing means using the developer of the present invention and one or more other means are used as a process cartridge. The process cartridge can be detachably attached to a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

  In an image forming apparatus equipped with a process cartridge having developing means using the developer of the present invention, the photosensitive member is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed. In the rotation process, the photosensitive member is subjected to a uniform withstand voltage of positive or negative predetermined potential on its peripheral surface by the charging unit, and then receives image exposure light from an image exposure unit such as slit exposure or laser beam scanning exposure, and thus is exposed to light. An electrostatic latent image is sequentially formed on the peripheral surface of the body, and the formed electrostatic latent image is then developed with toner by a developing unit, and the developed toner image is transferred between the photosensitive member and the transfer unit from the paper feeding unit. Then, the image is sequentially transferred to the transfer material fed in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive member by the transfer means. The transfer material that has received the image transfer is separated from the surface of the photosensitive member, introduced into the image fixing means, and fixed on the image, and printed out as a copy (copy). The surface of the photoreceptor after the image transfer is cleaned by removing the transfer residual toner by a cleaning unit, and after being further neutralized, it is repeatedly used for image formation.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the process cartridge includes a photoreceptor 101, includes a charging unit 102, a developing unit 104, and a cleaning unit 107, and further includes other members as necessary. Become. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 103 denotes an exposure unit, 105 denotes a recording medium, and 108 denotes a conveyance roller.
As the photoreceptor 101, the same one as an image forming apparatus described later can be used.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is constructed by integrally combining the electrostatic latent image carrier and the components such as a developing device and a cleaning device as a process cartridge, and this unit can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. It may be configured. Further, at least one of a charger, an image exposure device, a developing device, a transfer or separation device, and a cleaning device is integrally supported together with an electrostatic latent image carrier to form a process cartridge, and is detachably attached to the apparatus main body. One unit may be detachable using guide means such as a rail of the apparatus main body.

(Container with developer)
The developer-containing container of the present invention is obtained by housing the developer of the present invention in a container.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said container, It can select suitably from well-known things, For example, what has a developer container main body and a cap etc. are mentioned suitably.
The size, shape, structure, material and the like of the developer container main body are not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the shape is preferably cylindrical. A spiral irregularity is formed on the peripheral surface, and the toner as the contents can be transferred to the discharge port side by rotating, and part or all of the spiral part has a bellows function, etc. Is particularly preferred.
The material of the developer container main body is not particularly limited, and those having good dimensional accuracy are preferable. For example, a resin is preferable. Among them, for example, polyester resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polystyrene resin, Preferable examples include vinyl chloride resin, polyacrylic acid, polycarbonate resin, ABS resin, polyacetal resin, and the like.
The developer-containing container of the present invention is easy to store and transport, has excellent handling properties, and is suitably used for replenishing the developer by being detachably attached to the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus of the present invention. can do.

  In the developer-containing container, the process cartridge, the image forming apparatus, and the image forming method of the present invention, there is no occurrence of carrier adhesion, a high-definition image with good image density reproducibility is obtained, and there is little change in charge amount and resistance. Therefore, as the number of copies increases, the image quality degradation of the generated copy image is greatly improved, and the developer of the present invention that can maintain a good image over a long period of time is used. Well obtained.

Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In addition, the following Examples 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, and 15 are reference examples.

(Production Example 1)
-Production of carrier 1-
The following composition was dispersed with a homomixer for 10 minutes to prepare a coating layer forming solution.
<Composition of coating layer forming solution>
・ Silicone resin solution (solid content 23% by mass, SR2410, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co.) ... 432.2 parts by massAminosilane (solid content 100% by mass, SH6020, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co.)・ ・ ・ 0.66 parts by mass ・ Inorganic oxide particles A (aluminum oxide, volume average particle size 0.40 μm, true specific gravity 3.9, volume resistivity 12 Ω · cm) 145 parts by mass 300 parts by mass

  Next, 5,000 parts by mass of fired ferrite powder (true specific gravity 5.5) having a volume average particle size of 35 μm is used as the core material, and the above coating layer forming solution is applied to the surface of the core material with a Spira coater (Okada Seiko Co., Ltd.). ) At a coater internal temperature of 40 ° C. and dried to form a coating layer having a thickness of 0.29 μm. Next, this was left to stand in an electric furnace at 240 ° C. for 1 hour and fired, and after cooling, the ferrite powder bulk was crushed using a sieve having an aperture of 63 μm to prepare “Carrier 1”.

(Production Example 2)
-Production of carrier 2-
The following composition was dispersed with a homomixer for 10 minutes to prepare a coating layer forming solution.
<Composition of coating layer forming solution>
・ Silicone resin solution (solid content 23% by mass, SR2410, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co.) ... 432.2 parts by mass Aminosilane (solid content 100% by mass, SH6020, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co.) 0.66 parts by mass Inorganic oxide particles B (aluminum oxide, volume average particle size 0.37 μm, true specific gravity 3.9, volume resistivity 13 Ω · cm) 97 parts by mass Toluene 300 parts by mass

  Next, 5,000 parts by mass of a sintered ferrite powder having a volume average particle size of 35 μm (true specific gravity of 5.5) is used as the core material, and the coating layer forming solution is applied to the core material surface with a Spira coater (Okada Seiko Co., Ltd.). The coater was applied at a temperature of 40 ° C. and dried to form a coating layer having a thickness of 0.29 μm. Next, this was left to stand in an electric furnace at 240 ° C. for 1 hour and fired. After cooling, the ferrite powder bulk was crushed using a sieve having a mesh size of 63 μm to produce [Carrier 2].

