JP4810441B2 - Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus including the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  The demand for higher speed and higher image quality of electrophotographic apparatuses is further increased, and in particular, the number of halftone images and solid images is increasing due to colorization, and the image quality thereof is increasing year by year. For example, emphasis is placed on the uniformity of density, color, etc. in a single image, and on the stability of continuous paper feed, and it is becoming much stricter than the allowable range of monochrome printers and monochrome copying machines. .

  In particular, the tolerance for ghost images such as positive ghost images, which are a phenomenon in which the image density of the halftone portion corresponding to the image pattern increases, and negative ghost images, which is a phenomenon in which the image density decreases, is becoming stricter. ing. In these ghost images, by using a charge generation material with high sensitivity, the number of carriers is large, and electrons after holes are injected into the charge transport layer are likely to remain in the charge generation layer or the base layer. It is thought to be. This phenomenon is considered to be a particularly remarkable phenomenon in recent high-sensitivity charge generation materials.

  On the other hand, an electrophotographic apparatus that employs a contact charging method in which a voltage is directly applied to a charging member disposed in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member to charge the electrophotographic photosensitive member is widely used. In particular, a roller-shaped charging member as a charging member is brought into contact with the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a voltage is applied by superimposing a DC voltage and an AC voltage, or a method of applying only a DC voltage is used. The method of charging is the mainstream. When superimposing a DC voltage and an AC voltage, the following demerits are listed. First, a DC power supply and an AC power supply are required, which increases the cost of the device itself. In addition, the device size becomes larger than the DC voltage alone. Furthermore, the durability of the charging member and the photoconductor is reduced by consuming a large amount of alternating current. Therefore, it can be said that a method of applying only a DC voltage (DC charging method) is more preferable in consideration of device cost reduction, device size reduction, and high durability. However, in the electrophotographic apparatus using the DC charging method, the charging uniformity of the surface potential of the electrophotographic photosensitive member at the time of charging is inferior to the case where the DC voltage and the AC voltage are superimposed. For this reason, a stripe-like defective image (charging stripe) in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member due to uneven charging is generated in a halftone image or the like, which is a problem in terms of the image. As disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the charging stripe has been improved from the surface of the charging member, such as control of the surface roughness and current value of the charging member. Improvement from the aspect is also desired.

  These charging stripes, like ghosts, are thought to be due in part to the fact that electrons remain in the charge generation layer or underlayer before reaching the substrate.

As a conventional technique for suppressing the ghost phenomenon, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, by adding a naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid diimide compound, which is an electron transport material, to the charge generation layer, it is possible to reduce residual electrons, The effect is demonstrated. However, even in a low-temperature and low-humidity environment, even when an electrophotographic photosensitive member containing naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid diimide in the charge generation layer is mounted on an electrophotographic apparatus using a DC charging method with a fast cycle time equipped with pre-exposure. , Charging streaks will occur. As described above, in the conventional technology, the effect of suppressing the generation of the charging stripe while suppressing the generation of the ghost image has not been sufficient.
JP 2004-061640 A JP 2004-038056 A JP-A-2005-208618

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and is excellent in ghost suppression effect and is less susceptible to generation of charging stripes even when pre-exposure is mounted and a DC charging method is adopted. Provide the body. Also provided are a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus provided with the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

The electrophotographic photoreceptor according to the present invention is:
In an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer on a conductive support,
The charge generation layer has a charge generation material and the following structural formula (1), which has two peaks when analyzed by liquid chromatography.

(In the formula, at least one of X ₁ , X ₂ , X ₃ and X ₄ represents a nitro group, and other than the nitro group represents a hydrogen atom.)
It contains the naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid diimide shown by these.

  A process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention include the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  According to the present invention, it is excellent in the ghost suppression effect, and even if it is mounted on an electrophotographic apparatus equipped with a pre-exposure and adopting a DC charging method, it is difficult to generate charging stripes.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  The naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid diimide represented by the following structural formula (1) having two peaks when analyzed by the liquid chromatography method of the present invention will be described.

(In the formula, at least one of X ₁ , X ₂ , X ₃ and X ₄ represents a nitro group, and other than the nitro group represents a hydrogen atom.)

  In the present invention, naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid diimide having two peaks when analyzed by liquid chromatography is a naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid diimide containing two compounds having the same structure but different polarities. It means that there is. Examples of such naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid diimide include naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid diimide having a stereoisomeric relationship. The separation conditions for the liquid chromatography are not particularly limited as long as they can separate those having the same structural formula but different polarities. For example, such separation conditions include conditions that can separate those having an optical isomer relationship. Examples of measurement conditions for such liquid chromatography are as follows.

