JPH02254464A - Electrophotographic sensitive body - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the surface hardness of a photosensitive layer and durability of a photosensitive body by incorporating a specified polycarbonate as a binder resin in the photosensitive layer. CONSTITUTION:The photosensitive layer of this photosensitive body contains as the binder resin the polycarbonate comprising repeating units of formula I in which R1 is methyl, isopropyl, or the like and R2 is alkyl or halogen. The polycarbonate can be produced by allowing to react a compound corresponding to the unit of formula I embodies by the unit of formula II with phosgen, and the photosensitive layer may be of a single layer structure or a laminate structure of an electric charge generating layer and a charge transfer layer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photoreceptor, and more particularly to an electrophotographic photoreceptor using a specific polycarbonate resin as a binder resin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, electrophotographic technology has been widely applied in the fields of copying machines, laser beam printers, etc. because it has the advantage of being able to achieve high speed and high print quality.

As electrophotographic photoreceptors used in these electrophotographic techniques, those using inorganic photoconductive materials such as selenium, selenium-tellurium alloy, selenium-arsenic alloy, and cadmium sulfide are widely known. On the other hand, research on electrophotographic photoreceptors using organic photoconductive materials, which have advantages over electrophotographic photoreceptors using inorganic photoconductive materials in terms of cost and ease of manufacture and disposal, has become active. ing. Among these, functionally separated organic laminated photoreceptors, in which a charge generation layer that generates charges upon exposure and a charge transport layer that transports charges, are stacked are superior in terms of electrophotographic properties such as sensitivity, chargeability, and repeated stability. It is excellent, and various proposals have been made and put into practical use.

Some of these organic layered photoreceptors have been developed that exhibit sufficient electrophotographic properties as described above.
Durability against external mechanical forces, that is, image quality defects may occur due to abrasion or scratches on the surface of the photoreceptor due to direct loads from toner, developer, paper, cleaning members, etc., and due to foreign matter adhesion such as toner filming. problems and limit photoreceptor life.

Various countermeasures are being considered to solve these problems, and for example, methods using polymethyl methacrylate, polyester, polycarbonate resin, etc. as a binder resin for the surface layer of the photoreceptor have been proposed ( Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 57-
No. 4051 and JP-A-60-172044).

Problems to be Solved by the Invention By the way, when conventionally proposed resins are used as binder resins, electrophotographic photoreceptors with relatively good durability can be obtained, but they are still not fully satisfactory. In other words, the paint film formed using these resins has a pencil hardness of HB.
Therefore, the surface hardness of the electrophotographic photoreceptor formed is not fully satisfactory, and image quality defects due to abrasion and scratches on the surface of the photosensitive layer occur after copying operations of about 40,000 to 50,000 sheets. There were still problems that would arise. Therefore, it has been desired to develop a binder resin that allows formation of a photosensitive layer having high surface hardness.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional technology.

That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer with high surface hardness.

Means for Solving the Problems As a result of various studies on the binder resin of the photosensitive layer, the present inventors have found that a polycarbonate resin consisting of repeating units represented by the following structural formula (I) has extremely excellent surface hardness. We have discovered that by using this, the above-mentioned problems, namely the occurrence of image quality defects due to abrasion and scratches on the surface of the photosensitive layer, can be solved, and the lifespan of electrophotographic photoreceptors can be dramatically improved, and we have published this book. The invention was completed.

The present invention provides an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a photosensitive layer provided on a conductive substrate, in which the photosensitive layer contains a polycarbonate resin consisting of a repeating unit represented by the following structural formula (I) as a binder resin. Features.

(In the formula, Ri represents a methyl group, isopropyl group, isobutyl group, phenyl group, or phenethyl group, and R2 represents an alkyl group or a halogen atom) The present invention will be explained in detail below.

The conductive substrate in the electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention includes:
Vapor deposition of conductive substances such as aluminum, nickel, chromium, titanium, palladium, indium oxide, tin oxide, graphite, etc. on metal plates such as aluminum, brass, copper, nickel, and steel, metal sheets, and plastic sheets.
It is possible to use materials that have been subjected to conductive treatment by coating by sputtering, coating, etc., or materials that have been subjected to conductive treatment such as glass, plastic plates, cloth, and paper.

An undercoat layer having a barrier function or an adhesive function may be provided on the conductive substrate, if necessary. Materials constituting the undercoat layer include resins such as polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl alcohol, casein, polyamide, cellulose, gelatin, polyurethane, and polyester;
Metal oxides such as aluminum oxide can be used.