(Production Example 3)
-Production of carrier 3-
In Production Example 2, “Carrier 3” was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 2 except that the coating layer forming solution was changed to the following coating layer forming solution and a coating layer having a thickness of 0.40 μm was formed.
<Preparation of coating layer forming solution>
The following composition was dispersed with a homomixer for 10 minutes to obtain a coating layer forming solution.
・ Acrylic resin solution (solid content: 50 mass%): 34.2 mass parts ・ Guanamine solution (solid content: 70 mass%): 9.7 mass parts ・ Acid catalyst (solid content: 40 mass%) 0.19 parts by mass Silicone resin solution (solid content 20% by mass, R2410, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd.) 432.2 parts by mass Aminosilane (solid content 100% by mass, SH6020, Toray Dow Corning -Silicone Co., Ltd .... 3.42 parts by mass-Inorganic oxide particles B (aluminum oxide, volume average particle size 0.37 [mu] m, true specific gravity 3.9, volume resistivity 13 [Omega] .cm) ... 97 parts by mass

(Production Example 4)
-Production of carrier 4-
“Carrier 4” was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 3, except that the coating layer forming solution in Production Example 3 was changed to the following coating layer forming solution to form a coating layer having a thickness of 0.19 μm.
<Preparation of coating layer forming solution>
The following composition was dispersed with a homomixer for 10 minutes to obtain a coating layer forming solution.
・ Acrylic resin solution (solid content: 50 mass%) ... 17.1 mass parts ・ Guanamine solution (solid content: 70 mass%) ... 4.85 mass parts ・ Acid catalyst (solid content: 40 mass%) 0.10 parts by mass-Silicone resin solution (solid content 20% by mass, SR2410, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone) ... 216.2 parts by mass-Aminosilane (solid content 100% by mass, SH 6020, Toray Dow Corning) -Made by Silicone Co., Ltd .... 1.68 parts by mass-Inorganic oxide particles B (aluminum oxide, volume average particle size 0.37 μm, true specific gravity 3.9, volume resistivity 13 Ω · cm) ... 97 parts by mass・ Toluene: 1600 parts by mass

(Production Example 5)
-Production of carrier 5-
“Carrier 5” was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 3, except that the coating layer forming solution in Production Example 3 was changed to the following coating layer forming solution to form a coating layer having a thickness of 0.93 μm.
<Composition of coating layer forming solution>
・ Acrylic resin solution (solid content: 50 mass%): 158.8 mass parts: Guanamine solution (solid content: 70 mass%): 49.6 mass parts: Acidic catalyst (solid content: 40 mass%) 0.88 parts by mass Silicone resin solution (solid content 20% by mass, SR2410, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd.) 743.2 parts by mass Aminosilane (solid content 100% by mass, SH6020, Toray Dow Corning -Silicone Co., Ltd .... 1.68 parts by mass-Inorganic oxide particles B (aluminum oxide, volume average particle size 0.37 μm, true specific gravity 3.9, volume resistivity 13 Ω · cm) ... 97 parts by mass・ Toluene: 1600 parts by mass

(Production Example 6)
-Production of carrier 6-
In Production Example 3, a fired ferrite powder (true specific gravity 5.7) having a volume average particle diameter of 16 μm was used as the core material, and the coating layer forming solution was changed to the following coating layer forming solution to form a coating layer having a thickness of 0.41 μm. “Carrier 6” was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 3, except that the above was formed.
<Composition of coating layer forming solution>
・ Acrylic resin solution (solid content: 50 mass%): 68.4 mass parts ・ Guanamine solution (solid content: 70 mass%): 19.4 mass parts ・ Acid catalyst (solid content: 40 mass%) 0.38 parts by mass-Silicone resin solution (solid content 20% by mass, SR2410, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone) ... 864.4 parts by mass-Aminosilane (solid content 100% by mass, SH6020, Toray Dow Corning) -Silicone Co., Ltd .... 0.46 parts by mass-Inorganic oxide particles B (aluminum oxide, volume average particle size 0.37 μm, true specific gravity 3.9, volume resistivity 13 Ω · cm) ... 195 parts by mass・ Toluene: 800 parts by mass

(Production Example 7)
-Production of carrier 7-
In Production Example 3, a sintered ferrite powder having a volume average particle diameter of 71 μm (true specific gravity 5.3) was used as the core material, and the coating layer forming solution was changed to the following coating layer forming solution, and the coating layer having a thickness of 0.62 μm “Carrier 7” was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 3, except that was formed.
<Composition of coating layer forming solution>
・ Acrylic resin solution (solid content: 50 mass%): 34.2 mass parts ・ Guanamine solution (solid content: 70 mass%): 9.7 mass parts ・ Acid catalyst (solid content: 40 mass%) 0.19 parts by mass-Silicone resin solution (solid content 20% by mass, SR2410, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone) ... 292.9 parts by mass-Aminosilane (solid content 100% by mass, SH6020, Toray Dow Corning) -Silicone Co., Ltd .... 0.42 parts by mass-Inorganic oxide particles B (aluminum oxide, volume average particle size 0.37 μm, true specific gravity 3.9, volume resistivity 13 Ω · cm) ... 60 parts by mass・ Toluene: 800 parts by mass

(Production Example 8)
-Production of carrier 8-
In Production Example 3, a “carrier” having a volume average particle size of about 36 μm was used in the same manner as in Production Example 3, except that sintered ferrite (true specific gravity 5.4) having a low volume average particle size of 35 μm was used as the core material. 8 "was produced.

(Production Example 9)
-Production of carrier 9-
In Production Example 3, a “carrier” having a volume average particle size of about 36 μm was used in the same manner as in Production Example 3, except that sintered ferrite having a volume average particle size of 35 μm with high magnetization (true specific gravity 5.5) was used as the core material. 9 "was produced.

(Production Example 10)
-Production of carrier 10-
“Carrier 10” was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the amount of inorganic oxide particles A added in Production Example 1 was changed from 145 parts by mass to 75 parts by mass.

(Production Example 11)
-Production of carrier 11-
“Carrier 11” was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the addition amount of the inorganic oxide particles A was changed from 145 parts by mass to 170 parts by mass in Production Example 1.

(Production Example 12)
-Production of carrier 12-
In Production Example 3, instead of the inorganic oxide particles B, conductive particles (volume resistivity 8 Ω · cm, volume average particle size 0.4 μm) produced as follows were used, and a coating layer having a thickness of 0.40 μm “Carrier 12” was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 3, except that the above was formed.
<Preparation of conductive particles>
200 g of aluminum oxide (average primary particle size 0.37 μm, true specific gravity 3.9) was dispersed in 2.5 liters of water to obtain a water suspension. This suspension was kept warm at 80 ° C. A separately prepared solution of 22 g of stannic chloride (SnCl ₄ .5H ₂ O) in 200 mL of 2N hydrochloric acid and 12% by mass aqueous ammonia were added so as to maintain the pH of the suspension at 7-8. . Subsequently, a solution prepared by dissolving 65 g of separately prepared indium chloride (InCl ₃ ) and 8 g of stannic chloride (SnCl ₄ .5H ₂ O) in 800 ml of 2N hydrochloric acid and 12% by mass aqueous ammonia was adjusted to a pH of 7%. It was dripped so that it might hold | maintain to ~ 8. After completion of the dropwise addition, the treated suspension was filtered and washed, and the resulting treated pigment cake was dried at 120 ° C.
Next, the obtained dry powder was heat-treated at 500 ° C. for 1.5 hours in a nitrogen gas stream (1 liter / min). The obtained fired product was pulverized, and this pulverized product was treated by adding 3.5% by mass of γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane with stirring in a Henschel mixer heated to 70 ° C. Furthermore, the processed product was heat-treated at 100 ° C. for 1 hour to obtain the target white conductive powder.