Equipment used: Hitachi L7000 series high-speed chromatograph (L-7100 pump, L-7200 autosampler, L-7300 column oven, L-7400 detector (UV290 nm), D-2500 type chromatographic data processor)
Column: ODS column with an inner diameter of 4.6 mm and a length of 15 cm (“X Terra MS column” manufactured by Nippon Waters Co., Ltd.)
Mobile phase: methanol / water = 3/1
Eluent flow rate: 1.0 ml / min Temperature: 25 ° C
Sample: 0.5 mg of naphthalenetetracarboxylic imide dissolved in 2 ml of ethyl acetate

  As naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid containing two compounds having the same structure and different polarities, the following are preferable. That is, it is preferable that naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid has a peak area ratio of 0.40 or more and 2.5 or less of the front component and the rear component of each of the two peaks when analyzed by liquid chromatography. When the peak area ratio is less than 0.40, the amount of the rear component decreases. When the peak area ratio exceeds 2.5, the amount of the front component decreases, and the effect may not be sufficiently obtained. The peak division is calculated by vertical division processing.

  Ghosts are thought to be caused by charge trapping by exposure light, but it is not clear how the traps are acting, but the following is presumed. That is, in the portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member that has received the exposure light, holes are injected into the charge transport layer (CTL), and electrons escape to the substrate. In this case, electrons remain in the charge generation layer (CGL), the underlayer, and the interface such as the CGL / underlayer, and the barrier property of holes from the substrate is reduced in the subsequent charging. This causes a positive ghost.

  Charging stripes are particularly prominent during pre-exposure, so that electrons generated by exposure do not escape from the substrate, but remain in the CGL, the underlayer, and the CGL / underlayer interface. The hole barrier property is reduced. As a result, it is considered that the charging is not uniform.

  When naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid diimide is contained in the charge generation layer for the purpose of reducing the residual of electrons, the effect on ghost is exhibited and the charging stripe is also improved. However, charging streaks have occurred although they are effective when mounted on an electrophotographic apparatus employing a DC charging system equipped with pre-exposure. Therefore, in order to further reduce the residual of electrons, studies were made to contain two types of naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid diimide. As a result, when the compatibility of the two types of naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid diimide was poor, or when the reduction potentials were different, the effect of suppressing the generation of charging stripes was not observed. Therefore, in order to improve both the compatibility and reduction potential problems, it is considered that a naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid diimide having a structure that is as similar as possible and whose reduction potential is approximated is effective. That is, it is considered that two types of naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid diimides having the same structure and different polarities, which are the structures of the present invention, were effective.

<Electrophotographic photoreceptor according to the present invention>
Next, the electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention will be described in detail.

(Conductive support)
Examples of the conductive support used in the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention include metals such as aluminum, nickel, copper, gold, and iron. In addition, a thin film of a metal such as aluminum, silver or gold or a conductive material such as indium oxide or tin oxide is formed on an insulating support such as an alloy made of these metals, polyester, polycarbonate, polyimide or glass. Is mentioned. Further, carbon and conductive fillers dispersed in a resin to impart conductivity can be mentioned. The surface of the conductive support may be subjected to an electrochemical treatment such as anodization in order to improve electrical characteristics or adhesion. Also, the surface of the conductive support is chemically treated with a solution obtained by dissolving a metal salt compound or a fluorine compound metal salt in an alkaline aqueous solution or an acidic aqueous solution mainly composed of phosphoric acid or tannic acid. It may be.

  In addition, when the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention is used in a printer that uses exposure light such as single-wavelength laser light, the surface of the conductive support is appropriately roughened in order to suppress interference fringes. May be. Specifically, the support surface may be subjected to treatments such as honing, blasting, cutting, and electric field polishing. Alternatively, a conductive film made of a conductive metal oxide and a binder resin may be provided on aluminum and an aluminum alloy.

  As the honing treatment, any of a dry processing method and a wet processing method may be used. The wet honing treatment is a method in which a powdery abrasive is suspended in a liquid such as water and sprayed onto the surface of the substrate at a high speed to roughen the surface. The amount, type, shape, size, hardness, specific gravity, suspension temperature and the like can be controlled. Similarly, the dry honing process is a method in which an abrasive is sprayed onto the surface of a conductive substrate with air at a high speed to roughen the surface, and the surface roughness can be controlled in the same manner as the wet honing process. Examples of the abrasive used in these wet or dry honing processes include particles such as silicon carbide, alumina, iron, and glass beads.

(Conductive layer)
A conductive layer may be provided between the support and the photosensitive layer or intermediate layer for the purpose of preventing interference fringes due to exposure light scattering such as laser light and covering scratches on the support.

  The conductive layer can be formed by applying a dispersion of conductive particles such as carbon black, metal particles, and metal oxide particles in a binder resin. Suitable metal oxide particles include zinc oxide and titanium oxide particles. Also, barium sulfate particles can be used as the conductive particles. A conductive layer may be provided on the conductive particles.

  Examples of the binder resin used for the conductive layer include a phenol resin, a polyurethane resin, and a polyamide resin. These have good adhesion to the support, improve the dispersibility of the conductive particles, and have good solvent resistance after film formation. Among these, a phenol resin, a polyurethane resin, and a polyamic acid resin are preferable.

