US3850642A - Multilayer radiation sensitive element having controlled triboelectric charging characteristics - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods for adjusting the charging characteristics of surfaces are disclosed. A preferred embodiment relates to methods for altering the contact surfaces of materials that are ordinarily subject to the production of relatively large scale triboelectric effects when such a surface is frictionally contacted with another surface, to thereby eliminate or minimize the potential for undesired static electric discharge, for example. The present methods involve altering such a surface with a ''''charge control agent'''' as defined herein to thereby provide a desired, predetermined adjustment in the triboelectric charging propensity of the surface. Specific products having minimized, maximized, narrowly adjusted (as desired) surface impact charging characteristics are disclosed.

Description

Bailey, Jr. et a1.

[ MULTILAYER RADIATION SENSITIVE ELEMENT HAVING CONTROLLED TRIBOELECTRIC CHARGING CHARACTERISTICS [75] Inventors: William J. Bailey, Jr.; James F.

Houle; Gilden R. Van Norman, all of Rochester, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company,

Rochester, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Jan. 21, 1974 [2]] Appl. No.: 435,359

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 163,450, July 16, 1971,

abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl 96/87 A, 96/68, 96/1 14.2

[51] Int. Cl G03c 1/78 [58] Field of Search 96/87 A, 87 R, 68, 85,

1 56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3.253.922 5/1966 Chu et a1. 96/85 3.532501 10/1970 Mackey et a1. 96/87 3,547.643 12/1970 Pechmunn 96/87 3.549.369 12/1970 Koda et a1. 6/87 Nov. 26, 1974 3,549,375 12/1970 Pechmann 96/87 3,551,152 12/1970 Mackey et a1. 3,552,972 1/1971 Meyer et a1 3,573,093 3/1971 Oshibuchi ct a1 96/87 3,589,906 6/1971 McDowell et a1. 913/] 14.5

3,607,286 9/1971 Wood 96/87 3.666.478 5/1972 Groh et a1 96/94 Primary Examiner-Ronald H. Smith Assistant Examiner-Edward C. Kimlin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-E. W. Milan [57] ABSTRACT Methods for adjusting the charging characteristics of surfaces are disclosed. A preferred embodiment relates to methods for altering the contact surfaces of materials that are ordinarily subject to the production of relatively large scale triboelectric effects when such a surface is frictionally contacted with another surface, to thereby eliminate or minimize the potential for undesired static electric discharge, for example. The present methods involve altering such a surface with a charge control agent as defined herein to thereby provide a desired, predetermined adjustment in the triboelectric charging propensity of the surface. Specific products having minimized, maximized, narrowly adjusted (as desired) surface impact charging characteristics are disclosed.

49 Claims, No Drawings MULTILAYER RADIATION SENSITIVE ELEMENT HAVING CONTROLLED TRIBOELECTRIC CHARGING CHARACTERISTICS This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 163,450 filed July 16, 1971, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to the general subject of static electricity formation and accumulation or discharge when one surface is frictionally contacted with another. More particularly, this invention relates to novel processes and compositions useful in influencing, in a desired manner, the impact charging characteristics of such surfaces.

THE PROBLEM In the manufacture and use of polymeric film products and especially sensitized (radiographic or photographic) materials, the generation of static electrical charge is a serious problem. In the case of sensitized goods the most serious deleterious effects are produced when accumulated electrical charges discharge, producing light and/or noise, which is recorded as an image on photosensitive materials and as static on other materials such as magnetic tape that are sensitized to other specific, non-visible electromagnetic irradiations. Such discharge may occur in the course of manufacturing processes, such as coating, finishing or packaging, or it may occur during use of the finished product in cameras, printers, tape players and other associated equipment.

Another less obvious deleterious effect which results from accumulation of charge on polymeric supports, coated or uncoated, in the manufacturing operation, is the production of coating defects such as core mottle" and roll convolution repeat, both of which are well known to those involved in the manufacture of these types of materials. Both of these undesirable effects are due to the uncontrolled, undesirable build-up of localized electrically charged areas on, or in the various products in the course of the film manufacturing operation.

These areas of localized charge give rise to nonuniformity in the overlying sensitized coatings during their application and consequently the aforementioned manifestations of this non-uniformity.

Although there are a large number of manipulative ways in which such undesirable (and often hazardous) static electrical charges can be generated, the term most applicable to the generation of electrical charge in the manufacture and use of sensitized goods is triboelectricity. This term refers generally to the electrical charge generated by the contact or dissociation (physical separation) of two surfaces. Usually, but not always, the two surfaces are dissimilar. The amount of charge generated in this fashion is dependent upon several factors, the most important being: l the intimacy of contact; (2) the time of contact; and (3) the nature of the surfaces brought into contact. It is significant, however, that multiple contacting and dissociation of different surfaces during the various manufacturing operations can, and very often do, result in the build-up" of very large charges of so-called static electricity" in and on the various products and parts of equipment involved in such operations; the net effect upon the charge induced upon the contacted surface(s) being known as the triboelectric effect" of such contact and dissociation. Apparently each contact between surfaces results in a specific charge effect upon the surfaces involved, generally with a total cumulative charge being built up on the surface(s) in an additive manner; the particular electrically conductive nature of the material in question is generally determinative of the actual observed rate of build-up. Unfortunately, very few polymeric films or coated photographic film materials are sufficiently electrically conductive by themselves to prevent static electricity build-up to an objectionable degree during the ordinary processing of such materials.

There have been many approaches to eliminating'or minimizing so-called static-defects" which are the manifestation of the presence of excessive triboelectricity. Inasmuch as a static mark in photographic products is the result of light recorded by the sensitized layer, there is a certain minimum electrical charge required before a discharge which produces light of sufficient intensity or duration to be recorded by a particular sensitized layer can occur. In the case of a polymeric film such as cellulose acetate coated with a conventional, mainly gelatin-based photographic emulsion, for example, static discharge occurs when a net triboelectric charge of +810 esu (electrostatic units per square centimeter) at a given part of the emulsion is reached. This figure will of course vary quite broadly with materials, humidity conditions, etc. In this instance, the mainly gelatin surface of the emulsion exhibits a marked positive triboelectric tendency, measured against many surfaces with which such a mainly gelatin layer is contacted during its manufacture. Other surfaces accumulate negative triboelectric charges preferentially. However, undesired static discharge can occur due to either excessively negative or excessively positive surfaces. Any discussion of proposed solutions to the static defects problems should be with an understanding of the foregoing factors which govern the type and relative amount of charge generated between generally dissimilar surfaces.

PRlOR ART There have been, and continue to be, an almost endless list of attempts to prescribe methods for decreasing or eliminating theeffect of charge accumulation. The intimacy of contact of the surfaces of photographic materials has been altered by incorporating matting agents into one or more of these surfaces. These modifications have been only partially effective since the duration and/or multiplicty of contacts often destroys any benefit achieved by reducing intimacy of contact. Time of contact can be varied, but not within sufficiently practical limits to alleviate the problem and furthermore, this type of approach generally involves modification of "external influences" which occur in the environment of the film.

Perhaps the best known and most widely used type of effort to solve this problem involves the incorporation of so-called conductive materials or layers as a film backing or in mixture with a binder to hopefully conduct the electrical charge to ground as it occurs to avoid any discharge sufficient to produce recordable static" energy. Some of the conductivity improving" materials, although highly conductive, are themselves quite prone to generating large quantities of electrical charge when contacted with a dissimilar material. Thus, so much charge is often generated in each single impact that the charge cannot be conducted to ground rapidly enough to prevent static discharge from occurring. Furthermore, the great bulk of such conductivity improving materials depend upon an environment having a relatively high relative humidity to perform well as conductors of static electricity. For example, whereas they may perform satisfactorily as conductors under conditions of relative humidities of 50 percent or more, many of them cannot conduct adequately when they are made or used in atmospheres having relatively low humidities, on the order of percent or even less. This type of experience results from the use of ionic and/or hygroscopic materials which depend for their conductive properties upon their ability to dissociate under high humidity conditions. Often surface tackiness is another problem associated with the use of such conductivity improving materials that function in this manner. An outstanding example of the tackiness phenomenon occurs in the case where an ionic or hygroscopic conductivity agent is incorporated into the gel layer of, for example, a poly(ethylene terephthalate) or other polymeric based photographic element in an attempt to prevent static discharge which ordinarily occurs during the emulsion coating operation due to contact of the sub with rollers, etc. In order for this type of conductivity agent to perform satisfactorily, humidity levels within the coating machine must be maintained at about 50 percent. At this level, however, the gel sub becomes tacky and results in what is popularly called gel-pickoff" in the film coating art. In this case the tackiness of the gel layer causes small pieces of gel to adhere to the transporting and other rollers giving rise to a sub layer replete with holes and in turn a very poor emulsion overcoat. The picked-off gel may become redeposited from the rollers back onto other areas of the film producing gel spots, another undesirable defect. Clearly, in many instances, it is desirable to minimize or eliminate static discharge by some method other than the use of such hygroscopic conductivjty improving" materials.

Since the contacting and dissociation of dissimilar surfaces during the manufacture of various photographic and radiographic elements is quite necessary, it appears from the prior art and prior to the present invention that the problem of excessive charge generation due to triboelectric effects (along with the concomitant relatively large amount of waste or unsatisfactory product) had to be accepted as a part of the cost of being in this business, since this phenomenon is a natural physical occurrence. All prior attempts at solving the problem of static discharge" have apparently been directed to trying to drain off the charge quickly and efficiently, rather than attempting to overcome this apparent natural physical occurrence" in the first instance.

OBJECTS lt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling, within prescribed useful limits, the charging characteristics of materials utilized in the manufacture of radiation and/or photosensitive materials.

lt is another object of the present invention to provide photosensitive products whose outermost surfaces are either (a) substantially charge free when impacted with dissimilar materials or (b) alternatively, produce sufficiently low levels of charge when so impacted that charge accumulation in their normal environment is not sufficiently high as to produce discharge; or if charge accumulation does occur under severe environmental conditions, means are provided to conduct this charge off of the surface in a controlled fashion without discharge or any of the aforementioned problems.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for establishing the triboelectric charging characteristics of surfaces intended for almost any use at any predetermined level based upon the nature of the treated surface and that with which it is brought into contact. Thus, these characteristics may be minimized or carefully controlled within relatively narrow limits.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made obvious to those skilled in the art by consideration of the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a method for doctoring the surfaces of materials normally subject to the generation of a triboelectric charge when a surface thereof is brought into contact with another usually dissimilar surface by modifying the surface of the material with a sufficient amount of a selected charge control agent to thereby provide to that surface a preselected, desired triboelectric charging characteristic.

According to a preferred embodiment, selection of the charge control agent" and adjustment of charging characteristics comprise the steps of:

a. measuring the electrical charge generated when the surface of the material normally subject to triboelectric charging is brought into contact with another selected, usually dissimilar surface under controlled conditions;

b. measuring the electrical charge generated when surfaces containing charge control agents are brought into contact with a similar usually dissimilar material under controlled conditions;

c. based on the results of step (b) selecting a charge control agent" which provides the adjustment desired for controlling the charging characteristics of the material; and

d. modifying the surface of the material with a sufficient amount of the charge control agent" selected in step (c) to produce the desired adjustment in the charging characteristics of the surface of the material.

There are also provided herein a number of specific radiation sensitive materials and film base materials in which surface charging characteristics have been substantially nullified utilizing the foregoing technique; said materials comprising elements having charge control agents, (as defined in detail hereinafter) incorporated into one or more layers thereof.