(Production Example 13)
-Production of carrier 13-
In Production Example 3, instead of 97 parts by mass of inorganic oxide particles B, 110 parts by mass of titanium oxide (anatase C, volume resistivity 32 Ω · cm, volume average particle size 0.35 μm, true specific gravity 5.0) is used. Then, “Carrier 13” was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 3 except that a coating layer having a thickness of 0.40 μm was formed.

  Next, various characteristics of each carrier (core material and coating layer) of Production Examples 1 to 13 were measured as follows. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Measurement of volume average particle diameter of core material>
The volume average particle diameter of the core material was measured by using a SRA type of a Microtrac particle size analyzer (Nikkiso Co., Ltd.) with a range setting of 0.7 μm or more and 125 μm or less.

<Measurement of coating layer thickness>
The thickness of the coating layer was determined by observing the cross section of the carrier with a transmission electron microscope (TEM) to observe the coating layer covering the carrier surface.

<Volume specific resistance of inorganic oxide particles>
As for the volume resistivity of particles, 5 g of a sample is put in a cylindrical vinyl chloride tube having an inner diameter of 1 inch, and the upper and lower sides are sandwiched between electrodes. A pressure of 10 kg / cm ² is applied to these electrodes with a press. Subsequently, measurement with an LCR meter (Yokogawa-HEWLETT-PACKARD 4216A) is performed in this pressurized state to obtain resistance (r). The volume resistivity can be obtained by calculating the obtained resistance value by the following formula 1.
<Formula 1>
Volume resistivity (Ω · cm) = (2.54 / 2) ² × (π / H × r)
However, in Formula 1, H represents the thickness of the sample. r represents a resistance value.

<Covering ratio of inorganic oxide particles to the core>
The said coverage is a coverage with respect to the said core material of the said particle | grain, and is represented by following Formula.
<Formula 2>
Coverage ratio = (Ds × ρs × W) / (4 × Df × ρf) × 100
However, in the said Numerical formula 2, Ds represents a carrier core material particle size. ρs represents the true specific gravity of the carrier core material. W represents the ratio of the amount of inorganic oxide particles added to the carrier core material. Df represents the particle size of the inorganic oxide particles. ρf represents the true specific gravity of the inorganic oxide particles.

Here, the true specific gravity of the inorganic fine particles ρf and the carrier core material ρs can be measured using, for example, a dry automatic bulk density meter Accupic 1330 (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). The carrier core particle diameter Ds (volume average particle diameter) can be measured using, for example, an SRA type of a microtrack particle size analyzer (manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.), and in a range setting of 0.7 μm or more and 125 μm or less. What was done was used. Also, methanol is used for the dispersion, and the refractive index is set to 1.33, and the refractive indexes of the carrier and the core material are set to 2.42. The particle diameter Df of the inorganic oxide particles is determined by measuring the volume average particle diameter using an automatic particle size distribution analyzer CAPA-700 (manufactured by Horiba Seisakusho). As a pretreatment for the measurement, 30 ml of aminosilane (SH6020, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone) is put into a juicer mixer. Add 6.0 g of sample, set mixer rotation speed to low, and disperse for 3 minutes. An appropriate amount of the dispersion is added to 500 ml of a toluene solution prepared in advance in a 1000 ml beaker and diluted. The diluting solution is continuously stirred with a homogenizer. This diluted solution is measured with an ultracentrifugal automatic particle size distribution analyzer CAPA-700.
<Measurement conditions>
・ Rotation speed: 2000rpm
・ Maximum particle size: 2.0μm
・ Minimum particle size: 0.1μm
・ Granularity interval: 0.1 μm
Dispersion medium viscosity: 0.59 mPa · s
-Dispersion medium density: 0.87 g / cm ³
・ Particle density: For the density of particles, enter the true specific gravity value measured using dry automatic bulk density meter Accupic 1330 (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation).

<Measurement of carrier magnetic moment>
The magnetic moment of the carrier was measured by weighing 0.15 g of a sample using VSM-P7-15 manufactured by Toei Kogyo Co., Ltd., filling a sample into a cell having an inner diameter of 2.4 mm and a height of 8.5 mm, 000 (10 ³ / 4π · A / m).

<Volume average particle diameter of carrier>
The volume average particle diameter of the carrier was measured using a Microtrac particle size analyzer (manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.) with a range setting of 0.7 μm or more and 125 μm or less. Methanol was used for the dispersion, and the refractive index was set to 1.33, and the refractive index of the carrier and the core material was set to 2.42.

<Volume resistivity of carrier>
The volume specific resistance of the carrier is such that a cell 31 made of a fluororesin container containing an electrode 32a and an electrode 32b having a distance between electrodes of 2 mm and a surface area of 2 × 4 cm is filled with a carrier 33 and manufactured by Sankyo Piotech Co., Ltd .: Tapping Machine PTM- Using type 1, tapping operation is performed for 1 minute at a tapping speed of 30 times / min. A DC voltage of 1000 V is applied between the two electrodes, the DC resistance is measured by a high resistance meter 4329A (4329A + LJK 5HLVLVWDQFH 0HWHU; manufactured by Yokogawa Hewlett-Packard Co., Ltd.), the electric resistivity RΩ · cm is obtained, and LogR is calculated.

(Production Example 14)
-Production of inorganic fine particles 1-
Liquid SiCl ₄ as a raw material is used as a carrier gas, Ar gas is blown as a carrier gas at a flow rate of 300 SCCM (standard volume flow rate (CC) per minute), SiCl ₄ vapor at a flow rate of 250 SCCM, H ₂ gas 20 SLM (standard per minute) Along with volume flow rate (L)) and O ₂ gas 20SLM, it was sent to a burner, subjected to flame hydrolysis, and fused to produce SiO ₂ fine particles.
Next, the obtained SiO ₂ fine particles are grown to a predetermined primary particle size, and the obtained fine particles are subjected to a hydrophobization treatment with hexamethyldisilazane to obtain “inorganic fine particles 1” having a primary average particle size of 5 nm. Manufactured.