  Further, the conductive layer may contain fluorine or antimony as necessary, and a leveling agent may be added to improve the surface property of the conductive layer.

(Charge generation layer)
In the charge generation layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor according to the present invention, examples of the charge generation material include the following.

(1) Azo pigments such as monoazo, disazo, and trisazo (2) Phthalocyanine pigments such as metal phthalocyanine and non-metal phthalocyanine (3) Indigo pigments such as indigo and thioindigo (4) Perylene anhydride, perylene Perylene pigments such as acid imides (5) Polycyclic quinone pigments such as anthraquinone and pyrenequinone (6) Squalilium dyes (7) Pyryllium salts and thiapyrylium salts (8) Triphenylmethane dyes (9) Selenium and selenium -Inorganic materials such as tellurium and amorphous silicon (10) Quinacridone pigments (11) Azurenium salt pigments (12) Cyanine dyes (13) Xanthene dyes (14) Quinone imine dyes (15) Styryl dyes (16) Cadmium sulfide (17) Oxidation zinc

  In particular, a metal phthalocyanine pigment is preferable, and a hydroxygallium phthalocyanine pigment is particularly preferable. The hydroxygallium phthalocyanine crystal preferably has the following characteristics in characteristic X-ray diffraction using CuKα as a radiation source.

Those having strong diffraction peaks at Bragg angles (2θ ± 0.2 °) of 7.3 °, 24.9 ° and 28.1 ° Bragg angles (2θ ± 0.2 °) of 7.5 °, 9. Strong diffraction peaks at 9 °, 12.5 °, 16.3 °, 18.6 °, 25.1 ° and 28.3 °

  The charge generation layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor according to the present invention may contain other electron transport materials.

  Examples of the binder resin to be mixed with the charge generation material include, but are not limited to, the following.

Butyral resin Polyester resin Polycarbonate resin Polyarylate resin Polystyrene resin Polyvinyl methacrylate resin Polyvinyl acrylate resin Polyvinyl acetate resin Polyvinyl chloride resin Polyamide resin Polyurethane resin Silicone resin Alkyd resin Epoxy resin Cellulose resin Melamine resin

  In particular, the binder resin is preferably a butyral resin.

  The film thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably from 0.01 to 2 μm, and more preferably from 0.05 to 0.3 μm.

  The proportion of naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid diimide in the charge generation layer is preferably 10% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less, and particularly 21% by mass or more and 40% by mass with respect to the mass of the charge generation material in the charge generation layer. % Or less is more preferable. If the amount is less than 10% by mass, the effects of the present invention may not be sufficiently obtained. If the amount exceeds 60% by mass, there is a problem of decrease in sensitivity and increase in residual power due to decrease in solubility and generation efficiency. May occur.

  The charge generation layer can be formed by applying a charge generation layer coating solution obtained by dispersing a charge generation material, naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid diimide together with a binder resin and a solvent, if necessary, and then drying it. it can. Examples of the dispersion method include a method using a homogenizer, an ultrasonic disperser, a ball mill, a sand mill, a roll mill, a vibration mill, an attritor, and a liquid collision type high-speed disperser. The ratio between the charge generating material and the binder resin is preferably in the range of 1: 0.5 to 1: 4 (mass ratio).

  The solvent used in the coating solution for the charge generation layer is selected from the solubility and dispersion stability of the binder resin and charge generation material to be used. As the organic solvent, alcohol, sulfoxide, ketone, ether, ester, aliphatic A halogenated hydrocarbon and an aromatic compound are mentioned.

  In addition, various sensitizers, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, and plasticizers can be added to the charge generation layer as necessary.

(Charge transport layer)
The charge transport layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor according to the present invention has a suitable charge transport material. Examples of the charge transport material include the following.

High molecular weight compounds such as poly-N-vinylcarbazole and polystyrylanthracene, and heterocyclic compounds having condensed polycyclic aromatic ring Heterocyclic compounds such as pyrazoline, imidazole, oxazole, triazole and carbazole Triarylalkanes such as triphenylmethane Derivatives Triarylamine derivatives such as triphenylamine Low molecular weight compounds such as phenylenediamine derivatives, N-phenylcarbazole derivatives, stilbene derivatives, hydrazone derivatives

  For the charge transport layer, a solution in which these charge transport materials are dispersed / dissolved in a solvent together with an appropriate binder resin (which can be selected from the above-described resin for charge generation layer) is applied by the above-mentioned known method and dried. Can be formed. In this case, the ratio of the charge transport material to the binder resin is such that the mass of the charge transport material is preferably 20 to 100, more preferably 30 to 100, assuming that the total mass of both is 100. If the amount of the charge transporting material is less than these ranges, the charge transporting ability is lowered, resulting in a problem of reduced sensitivity and increased residual potential.