More specifically, charge control agents" of the following generic classes have been found to be suitable additives in certain limited classes of materials:

A. surfactant materials having the generic structure:

wherein:

A is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon chains partially fluorine substituted hydrocarbon chains and fluorocarbon chains;

Z is a member selected from the group consisting of n is an integer ranging from l to about 8; D is wherein R,, R and R are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl and aryl; and X is an anion. According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention X is selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate and phosphate ions;

B. compounds of the following structural formula:

wherein:

Z represents the atom necessary to constitute a member selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbon rings and alicyclic structures;

R is selected from the group consisting of single and multiple substitutions of members selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, nitroso, hydroxyl, carboxy, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, substituted alkoxy and wherein R, is alkyl, aryl, substituted alkyl, or substituted aryl;

X is a member selected from the group consisting 0 o I 0 11 1t 0 I ll ll I II and CH=CH- wherein n is an integer from 1 to about 10;

Y is a member selected from the group consisting of HOOC-R-COOH wherein R is selected from the group consisting of:

LII

6 (2) (CH) (Cl/R1) I \R'Z n (a) 0th).. 0 (CH2)m where if R=(l) or (2) and R, is hydrogen, R is selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, aryl, substituted aryl, hydroxyl,

where if R--(3) R, and R may be hydrogen, halogen, nitro, carboxyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkyl, and substituted alkyl n and m are integers which may be the same or different, and where R, is H, R may be hydroxyl D. carboxylated polymers in the free carboxyl form as described hereinafter;

E. compounds of the formula wherein 1. R, is CH (CH and n is an integer ranging from about I to about 19, then R may be H, R,, or R, with a different value for n 2. R, and/or R may be unsaturated hydrocarbon residues 3. R, and/or R may be aryl or substituted aryl 4. R, may represent atoms of a polymeric structure in which case R may be H or as otherwise defined above; and M may be H, NH, or an alkali metal cation; and F. polymeric structures having a repetitive substituent capable of contributing a negative charging influence, as defined in greater detail hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE lNVENTlON At this stage of the discussion, it would perhaps be helpful to define internal environment" and external environment as it relates to the static generation problem, as this terminology will be used frequently hereinafter. By internal environment is meant the manufacturing or in process environment which a particular product encounters in the course of its manufacture. Thus, charges generated on roll and emulsion coating machines, slitters, packaging apparatus, etc., are a result of internal" environment and will be referred to as internal charging.

The term external environment" defines all of those materials, surfaces, etc., which the finished products 5 experience after completion of the manufacturing and problems experienced in this external environment will be referred to as external charging problems.

As one might expect, internal charging problems can often be corrected or eliminated by modification of manufacturing equipment to match the surfaces thereof to the surface of the processed material so that charging effects are reduced to a minimum. Such alterations are, however, often quite difficult and expensive, and, as a practical matter, all but impossible without extensive and costly re-engineering etc. In the case of external problems, however, such modification is all but impossible since the film manufacturer has no control over types of parts in, or the design of, the particular equipment in which the manufactured material is to be used, or any other aspect of the products external surroundings.

The term charge control agent as utilized herein and in the claims appended hereto refers to a material of known triboelectric charging propensity as determined in the apparatus and according to the method described in US. Pat. No. 3,501,653 to W. J. Bailey, Jr. issued Mar. 17, 1970, or some equally accurate technique, which material is also capable of incorporation into or coating on a surface to adjust the triboelectric charging characteristics thereof. Specifically preferred materials within this broad class are described in detail below and are capable, when properly selected, of minimizing the generation of static electrical charges in many products including, for example, radiation sensitive film and polymeric materials of the type used in film, sheeting fabric and carpet manufacture. As described hereinafter, maximization or intermediate adjustment of surface charging characteristics may also be achieved using the techniques described herein.

The foregoing charge control agents are further distinguished from conductivity agents i.e., materials which due to the fact that they are hygroscopic and/or ionic tend to conduct or bleed off static charges generated by contact between two surfaces thereby minimizing the accumulation of same. Thus, in the preferred embodiments disclosed herein, charge control agents" can be used to minimize, maximize or adjust to a prescribed level the propensity of a given surface to generate static electrical charges when contacted with another usually dissimilar surface, while the conductivity agents of the prior art merely minimized the accumulation of static electrical charges ex post facto, i.e., after generation thereof.

The instant pursuit of a solution to the abovedescribed problem was initiated by subjecting the phe nomenon itself to systematic scrutiny, as opposed to pursuing attempts to compensate for the phenomenon once its effects manifested themselves as had been done with conductivity agents, for example, in the past. Thus, a method for accurately measuring the magnitude of the effects had to be devised to determine the mechanism, effects and charging propensities of various materials. Several methods were available to evaluate or measure the amount of accumulated charge built up when dissimilar materials were brought into contact or removed from contact. Such prior art methods involved measurement of contact potential between dissimilar materials; blocking potential; charge accumulation due to rolling or sliding friction; etc.

Most of these methods involved so many variable factors in the system under study that in many cases anomalous results or results which were not a true measure of the net charging propensities of the surfaces involved were obtained. A method of measurement which eliminates many of the variable factors in some of the earlier equipment and yields results more clearly dependent upon actual surfaces, time of contact and pressure is identified as the impact electrification method. An instrument to measure impact electrification is described in US Pat. No. 3,501,653 to W. J. Bailey, Jr. issued Mar. 17, 1970. The instrument and the measured values obtained in the use thereof are defined and explained thoroughly therein and the disclosure of this patent is incorporated herein by reference. Stated simply, the theory of Baileys apparatus is that if accurate comparative values for impact electrification of a variety of surfaces is to be determined, a given reference surface must be impacted by a second (reference) surface and separated, all in a controlled and repeatable manner. The electrical charge generated by the impact and separation is accurately measured and recorded. The values obtained are most conveniently expressed in electrostatic units per square centimeter (esu/cm). The amount of electrical charge in esu/cm responsible for discharges causing static marking for some photographic elements is discussed hereinafter.

With such an instrument one is able to study the effects on the electrical charging behavior of various surfaces. Furthermore, one is able to relate these data to behavior of such a surface when used in conjunction with a photographic element provided that certain variables are brought into consideration.

With this impact electrification measuring apparatus and technique, a detailed study was initiated to determine the relationship between chemical structure and electrical charging behavior; namely impact electrification. It was postulated that if such a relationship could be determined, one could possibly use the same to design compounds or materials which control the electrical charging behavior of photographic elements such that a static discharging amount of potential would not be obtained in the first instance. it was then discovered that this desirable goal can be accomplished by practicing the present invention. Furthermore, it was found that the control of surface charge to aid coating uniformity of the sensitized portions of the element (rather than detract from it) is also possible, and can be. accomplished by practicing the instant invention. Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a method for adjusting the charging characteristics of materials normally subject to the generation of an electrical charge when a surface thereof is brought into contact with and dissociated from another (usually dissimilar) surface by modifying the surface of the material with a sufficient amount of a selected charge control agent to provide a desired preselected charging propensity. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention testing, selecting and adjusting technique comprises the steps of:

a. measuring the electrical charge generated when the surface of material normally subject to triboelectric charging is brought into contact with another usually dissimilar surface under controlled conditions;

b. measuring the electrical charge generated when surfaces of charge control agents" are brought into contact with a similar usually dissimilar material under controlled conditions;

c. based on the results of step (b) selecting a charge control agent which provides the adjustment desired for controlling the charging characteristics of the material surface; and

d. modifying the surface of the material with a sufficient amount of the charge control agent selected in step (c) to produce the material.

According to the method of the present invention, a surface which is subject to charging upon physical contact with another dissimilar surface is tested, preferably in the apparatus described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,501,653, to determine the electrical charge generated when the surface is brought into contact with a specific dissimilar material under carefully controlled and reproducible conditions of time, impact force, intimacy of contact, relative humidity, etc. to determine the charge generated under such conditions of controlled impact and dissociation. Once a value has been determined for this charge, a variety of other surfaces of charge control agents i.e., materials which may be incorporated onto or into the surface originally evaluated, as defined hereinabove, are similarly tested by impacting under the same controlled conditions with the same generally dissimilar surface. From the results obtained in the two evaluations just described a charge control agent which demonstrates charging characteristics, which, when added to those of the surface to be altered, provide the desired surface charging adjustment is selected and an amount sufficient to provide the desired alteration coated on or incorporated into the surface. According to a preferred embodiment wherein it is sought to minimize the propensity of the surfaces of radiation sensitive film base or radiation sensitive elements to generate static electrical charges when contacted with specific reference surfaces charge control agents demonstrating triboelectric charging propensities of about the same magnitude, but of opposite polarity as the surface whose charging is sought to be controlled are selected and amounts thereof sufficient to neutralize or nullify the charging of the surface incorporated therein, in, for example, the surface formation operation i.e., casting, extrusion, etc., or by coating of a very thin, continuous or discontinuous, layer of the charge control agent over the surface whose charging characteristics are being altered. A brief single demonstrative example of which many more will be presented hereinafter exists in the case of sensitized photographic materials as already mentioned above.

ln the manufacture of silver halide sensitized photographic materials the light sensitive silver halide is suspended in a gelatin emulsion which is in turn coated, generally at a very high speed, on a cellulose ester, poly(ethylene terephthalate) or other suitable support. In the case of poly(ethylene terephthalate) materials, due to the hydrophobic properties thereof, it is necessary to pre-coat" the support with an emulsion adherence improving gelatin sub of the type well known to those skilled in the film manufacturing art. This sub" is applied directly to the polymeric support or a u-coat applied thereunder and dried. The coated support is then emulsion coated at high speed in a roller transport coating machine or other suitable transport mechanism which might similarly produce triboelectric charging. With each impact of the gel subbed surface with a stainless steel or anodized aluminum roller during the emulsion coating operation a charge is produced which ultimately may result in a discharge if the accumulated static achieves or exceeds a prescribed discharge threshhold level. To control this phenomenon in accordance with the technique described herein, a surface of the gel sub was tested to determine its impact electrification potential in the apparatus and according to the method described in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,501 ,653. The results of this test indiciated that at an impact pressure of 20 psi, relative humidity of 5 percent, F and other controlled conditions specified below, the gel surface produced a charge of about +20 esu/cm when the impacting material, i.e., the roll material was stainless steel. Testing under similar environmental conditions utilizing surfaces of a variety of charge control agents, i.e., materials capable of incorporation into the gel surfaces, which demonstrate their own individual charging characteristics, indicated that a class of materials identified as group A or B, described in detail below, had very strongly negative charging characteristics on the order of 30 esu/cm With this information in hand, small amounts of these negative charging agents were incorporated into the gel sub and with some small amount of varying of ratios it was discovered that if concentrations of from about 1 g/g of gel to about 2 g/g of gel of these materials were used, a surface which demonstrated a charge of about 010.5 when tested according to the technique of US. Pat. No. 3,501,653 could be produced.

Further efforts in this area indicated that it was possible by incorporating relatively small amounts, on the order of 0.005 percent by weight of the fluorocarbon materials of group A above, into the gel sub to produce subbed support materials which generated almost no charge when impacted in the controlled fashion described. These materials when subsequently emulsion coated in a conventional apparatus utilizing stainless steel rolls demonstrated uncommonly low levels of static charging over a broad range of humidity conditions, thus providing exceptional processing advantages, and emulsion coated product which was free of static marking.

Although in the preferred embodiment, the charge magnitude of the charge control agent approximates that of the surface whose charge is being doctored, (except, of course, that it is of the opposite polarity) it should be obvious that in fact such close matching of charge magnitude is not absolutely necessary since a relatively smaller amount of a charge control agent which demonstrates a charging propensity of greater magnitude can be incorporated into or coated on a charging surface to achieve a combined charging potential of about zero. Such a combination of high magnitude charging charge control agent and a charging surface of opposite polarity and relatively lower charging potential provides the added advantage that only very small quantities of the control agent need be introduced into the very sensitive and delicately balanced photographic systems in which the product is primarily useful, thereby reducing the possibility of sensitiomet ric problems which may and often do arise when additives are incorporated into such materials.