(Production Example 15)
<Manufacture of toner>
-Synthesis of organic fine particle emulsion-
In a reaction vessel in which a stir bar and a thermometer are set, 683 parts by mass of water, 11 parts by mass of sodium salt of ethylene oxide methacrylate adduct sulfate (Eleminol RS-30, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd.), 80 parts by mass of styrene Parts, 83 parts by weight of methacrylic acid, 110 parts by weight of butyl acrylate, 12 parts by weight of butyl thioglycolate, and 1 part by weight of ammonium persulfate were stirred at 400 rpm for 15 minutes to obtain a white emulsion. It was. This was heated to raise the temperature in the system to 75 ° C. and reacted for 5 hours. Subsequently, 30 parts by mass of a 1% by mass aqueous ammonium persulfate solution was added, and the mixture was aged at 75 ° C. for 5 hours to be a vinyl resin (styrene-methacrylic acid-butyl acrylate-methacrylic acid ethylene oxide adduct sulfate copolymer sodium salt). ) Aqueous dispersion was obtained. This is designated as [fine particle dispersion 1].
The volume average particle size of the obtained [fine particle dispersion 1] measured by a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer (LA-920, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) was 120 nm. A portion of [Fine Particle Dispersion 1] was dried to isolate the resin component. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin was 42 ° C., and the weight average molecular weight (Mw) was 30,000.

-Preparation of aqueous phase-
990 parts by weight of water, 65 parts by weight of [fine particle dispersion 1], 37 parts by weight of 48.5% aqueous solution of dodecyl diphenyl ether disulfonate (Eleminol MON-7, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and ethyl acetate 90 Mass parts were mixed and stirred to obtain a milky white liquid. This is designated as [Aqueous Phase 1].

-Synthesis of low molecular weight polyester-
In a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling tube, a stirrer, and a nitrogen introduction tube, 229 parts by mass of bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 mol adduct, 529 parts by mass of bisphenol A propylene oxide 3 mol adduct, 208 parts by mass of terephthalic acid, adipic acid 46 parts by mass and 2 parts by mass of dibutyltin oxide were added and reacted at 230 ° C. for 8 hours at normal pressure. Next, after reacting under reduced pressure of 10 to 15 mmHg for 5 hours, 44 parts by mass of trimellitic anhydride was put in a reaction vessel and reacted at 180 ° C. and normal pressure for 2 hours to obtain [Low molecular weight polyester 1].
The obtained [Low molecular polyester 1] had a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 2,500, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 6,700, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 43 ° C., and an acid value of 25. .

-Synthesis of intermediate polyester-
In a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling pipe, a stirrer, and a nitrogen introduction pipe, 682 parts by mass of bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 mol adduct, 81 parts by mass of bisphenol A propylene oxide 2 mol adduct, 283 parts by mass of terephthalic acid, anhydrous 22 parts by mass of trimellitic acid and 2 parts by mass of dibutyltin oxide were added and reacted at 230 ° C. for 8 hours under normal pressure. Subsequently, the reaction was performed for 5 hours under a reduced pressure of 10 to 15 mmHg to obtain [Intermediate Polyester 1].
The obtained [Intermediate polyester 1] has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 2,100, a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 9,500, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 55 ° C., an acid value of 0.5, The hydroxyl value was 51.

-Synthesis of a modified polyester resin (referred to as prepolymer 1) capable of reacting with a compound having at least an active hydrogen group-
In a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling tube, a stirrer, and a nitrogen introduction tube, 410 parts by mass of the above [intermediate polyester 1], 89 parts by mass of isophorone diisocyanate, and 500 parts by mass of ethyl acetate were placed at 100 ° C. for 5 hours. Reaction was performed to obtain [Prepolymer 1]. [Prepolymer 1] obtained had a free isocyanate mass% of 1.53%.

-Synthesis of ketimine-
In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, 170 parts by mass of isophoronediamine and 75 parts by mass of methyl ethyl ketone were charged and reacted at 50 ° C. for 5 hours to obtain [ketimine compound 1]. The amine value of the obtained [ketimine compound 1] was 418.

-Synthesis of master batch-
1200 parts by weight of water, 40 parts by weight of carbon black (manufactured by Cabot, Regal 400R), 60 parts by weight of polyester resin (manufactured by Sanyo Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd., RS801) and 30 parts by weight of water are added, and Henschel mixer (manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.). ), And the mixture was kneaded at 150 ° C. for 30 minutes using two rolls, rolled and cooled, and pulverized with a pulverizer to obtain [Masterbatch 1].

-Preparation of toner composition containing oil phase, that is, inorganic fine particles-
In a container in which a stir bar and a thermometer are set, 400 parts by mass of the above-mentioned [low molecular polyester 1], 110 parts by mass of carnauba wax, and 947 parts by mass of ethyl acetate are charged, and the temperature is raised to 80 ° C. with stirring. After being kept for 5 hours, it was cooled to 30 ° C. over 1 hour. Next, 500 parts by mass of [Masterbatch 1] and 500 parts by mass of ethyl acetate were charged in a container and mixed for 1 hour to obtain [Raw material solution 1].
1324 parts by mass of the obtained [Raw Material Solution 1] was transferred to a container, and using a bead mill (Ultra Visco Mill, manufactured by Imex Corporation), a liquid feeding speed of 1 kg / hr, a disk peripheral speed of 6 m / sec, and 0.5 mm zirconia beads. The wax was dispersed under the conditions of 3 passes. Next, 1324 parts by mass of a 65% ethyl acetate solution of [low molecular weight polyester 1] and 34 parts by mass of [inorganic fine particles 1] are added, and one pass is performed with a bead mill under the above conditions to obtain [Pigment and wax dispersion 1]. It was. [Pigment and wax dispersion 1] had a solid content (130 ° C., 30 minutes) of 50% by mass.

-Emulsification-
[Pigment and wax dispersion 1] 648 parts by mass, [Prepolymer 1] 154 parts by mass, and [ketimine compound 1] 8.5 parts by mass are placed in a container, and 5 by a TK homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kika Co., Ltd.). After mixing at 1,000 rpm for 1 minute, 1,200 parts by mass of [Aqueous phase 1] was added to the container, and mixed with a TK homomixer at a rotation speed of 10,000 rpm for 20 minutes to obtain [Emulsion slurry 1]. In this step, an elongation reaction is performed while being dispersed in an aqueous medium containing resin fine particles.