  The thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably in the range of 1 to 50 μm, more preferably 3 to 30 μm.

(Other configurations)
In the electrophotographic photoreceptor according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, a surface protective layer may be further formed on the charge transport layer.

  The surface protective layer may be a single resin, or may be added with the above-described charge transport material or a conductive material such as conductive powder for the purpose of lowering the residual potential. Examples of the conductive powder include the following.

Metal powder such as aluminum, copper, nickel, silver, flaky metal powder and short metal fiber Conductive metal oxide such as antimony oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide Polypyrrole, polyaniline, polymer electrolyte, etc. Polymer conductive agent Carbon black, carbon fiber, graphite powder, organic and inorganic electrolytes Conductive powder whose surface is coated with these conductive materials

<Process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention>
The process cartridge and the electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention have the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention. The outline is shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows an example of a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a process cartridge according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member, which is driven to rotate at a predetermined peripheral speed in the direction of the arrow about the shaft 2.

  The peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 that is driven to rotate is uniformly charged to a predetermined positive or negative potential by the charging unit 3, and then exposure unit (not shown) such as slit exposure or laser beam scanning exposure. The exposure light (image exposure light) 4 output from is received. In this way, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the target image are sequentially formed on the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. The voltage applied to the charging unit 3 may be only a DC voltage or a DC voltage on which an AC voltage is superimposed.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is developed with the toner of the developing unit 5, and a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Next, the toner image formed and supported on the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is sequentially transferred onto a transfer material (for example, paper) 7 by a transfer bias from a transfer unit (transfer roller) 6. The transfer material 7 is taken out from a transfer material supply unit (not shown) and is synchronized with the rotation of the electrophotographic photoconductor 1 between the electrophotographic photoconductor 1 and the transfer unit 6 (contact portion). And may be fed.

  The transfer material 7 that has received the transfer of the toner image is separated from the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, introduced into the fixing means 8, and subjected to image fixing to be printed out of the apparatus as an image formed product (print, copy). Be out.

  The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 after the transfer of the toner image is cleaned by receiving a developer (toner) remaining after the transfer by a cleaning means (for example, a cleaning blade) 9. Further, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is further subjected to static elimination treatment with pre-exposure light 10 from a pre-exposure means (not shown), and then repeatedly used for image formation.

  The process cartridge according to the present invention includes a plurality of components such as the above-described electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the charging unit 3, the developing unit 5, the transfer unit 6, and the cleaning unit 9 in a container. It may be configured to be combined. The process cartridge may be configured to be detachable from an electrophotographic apparatus main body such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer. In FIG. 2, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, the contact charging unit 3, the developing unit 5 and the cleaning unit 9 are integrally supported to form a cartridge, and the guide unit 12 such as a rail of the electrophotographic apparatus main body is used for the electrophotography. The process cartridge 11 is detachable from the photographic apparatus main body.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to examples. In the examples, “parts” represents parts by mass.

(Synthesis Example 1)
[Synthesis of Exemplified Compounds (B-1) and (B-2)]
Under a nitrogen stream, 50 parts by mass of dimethylacetamide (DMAc) with the following materials added was heated and stirred at 140 ° C. for 24 hours.

1,4,5,8-Naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride 10 parts by mass 3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline 6.85 parts by mass 2-amino-5-nitrotoluene 5.67 parts by mass

  After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed with an evaporator to obtain a dark brown viscous product. This was washed with water and stirred for 1 hour while refluxing in 100 parts by mass of toluene. This was filtered, and the filtrate after filtration was separated and purified by silica gel column chromatography (the amount of silica gel was 100 parts by mass). As a developing solvent, toluene was used until the filtrate was filled, and then a toluene / hexane = 1/1 ratio was used.

  The obtained separated and purified product was treated with liquid chromatography under the following conditions.

Equipment used: Hitachi L7000 series high-speed chromatograph (L-7100 pump, L-7200 autosampler, L-7300 column oven, L-7400 detector (UV290 nm), D-2500 type chromatographic data processor)
Column: ODS column with an inner diameter of 4.6 mm and a length of 15 cm (“X Terra MS column” manufactured by Nippon Waters Co., Ltd.)
Mobile phase: methanol / water = 3/1
Eluent flow rate: 1.0 ml / min Temperature: 25 ° C
Sample: 0.5 mg of naphthalenetetracarboxylic imide dissolved in 2 ml of ethyl acetate

  During this treatment, the effluent until the 12.1 minute peak is not confirmed after the 12.1 minute peak is confirmed after injection, and the 13.7 minute peak is confirmed for 13.7 minutes. Each effluent was collected until no peak was confirmed. These effluents were concentrated with an evaporator to obtain crystals. For the effluent derived from both peaks, the operation of separation by liquid chromatography as described above was repeated again until only the respective peaks at 12.1 minutes and 13.7 minutes were detected. Finally, 2.5 parts by mass (showing the peak of 12.1 minutes) of the front component (the following exemplary compound (B-1)) of the yellowish white crystal and the rear component (the following exemplary compound (B-2) )) 2.0 parts by weight (showing a peak at 13.7 minutes).