It should also be noted that although a wide variety of charge control agents" including ionizable salts, acids, alcohols, esters, ethers, etc., as described in detail hereinafter, may be incorporated to provide the desired charge control, it is particularly advantageous if the charge control agent is a surfactant since this permits the formation of a hybrid" surface of charge control agent and charging surface with relatively minimal concentrations of the former, thereby further reducing the amounts of charge control agent which must be added to achieve the desired level of charge control and concurrently the level of potential problems which may result from such incorporation by the use of surfactants; however, care should be taken not to combine interacting or reacting surfactants or charge control agents as will be described in greater detail below. Use of such interacting materials can often result in undesirable repellency characteristics and/or even sensitiometric defects and reasonable care must be exercised to avoid any such use.

The foregoing discussion has been directed primarily to the control of charging so as to provide a surface which, when subjected to impact charging, produces a charge of about esu, as is desirable in the manufacture of photosensitive products. The techniques described can be similarly employed to enhance or increase the magnitude of the charge produced on a surface upon impact. For example, in the application of toners to exposed areas in electrophotography, it is necessary to produce a very high charge on the surface of the toner particles to insure their repulsion by the non-image, similarly charged areas and attraction to the oppositely charged image areas. Hence, in this application, the desire is indeed to increase the surface charging of the toner particles or the imaging materials to some predetermined relatively high level and this can be accomplished by the incorporation of a suitable high charging charge control agent into or onto the surface of the tonerparticles to substantially increase the surface charge of the toner to any desired level and any desired polarity. The selection of surfactant materials or alternatively materials which can be coated in very thin layers or imbibed into the surface for this pur pose produces advantages similar to those stated for photographic usages in that lesser concentrations of such materials are required to produce surfaces havin relatively large concentrations thereof.

Thus, as should be clear the method of charge adjustment or surface alteration described herein is equally applicable to increasing the impact charging characteristics of surfaces as to reducing the same to the zero level, as is highly desirable in the case of the manufacture of radiation sensitive materials.

As a further alternative, due to the differences which occur between internal and external static inducing environments it may be necessary to include on the surface of a given product in addition to one or more of the charge control agents" described above, a more conventional conductivity" agent which would'serve to conduct or bleed off triboelectricity produced over and above certain maximum threshold levels as defined for specific products.

This phenomenon can once again be defined in terms of the photosensitive material described above wherein the technique of the instant invention is utilized to select a charge control agent" or combination of charge control agents which are incorporated into the gel sub surface to eliminate static effects in the internal environment, due to impact with a specific impacting material, namely stainless steel rollers. This same product may, however, after sale, be subjected to an external environment including impacts with plastic, rubber, aluminum, etc., materials for which the original charge control agent provides little if any protection,

and may indeed actually tend to produce increased charging.

Under these circumstances, the incorporation of a conductivity agent as well as a charge control agent becomes a requirement to insure that the article is free of the effects of charge accumulation. Such combinations will be discussed further and examples thereof presented hereinbelow.

As alluded to hereinabove, the use of mixtures or combinations of two or more charge control agents to achieve very exact definitions of the surface charging characteristics of a given material may also be advantageous, and combinations of this type will be demonstrated in the examples below.

Some specific examples of photosensitive products developed as a result of utilization of the above described technique and utilizing materials evaluated in the foregoing examples will now be defined in detail.

Among the types of materials which have been found useful as charge control agents to date are the following classes of compounds:

A. surfactant materials having the generic structure:

wherein:

A is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon chains, and partially and per-fluorinated hydrocarbon chains;

Z is a member selected from the group consisting of n is an integer ranging from to about 8 D is wherein:

Z represents the atoms necessary to constitute a member selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbon rings and alicyclic structures;

R is selected from the group consisting of single and multiple substitutions of members selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, nitroso, hydroxyl, carboxy, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy substituted alkoxy, and

wherein R, is alkyl, aryl, substituted alkyl or substituted aryl;

X is a member selected from the group consisting and CH=CH wherein n an integer from 1 to about Y is a member selected from the group consisting of (l) 0 when M is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, ammonium, metallic cations, and amine salt residues; (2) NH when M is H; and (3) C=O when M is selected from the group consisting of phenyl and substituted phenyl;

C. multifunctional carboxylic acids of the general formula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of:

where if R l) or (2) and R, is hydrogen, R is selected from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, aryl, substituted aryl, hydroxyl,

where if R #3)R, and R may be hydrogen, halogen, nitro, carboxyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkyl and substituted alkyl n and m are integers which may be the same or different and where R, is H, R, may be hydroxyl D. carboxylated polymers in the free carboxyl form as described hereinafter;

E. compounds of the formula wherein l. R, is CH -(CH and n is an integer ranging from about 1 to about 19 then R, may be H, R, or R, with a different value for n 2. R, and/or R may be unsaturated hydrocarbon residues 3. R, and/or R may be aryl or substituted aryl 4. R, may represent atoms of a polymeric structure in which case R may be H or as otherwise defined above; and

M may be H, NH, or an alkali metal cation; and

F. polymeric structures having a repetitive substituent capable of contributing a negative charging influence, as defined in greater detail hereinafter.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention the following members of the various groups of charge control agents A-F have been found most effective in the manufacture of photosensitive materials in view of their relatively less positive charging propensity. Of course, any of the members of these groups as well may also be used to enhance surface charging characteristics as described above. The members include:

A. those compounds wherein A is a partially and even more preferably a completely fluorinated chain;

B. the sodium and potassium salts of the substituted benzene sulfonic acids;

C. multifunctional carboxylic acids such as citric, tartaric, succinic;

D. compounds having the following general structures:

COOH COOII wherein Z may be wherein R is lower alkyl, and

wherein R is lower alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, nitro etc.;

III.

where R is H or methyl;

wherein Z represents the atoms necessary to complete: (a) a polyester (Le, a diol residue); (b) a polyamide; (c) polycarbonate, etc., and n is an integer from 1 to 4',

IV. CH CH wherein n is an integer from 1 to 4; and

V. polymers containing both hydroxyl and aromatic carboxylic acid groups;

E. lower alkyl phosphates; and

F. repetitively halogen, nitro and hydroxyl substituted polymers.

Carboxylated polymers of the type described in D above have been used in their salt forms as conductivity agents, however, we have found that the use of carboxyl containing polymers in the free carboxyl form provide the desired negative charging influence in gelatin photographic materials. Such materials cannot, however, be used as conductivity agents in this form since the surface electrical conductivity thereof is far too low for practical purposes. Furthermore, the salt forms of the carboxyl containing polymers do not show the highly desirable negative charging influence of the free carboxyl groups.

Among the materials included in Class E described above are several which are useful as coating aids or conventional surfactants, however, when used as charge control agents in the context of this application the concentration levels are generally below on the order of 0.1 gram of ester per gram gelatin or 4 micrograms per square centimeter.

Insofar as the members of group F above are concerned it should be noted that copolymers containing substituent groups capable of influencing the charging properties of polymeric materials in a negative direction to any desired level by varying the ratio of negative charging substituents present a myriad of possibilities all of which cannot be recorded here.

The following is a partial list of the specific compounds from among the aforementioned classes which have demonstrated the effects desired: pnitrosophenol sodium salt; p-aminobenzoic acid; pnitrobenzoic acid; 2,4,6-trinitrobenzoic acid; sodium benzoate; p-nitrophenol; picric acid; trinitroresorcinol; p-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid; 3- nitrophthalic acid; ggitrogi inamic acid; dih benz ene phosphonate p-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid, sodium sari, p-nitrophenylacetonitrile; p-nitrophenylacetic acid; p-nitrophenoxy acetic acid; 3-nitrochalcone; 2 ,-dinitrothymol; 2 ,4-dinitro-1- naphthol-7-sulfonic acid; 4-nitrophthalic acid; p-nitrobenzamide, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid; m-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt; p-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid, dibutylamine salt; 4-chloro-m-toluene sulfonic acid; p-fluorobenzene sulfonic acid; p-toluene sulfonic acid (hereinafter pt.s.a.), p-chlorobenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt;,

p-bromobenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt; 2,5-

dichlorobenzene sulfonic acid; p-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid, sodium salt; o(carboxy methoxy) benz oic acid; p-hydroxy b enzoic acid; p-chlorophenylacetic acid; 4,4'-biphenyl disuli'onic acid; 2,5-dichlorosulfanilic acid, sodium salt; sulfosalicyclic acid; 4-sulfophthalic acid, mono sodium salt; 2,2-diphenic acid; trimellitic acid; benzene sulfonic acid (hereinafter b.s.a.); b.s.a., didodecylamine salt; b.s.a., dibutylamine salt; p-t.s.a., tridodecylamine salt; p-t.s.a., p-t.s.a., tridodecylamine salt; p-t.s.a., didodecylamine salt; p-t.s.a., triethylamine salt; 4-sulfophthalic acid, dibutylamine salt; b.s.a. tridodecylamine salt; b.s.a., tributylamine salt; p-t. s.a., :triethylamine salt; p-t.s.a., tributylamine salt; pyromellitic acid; terephthalic acid; phthalic acid; mellitic acid; citric acid; salicyclic acid; d-tartaric acid; succinic acid; oxalic acid; malonic acid; malic acid; maleic acid; adipic acid; fumaric acid; hydroquinone; glutaric acid; I- tartaric acid; 50-50 d-, l-tartaric acid; pyromellitic acid, mono sodium slat; l,3-dicarboxymethyl-5 benzenesulfonic acid, sodium salt; pyromellitic acid NH, pH 4.3; pyromellitic acid Nl-L; pH 8.2; 5- sulfoisophthalic acid sodium salt; 5-sulfosalicyclic acid, trimellitic acid, trimesic acid, compounds of .the following empirical formulas cellulose acetate phthalate, hexahydrophthalate, trimelitate etc., poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(chlorostyrenes), poly(nitro styrenes), poly(vinyl phenols), poly(vinyl chlorobenzoate), poly( vinyl nitro benzoate), and poly( vinyl nitro phthalate).

Among the photographic products which have demonstrated the most problem with triboelectric effects are X-ray and Aero film materials. Due to the peculiar nature of the internal and external environment of each of these classes of photosensitive products they provide especially difficult problems whose solutions are critical to the production of the high resolution, extremely high quality presently demanded in the markets for these products. Utilizing the techniques of the instant method, promising products have been developed in each of these areas and these are described individually hereinafter as a non-limiting means of defining operative techniques, compositions and structures embodying the successful practice of the instant invention. X-Ray Materials didodecylamine salt;

In the manufacture of X-ray materials at the high coating speeds described earlier, considerable discharge generally occurs. It is in products of this nature that gel pickoff due to relatively high humidity conditions in the coating machine becomes prevalent. In

an attempt to solve these problems, measurements were made using well known techniques to determine the maximum amount of triboelectric charging which could. be tolerated on a single impact between a gel subbed X-ray polymeric base and stainless steel and anodized aluminum rollers used to transport the subbed base through the coating machine. This analysis indicated that a maximum single impact charge of about -12 esu/cm was the most which was tolerable, since above this level at the low humidities required to prevent gel pickoff, even with conductivity agents, the eumulative charge built up could not be drained off fast enough and eventually resulted in destructive and often equally spectacular static discharges in the coating machine on the order of 2 feet in length! This maximum or threshold level of single impact charge will of course vary depending upon the number of rollers in a given machine, machine speed, relative humidity, etc.; however, it will be taken as a target level for purposes of the instant discussion.

Thus, the immediate problem becomes one of maintaining the single impact charging level below about 10 esu/cm.

Using the techniques and data presented above, it was determined that compounds of class B described hereinabove were best suited to control of static in the internal environment of this material and small amounts of these compounds were incorporated into these X-ray products.

As already indicated hereinabove, the charge control agents of the present invention can be incorporated into the surface whose charging is to be controlled in a number of fashions. In the instant case it was decided that overcoating the problem-causing gel sub layer with a thin coating of on the order of from about 0.2 to about 4 micrograms/cm of the charge control agent" by deposition from a suitable solvent system such as ethyl alcohol provided most satisfactory results. Of equal success is the technique of mixing the charge control agent with the gel sub prior to coating thereof.