-Solvent removal-
[Emulsion slurry 1] is put into a container equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, and after removing the solvent at 30 ° C. for 8 hours, aging is performed at 45 ° C. for 4 hours to obtain [dispersed slurry 1]. It was.

-Washing, drying, and fluorination-
[Dispersion Slurry 1] After 100 parts by mass of the slurry was filtered under reduced pressure, washing, drying, and fluorine treatment were performed as follows.
(1) 100 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added to the filter cake, mixed with a TK homomixer (rotation speed: 12,000 rpm for 10 minutes), and then filtered.
(2) 100 parts by mass of a 10% by mass aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to the filter cake of (1), mixed with a TK homomixer (30 minutes at 12,000 rpm), and then filtered under reduced pressure.
(3) 100 parts by mass of 10% by mass hydrochloric acid was added to the filter cake of (2), mixed with a TK homomixer (rotation speed: 12,000 rpm for 10 minutes), and then filtered.
(4) 300 parts of ion-exchanged water was added to the filter cake of (3) and mixed with a TK homomixer (rotation speed: 12,000 rpm for 10 minutes) and then filtered twice to obtain a cake. . This is designated as [filter cake 1].
The obtained [Filter cake 1] was dried at 45 ° C. for 48 hours in a circulating drier. Thereafter, 15 parts by mass of [Filter cake 1] is added to 90 parts by mass of water, and 0.0005 parts by mass of the fluorine-containing compound (Exemplary Compound (2)) represented by the following structural formula is dispersed therein. Then, after the fluorine-containing compound was adhered to the toner particle surface, it was dried at 45 ° C. for 48 hours in a circulating air dryer. Thereafter, the resultant was sieved with a mesh of 75 μm to obtain toner base particles. This is designated as [toner base particle 1].

-External additive treatment-
With respect to 100 parts by mass of the obtained [toner base particle 1], 1.5 parts by mass of inorganic fine particles 1 (hydrophobic silica, primary average particle diameter 12 nm) of Production Example 14 as an external additive, and hydrophobic titanium oxide ( 0.7 parts by mass of (primary average particle size 15 nm) was mixed in 5 cycles at 2,000 rpm × 30 seconds using a Henschel mixer to prepare “Toner 1”.

(Production Example 16)
-Production of Toner 2-
-Synthesis of organic fine particle emulsion-
In a reaction vessel in which a stir bar and a thermometer are set, 683 parts by mass of water, 11 parts by mass of sodium salt of ethylene oxide methacrylate adduct sulfate (Eleminol RS-30, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd.), 68 parts by mass of styrene Part, 93 parts by weight of methacrylic acid, 115 parts by weight of butyl acrylate, and 1 part by weight of ammonium persulfate were stirred at 400 rpm for 15 minutes to obtain a white emulsion. This was heated to raise the temperature in the system to 75 ° C. and reacted for 5 hours. Next, 30 parts by mass of a 1% by mass aqueous ammonium persulfate solution was added, and the mixture was aged at 75 ° C. for 5 hours to be a vinyl resin (styrene-methacrylic acid-butyl acrylate-methacrylic acid ethylene oxide adduct sulfate copolymer sodium salt). ) Aqueous dispersion [fine particle dispersion 2].
The volume average particle size of the obtained [fine particle dispersion 2] measured by a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer (LA-920, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) was 90 nm. A portion of [Fine Particle Dispersion 2] was dried to isolate the resin component. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin was 56 ° C., and the weight average molecular weight (Mw) was 150,000.

  Next, a [filter cake 2] was obtained in the same process as the toner 1 except that the [fine particle dispersion 2] was used instead of the [fine particle dispersion 1] in the toner 1. Thereafter, 15 parts by mass of [Filter cake 2] is added to 90 parts by mass of water, and 0.002 parts by mass of the fluorine-containing compound represented by the above structural formula (the exemplified compound (2)) is dispersed therein. Thus, after the fluorine-containing compound was adhered to the surface of the toner particles, it was dried at 45 ° C. for 48 hours using a circulating air dryer. Thereafter, the mixture was sieved with a mesh having an opening of 75 μm to obtain toner base particles. This was subjected to the same external additive treatment as that of Toner 1 to produce [Toner 2].

(Production Example 17)
-Production of Toner 3-
In a reaction vessel in which a stirring bar and a thermometer are set, 683 parts by mass of water, 11 parts by mass of sodium salt of ethylene oxide methacrylate adduct sulfate (Eleminol RS-30, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd.), 83 parts by mass of styrene Part, 83 parts by weight of methacrylic acid, 110 parts by weight of butyl acrylate, and 1 part by weight of ammonium persulfate were added and stirred at 400 rpm for 15 minutes to obtain a white emulsion. The system was heated to raise the temperature in the system to 75 ° C. and reacted for 5 hours. Further, 30 parts by mass of a 1% by mass aqueous ammonium persulfate solution was added, and the mixture was aged at 75 ° C. for 5 hours to copolymerize vinyl resin (styrene-methacrylic acid-butyl acrylate-methacrylic acid ethylene oxide adduct sulfate sodium salt copolymer). ) Was obtained. This is designated as [fine particle dispersion 3].
The volume average particle size of the obtained [fine particle dispersion 3] measured by a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer (LA-920, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) was 105 nm. A portion of [Fine Particle Dispersion 3] was dried to isolate the resin component. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin was 59 ° C., and the weight average molecular weight (Mw) was 150,000.

[Filtration cake 3] was obtained in the same manner as in Production Example 15, except that [Fine particle dispersion 3] was used instead of [Fine particle dispersion 1]. Thereafter, 15 parts by mass of [Filter cake 3] is added to 90 parts by mass of water, and 0.002 parts by mass of the fluorine-containing compound represented by the structural formula (the exemplary compound (2)) is dispersed therein. Then, after the fluorine-containing compound was adhered to the toner particle surface, it was dried at 45 ° C. for 48 hours in a circulating air dryer. Thereafter, the resultant was sieved with a mesh of 75 μm to obtain toner base particles. This is referred to as “toner base particle 3”.
Next, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the obtained [toner base particle 3], 1.5 parts by mass of hydrophobic silica and 0.7 parts by mass of hydrophobic titanium oxide as external additives were added at 1,300 rpm × using a Henschel mixer. Mixing treatment was performed in 5 cycles for 30 seconds to prepare “Toner 3”.