  When mass spectrometry was performed on the pre-component and the post-component under the following conditions, the molecular weight of the pre-component and the post-component was 568 (as a peak top value), which was the same as the compound represented by the following structural formula (3) It was confirmed that.

Mass spectrometer: MALDI-TOF MS: Ultraflex manufactured by Bruker Daltonics
Acceleration voltage: 20 kV
Mode: Reflector
Molecular weight standard: Fullerene C ₆₀

(Synthesis Example 2)
[Exemplary compounds (C-1) and (C-2)]
Under a nitrogen stream, the following material added to 25 parts by mass of DMAc was heated and stirred at 140 ° C. for 8 hours.

1,4,5,8-Naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride 5 parts by mass 2-methyl-5-nitroaniline 2.83 parts by mass

  Thereafter, 3.43 parts by mass of 3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline was added, and the mixture was further heated and stirred at 140 ° C. for 40 hours. After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed with an evaporator to obtain a dark brown viscous product. This was washed with water and stirred for 1 hour while refluxing in 50 parts by mass of toluene. This was filtered, and the filtrate after filtration was separated and purified using silica gel column chromatography under the same conditions as in Synthesis Example 1.

  The obtained separated and purified product was subjected to the same conditions as in Synthesis Example 1 except that the peaks at 12.8 minutes and 13.3 minutes were used instead of the peaks at 12.1 minutes and 13.7 minutes. Processing was performed using liquid chromatography. As a result, 1.2 parts by weight (showing a peak of 12.8 minutes) and a rear component (the following exemplary compound (C-2)) of the yellowish white crystals respectively (the following exemplary compound (C-1)) ) 1.1 parts by mass (showing a peak at 13.3 minutes).

  Further, when mass analysis was performed on the front component and the rear component in the same manner as in Synthesis Example 1, the molecular weight of the front component and the rear component was 568 (as a peak top value), which is represented by the following structural formula (4). It was confirmed that it was the same as the compound.

(Other synthesis examples)
Hereafter, it synthesize | combined by the method similar to the synthesis example 1 and 2, or this, and the following exemplary compound (A-1) thru | or (D-2) was obtained. These compounds are shown in Table 1. These compounds are used in the following examples. In addition, Table 2 shows compounds (Exemplary Compounds (E) to (I)) used in the following Comparative Examples. In any of the exemplary compounds (E) to (I), compounds having different polarities cannot be obtained.

(Example 1)
An aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 30 mm and a length of 260.5 mm was ultrasonically washed with water as a support.

  Next, the following materials were mixed and dispersed for 2 hours in a sand mill apparatus using 1 mmφ glass beads to prepare a dispersion for the conductive layer.

40 parts of barium sulfate particles coated with oxygen-deficient SnO ₂ (powder resistivity 200Ω · cm, SnO ₂ coverage (mass ratio) is 60%)
Titanium oxide (trade name: TITANIX JR, manufactured by Teika Co., Ltd.) 8 parts Phenolic resin (as binder resin) (resin solid content 60%) 25 parts (trade name: Priorofen J-325, Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.) Made by Co., Ltd.)
Methoxypropanol 30 parts Methanol 30 parts

  The following materials were added to this dispersion and stirred to prepare a coating solution for a conductive layer.

Silicone resin particles (as surface roughness imparting material) 3.9 parts (trade name: Tospearl 120, manufactured by GE Toshiba Silicones Co., Ltd., average particle size 2 μm)
Silicone oil (as leveling agent) 0.002 parts (trade name: SH28PA, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd.)

  This conductive layer coating solution is dip-coated on a support in an environment of a temperature of 23 ° C. and a relative humidity of 60%, and is dried and thermally cured at 140 ° C. for 30 minutes, whereby a conductive film having a thickness of 20 μm is obtained. A layer was formed.

  Next, 5 parts of N-methoxymethylated 6 nylon was dissolved in 95 parts of methanol to prepare an undercoat layer coating material. This paint was applied on the conductive layer by a dip coating method and dried at 100 ° C. for 20 minutes to form a 0.5 μm undercoat layer.

  Next, as a charge generation layer coating material, first, the following materials were added to 250 parts of cyclohexanone and dispersed for 4 hours in a sand mill using glass beads having a diameter of 1 mm.

10 parts of crystalline form of hydroxygallium phthalocyanine (7.5 °, 9.9 °, 16.3 °, 18.6 °, 25.1 ° and 28 of Bragg angle 2θ ± 0.2 ° in CuKα characteristic X-ray diffraction) .. with a strong peak at 3 °)
The following structural formula (5) 0.1 part polyvinyl butyral resin 5 parts (trade name: ESREC BX-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.)