When this latter technique was used, because the materials of group B are not strong surfactants, it was found necessary to increase the concentration thereof to a level of from about 0:5 to about 1.0 g/g of dry weight gelatin in order to obtain a sufficiently high surface concentration thereof to give the desired surface charging characteristics when the subbed base was impacted with stainless steel and/or anodized aluminum rollers. A third method for incorporating the charge control agent comprises contacting a solution thereof with the surface to achieve adsorption thereto and then removing any excess. This method was found most successful when the charge control agent" solvent, for example lower alkanols such as methyl, ethyl, etc., alcohols, was, or incorporated, a swelling agent for the gelatin which opened the pores of the gel surface to permit penetration therein, thereby insuring (a) the formation of at least a discontinuous layer of the charge control agent" at the surface of the gelatin; and (b) the secure attachment of this layer to the gel.

Preferred materials for this type of application are specified in the Examples presented below.

Aero Film A second photosensitive product which has demonstrated an inordinately large degree of charging problems is aero film. The problems associated with these materials are due in large part to the peculiar external environment in which they find use. These materials I are used under extremely severe humidity conditions at extremely high altitudes and are required to advance at high speed through cameras whose component parts of rubber and plastic almost seem designed with the ultimate goal of generating as much static as possible on the film run through them.

In most of the aero film cameras, the rollers ther stainless steel, anodized aluminum, plated metals or several varieties of elastomeric materials, and stataic generated static clue to the impacting of either the emulsion side or the rear surface of the film with the roller. Thus, the surface of the photosensitive product which must be modified is either the emulsion side which is generally overcoated with a protective layer of for example, gelatin plus a coating aid, and the backing layer which may include a slip agent and in present conventional materials a conductivity agent of the type described above.

In the modification of this type of product it was sought to incorporate a surfactant type of material to achieve the lowest possible bulk concentration of charge control agent in the emulsion overcoat and- /or backing layers. Thus, the materials of class A, described above, were selected as the primary candidates for use in this application, although members of each of the other classes could also be used.

Among the materials of class A which were preferred in this context were those wherein A (described above) was a partially or completely fluorinated carbon chain, Z is selected from the group consisting of and X is a halogen. The most useful member of this class and that which to date has demonstrated the strongest negative charging propensity while being readily available had the following formula:

and whose utility is indicated in the Examples below.

In the evaluation of photosensitive materials for use in aero film applications one becomes almost immediately aware of the limitations placed on'any charge control system by the character of the external environment; i.e., a single film product may find use in as many as perhaps different cameras all of which have different roller surface, numbers of rollers, advance speeds, film orientations, etc. Since each of these variables modifies to some degree one or more of those characteristics which determine impact electrification (already described above) it becomes apparent that are eione specific concentration of a charge control additive which gives adequate protection when the film is exposed in camera X under its peculiar set of conditions may perform relatively poorly in camera Y whose rollers are of a different material, whose speed is faster and which is designed for use at a higher altitude. Thus, the addition of charge control agents is not a panacea in this field of use and, indeed, in certain applications must be supplemented by the addition of conductivity agents to compensate for other modes of charging by bleeding off charges which if not bled off could result in the build up of acharge above the discharge threshold levels. In such applications, it has therefore been found useful to combine the charge control agents of the instant application with conductivity agents to obtain insurance against excessive charge build-up.

Although easily stated, the result is not always so easily defined in a given system, since conductivity agents like all other materials demonstrate their own peculiar impact electrification characteristics which must also be accounted for.

Mixtures of charge control and conductivity agents thus may be used to provide impact electrification values close to zero over a wider range of concentrations. Furthermore, combinations of two or more charge control agents" may be used to achieve finer tuning" of the surface charging characteristics of any given modified surface.

The following Examples will serve to better demonstrate the technique described above, a broad variety of useful charge control agents" as well as radiation sensitive products incorporating charge control agents of the type described.

EXAMPLE 1 A standard test surface is prepared by coating 7 mil poly(ethylene terephthalate) support with an unmodified overcoat of gelatin to a dry weight of l mg/cm Coated samples are conditioned to 5% RH 70F. A solution containing 1 mg/ml of the test compound in ethyl alcohol is prepared and one drop of this solution allowed to spread over 4 cm of the gelatin test surface. The resultant coverage of test compound on the gelatin surface is approximately 4 ug/cm". This test area is then impacted with the metal test head (or other reference material) in the apparatus and with the technique described in the aforementioned Bailey patent and the charge generated is recorded. In some cases unsubbed poly(ethylene terephthalate) is used as a test substrate. The test values are recorded in Table I. In should also be noted that other solvents may be used in some cases for appropriate solvent action.

The values in Table I must be considered as relative values. The cleaning procedure for the impacting head may leave some surface contamination thus changing the magnitude of the charge generated on impact. Cleaning procedures have evolved over a period of time, however, and a much more repeatable surface is obtained by cleaning with appropriate solvent for the material previously tested followed by cleaning with absolute alcohol. Cleaning in this manner produces a value of approximately +30 esu/cm against the untreated gelatin check. Thus, the values in Table 1 must be compared with the appropriate charging value ob-,

Table I Impact Charge Values for Treated Gelatin Against Various Reference Surfaces Esu/cm at 20 psi Impact Pressure Reference Surfaces No. Surface Treatment Solvent Metal Rubber Rem .let

l Sodium p-Nitroso Phenol ETOH 3.4 7.5 LI 2 pAmino Benzoic Acid do. 3.l +l l.l .4 3 p-Nitro do. do. do. l9.2 O 3.3 Check. untreated gel. Avg. do. 05.9 +l2.6 3.5

4 Benzoic Acid ETOH 2.] +l 1.4 3.2 5 2-4-6 Trinitro Benzoic Acid do. 28.8 l5.3 5.4 6 Sodium Benzoate do. 5.l 8.7 .7 7 p-Nitro Phenol do. 8.] +102 3.2 8 Picric Acid do. 24.7 +l 1.3 3.0 9 Trinitro Resorcinol do. 36.(] -l3.7 4.0 Check, untreated gel, Avg. do. 3.5 +l2.l 4.5

10 P-Nitro Benzene Sulfonic ETOH 32.0 l7.7 4.0

Acid ll S-Nitro Phthalic Acid do. 27.3 3.8 2.7 l2 p-Nitro Cinnamic Acid do. l5.6 l4.l 5.6 Check, untreated gel Avg. do. 4.3 +l2.4 4.l

l3 Benzene Phosphonatc. diH ETOH 2.6 +1 L8 2.4 l4 Ethyl diH Phosphate do. l3.0 3.7 0 l5 Butyl diH Phosphate do. l2.5 L2 0 l6 Dihutyl H Phosphate do. L3 0 0 Check. untreated gel. Avg. do. 6.8 +l L) 4.1

17 p-Nitm. NaBenzcne Sulfonatc ETOH 32.l Check. untreated gel. Avg.

l8 p-Nitrophenyl Acetonitrile ETOH .l 8.0 19 P-Nitrophenyl Acetic Acid do. 13.4 1.9 20 p-Nitrophenoxy Acetic Acid do. 2o.7 7.6 2l 3-Nitrochalcone do. .4 +l l.5 Check. Avg. untreated gel 8.1 +l2.0

Table I Csmti ss Impact Charge Values for Treated Gelatin Against Various Reference Surfaces Esu/cm at psi Impact Pressure Reference Surfaces No. Surface Treatment Solvent Metal Rubber Rem Jet 22 2.6-dinitro thylmol ETOH -l 8.4 4.0 23 2.4-dinitro-l-napthol-7- Sult'onic Acid do. 23.0 l3.l 24 4-Nitrophthalic Acid do. 39.6 --l2.0 25 p-Nitrohc'nzamidc do. 4.3 .5 Check. Avg. untreated gel 9.2 +l0.5

26 24-6 Trinitro Benzene Sulfonic Acid ETOH 39.0 7.1 Check. Avg. untreated gel 9.7 8.9

27 m-Nitrn Sodium Benzene Sulfonate ETOH 29.0 6.0 Check, Avg. untreated gel +l2.l 6.0

"' Carbon dispersion in cellulose acetate hexuhydrophthalate lmpact Charge for Treated Gel and Polyester Strips Esu/cm" at 20 psi Impact Pressure Metal Reference The following abbreviations are used: B.S.A. fur Benzene Sull'unic Acid p-T.S.A. for p-Toluene Sulfunic Acid pnlytcthylenc terephthalute) No. Surface Treatment Solvent Gel Polyester 28 p-Nitro B.S.A., dibutyl amine salt ETOH -24.0 29 p-Nitro B.S.A.. dibutyl amine salt PrCl, 3.0 30 p-T.S.A. ETOH l8.6 20.5 Check, Avg. untreated gel 8.1

3| 4-Chloro m-Tolunc NaSulfonate ETOH 3.0 3.0 32 p-Fluoro Sodium Benzene Sulfonate do. 22.0 l4.0 33 p-Chloro Sodium Benzene Sulfonatc do. 35.0 22.0 34 p-Bromo Sodium Benzene Sulfonate do. l0.0 8.5 Check. Avg. untreated gel and Mylar 35 2.5-dichlom B.S.A. ETOH 5.0 8.0 36 p-Hydroxy Sodium Benzene Sulfonate do. 220 l5.5 37 o-(carboxy methoxy) Benzoic Acid do. -35.0 24.5 38 p-Hydroxy Benzoic Acid do. 30.() l0.0 Check. Avg. untreated gel and Mylar +l0.0 .3

39 p-Chloro phenyl Acetic Acid ETOH l3.0 .6 40 4.4-Biphenyl disull'onic Acid dd. 37.0 l8.0 4| 2.5-Dichloro Sulfanilic Acid.

Na salt do. l3.0 2.0 42 Sulfosalicylic Acid do 45.0 36.0 Check. Avg. untreated gel and Mylar 43 4-Sulfophthalic Acid, mono Na salt ETOH 25.0 l6.0 44 2,2'-Diphenic Acid do. I l.0 3.0 45 Trimellitic Acid do. 32.0 28.0 Check. Avg. untreated gel and Mylar +l0.0 .4

46 Benzene Sulfonic Acid ETOH 32.0 .4 47 B.S.A.. didodecyl amine salt do. 3.2 2.0 48 Benzene Sulfonic Acid PrCl 22.0 1.2 49 B.S.A., didodecyl amine salt do. 3.7 2.4 Check, Avg. untreated gel and Mylar 9.5 .4 50 B.S.A., dibutyl amine salt PrCl, 3.0 1.] 5| p-T.S.A.. triodecyl amine salt ETOH 2.0 3.1 52 p-T.S.A., didodecyl amine salt do. 4.2 3.3 53 p-T.S.A.. tridodecyl amine salt PrCl, 3.0 1.7 54 p-T.S.A.. didodecyl amine salt do. 6.7 2.0 'Check. Avg. untreated gel and Mylar +l3.0 .5

55 p-T.S.A.. triethyl amine salt ETOH +350 +350 56 4-Sulf0phthalic Acid. dibutyl amine salt do. l4.0 l4.0 57 B.S.A. tridodecyl amine salt do. .8 .8 58 B.S.A.. tridodecyl amine salt PrCl, 3.0 L5 59 B.S.A.. tributyl amine salt MeOH +l4.0 +l6.0 Check. Avg. untreated gel and Mylar +l0.5 l0.5

of simple structure in mixture with the gelatin. A greater quantity of agent is necessary, however, than if it were applied to the surface. Mixtures in gelatin are spread or coated by hand on cellulose acetate propionate (14 percent propionyl, 30 percent acetyl plasticized with butyl sebacate), also subbed with a conventional gel-nitrate solution (1 percent gel, kpercent cellulose nitrate [l 1% N 2 percent acetic acid balance methanol and acetone), as a simulated gel wash. The charging values are shown in Table ll.