(Production Example 18)
-Production of Toner 4-
With respect to 100 parts by mass of “toner base particle 3” in Production Example 17, 1.5 parts by mass of hydrophobic silica and 0.7 parts by mass of hydrophobic titanium oxide as external additives were added at 2500 rpm for 30 seconds using a Henschel mixer. Mixing treatment was performed in a cycle to prepare “Toner 4”.

(Production Example 19)
-Production of Toner 5-
In Production Example 17, 15 parts by mass of [Filter cake 3] is added to [Filter cake 3] with respect to 90 parts by mass of water. ) Was dispersed in 0.01 parts by mass to adhere the fluorine-containing compound to the surface of the toner particles, and then dried at 45 ° C. for 48 hours in a circulating dryer. Thereafter, the resultant was sieved with a mesh of 75 μm to obtain toner base particles. This was subjected to the same external additive treatment as in Production Example 15 to produce “Toner 5”.

(Production Example 20)
-Production of Toner 6-
Into 709 g of ion-exchanged water, 451 g of a 0.1M Na ₃ PO ₄ aqueous solution was added, heated to 60 ° C., and then stirred at 12,000 rpm using a TK homomixer. To this, 68 g of 1.0 M CaCl ₂ aqueous solution was gradually added to obtain an aqueous medium containing Ca ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ . 170 g of styrene, 30 g of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 10 g of Regal 400R (manufactured by CABOT), 60 g of paraffin wax (sp. 70 ° C.), 5 g of a metal compound of di-tert-butylsalicylate, and a styrene-methacrylic acid copolymer (weight) An average molecular weight (Mw) of 50,000 and an acid value of 20 mgKOH / g (10 g) were put into a TK homomixer, heated to 60 ° C., and uniformly dissolved and dispersed at 12,000 rpm. In this, 10 g of 2,2′-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) as a polymerization initiator was dissolved to prepare a polymerizable monomer system.

Next, the polymerizable monomer system was put into the aqueous medium, and stirred at 10,000 rpm for 20 minutes in a TK homomixer at 60 ° C. in an N ₂ atmosphere to granulate the polymerizable monomer system. . Then, after making it react with a paddle stirring blade for 3 hours at 60 degreeC, liquid temperature was made 80 degreeC and it was made to react for 10 hours. That is, without using the organic solvent phase, after the polymerization reaction was completed, the mixture was cooled, and hydrochloric acid was added to dissolve calcium phosphate, followed by filtration, washing with water, and drying to obtain “toner base particles 6”. Thereafter, 15 parts by weight of “toner base particle 6” is added to 90 parts by weight of water, and 0.002 parts by weight of the fluorine-containing compound represented by the structural formula (the exemplified compound (2)) is dispersed therein. Thus, after the fluorine-containing compound was adhered to the toner particle surface, it was dried at 45 ° C. for 48 hours in a circulating air dryer. Thereafter, it was sieved with a mesh having a mesh size of 75 μm, and this was subjected to the same external additive treatment as in Production Example 15 to produce “Toner 6”.

(Production Example 21)
-Production of Toner 7-
[Filtration cake 1] of Production Example 15 was dried at 45 ° C. for 48 hours in a circulating drier, and then sieved with a mesh of 75 μm without treating the fluorine-containing compound. Obtained. The obtained toner base particles 7 were subjected to an external additive treatment in the same manner as in Production Example 15 to produce “Toner 7”.

(Production Example 22)
-Production of Toner 8-
To 100 parts by mass of [Toner Base Particle 3] in Production Example 17, 0.7 parts by mass of hydrophobic titanium oxide as an external additive was mixed in 3 cycles at 2000 rpm × 30 seconds using a Henschel mixer. An additional 1.5 parts by mass of silica was added, and additional mixing was performed in two cycles at 1500 rpm × 30 seconds to prepare “Toner 8”.

(Production Example 23)
-Production of Toner 9-
To 100 parts by mass of [Toner Base Particle 3] in Production Example 17, 1.5 parts by mass of hydrophobic silica as an external additive was mixed in 2000 cycles for 30 seconds in a Henschel mixer for 3 cycles, followed by hydrophobic oxidation. An additional 0.7 parts by mass of titanium was added, and additional mixing treatment was performed in 1500 rpm × 30 seconds in 2 cycles to produce “Toner 9”.

(Production Example 24)
-Production of Toner 10-
<Synthesis of toner binder>
724 parts by mass of bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2-mole adduct, 276 parts by mass of isophthalic acid, and 2 parts by mass of dibutyltin oxide were placed in a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling pipe, a stirrer, and a nitrogen introduction pipe. For 8 hours. Next, after reacting at a reduced pressure of 10 to 15 mmHg for 5 hours, the mixture was cooled to 160 ° C., 32 parts by mass of phthalic anhydride was added thereto, and the mixture was reacted for 2 hours. Subsequently, it cooled to 80 degreeC and reacted with 188 mass parts of isophorone diisocyanate in ethyl acetate for 2 hours, and the isocyanate containing prepolymer (1) was obtained.
Next, 267 parts by mass of the obtained isocyanate-containing prepolymer (1) and 14 parts by mass of isophoronediamine were reacted at 50 ° C. for 2 hours to obtain a urea-modified polyester (1) having a weight average molecular weight of 64,000. .
In the same manner as above, 724 parts by mass of bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2-mole adduct and 276 parts by mass of terephthalic acid were polycondensed at 230 ° C. for 8 hours under normal pressure. Next, the reaction was performed at a reduced pressure of 10 to 15 mmHg for 5 hours to obtain an unmodified polyester (a) having a peak molecular weight of 5,000. Next, 200 parts by mass of the urea-modified polyester (1) and 800 parts by mass of the unmodified polyester (a) are dissolved in 2,000 parts by mass of an ethyl acetate / MEK (1/1) mixed solvent, and mixed to obtain a toner binder. An ethyl acetate / MEK solution of (1) was obtained. A part of this was dried under reduced pressure to isolate the toner binder (1). The toner binder (1) obtained had a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 62 ° C.