  Then, 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (A-1) and 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (A-2) were added and dissolved therein, and 250 parts of ethyl acetate was added thereto for dilution. The charge generation layer coating solution thus prepared was applied onto the undercoat layer and then dried at 100 ° C. for 10 minutes to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.16 μm.

  Next, the following materials were dissolved in a mixed solvent of 50 parts of monochlorobenzene and 30 parts of dichloromethane to prepare a coating solution for charge transport layer.

10 parts of a compound represented by the following structural formula (6) 10 parts of a polyarylate resin having a repeating unit of the following structural formula (7) (weight average molecular weight Mw≈115000)

  In addition, the weight average molecular weight is measured as follows according to a conventional method.

  That is, the measurement target was put in tetrahydrofuran and allowed to stand for several hours, and then the measurement target resin and tetrahydrofuran were mixed well while shaking (mixed until the measurement target resin was not united), and allowed to stand for 12 hours or more. .

  Then, what passed the sample processing filter Mysori disk H-25-5 by Tosoh Corporation was made into the sample for GPC (gel permeation chromatography).

  Next, the column is stabilized in a heat chamber at 40 ° C., tetrahydrofuran is flowed through the column at this temperature at a flow rate of 1 mL / min, 10 μL of GPC sample is injected, and the weight average molecular weight of the measurement target resin Was measured. A column TSKgel Super HM-M manufactured by Tosoh Corporation was used as the column.

  In measuring the weight average molecular weight of the measurement target, the molecular weight distribution of the measurement target resin was calculated from the relationship between the logarithmic value of the calibration curve prepared from several types of monodisperse polystyrene standard samples and the number of counts. As standard polystyrene samples for preparing a calibration curve, 10 molecular weight monodisperse polystyrenes having the following molecular weights were used. 3,500, 12,000, 40,000, 75,000, 98,000, 120,000, 240,000, 500,000, 800,000 and 1,800,000. An RI (refractive index) detector was used as the detector.

  The charge transport layer coating solution thus prepared was applied onto the above-described charge generation layer by a dip coating method and dried at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of 17 μm.

  The electrophotographic photoreceptor thus prepared is allowed to stand for 24 hours under normal temperature and normal humidity (temperature 23 ° C., relative humidity 50%) and low temperature and low humidity (temperature 12 ° C., relative humidity 10%). Image evaluation was performed under the environment.

  The image evaluation was performed by mounting an electrophotographic photosensitive member on an apparatus obtained by modifying LBP “Laser Jet 2510” (DC contact charging) manufactured by Hewlett-Packard as follows, and setting the following process conditions.

  As a modification, the process speed is changed to 200 mm / second so that the pre-exposure light can be turned on / off, the amount of exposure light (image exposure light) is variable, the dark portion potential is -500 V, bright The partial potential was -150V.

  The image was evaluated as follows.

  The produced electrophotographic photosensitive member was attached to a cyan process cartridge of LBP-2510 and attached to a cyan process cartridge station.

  As shown in FIG. 1, after the black square image was put out at the head of the image, a halftone image printed with a 1-dot Keima pattern was created. The image was a solid white image on the first sheet, and after the ten pattern images were continuously printed, the tenth of the ten consecutive images was evaluated. This was evaluated in an on state and an off state.

[Ghost evaluation]
The evaluation of the ghost was performed by comparing the density of the portion of the image where the ghost appeared using a spectral densitometer X-Rite 504/508 (manufactured by X-Rite Co., Ltd.). That is, a ghost image is obtained by measuring a density obtained by subtracting an image density that is not a ghost portion from an image density of a ghost portion of an image printed with a one-dot Keima pattern with respect to an image with pre-exposure turned off. 10 points were measured, and the average value of these 10 points was obtained.

  It should be noted that when the density obtained by subtracting the image density that is not the ghost part from the image density of the ghost part is 0.05 or more, there is a level that is apparently different. There is no difference.

  The evaluation of the charging stripe was performed by sensuously observing the image obtained with the pre-exposure turned off according to the following criteria.

A: No charged streaks B: Little charged streaks C: Slightly charged streaks observed D: Charged streaks observed E: Charging streaks clearly understood

  Such an evaluation was performed immediately after leaving the electrophotographic photosensitive member obtained as described above for 24 hours in each environment (referred to as “initial” in the table below) and after durability (described below). In the table, it is referred to as “after durability”). When paper is being passed (or during durability), with full pre-exposure turned on, full color print operation is performed in an intermittent mode in which a character image with a printing rate of 2% for each color is output once every 20 seconds on letter paper. Immediately after outputting 25,000 images, similar images were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 3.

  Separately, 0.25 mg of exemplary compound (A-1) and 0.25 mg of exemplary compound (A-2) were dissolved in 2 ml of ethyl acetate, and the peak area when liquid chromatography was measured under the above measurement conditions The ratio (pre-component / post-component) was determined. The results are shown in Table 3.