The photosensitive layer formed on the conductive substrate may have a single layer structure, or may have a laminated structure in which a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are functionally separated. In the case of a laminated structure, the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer may be stacked in any order.

These photosensitive layers are composed of a coating film containing a charge generating substance, a charge transporting substance, or both in a binder resin.

As charge generating substances, amorphous selenium, crystalline selenium,
Selenium-tellurium alloy, selenium-arsenic alloy, other selenium compounds and alloys, inorganic photoconductors such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide, phthalocyanine-based, squalium-based, anthrone-based, perylene-based, azo-based, anthraquinone-based, Organic pigments and dyes such as pyrene, pyrylium salts, and thiapyrylium salts are used.

As the charge transport substance, quinone compounds such as p-benzoquinone, chloranil, bromoanil, anthraquinone,
Tetracyanoquinodimethane compounds, fluorenone compounds such as 2.4.7-trinitrofluorenone and 2,4,5.7-titranitrofluorenone, xanthone compounds, benzophenone compounds, cyanovinyl compounds,
An electron-withdrawing substance such as an ethylene compound, an arylalkane compound, a triphenylamine compound, an aryl-substituted ethylene compound, a benzidine compound, a stilbene compound, an anthracene compound, or a group consisting of such compounds as the main chain. Alternatively, an electron-donating substance such as a polymer having a side chain is used.

In the present invention, as the binder resin, the above structural formula (1) is used.
A polycarbonate resin consisting of the repeating unit shown is used. When the photosensitive layer has a laminated structure in which a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are functionally separated, the polycarbonate resin represented by the above structural formula (I) may be used as a binder resin for either the charge generation layer or the charge transport layer. However, it needs to be used at least in the layer forming the surface. In particular, it is preferably used as a binder resin when the surface is comprised of a charge transport layer.

The polycarbonate resin composed of repeating units represented by the structural formula (I) used in the present invention preferably has a viscosity average molecular weight of 10,000 to 200,000, preferably 20,000 to 100,000.

Furthermore, examples of polycarbonate resins that can be suitably used in the present invention include those consisting of the following repeating units.

The above polycarbonate resin can be produced by reacting a bisphenol compound corresponding to the repeating unit of structural formula (I) with phosgene. Next, a typical example is shown.

Synthesis Example 1 4.4'-(1-methylethylidene) was added to a 2g reactor.
0.2 mol of bis(2-methylphenol), 400 ml of a 4.7% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, and 350 ml of methylene chloride were added, and while stirring vigorously, phosgene was blown in at a rate of 400 ml/min for 15 minutes. is.

The reaction temperature was kept at 15°C, and 40ml of 13.7% sodium hydroxide was added. F'limethylbenzylammonium chloride 0.2 g, and triethylamine 0
．． 3 ml was added and stirring was continued for 1 hour at 23°C to carry out a polycondensation reaction. After the reaction is complete, the product is diluted with methylene chloride 4
Dilute with 0 ml of water, add 0 ml of normal hydrochloric acid
．． 5 g and 1 g of water. The obtained organic layer was poured into 5 g of methanol to precipitate a white polymer, which was filtered and dried at 100° C. for 12 hours to obtain 55 g of polycarbonate resin consisting of the above-mentioned exemplary linear repeating unit (1). Obtained.

Synthesis Example 2 In place of 4.4'-(1-methylethylidene)bis(2-methylphenol) in Synthesis Example 1, 4°4'
-(1,3-dimethylbutylidene)bis(2-methylphenol) 0.2 mole was used, but the polycondensation was carried out in the same manner as in Synthesis Example 1 to obtain a polycarbonate consisting of the above-mentioned exemplary linear repeating unit (2). 55 g of resin was obtained.

Synthesis Example 3 Instead of 4.4'-(1-methylethylidene)bis(2-methylphenol) in Synthesis Example 1, 4°4'
- Polycondensation was carried out in the same manner as in Synthesis Example 1 except that 0.2 mol of (1-phenylethylidene)bis(2-methylphenol) was used to obtain 55 g of polycarbonate resin consisting of the above-mentioned exemplary linear repeating unit (3). I got it.