Next, in a beaker, 240 parts by mass of the ethyl acetate / MEK solution of the toner binder (1), 20 parts by mass of pentaerythritol tetrabehenate (melting point: 81 ° C., melt viscosity: 25 cps), and C.I. I. 4 parts by weight of Pigment Yellow 154 pigment was added, stirred at 12,000 rpm with a TK homomixer at 60 ° C., and uniformly dissolved and dispersed. In a beaker, 706 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water, 294 parts by mass of 10% hydroxyapatite suspension (manufactured by Nippon Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Supertite 10) and 0.2 parts by mass of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate are dissolved uniformly. did.
Next, the temperature was raised to 60 ° C., and the toner material solution was added and stirred for 10 minutes while stirring at 12,000 rpm with a TK homomixer. Next, this mixed liquid is transferred to a stir bar and a Kolben equipped with a thermometer, and the temperature is raised to 98 ° C. to remove the solvent. As with the toner 1, washing, drying, fluorination treatment, drying are performed, and toner base particles are obtained. 10 was obtained. With respect to 100 parts by mass of the obtained [toner base particle 10], 1.5 parts by mass of hydrophobic silica and 0.7 parts by mass of hydrophobic titanium oxide as external additives are 2,000 rpm × 30 seconds using a Henschel mixer. Mixing treatment was performed in 5 cycles to produce “Toner 10”.

<Measurement of residual ratio of titanium oxide fine particles or silica fine particles>
The content X and residual amount Y of titanium oxide fine particles or silica fine particles in the toner were measured by fluorescent X-ray analysis. A calibration curve is prepared in advance by fluorescent X-ray analysis using a toner with a clear content of titanium oxide fine particles or silica fine particles. Using this calibration curve, the content of inorganic fine particles in the toner base particles is analyzed by fluorescent X-ray analysis. Seek by law. As the fluorescent X-ray apparatus, for example, ZSX-100E manufactured by RIGAKU Corporation was used.

<Measurement of fluorine content in toner>
The fluorine content in each toner (toner base particles) was measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) according to the following measuring apparatus and measurement conditions. Fluorine atoms were present in the region of the extreme surface about several nm from the toner particle surface.
[Measurement equipment and measurement conditions]
Apparatus: PHI 1600S type X-ray photoelectron spectrometer X-ray source: MgKα (400 W)
・ Analysis area: 0.8 × 2.0mm
Pretreatment: The sample was packed in an aluminum pan and measured by adhering it to a sample holder with a carbon sheet.
-Surface atom concentration calculation: The relative sensitivity factor provided by PHI was used. The obtained result is atomic% (number of atoms%).

Example 1
7 parts by mass of “Toner 1” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 1” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Example 2)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 2” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 2” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Example 3)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 1” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 3” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Comparative Example 1)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 1” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 4” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Comparative Example 2)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 1” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 5” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

Example 4
7 parts by mass of “Toner 1” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 6” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Example 5)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 1” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 7” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Example 6)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 1” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 8” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Example 7)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 1” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 9” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Example 8)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 3” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 1” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

Example 9
7 parts by mass of “Toner 4” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 1” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Comparative Example 3)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 1” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 10” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Example 10)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 1” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 11” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Comparative Example 4)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 1” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 12” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Comparative Example 5)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 5” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 1” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Comparative Example 6)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 6” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 1” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Example 11)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 7” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 1” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Example 12)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 8” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 1” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Example 13)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 9” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 1” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Example 14)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 1” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 13” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

(Example 15)
7 parts by mass of “Toner 10” and 93 parts by mass of “Carrier 13” were mixed and stirred to prepare a developer having a toner concentration of 7% by mass.

  Next, the obtained developer was evaluated for carrier adhesion, additive embedding property, image density, and durability (charge reduction amount, resistance change amount) as follows. The results are shown in Tables 3 and 4.

<Carrier adhesion>
A developer is set on a commercially available digital full color printer (IPCO CX8200, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), the background potential is fixed at 150 V, and the number of carriers attached to the surface of the photoconductor on which the imageless chart is developed is observed with a loupe. 5 fields were counted, and the average number of adhered carriers per 100 cm ² was taken as the carrier adhesion amount.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
◎: 20 or less ○: 21 or more and 60 or less △: 61 or more and 80 or less ×: 81 or more Note that ◎ ○ △ is acceptable and × is unacceptable.

<Image density>
After running 300,000 image charts with a 50% image area in monochrome mode and outputting the solid image on 6000 paper manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd., the image density was measured by X-Rite (manufactured by X-Rite). And evaluated according to the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
◎: Measurement value is 1.8 or more and less than 2.2 ○: Measurement value is 1.4 or more and less than 1.8 Δ: Measurement value is 1.2 or more and less than 1.4 ×: Measurement value is less than 1.2

<Builtability of external additives>
After storage for 1 week in an environment of 40 ° C. and 80%, the toner surface after stirring for 1 hour in the developing unit of a commercially available digital full color printer (manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd., IPSiO CX8200) is subjected to FE-SEM (Hitachi). Observation was made with a field emission scanning electron microscope S-4200 manufactured by Seisakusho, and the buried state of the external additive was observed and evaluated according to the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
(Double-circle): It is in the state which can hardly confirm burial.
○: Although not all, it is in a state where a part of the burial is confirmed.
Δ: Most of the external additives are buried, but the presence of the external additives can be confirmed on the toner surface.
X: Almost all of the external additive is buried, and the presence of the external additive on the toner surface cannot be confirmed.

<Durability>
A developer was set on a commercially available digital full color printer (IPSiO CX 8200, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.), and a running evaluation of 300,000 sheets in a single color was performed. The determination was made based on the charge reduction amount and resistance reduction amount of the carrier after the running.
Here, the spent spent on the carrier can be measured by the following method. The toner is ejected from the sampled developer, completely washed with a solvent that does not dissolve the coating layer, and the obtained carrier is measured. For example, it can be measured using ZSX-100E manufactured by RIGAKU Corporation.
[Charge reduction amount]
The amount of charge reduction was measured by a general blow-off method [manufactured by Toshiba Chemical Co., Ltd .: TB-200] for a sample that was mixed and frictionally charged at a ratio of 5% by mass of toner to 95% by mass of the initial carrier. This is the amount obtained by subtracting the charge amount (Q2) measured by the same method as the above method from the charge amount (Q1) from the carrier from which the toner in the developer after running was removed by the blow-off device. The target value is within 10.0 (μc / g).
[Resistance change value]
The amount of change in resistance is a value (R1) obtained by converting an initial carrier between resistance measurement parallel electrodes: electrodes having a gap of 2 mm, applying a DC 250V, and measuring a resistance value after 30 seconds with a high resist meter into a volume resistivity. The amount obtained by subtracting the value (R2) of the carrier obtained by removing the toner in the developer after running by the blow-off device from the resistance measurement method in the same manner as in the resistance measurement method. The target value is within an absolute value of 3.0 [log (Ω · cm)]. In addition, the cause of the resistance change is scraping of the binder resin film of the carrier, spent toner component, large particle detachment in the carrier coating layer, and the like, and the resistance change amount can be suppressed by reducing these. .