-Continued Impact Charge for Treated Gel and Polyester Strips Esu/cm at 20 psi Impact Pressure Metal Reference No Surface Treatment Solvent Gel Polyester" 60 B.S.A., triethyl amine salt MeOH +1 1.0 2.2 6| p-T.S.A., triethyl amine salt do. 2.! 9.0 62 p-T.S.A., tributyl amine salt do. +23.0 8.5 Check, Avg. untreated gel and Mylar +1 1.0 .4

63 Pyromellitic Acid MeOH -40.0 5.5 64 Terephthalic Acid do. +l8.0 l0.0 65 Phthalic Acid do. +20.0 4.0 66 Phthalic Acid ETOH 34.0 15.5 Check, Avg. untreated gel and Mylar +l3.0 .6

67 Mellitic Acid MeOH -40.0 8.0 68 Citric Acid ETOH 32.0 69 Salicylic Acid dd. 3.0 70 d-Tartaric Acid do. 33.0 l6.0 7l Succinic Acid do. -l4.0 -l0.0 72 Oxalic Acid do. 1.0 -12.0 73 Malonic Acid do. +l2.5 7.0 74 Malic Acid do. l6.0 4.0 75 Maleic Acid do. 19.0 14.0 70 Adipic Acid ddv 6.0 4.0 77 Fumaric Acid dov l6.0 2.5 78 Hydroquinone do. l.0 9.0 79 Glutaric Acid do. 1.6 80 L-Tartaric Acid do. 40.0 24.0 8| 50-50 L-Tartaric Acid dd. 40.0 82 Pyromellitic Acid, Mono Na Salt do. l5.0 83 l,3-dicarboxymethyl--Na benzenedo. l.6 4.0

Sulfonate Treated Sub Strip 84 Pryomellic Acid NH+ 4.3 l% in H2O 4.0 85 Pyromellitic Acid NH} pH 8.2 do. +l3.0

Treated Sub Strip 86 Mellitic Acid 00 McOH- 1.4

40 H 87 Citric Acid MeOH L8 88 Citric Acid 60 MeOH- .6

11,0 89 d-Tartaric Acid MeOH .25 9t) d-Tartic Acid 60 MeOH- .4

40 H2O 9| Pyrnmellitic Acid 60 MeOH- .9

40 H20 92 S-Sulfoisophthalic Acid Nu salt MeOH 7.0 )3 S-SuIfoiisalicyIic Acid MeOH 1.2

' polytclhylcnc tcrcpthulutc) Several of the test materials are also applied from wa- Table ll ter. The molecular size of many of the simpler compounds no doubt allows them to be absorbed into the Simulated Gel Wash Test swollen gelatin coating since it contains no hardener. 30 'P S'ded F Stainless Steel Reference Head Some materials may also be imbibed into the surface values in on imed Ge mi S bs during longer periods of time at conditions of high rela- G I A R tive humidity which allows considerable swelling of the Agent m e gem :2 gelatin coating. Thus, these materials are no longer present at the surface (unless they are surface active None Sub Check +210 d h rf h f None Untreated Type V gel check +l7.0 -materrals) an t e su ace is now c aracteristic 0 an 94 ssmmancyuc Acid +5.0

untreated gelatin. 9s Pyromellitic Acid +3.5 -2.0 W 96 Tamol N 4 97 Mellitic Acid 9.0 98 Citric +4.0 EXAMPLE 2 99 Sapomn .2

conslderlflg the pracflcahty of modlfymg the charg' Inspection of these values shows a considerable reducf g P PPF of f Surfaces from aqueous Solu' tion in the high positive charging behavior of gelatin. trons, it 15 also possible to coat a charge control agent EXAMPLE 3 A machine coating is made from the data of Example 2 to control average and investigate other reference surfaces and other humidities. The coating solution consist of:

1 percent and 1.5 percent Pyromellitic acid (PMA) 1 percent Type V gel The PMA and gel check also contain 0.19 percent Saponin as a coating aid. The five solutions are coated by conventional hopper application at (a) 123, and (b) 154 cc solution per 100 ft coverages on both cellulose triacetate (41 percent acetyl) and cellulose acetate propionate (14 percent propionyl, 30 percent acetyl) support, subbed with a mixed gel-nitrate sub. The samples are then impacted with two reference surfaces, stainless steel and rem jet. The values are shown in Table III. The charging values for both sets of experimental samples are identical.

Table III Gel Wash Coatings On Cellulose Acetate Propionate Gel Nitrate Sub (Described Above) ESU/CM On Sub Against Metal and Rern Jet 20 PS1 Single Sided Impacts 5% 50% Sample 5% Rem Rem Rem No. Feature Coverage Metal Jet Jet" Jet Sub Check-uncoated +30.0 +5.9 +5.5 +5.8 1 check 1% Type V Gel I23 +3.8 +3.2 +3.7 +3.6 2 Check 1% Type V Gel I54 +2.0 +2.4 +2.9 +3.4 7 1% Gel I; PMA 123 l.2 .52 +1.] .87 6 17r Gel l7r PMA 154 2.0 .5 .8 .4 9 1% Gel 1.5% PMA 123 2.0 .52 .l .5 l0 1% Gel 1.5% PMA 154 3.2 .2 .03 .4 l6 1% Gel Sap. 123 +2.0 +1.4 +2.4 +3.2 14 1% Gel 1% Sap. 154 +1.0 +1.2 +2.1 +2.7 18 1% Gel 1.5% Sap. 123 .3 +1.3 +2.0 +2.6 20 1% Gel 1.5% Sap. 154 +1.0 +1.1 +2.4 +2.0

Carbon dispersion in cellulose acetate hexahydrophthulate Inspection of Table "I shows PMA is clearly more effective than Saponin and is relatively invariant of the humidity range whereas Saponin shows a positive trend (less effective) with humidity. The lower values obtained for check samples 1 and 2 are the result of 0.19 percent Saponin used as a coating aid.

EXAMPLE 4 Many of the smaller organic molecules of Example 1 are easily imbibed into a gelatin surface if they are applied from aqueous media due to the swelling of the gelatin. Thus the resultant charging properties of the surface may be difficult to control. A large molecule incapable of excessive imbibition yet retaining the inherent charging properties is prepared as follows: A copolyester (polyethylene pyromellitate) is prepared by mixing in a suitable flask equimolar amounts of ethylene glycol and pyromellitic dianhydride with sufficient N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) to provide a homogeneous solution at 60C. The temperature is then raised to 90C and DMF distilled off under a vacuum. Heating is continued under vacuum ultil the temperature of the contents reaches 175C. This temperature is maintained for approximately 1 hour.

A viscous off-white polymer remains which upon cooling solidifies into a glassy mass. The polymer is hard and brittle, dispersible in water, and soluble in dilute alkali.

Polyethylene pyromellitate may be coated from aqueous solutions over gelatin with retention of the negative charging characteristic of the molecule. A 1 percent aqueous solution coated on the gelatin sub of a cellulose acetate support (43.3 percent acetyl, plasticized with methoxy ethyl phthalate and triphenyl phosphate) produces a charging value of -33 esu/cm 20 psi impact at 5% RH.

Mixtures of gelatin and polyethylene pyromellitate can be prepared substantially as described in Example charging value for the untreated sample under identical conditions is +30 esulcm The charging properties of gelatin may be modified by chemical reaction of the gelatin. Representative modifications are shown in Examples 5 and 6.

EXAMPLE 5 Twenty gm. of acid process gelatin is dissolved in 100 ml water and 100 ml DNF added. The solution is heated to C and 5.0 gm. B-Propiolactone is added with vigorous mixing. The temperature is maintained for one-half hour, the contents cooled, and precipitated into a 1:1 mixture by volume of acetonemethyl alcohol. The precipitate is then extracted with 3A alcohol in a Waring blender and finally triturated overnight with 3A alcohol, filtered, and dried. The dry yield is 24.9 gm.

The chemically modified gelatin is soluble in water. A 6 percent solution forms a gel at room temperature.

A 6 percent solution coated 3 mils wet thickness over subbed cellulose triacetate produces a dominant surface of modified gelatin. The impact charge value of this surface is +6 esu/cm. The charging value of the subbed cellulose triacetate is +30 esu/cm".

EXAMPLE 6 Another chemically modified gelatin with modified charging properties is prepared as follows:

Forty gm. acid process gelatin is slurried in 250 mls dry DMF. To this, 19.2 gm (0.! mole) trimellitic anhydride (TMA) dissolved in 50 ml DMF is added. The mixture is thermostatted at 50C with mixing for a period of 30 hours during which time the gelatin reaction product gradually dissolves to produce a homogeneous solution. The solution is colled and precipitated into 1,500 ml isopropyl alcohol. Subsequent washing with isopropyl alcohol and drying yields 50.1 gm or 84.6 percent of the theoretical amount. The remainder is lost due to solubility in the isopropyl alcohol DMF mixture.

The product has limited water solubility but is dispersible in water. Coatings made from a 6 percent dispersion produce a matte coating.

A 6 percent dispersion has a pH of approximately 2. Upon addition of alkali to a pH of approximately 4 a clear solution results.

The impact charging values of this material depend upon the state of the carboxyl groups on the modified gelatin. In the free carboxy form the material is less positive charging than unmodified gelatin, however, as the carboxyl groups are neutralized with various alkalies the charging properties more closely resemble those of unmodified gelatin. Six percent solutions of TMA modified gelatin are coated over cellulose triacetate at various pH's and impact charging measured at 20 psi and 5% RH. The results are shown in Table IV below.

TABLE IV lmpact Value pH Alkali esu/cm" 2 None +l 4 4 NaOH +30 4 NH OH +16 8.5 NH 0H +19 unmodified gelatin +30 The reduction of positive charging of gelatin by the above chemical modifications is not sufficient to eliminate static completely, but is only intended to show representative chemical modification with active negative charging groups on the gelatin backbone. Other negative charging groups could be introduced which might be more effective. A chemically modified gelatin is of value however. Mixtures of a chemically modified gelatin with a negative charging material to reduce charging close to zero requires a smaller amount of addenda. This is of particular value if the addenda is sensitometrically active or very costly and can only be used in limited concentrations.

Although the principal subject of surface modification described in the foregoing examples is gelatin, it should be clear that since all materials demonstrate triboelectric effects to one degree or another that virtually any charging surface can be modified with an appropriate agent to produce desired surface charging characteristics.

EXAMPLE 7 A suitable support poly(ethylene terephthalate), cellulose ester, etc.) is first coated with an unmodified 5 percent gelatin solution at a wet coverage of 615cc per hundred square feet. This gelatin coating provides an isolating layer over which the subsequently prepared experimentally modified gelatin can be coated. A 2.9 percent solution of gelatin is prepared using low concentrations of a fluorinated surfactant having the formula and this modified gelatin solution simultaneously overcoated at a wet coverage of 176cc per hundred square feet. The samples are then equilibrated at 5% RH, F for the impact electrification measurements. Impact values are measured at 5% RH, 70F and 20 psi impact pressure. The results are shown in Table V below.

Coverage A equals 175 cc solution per l00 ft Coverage B equals 350 cc solution per ft Inspection of Table V will show that the two different thicknesses are zero charging at 0.025 and 0.015 gm per lb. for A and B respectively. Coverage B is within the 0 i 8 esu/cm in the concentration range of 0.012 to 0.02 gm per lb.

Coatings of other materials tested in a fashion similar to that just as described are shown in Table VI below wherein the concentration of the additives is in percent by weight and the coverage is Coverage A, 10 PS1, 5% RH, 70F).