(Example 2)
In Example 1, it replaced with exemplary compound (A-1) and (A-2), and performed similarly to Example 1 except having used exemplary compound (B-1) and (B-2), respectively. The results are shown in Table 3. Moreover, the chart of the liquid chromatography obtained about exemplary compound (B-1) and (B-2) is shown in FIG.

(Example 3)
In Example 1, it replaced with exemplary compound (A-1) and (A-2), and carried out similarly to Example 1 except having used exemplary compound (C-1) and (C-2), respectively. The results are shown in Table 3.

Example 4
In Example 1, it replaced with exemplary compound (A-1) and (A-2), and performed similarly to Example 1 except having used exemplary compound (D-1) and (D-2), respectively. The results are shown in Table 3.

(Example 5)
Example 2 is the same as Example 2 except that 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (B-1) and 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (B-2) were changed to 0.6 parts and 2.4 parts, respectively. The same was done. The results are shown in Table 3. Separately, 0.1 mg of exemplary compound (B-1) and 0.4 mg of exemplary compound (B-2) were dissolved in 2 ml of ethyl acetate, and liquid chromatography was measured under the above measurement conditions. The peak area ratio (previous component / rear component) was determined. The results are shown in Table 3.

(Example 6)
Example 2 is the same as Example 2 except that 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (B-1) and 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (B-2) were changed to 0.9 parts and 2.1 parts, respectively. The same was done. The results are shown in Table 3. Separately, 0.15 mg of exemplary compound (B-1) and 0.35 mg of exemplary compound (B-2) were dissolved in 2 ml of ethyl acetate, and liquid chromatography was measured under the above measurement conditions. The peak area ratio (previous component / rear component) was determined. The results are shown in Table 3.

(Example 7)
Example 2 is the same as Example 2 except that 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (B-1) and 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (B-2) were replaced with 1.2 parts and 1.8 parts, respectively. The same was done. The results are shown in Table 3. Separately, a sample was prepared by dissolving 0.2 mg of exemplified compound (B-1) and 0.3 mg of exemplified compound (B-2) in 2 ml of ethyl acetate, and liquid chromatography was measured under the above measurement conditions. The peak area ratio (previous component / rear component) was determined. The results are shown in Table 3.

(Example 8)
In Example 2, except that 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (B-1) and 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (B-2) were changed to 2.1 parts and 0.9 parts, respectively, Example 2 and The same was done. The results are shown in Table 3. Separately, a sample was prepared by dissolving 0.35 mg of exemplary compound (B-1) and 0.15 mg of exemplary compound (B-2) in 2 ml of ethyl acetate, and liquid chromatography was measured under the above measurement conditions. The peak area ratio (previous component / rear component) was determined. The results are shown in Table 3.

Example 9
Example 2 is the same as Example 2 except that 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (B-1) and 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (B-2) were changed to 2.4 parts and 0.6 parts, respectively. The same was done. The results are shown in Table 3. Separately, a sample was prepared by dissolving 0.4 mg of exemplary compound (B-1) and 0.1 mg of exemplary compound (B-2) in 2 ml of ethyl acetate, and liquid chromatography was measured under the above measurement conditions. The peak area ratio (previous component / rear component) was determined. The results are shown in Table 3.

(Examples 10 to 13)
In Example 2, 1.5 parts of the addition amount of the exemplified compound (B-1) and the exemplified compound (B-2) in the charge generation layer are 0.8 parts, 1.1 parts, 2.0 parts and The same operation as in Example 2 was performed except that the amount was changed to 2.5 parts. The results are shown in Table 3. Separately, 0.13 mg, 1.83 mg, 0.33 mg, and 0.42 mg of Exemplified Compounds (B-1) and (B-2) were dissolved in 2 ml of ethyl acetate, and the above measurement conditions were prepared. The peak area ratio (front component / rear component) when liquid chromatography was measured was determined. The results are shown in Table 3.

(Examples 14 to 16)
In Examples 6 to 8, Examples were used except that Exemplified Compounds (C-1) and (C-2) were used instead of Exemplified Compounds (B-1) and (B-2) in the charge generation layer. It carried out similarly to 6-8. The results are shown in Table 3. Moreover, about the exemplary compound (C-1) and (C-2) used in Example 15, the chart of the liquid chromatography obtained using the sample which melt | dissolved 0.20 mg and 0.30 mg in 2 ml of ethyl acetate, respectively. Is shown in FIG.

(Example 17)
In Example 2, it carried out like Example 2 except having formed the conductive layer as follows. The results are shown in Table 3.

  The following components were mixed and dispersed for 3 hours in a sand mill apparatus using 1 mmφ glass beads to prepare a dispersion for the conductive layer.