From the results of Tables 3 and 4, for Examples 1 to 15, good results were obtained within the range of target values in all evaluation items of image density, carrier adhesion, charge reduction amount, and resistance reduction amount. .
On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1 to 6, resistance fluctuations and charge reduction occurred, and the results were not usable practically.

  The developer of the present invention produces a high-definition image without occurrence of carrier adhesion and good image density reproducibility, and changes in charge amount and resistance are small. Therefore, a copy image generated as the number of copies increases. Image quality degradation is greatly improved, and a good image can be maintained over a long period of time. Therefore, it is suitably used for a container containing a developer, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the carrier resistance value and the carrier adhesion occurrence toner concentration. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example in which the image forming method of the present invention is carried out by the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view showing another example in which the image forming method of the present invention is carried out by the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of carrying out the image forming method of the present invention by the image forming apparatus (tandem color image forming apparatus) of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged schematic explanatory view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of an image forming apparatus having a process cartridge using the developer of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an example of the process cartridge of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Process cartridge 2 Charging means 3 Developing means 4 Photoconductor 5 Cleaning means 10 Photoconductor (photosensitive drum)
10K black photoconductor 10Y yellow photoconductor 10M magenta photoconductor 10C cyan photoconductor 14 support roller 15 support roller 16 support roller 17 intermediate transfer cleaning device 18 image forming means 20 charging roller 21 exposure device 22 secondary transfer device 23 Roller 24 Secondary transfer belt 25 Fixing device 26 Fixing belt 27 Pressure belt 28 Sheet reversing device 30 Exposure device 32 Contact glass 33 First traveling member 34 Second traveling member 35 Imaging lens 36 Reading sensor 40 Developing device 41 Developing belt 42K Developer container 42Y Developer container 42M Developer container 42C Developer container 43K Developer supply roller 43Y Developer supply roller 43M Developer supply roller 43C Developer supply roller 44K Developer roller 44Y Developer roller 44M Developer Roller 44C Development roller 45K Black development unit 45Y Yellow development unit 45M Magenta development unit 45C Cyan development unit 49 Registration roller 50 Intermediate transfer member 51 Roller 52 Separation roller 53 Manual feed path 54 Manual feed tray 55 Switching claw 56 Discharge roller 57 discharge tray 58 corona charger 60 cleaning device 61 developing device 62 transfer charger 63 photoconductor cleaning device 64 discharger 70 discharger lamp 80 transfer roller 90 cleaning device 95 transfer paper 100 image forming device 101 photoconductor 102 charging means 103 exposure 104 Developing means 105 Transfer body 106 Transfer means 107 Cleaning means 120 Tandem developer 121 Heating roller 122 Fixing roller 123 Fixing belt 124 Pressure roller 125 Heating source 126 Ngurora 127 Temperature sensor 130 platen 142 paper feed roller 143 paper bank 144 sheet cassette 145 separating roller 146 feed path 147 transport rollers 148 feed path 150 copier main body 200 feeder table 300 Scanner 400 automatic document feeder (ADF)

Claims (13)

A developer containing toner and a carrier,
The toner is obtained by externally adding at least two kinds of inorganic fine particles to toner base particles containing at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a fluorine-containing compound, and fluorine by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) on the toner surface. The atomic content is 2 to 30 atomic percent,
One of the inorganic fine particles is titanium oxide fine particles, the content of the titanium oxide fine particles in the toner is Xa (mass%), and after ultrasonication at 25 kHz for 1 minute in a dispersion containing a surfactant. When the residual amount of titanium oxide fine particles remaining in the toner is Ya (mass%), the residual ratio of titanium oxide fine particles [(Ya / Xa) × 100] is 80 to 95%.
One of the inorganic fine particles is silica fine particles, the content of the silica fine particles in the toner is Xb (mass%), and the toner is subjected to ultrasonic treatment at 25 kHz for 1 minute in a dispersion containing a surfactant. When the residual amount of silica fine particles remaining in Yb is Yb (mass%), the residual rate of silica fine particles [(Yb / Xb) × 100] is 70 to 85%,
The carrier has a core and a coating layer containing at least a binder resin and particles on the surface of the core, and the carrier has a volume specific resistance of 10 to 16 [log (Ω · cm)]. Yes, the volume resistivity of the particles is 10 ( Ω · cm) or more , and the coverage of the particles with respect to the core material is 70% or more, and the volume average particle diameter (D) of the particles, A developer, wherein the thickness (h) of the coating layer satisfies the following formula: 0.5 ≦ (D / h) ≦ 1.5. The developer according to claim 1, wherein the particles in the coating layer of the carrier are at least one selected from inorganic oxide particles. The developer according to claim 2, wherein the inorganic oxide particles are aluminum oxide. The developer according to claim 1, wherein the binder resin is a silicone resin. The developer according to claim 1, wherein the carrier has a volume average particle diameter of 20 to 65 μm. The developer according to claim 1, wherein the binder resin in the coating layer of the carrier is at least one of an acrylic resin and a silicone resin. 1,000 (10 ³ The magnetic moment of the carrier when a magnetic field of / 4π · A / m) is applied is 40 to 90 (Am ² / Kg). The developer according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The developer according to claim 1, wherein the toner is at least one selected from black toner, cyan toner, magenta toner, and yellow toner. The developer according to claim 1, wherein the fluorine-containing compound is at least one selected from fluorine-containing quaternary ammonium salt compounds. The developer according to claim 9, wherein the fluorine-containing quaternary ammonium salt compound is represented by the following structural formula (1).
  However, in the structural formula (1), Rf represents a perfluoroalkyl group. R ¹ Represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a hydrocarbon group. R ² ~ R ⁴ May be the same as or different from each other, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a hydrocarbon group. X represents a divalent organic group. Y represents a counter ion. m represents an integer of 1 or more. 11. The electrostatic latent image carrier, electrostatic latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and developing the electrostatic latent image according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Development means for forming a visible image by developing using an agent, transfer means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and fixing means for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium. An image forming apparatus. An electrostatic latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic latent image carrier, and the electrostatic latent image is developed using the developer according to claim 1 and visible. An image forming method comprising: a developing step for forming an image; a transfer step for transferring the visible image to a recording medium; and a fixing step for fixing the transferred image transferred to the recording medium. An electrostatic latent image carrier and a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrostatic latent image carrier using the developer according to claim 1 to form a visible image. And a process cartridge.