T l yLlQ n i u d on +5.5 +6.6 +6.2 +4.8 1eHa:-OPOK +10 +2.9 +2.4 +1.0 +1.3 +0.0 Cn 1i= oHr1O-P0H /OH +10 +1.4 +1.6 +1.2 +1.2 CnHzE-OP EXAMPLE 8 within whatever limits are necessary. It also allows the TABLE VII Impact electrification Saponin-fluorocarbon Surfactant Mixtures Fluorocarbon Saponin Concentration Concentration gm/lb of melt gm/lb of melt 0.|0 0.80

Comparison of Tables V and VII shows the expansion of effective working concentrations for the fluorocarbon by using a mixture of charge control agents and coating aids. With these types of combinations of materials the charging characteristics of a particularsurface use of the best available surfactants used as coating aids such that the quality of the coating is not compromised to control static.

Many other combinations of surface active agents may be employed in subbing layers, backing layers, emulsion layers and in coatings over emulsion layers to control the charging properties of these individual layers and the ultimate product.

EXAMPLE 9 A similar result is observed in the treatment of the X-ray materials described above, although such dual protection is not necessarily so important with that type of product in view of the relatively controlled external and internal environment of these products.

Coatings of the X-ray subbing layer are made in conventional coating apparatus to investigate suitable concentrations of charge control agents and mixtures thereof. A conventional gel subbing layer, is used exclusive of the conducting salt.

The sub is normally composed of one per cent gelatin, Saponin, a fungicide, a hardener, for example chrome alum and matte.

The effect of Saponin additions to the subbing composition is shown in Table VIII below:

TABLE VIII Impact Electrification of Modified Subbing Layers vs Stainless Steel and Anodized Aluminum at 20 psi Impact Pressure, 70F

Total 5% RH RH Sample Saponin Anodized Anodized No. Addendum SS Aluminum SS Aluminum 1 O +28.0 +l2.5 +26.0 +l6.0 2 .0l +24.0 +1 l.0 +220 +l2.7 3 .l5 5.9 6.0 8.4 2.4 4 .20 2.0 3.5 0.3 L0

5 .25 1.6 2.2 4.2 L8 6 .30 3.0 0.8 5.0 3.2 Conventional xray product +l6.5 +l0.5 +l7.0 7.3

Inspection of Table VIII indicates that the higher concentrations of Saponin could be used successfully to lower the charging characteristics of the sub. However, at concentrations of 0.25 per cent or above there are indications of destruction of good bonding properties of the emulsion layer.

Mixtures of Saponin and p-chlorobenzene sulfonic acid sodium salt, p-CSA, Na Salt, were used as the subbing addenda and coated and tested as above. These results are shown in Table IX below.

TABLE 1x Percent Addenda 5% RH 50% RH p-CSA. Anodized Anodized Sample No. Saponin Na Salt SS Aluminum SS Aluminum 7 .0l .4 +l6.0 9.0 22.0 9.0 8 .0] .45 7.2 2.6 2S.0 l0.0 9 .0l .5 9.5 6.5 27.0 l3.3 l .l0 .45 +l3.8 9.0 8.0 5.4 ll .IO .50 +5.0 2.5 -8.0 l.2 l2 .l0 .60 5.0 l.2 ll.7 5.0 l3 .IO .70 5.0 2.5 l0.0 5.0 I4 .l3 .50 +5.3 +1.2 ll.4 -6.0 l5 .IS .50 2.6 1.0 l2.0 8.0 l6 .l8 .50 +5.4 +0.8 6.0 "4.0 l7 .13 .60 4.2 5.l l4.4 8.5 l8 .l5 .60 5.6 4.9 l4.0 7.0 l9 .l8 .60 2.5 4.5 9.0 4.5 Check +l6.5 +l0.5 +l7.0 7.3

In Trial l the emulsions are coated in the normal manner, i.e.. one side is emulsion coated and dried then the other side is emulsion coated in line and dried.

ln Trial 2 the first emulsion is coated and dried and put through to windup. The roll is then sent through the machine a second time to emulsion coat the opposite side. Thus, Trial 2 is a much more severe test of the electrostatic sparking propensity of the sub layer.

The results are shown in Table X below:

TABLE X Production Trials of Saponin (p-C.S.A., Na salt) Addenda to poly(ethylene terephthalate) subs Impact Electrification of Sub 5% RH RH Anodized Anodized Addenda SS Aluminum SS Aluminum Static Results 0.2% Saponin Trial 1 +5.5 +5.4 +l3.0 +5.7 Scattered Branch 0.0% pstatic, 30 ft. only;

chlorobenzenesulfonic remainder clear Acid Sodium Salt no static Trial 2 +5.5 +l2.5 Branch Static from roller grooves, some spot static throughout 0.9? SaponinTrial l +8.5 +9.5 +l6.0 +6.0 Scattered spot static 0.45% p-CSA Na Salt Trial 2 +1 l.0 +l0.() Spot static throughout 0.2% Saponin Trial l +l2.0 +9.0 +23.0 +8.4 No static marking 0.45% p-CSA Na Salt Trial 2 +l5.0 +l8.5 Slight static. branch and spot for 30 feet only Check Trial l +23.0 +l2.2 +24.0 +l4.0 No static marking Trial 2 Spot static throughout Trial 2 Dense branch throughout for controlling the charging characteristics of the surface is obtained since narrower variations in charging behavior are experienced with similar quantitative additions of charge control agent.

EXAMPLE l0 Two production coatings of Saponin p-chlorobenzenesulfonic Acid Sodium Salt (p-CSA, Na Salt) are used as addenda in subbing mixtures and coated. Full width samples are processed and examined for static defects.

a 33 Table Xl Production Rolls of Saponin p-CSA, Na Salt Addenda to Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Sub (Gelatin Plus Matte, Fungicide, Etc.)

Impact Electrification H Two of the above full length rolls were emulsion coated in the normal manner and subsequent processing showed both to be free of static. Emulsion adhesion is good and there is no gelatin pickoff due to tacky subbing layers during emulsion coating.

It is important to note that all but one sample produced on the production machines are very close to the general criteria of i esu/cm against anodized aluminum on production coatings. For any given product this limit may be subject to broader or possibly narrower limits.

A further review of Table 1X will show that'there is sufficient room for adjustment of concentration to reduce charging very close to zero.

Additions of p-CSA, Na Salt to subbing formulations at 1x and 10X use. concentrations have shown no adverse sensitometric effects on accelerated testing.

Although the foregoing description relates primarily to testing and treatment of gel subbed'and unsuhbed polymeric film base materials it should be clear that the techniques and principles disclosed herein are equally applicable to other materials which demonstrate undesirable triboelectric effects. For example, resin coated paper products which find broad usage in the photographic arts can be similarly tested and the various surfaces thereof treated in accordance with the techniques described herein. Subbing layers applied over such bases may also be treated as may emulsions, non-silver, and therefore nongelatin, photosensitive products, etc.

Furthermore, although the description contained herein has been directed primarily to the additionof relatively high negative charging species to surfaces which demonstrate relatively high positive charging when impacted with a given reference surface which forms a greater portion of that surfaces internal and/or face to be modified will of course depend on many of' the numerous factors discussed hereinabove which affect the charging of the system under consideration.

From the foregoing examples several points concerning the systems under discussion and the solutions and techniques proposed for use in connection therewith should be clear. Among these are the following:

l. The static charging properties of surfaces are apparently a direct consequence of their chemical structures. In particular the strong positive charging characteristics of gelatin and gel-nitrate subs as utilized in photographic applications can ,be "neutralized" or nullified" by the application of any one of a number of negative charging materials out of a suitable solvent or in some other manner to form a continuous or discontinuous layer having a dry thickness of less than about 300 Angstroms.

2. The effect of this technique is coverage dependent thereby providing a handle" with which the charging or surface potential can be adjusted to any desired level.

3. The charging properties of any given unmodified surface, a surface of a charge control agent" or a surface modified with a charge control agent are impossible to predict with any degree of certainty and thus, if one desires to alter the charging characteristics of any particular surface it is necessary to first accurately measure the charging characteristics of the unmodified the present at least, involve the practice of the method' of the present invention.

Furthermore, although, in the discussion and examples presented hereinabove substantially all of the techniques described for overcoming the problem of static charging have been directed to the treatment of, for example, the photographic film or more broadly the im pacting surface it must be made clear that similar results can be achieved by treatment of the impacted surface, i.e., for example, in the case of aero film the camera roller or in an emulsion coating machine the stainless steel or anodized aluminum roller. Such treatment can be accomplished by impregnating into or coating onto the surface ofsuch roller"charge control agents which produce a substantially zero, or very low charge when impacted with, for example, a gel subbed film support, or the emulsion 'or support side of a specific photosensitive material.

Stated more generally, as described at the beginning of this application the generation of triboelectric charges is due to the contacting and dissociation of two usually dissimilar surfaces. What is being stated now is that either or both of these surfaces may be treated to reduce triboelectric charging to an acceptable level. Thus, in the case of the charging problem incident to the use of aero film, it would be entirely possible to coat or impregnate the camera transport rollers with a suitable charge control agent to achieve charge reduction.

As should also be clear from the foregoing description the quantities and concentrations of charge control agents which are used to alter the charging characteristics of surfaces will vary boradly depending upon the nature of the charging surface and may range from a discontinuous spotty layer up to and including continuous layers of charge control agents" which demonstrate, to a large extent, the charging characteristics of the charge control agent.

The silver halide emulsions used in the photographic products of the present invention can comprise, for example, silver chloride, silver bromide, silver bromoiodide, silver chlorobromide, silver chloroiodide, silver chlorobromoiodide crystals or mixtures thereof. The emulsions may be coarse or fine grain emulsions prepared by any of the well-known techniques, e.g., single jet emulsions such as those described in Trivelli and Smith The Photographic Journal, Vol. LXXIX, May, 1939 (pp 330-338), double jet emulsions such as Lippmann emulsions, ammoniacal emulsions, thiocyanate or thioether ripened emulsion such 55 those described in Neitz et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,222,264 issued Nov. 19, 1940; lllingsworth U.S. Pat. No. 3,320,069 issued May 16, 1967; and McBride U.S. Pat. No. 3,271,157 issued Sept. 6, 1966. Surface image emulsions may be used or internal image emulsions may be used such as those described in Davey et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,592,250 issued May 8, 1952; Porter et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,206,313 issued Sept. 14, 1965; Berriman U.S. Pat. No. 3,367,778 issued Feb. 6, 1968; and Bacon et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,927 issued June 3, 1969. If desired, mixtures of surface and internal image emulsions may be used as described in Luckey et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,996,382 issued Aug. 15, 1961. The emulsions may be regular grain emulsions such as the type described in Klein and Moisar, J. Phat. Sci., Vol. 12, No. 5, Sept./Oct., 1964, pp 242-251. Negative type emulsions may be used or direct positive emulsions may be used such as those described in Leermakers U.S. Pat. No. 2,184,013 issued Dec. 19, 1939; Kendall et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,541,472 issued Feb. 13, 1951; Berriman U.S. Pat. No. 3,367,778 issued Feb. 6, 1968; Schouwenaars British Pat. No. 723,019 issued Feb. 2, 1955; lllingsworth et a1. French Pat. No. 1,520,821 issued Mar. 4, 1968; lllingsworth U.S. Pat. No. 3,501,307 issued Mar. 17, 1970; lves U.S. Pat. No. 2,563,785 issued Aug. 7, 1951; Knott et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,456,953 issued Dec. 21, 1948; and LandU.S. Pat. No. 2,861,885 issued Nov. 25, 1958.

The emulsions used with this invention may be sensi-' McVeigh U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,447 issued Jan. 10, 1967;

and Dunn U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,446 issued Jan. 10, 1967.

The silver halide emulsions used with this invention may contain speed increasing compounds such as polyalkylene glycols, cationic surface active agents and thioethers or combinations of these as described in Piper U.S. Pat. No. 2,886,437 issued May 12, 1959; Dann et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,046,134 issued July 24, 1962; Carroll et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,900 issued July 12, 1960; and Goffe U.S. Pat. No. 3,294,540 issued Dec. 27, 1966.

The silver halide emulsions used in the practice of this invention can be protected against the production of fog and can be stabilized against loss of sensitivity during keeping. Suitable antifoggants and stabilizers each used alone or in combination include thiazolium salts described in Brooker et al. U.S. Pat. No.