TiO ₂ particles coated with oxygen-deficient SnO ₂ (as conductive particles) 55 parts (powder resistivity 100 Ω · cm, SnO ₂ coverage (mass ratio) is 40%)
Phenol resin (as binder resin) (resin solid content 60%) 36.5 parts (trade name: Priorofen J-325, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
Methoxypropanol (as solvent) 35 parts

  The following components were added to this dispersion and stirred to prepare a conductive layer coating solution.

Silicone resin particles (as surface roughness imparting material) 3.9 parts (trade name: Tospearl 120, manufactured by GE Toshiba Silicones Co., Ltd., average particle size 2 μm)
Silicone oil (as leveling agent) 0.001 part (trade name: SH28PA, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd.)

  This conductive layer coating solution is dip-coated on a support in an environment of a temperature of 23 ° C. and a relative humidity of 60%, and this is dried and thermally cured at 140 ° C. for 30 minutes, whereby a conductive film having a thickness of 15 μm is obtained. A layer was formed.

(Example 18)
In Example 2, the oxygen-deficient SnO ₂ used for the conductive layer in place of the 40 parts of barium sulfate particles coated, except for using the following ingredients was carried out as in Example 2. The results are shown in Table 3.

TiO ₂ particles coated with oxygen-deficient SnO ₂ (average particle size 0.30 μm) 55 parts (powder resistivity 220 Ω · cm, SnO ₂ coverage (mass ratio) is 35%)

(Example 19)
In Example 17, it carried out like Example 17 except having replaced exemplary compound (B-1) and (B-2) with exemplary compound (C-1) and (C-2), respectively. The results are shown in Table 3.

(Comparative Example 1)
In Example 1, Example 1 was used except that 3.0 parts of the exemplified compound (E) was used instead of 1.5 parts of the exemplified compound (A-1) and 1.5 parts of the exemplified compound (A-2). As well as. The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 2)
In Comparative Example 1, it carried out like Comparative Example 1 except having used exemplary compound (F) instead of exemplary compound (E). The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 3)
In Comparative Example 1, it carried out like Comparative Example 1 except having used exemplary compound (G) instead of exemplary compound (E). The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 4)
In Example 2, it carried out like Example 2 except not adding 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (B-2). The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 5)
In Example 2, it carried out like Example 2 except not adding 1.5 parts of exemplary compound (B-1). The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 6)
Comparative Example 4 was carried out in the same manner as Comparative Example 4 except that 1.5 parts of the exemplified compound (B-1) was changed to 3.0 parts. The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 7)
Comparative Example 5 was carried out in the same manner as Comparative Example 5 except that 1.5 parts of the exemplified compound (B-2) was changed to 3.0 parts. The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 8)
In Comparative Example 6, the same procedure as in Comparative Example 6 was performed except that the exemplary compound (C-1) was used in place of the exemplary compound (B-1). The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 9)
In Comparative Example 7, it carried out similarly to Comparative Example 7 except having used exemplary compound (C-2) instead of exemplary compound (B-2). The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 10)
In Comparative Example 1, an electrophotographic photosensitive member was prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that the exemplary compound (E) was changed to the exemplary compound (H). The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 11)
In Comparative Example 1, it carried out like Comparative Example 1 except having used exemplary compound (I) instead of exemplary compound (E). The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 12)
In Example 1, it replaced with exemplary compound (A-1) and exemplary compound (A-2), and carried out similarly to Example 1 except having used exemplary compound (F) and exemplary compound (G). The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 13)
In Example 1, it carried out like Example 1 except not having added exemplary compound (A-1) and exemplary compound (A-2). The results are shown in Table 4.

(Comparative Example 14)
In Example 17, it carried out like Example 17 except not having added exemplary compound (B-1) and (B-2). The results are shown in Table 4.

An evaluation image is shown. 1 shows an example of a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic apparatus including a process cartridge according to the present invention. The liquid chromatography chart obtained in Example 2 is shown. 6 is a liquid chromatography chart obtained in Example 15. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrophotographic photoreceptor 2 Axis 3 Charging means 4 Exposure light 5 Developing means 6 Transfer means 7 Transfer material 8 Fixing means 9 Cleaning means 10 Pre-exposure light 11 Process cartridge 12 Guide means

Claims (7)

In an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer on a conductive support,
The charge generation layer has a charge generation material and the following structural formula (1), which has two peaks when analyzed by liquid chromatography.

(In the formula, at least one of X ₁ , X ₂ , X ₃ and X ₄ represents a nitro group, and other than the nitro group represents a hydrogen atom.)
And an naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid diimide represented by the formula (1). The naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid diimide has the following structural formula (2)

The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein   The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein an area ratio of two peaks when analyzed by the liquid chromatography method is 0.40 or more and 2.5 or less.   4. The electron according to claim 1, wherein a content of naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid diimide in the charge generation layer is 21% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less with respect to a mass of the charge generation material. Photoconductor.   The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein the charge generation material in the charge generation layer is hydroxygallium phthalocyanine.   A process cartridge comprising the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   An electrophotographic apparatus comprising the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1.