Synthesis Example 4 Instead of 4.4'-(1-methylethylidene)bis(2-methylphenol) in Synthesis Example 1, 4°4'
-(L-methyl-8-phenylpropylidene)bis(2
Polycondensation was carried out in the same manner as in Synthesis Example 1, except that 0.2 mol of the above-mentioned exemplified linear repeating unit (4
) In the present invention, when the photosensitive layer has a laminated structure, the charge generation layer is a coating obtained by dispersing or dissolving the above charge generation substance and binder resin in a suitable solvent. It can be formed by applying a liquid and drying it. As a binder resin,
In addition to the polycarbonate resin represented by the above structural formula (1), known binder resins such as polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl acetal, alkyd resin, Thermoplastic resins such as acrylic resin, polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyketone, polyacrylamide, butyral resin, polyester,
Conventionally known thermosetting resins such as polyurethane, epoxy resin, and phenol resin can be used.

The thickness of the charge generation layer is usually set to 0.05 to 40 mm, preferably 0.05 to 25 mm.

Further, the charge transport layer can be formed by applying a solution in which the above charge transport substance and the polycarbonate resin represented by structural formula (I) are dissolved in an appropriate solvent, and drying the solution. Typical solvents used to form the charge transport layer include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and chlorobenzene, and halogenated fats such as methylene chloride, chloroform, and ethylene chloride. Examples include group hydrocarbons, cyclic or linear ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane, and mixed solvents thereof.

In addition, when the charge transport layer is not a surface layer, a conventionally known binder resin can also be used.

The thickness of the charge transport layer is 2 to 100 m+, preferably lO
~40ρ.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited to these Examples.

Example 1 An aluminum pipe was used as a conductive substrate, and 10 parts by weight of polyamide resin, 150 parts by weight of methanol,
and 40 parts by weight of water, and dried.
A subbing layer having a thickness of 1 mm was formed. Furthermore, trigonal selenium (
A mixture consisting of 90 parts by weight (manufactured by Zero Rafusuf Co., Ltd., USA), 10 parts by weight of polyvinyl butyral resin, and 300 parts by weight of n-butanol was dispersed, and 2 parts by weight of n-butanol was added to 1 part by weight of the resulting dispersion to dilute it. The liquid is applied onto the undercoat layer and dried to a film thickness of 0.3/IIJ.
Eleven charge generation layers were formed. Next, N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-bis(3-methylphenyl)-[1,
3 parts by weight of 1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diamine and 10 parts of the polycarbonate resin obtained in Synthesis Example 1
parts by weight are added to 40ffl parts of methylene chloride and dissolved, the resulting solution is applied onto the above charge generation layer and dried to form a charge transport layer with a thickness of 20%, and the two layers are separated. An electrophotographic photoreceptor was fabricated.

When the electrophotographic photoreceptor produced as described above is installed in a copying machine equipped with a cleaning member and copies are made for 100,000 copies, is there any occurrence of image defects due to abrasion and scratches on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor? , and the amount of surface wear were investigated. Furthermore, the surface pencil hardness was examined. The results are shown in Table 1.

Examples 2 to 4 Electrophotographic photoreceptors were prepared in the same manner as in the above Examples except that the polycarbonate resins obtained in Synthesis Examples 2 to 4 were used as the binder resin of the charge transport layer. Evaluation was conducted in the same manner. The results are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 1 An electrophotographic photoreceptor was prepared in the same manner as in the above Example except that a polycarbonate resin consisting of a repeating unit represented by the following structural formula was used as the binder resin of the charge transport layer. We conducted an evaluation. The results are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Comparative Example 2 An electrophotographic photoreceptor was prepared in the same manner as in the above example except that a polycarbonate resin consisting of a repeating unit represented by the following structural formula was used as the binder resin of the charge transport layer. , similarly evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

Effects of the Invention In the present invention, since a polycarbonate resin consisting of repeating units represented by the above structural formula (1) is used as the binder resin of the photosensitive layer, the formed coating film has extremely excellent surface hardness. Therefore, the electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention has excellent durability, suppresses the occurrence of image defects due to abrasion and scratches on the surface of the photosensitive layer, and dramatically improves the service life.

Patent applicant Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Agent
Patent attorney Tsuyoshi Seibe

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a photosensitive layer provided on a conductive substrate, the photosensitive layer contains a polycarbonate resin consisting of a repeating unit represented by the following structural formula (I) as a binder resin. Characteristic electrophotographic photoreceptor. ▲There are mathematical formulas, chemical formulas, tables, etc.▼ (I) (In the formula, R_1 represents a methyl group, isopropyl group, isobutyl group, phenyl group, or phenethyl group, and R_2 represents an alkyl group or a halogen atom)