2,131,038 issued Sept. 27, 1938; and Allen et-al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,694,716 issued Nov. 16, 1954; the azaindenes described in Piper U.S. Pat. No. 2,886,437 issued May 12, 1959; and Heimback et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,444,605 issued July 6, 1948; the mercury salts as described in Allen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,728,663 issued Dec. 27, 1955; the urazoles described in Anderson et a1. U.S. Pat. No. 3,287,135 issued Nov. 22, 1966; the sulfocatechols described in Kennard et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,236,652 issued Feb. 22, 1966, the oximes described in Carroll et al. British Pat. No. 623,448 issued May 18, 1949; nitron; nitroindazoles; the mercaptotetrazoles described in Kendall et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,403,927 issued July 16, 1946; Kennard et a1 U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,897 issued Aug. 16, 1966; and Luckey et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,987 issued Aug. 20, 1968; the polyvalent metal salts described in Jones U.S. Pat. No. 2,839,405 issued June 17, 8; the thiuronium salt described in Herz et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,839 issued Nov. 30, 1965; the palladium, platinum and gold salts described in Trivelli et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,566,263 issued Aug. 28, 1951; and Yutzy et a1 U.S. Pat. No. 2,597,915 issued May 27, 1952.

The photographic and other hardenable layers used in the practice of this invention can be hardened by various organic or inorganic hardeners, alone or in combination, such as the aldehydes, and blocked aldehydes as described in Allen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,232,764 issued Feb. 1966, ketones, carboxylic and carbonic acid derivatives, fulfonate esters, sulfonyl halides and vinyl sulfonyl ethers as described in Burness et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,539,644 issued Nov. 10, 1970, active halogen compounds, epoxy compounds, aziridines, active olefins, isocyanates, carbodiimides, polymeric hardeners such as oxidized polysaccharides like dialdehyde starch and oxyguargum and the like.

The photographic emulsions and elements described in the practice of this invention can contain various colloids alone or in combination as vehicles, binding agents and various layers. Suitable hydrophilic materials include both naturally-occurring substances such as proteins, for example, gelatin, gelatin derivatives, cellulose derivatives, polysaccharides such as dextran, gum arabic and the like; and synthetic polymeric substances such as water soluble polyvinyl compounds like poly(- vinylpyrrolidone), acrylamide polymers and the like.

The described photographic emulsion layers and other layers of a photographic element employed in the practice of this invention can also contain alone or in combination with hydrophilic, water permeable colloids, other synthetic polymeric compounds such as dispersed vinyl compounds such as in latex form and particularly those which increase the dimensional stability of the photographic materials. Suitable synthetic polymers include those described for example, in Nottorf U.S. Pat. No. 3,142,568 issued July 28, 1964; White U.S. Pat. No. 3,193,386 issued July 6, 1965; Houck et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,062,674 issued Nov. 6, 1962; Houck et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,844 issued Nov. 30, 1965; Ream et a1. U.S. Pat. No. 3,287,289 issued Nov. 22, 1966; and Dykstra U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,911 issued Nov. 19, 1968. Particularly effective are those water-insoluble polymers of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid, sulfoalkyl acrylates or methacrylates, those which have cross-linking sites which facilcurring sulfobetaine units as described in Dykstra Canadian Pat. No. 774,054.

The photographic elements used with this invention may in addition to the charge control agents described contain conducting layers, or compounds which may comprise soluble salts, e.g., chlorides, nitrates, etc., evaporated metal layers, ionic polymers such as those described in Minsk U.S. Pat. No. 2,861,056 issued Nov. 18, 1958 and Sterman et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,206,312 issued Sept. 14, 1965, or insoluble inorganic salts such as those described in Trevoy U.S. Pat. No. 3,428,451 issued Feb. 18, 1969.

The photographic layers and other layers of a photographic element employed and described herein can be coated on a wide variety of supports in addition to those mentioned specifically above. These include cellulose nitrate film, poly(viny1 acetal) film, polystyrene film, and related films or resinous materials, as well as glass, paper, metal and the like. Typically, a flexible support is employed, especially a paper support, which can be partially acetylated or coated with baryta and/or an alpha-olefin polymer, particularly a polymer of an alpha-olefin containing 20 to carbon atoms such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylenebutene copolymers and the like.

As alluded to above, the radiation sensitive layers employed in the practice of this invention may contain surfactants such as saponin; anionic compounds such as the alkyl aryl sulfonates described in Baldesiefen U.S. Pat. No. 2,600,831 issued June 17, 1952; amphoteric compounds such as those described in Ben-Ezra U.S. Pat. No. 3,133,816 issued May 19, 1964; and water soluble adducts of glycidol and an alkyl phenol I such as those described in Olin Mathieson British Pat.

No. 1,022,878 issued Mar. 16, 1966; and Knox U.S. Pat. No. 3,514,293 issued May 26, 1970.

The photographic elements employed in the practice of this invention may contain matting agents such as starch, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, silica, polymeric beads including beads of the type described in Jelley et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,992,101 issued July 11, 1961 and Lynn U.S. Pat. No. 2,701,245 issued Feb. 1, 1955; and alkali soluble polymeric particles of the type described in Jelley et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,992,101. 9

The photographic layers used in the practice of this invention may be coated by various coating procedures including dip coating, air knife coating, curtain coating, or extrusion coating using hoppers of the type described in Beguin U.S. Pat. No. 2,681,294 issued June 15, 1954. If desired, two or more layers may be coated simultaneously by the procedures described in Russell U.S. Pat. No. 2,761,791 issued Sept. 4, 1956; Hughes U.S. Pat. No. 3,508,947 issued Apr. 28, 1970; and Wynn British Pat. No. 837,095 issued June 9, 1960..

This invention may be used with elements designed for colloid transfer processes such as described in Yutzy et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,716,059 issued Aug. 23, 1953; silver salt diffusion transfer processes such as described in Rott U.S. Pat. No. 2,352,014 issued June 20, 1944; Land U.S. Pat. No. 2,543,181 issued Feb. 27, 1951; Yackel et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,020,155 issued Feb. 6, 1962; and Land U.S. Pat. No. 2,861,885 issued Nov. 25, 1958; color image transfer processes such as described in Rogers U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,087,817 issued Apr. 30, 1963; U.S. Pat. No. 3,185,567 issued May 25, 1965; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,983,606 issued May 9, 1961; Weyerts et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,253,915 issued May 31,

1966; Whitmore et a1 U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,550, issued Jan. 4, 1966; Barr et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,551 issued Jan. 4, 1966; Whitmore et a1 U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,552 issued Jan. 4, 1966; and Land U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,415,644 issued Dec. 10, 1968; U.S. Pat. No. 3,415,645 issued Dec. 10, 1968; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,415,646 issued Dec. 10, 1968; and imbibition transfer processes as described in Minsk U.S.. Pat. No. 2,882,156 issued Apr. 14, 1959.

This invention may be used in elements designed for recording print out images as described in Fallesen US. Pat. No. 2,369,449 issued Feb. 13, 1945 or Bacon et a1. U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,927 issued June 3, 1969; direct print images as described in Hunt U.S. Pat. No. 3,033,682 issued May 8, 1962 and McBride U.S. Pat. No. 3,287,137 issued Nov. 22, 1966; elements designed for processing by heat as described in Sorensen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,152,904 issued Oct. 13, 1964; Morgan et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,457,075 issued July 22, 1969; 'Stewart et a1 U.S. Pat. No. 3,312,550 issued Apr. 4, 1967; Colt U.S. Pat. No. 3,418,122 issued Dec. 24, 1968; Yutzy et a1. U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,020 issued Feb. 8, 1965; Humphlett et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,678 issued Jan. 31, 1967; and Haist et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,531,285 issued'Sept. 29,1970.

This invention may be used with elements designed for color photography, for example, elements containing color-forming couplers such as those described in Frohlic et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,376,679 issued May 22, 1945; Jelley et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,322,027 issued June 15, 1943; Fierke et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,801,171 issued July 30, 1957; Godowsky U.S. Pat. No. 2,698,794 is sued Jan. 4, 1955; Barr et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,554 issued Jan. 4, 1966; Graham et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,046,129 issued July 24, 1962; Vittum et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,360,290 issued Oct. 10, 1944; and Thirtle et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,701,197 issued Feb. 1, 1955; or elements to be developed in solutions containing colorforming couplers such as those described in Mannes et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,252,718 issued Aug. 19, 1941; Carroll et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,592,243 issued Apr. 18, 1952; and Schwan et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,970 issued Aug. 30, 1966; and in false-sensitized color materials such as those described in Hanson U.S. Pat. No. 2,763,549 issued Sept. 18, 1956.

Photographic elements prepared according to this invention can be processed by various methods including processing in alkaline solutions containing conventional developing agents such as hydroquinones, catechols, aminophenols, 3-pyrazolidones, phenylenediamines, ascorbic acid derivatives, hydroxylamines, hydrazines, reductones and the like; web processing such as described in Tregillus et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,179,517 issued Apr. 20, 1965; stabilization processing as described in Russell et al. Stabilization Processing of Films and Papers, PSA Journal, Vol. 16B, August, 1950; monobath processing as described in Levy Combined Development and Fixation of Photographic Images with Monobaths, Phot. Sci. and Eng., Vol. 2, No. 3, October, 1958, and Barnes et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,019 issued July 9, 1968. If desired, the photographic elements of this invention can be processed in hardening developers such as those described in Allen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,232,761 issued Feb. 1, 1966; and in roller transport processors such as those described in Russell et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,025,779 issued Mar. 20, 1962; or by surface application process-

Claims (53)

1. A MULTILAYER RADIATION SENSITIVE ELEMENT OF THE TYPE SUBJECT TO TRIBOELECTRIC CHARGING UPON IMPACT AND DISSOCIATION WITH ANOTHER UNSUALLY DISSIMILAR MATERIAL SAID ELEMENT HAVING A SURFACE THEREOF MODIFIED AGAINST GENERATION OF TRIBOELECTRICAL CHAROES SUFFICIENT IN ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL TO CAUSE STATIC DISCHARGES, SAID ELEMENT COMPRISING A BASE AND AT LEAST ONE RADIATION SENSITIVE LAYER AND INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE SURFACE THEREOF AT LEAST ONE CHARGE CONTROL AGENT IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO LIMIT THE TRIBOELECTRIC CHARGING OF SAID SURFACE TO AN ELECTRICAL CHARGE OF FROM ABOUT -10 TO ABOUT +10 ESU/CM2 AS DETERMINED BY IMPACT ELECTRIFICATION OF 20 PSI IMPACT PRESSURE AT 5 PERCENT RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND 70*F. AGAINST A STAINLESS STEEL OR ANODIZED ALUMINUM IMPACTING SURFACE; SAID CHARGE CONTROL AGENT BEING SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF: A. SURFACTANT MATERIALS HAVING THE GENERIC STRUCTURE:

2. R1 AND R2 ARE SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF UNSATURATED HYDROCARBON, ARYL AND SUBSTITUTED ARYL RESIDUES;

2. R1 and R2 are selected from the group consisting of unsaturated hydrocarbon, aryl and substituted aryl residues;

2. The radiation sensitive element of claim 1 wherein said radiation sensitive layer is a gelatino silver halide emulsion.

3. The radiation sensitive element of claim 2 wherein said charge control agent is selected from the group consisting of: A. those compounds of group (A) wherein A is selected from the group consisting of partially fluorinated hydrocarbon chains and fluorocarbon chains; B. sodium and potassium salts of substituted benzene sulfonic acids; C. non-polymeric compounds containing at least 2 carboxylic acid groups; D. polymeric compounds having structural formulas selected from the group consisting of:

3. R1 represents the atoms of a polymeric structure in which case R2 is selected from the group consisting of H and as defined in (1) and (2) above; and M is selected from the group consisting of H, NH4 and alkali metal cations; and F. mixtures thereof.

3. R1 REPRESENTS THE ATOMS OF A POLYMERIC STRUCTURE IN WHICH CASE RS IS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF H AND AS DEFINED IN (1) AND (2) ABOVE; AND M IS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF H, NH4 AND ALKALI METAL CATIONS; AND F. MIXTURES THEREOF.

4. The radiation sensitive element of claim 3 including a protective overcoat over said gelatino silver halide emulsion and wherein said sufficient amount of said charge control agent is at the surface of said protective overcoat.

5. The radiation sensitive element of claim 4 wherein said charge control agent is selected from the group consisting of: p-nitrosophenol, sodium salt; p-aminobenzoic acid; p-nitrobenzoic acid; 2,4,6-trinitrobenzoic acid; sodium benzoate; p-nitrophenol; picric acid; trinitroresorcinol; p-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid; 3-nitrophthalic acid; p-nitrocinnamic acid; dih benzene phosphonate; p-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt; p-nitrophenylacetonitrile; p-nitrophenylacetic acid; p-nitrophenoxy acetic acid; 3-nitrochalcone; 2,6-dinitrothymel; 2,4-dinitro-1-naphthol-7-sulfonic acid; 4-nitrophthalic acid; p-nitrobenzamide; 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid; m-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt; p-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid, dibutylamine salt; 4-chloro-m-toluene sulfonic acid; p-fluorobenzene sulfonic acid; p-toluene sulfonic acid (hereinafter p-t.s.a.); p-chlorobenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt; p-bromobenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt; 2,5-dichlorobenzene sulfonic acid; p-hydroxybenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt; o-(carboxy methoxy) benzoic acid; p-hydroxy benzoic acid; p-chlorophenylacetic acid; 4,4''-biphenyl disulfonic acid; 2,5-dichlorosulfanilic acid, sodium salt 4-sulfophthalic acid, mono sodium salt; 2,2''-diphenic Acid; trimellitic acid; benzene sulfonic acid (hereinafter b.s.a.); b.s.a., didodecylamine salt; b.s.a., dibutylamine salt; p-t.s.a., tridodecylamine salt; p-t.s.a., didodecylamine salt; p-t.s.a., triethylamine salt; 4-sulfophthalic acid, dibutylamine salt; b.s.a., tridodecylamine salt; b.s.a. tributylamine salt; p-t.s.a., triethylamine salt; p-t.s.a., tributylamine salt; pyromellitic acid; terephthalic acid; phthalic acid; mellitic acid; citric acid; salicyclic acid; d-tartaric acid; succinic acid; oxalic acid; malonic acid; malic acid; maleic acid; adipic acid; fumaric acid; hydroquinone; glutaric acid; l-tartaric acid; 50-50 d-, l-tartaric acid; pyromellitic acid, mono sodium salt; 1,3-dicarboxymethyl-5-benzenesulfonic acid, sodium salt; pyromellitic acid nh4 ph 4.3; pyromellitic acid nh4 ph 8.2; 5-sulfoisophthalic acid, sodium salt; 5-sulfosalicyclic acid, trimellitic acid, trimesic acid, compounds of the following empirical formulas

6. The radiation sensitive element of claim 4 including a backing layer and wherein said sufficient amount of said charge control agent is at the surface of said backing layer.

7. The radiation sensitive element of claim 4 wherein said base comprises a film of a polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose ester, polyester and polycarbonate materials.

8. The radiation sensitive element of claim 3 wherein said film is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate and poly(ethylene terephthalate).

9. The radiation sensitive element of claim 8 wherein said charge control agent is selected fRom the group consisting of: the sodium and potassium salts of substituted benzene sulfonic acids, polyethylene pyromellitate, the compound having the following empirical formula:

10. A radiation sensitive element as in claim 8, wherein said charge control agent is perfluorosulfonamido-(N-propyl-3-N,N,N-trimethyl)ammonium iodide.

11. A multilayer radiation sensitive element of the type subject to triboelectric charging upon impact and dissociation with another material, said element having a surface thereof modified against generation of triboelectrical charges sufficient in electrical potential to cause static discharges, said element comprising a base and at least one radiation sensitive layer and including at at least one surface of said element at least one charge control agent in an amount sufficient to limit the triboelectric charging of said surface to an electrical charge of from about -10 to about +10 esu/cm2, as determined by impact electrification of 20 psi impact pressure at 5 percent relative humidity and 70*F. against a stainless steel or anodized aluminum impacting surface; said charge control agent being selected from compounds of the following structural formula:

12. The element according to claim 11 wherein the charge control agent is present at said surface of the element in the amount of from about 0.2 to about 4 micrograms/cm2 of surface.

13. The radiation sensitive element of claim 11 wherein said radiation sensitive layer is a gelatino silver halide emulsion.

14. The radiation sensitive element of claim 13 including a protective overcoat over said gelatino silver halide emulsion and wherein at least one charge control agent is present in said overcoat in the amount of from about 0.3 to about 2.0g./g. of gelatin by dry weight of gelatin.

15. The radiation sensitive element of claim 14 including a backing layer and wherein at least one charge control agent is present also at the surface of said backing layer in the amount of from about 0.2 to about 4 micrograms/cm2 of surface.

16. The radiation sensitive element of claim 13 wherein the base comprises a film of a polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose ester, polyester and polycarbonate materials.

17. The radiation sensitive element of claim 14 wherein the base comprises a film of a polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, and poly(ethylene terephthalate).

18. The radiation sensitive element of claim 15 wherein the base comprises a film of a polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, and poly(ethylene terephthalate).

19. The radiation sensitive element of claim 13 wherein the element is a photographic film element.

20. The radiation sensitive element of claim 13 wherein the element is an X-ray film element.

21. The radiation sensitive element of claim 13 wherein the element is an aero film element.

22. The element according to claim 13 wherein the charge control agent is selected from p-nitrosophenol, sodium salt; p-aminobenzoic acid; p-nitrobenzoic acid; 2,4,6-trinitrobenzoic acid; sodium benzoate; p-nitrophenol; picric acid; trinitroresorcinol; p-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid; 3-nitrophthalic acid; p-nitro-cinnamic acid; dih benzene phosphonate; p-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt; p-nitrophenylacetonitrile; p-nitrophenylacetic acid; p-nitrophenoxy acetic acid; 3-nitrochalcone; 2,6-dinitrothymol; 2,4-dinitro-1-naphthol-7-sulfonic acid; 4-nitrophthalic acid; p-nitrobenzamide; 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid; m-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt; p-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid, dibutylamine salt; 4-chloro-m-toluene sulfonic acid; p-fluorobenzene sulfonic acid; p-toluene sulfonic acid (hereinafter p-t.s.a.); p-chlorobenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt; p-bromobenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt; 2,5-dichlorobenzene sulfonic acid; p-Hydroxybenzene sulfonic acid, sodium salt; o-(carboxy methoxy) benzoic acid; p-hydroxy benzoic acid p-chlorophenylacetic acid; 4,4''-biphenyl disulfonic acid; 2,5-dichlorosulfanilic acid, sodium salt; 4-sulfophthalic acid, mono sodium salt; 2,2''-diphenic acid; trimellitic acid; benzene sulfonic acid (hereinafter b.s.a.); b.s.a., didodecylamine salt; b.s.a., dibutylamine salt; p-t.s.a., tridodecylamine salt; p-t.s.a., didodecylamine salt; p-t.s.a., triethylamine salt; 4-sulfophthalic acid, dibutylamine salt; b.s.a., tridodecylamine salt; b.s.a., tributylamine salt; p-t.s.a., triethylamine salt; p-t.s.a., tributylamine salt; pyromellitic acid; terephthalic acid; phthalic acid; mellitic acid; salicyclic acid; hydroquinone; pyromellitic acid, mono sodium salt; 1,3-dicarboxymethyl-5 benzenesulfonic acid, sodium salt; pyromellitic acid nh4 , ph 4.3; pyromellitic acid NH4 , ph8.2; 5-sulfoisophthalic acid, sodium salt; 5-sulfosalicyclic acid; trimellitic acid; trimesic acid; and mixtures thereof.

23. The element according to claim 22 wherein said element is a photographic film element.

24. The radiation sensitive element of claim 13 including a backing layer and wherein at least one charge control agent is present at the surface of said backing layer in the amount of from about 0.2 to about 4 micrograms/cm2 of surface.

25. The element according to claim 22 including a backing layer and wherein at least one of said charge control agents is present at the surface of said backing layer in the amount of from about 0.2 to about 4 micrograms/cm2 of surface.

26. The element according to claim 25 wherein the charge control agent is a substituted benzene sulfonic acid or a sodium or potassium salt of a substituted benzene sulfonic acid.

27. A multilayer radiation sensitive element of the type subject to triboelectric charging upon impact and dissociation with another material, said element having a surface thereof modified against generation of triboelectrical charges sufficient in electrical potential to cause static discharges, said element comprising a base and at least one radiation sensitive layer and including at at least one surface of said element at least one charge control agent in an amount sufficient to limit the triboelectric charging of said surface to an electrical charge of from about -10 to about +10 esu/cm2 as determined by impact electrification of 20 psi impact pressure at 5 percent relative humidity and 70*F. against a stainless steel or anodized aluminum impacting surface; said charge control agent being selected from the group consisting of materials having the generic structure: (A-Z(CH2)n - D)+ X wherein: A is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon chains, partially fluorinated hydrocarbon chains, and fluorocarbon chains; Z is a member selected from the group consisting of:

28. The element of claim 27 wherein A in said structure is hydrocarbon chain, partially fluorinated hydrocarbon chain or fluorocarbon chain, and Z is

29. The element of claim 28 wherein X is I.

30. The element of claim 28 including a protective overcoat over said radiation sensitive layer and wherein said charge control agent is present at the surface of said overcoat.

31. The element of claim 28 including a backing layer and wherein said charge control agent is present at the surface of said backing layer.

32. The element of claim 30 including a backing layer and wherein said charge control agent is present also at the surface of said backing layer.

33. The element of claim 28 including a backing layer and wherein there is present at the surface of said backing layer from about 0.2 to about 4 micrograms/cm2 of surface of a charge control agent selected from substituted benzene sulfonic acids and sodium and potassium salts of substituted benzene sulfonic acids.

34. The element of claim 27 wherein said base comprises paper.

35. The radiation sensitive element of claim 28 wherein A in said structure is a hydrocarbon chain and D is lower alkyl.

36. The radiation sensitive element of claim 35 wherein said charge control agent is

37. The radiation sensitive element of claim 28 wherein A in said structure is a fluorocarbon chain, D is lower alkyl and Z is

38. The radiation sensitive element of claim 28 wherein said charge control agent is

39. The element of claim 38 wherein the radiation sensitive layer is a hydrophilic, water permeable colloid containing silver halide emulsion layer, said element includes a protective overcoat over said emulsion layer and at least one of said charge control agents is present in said overcoat in the amount of from about 0.3 to about 2.0g./g of hydrophilic water permeable colloid by dry weight of colloid.

40. The radiation sensitive element of claim 39 including a backing layer and wherein at least one of said charge control agents is present also at the surface of said backing layer in the amount of from about 0.2 to about 4 micrograms/cm2 of surface.

41. A multilayer radiation sensitive element of the type subject to triboelectric charging upon impact and dissociation with another material said element having a surface thereof modified against generation of triboelectrical charges sufficient in electrical potential to cause static discharges, said element comprising a base and at least one radiation sensitive layer and including at at least one surface of said element at least one charge control agent in an amount sufficient to limit the triboelectric charging of said surface to an electrical charge of from about -10 to about +10 esu/cm2 as determined by impact electrification of 20 psi impact pressure at 5 percent relative humidity and 70*F. against a stainless steel or anodized aluminum impacting surface; said charge control agent being selected from multifunctional carboxylic acids of the general formula: HOOC-R-COOH wherein R is selected from the group consisting of:

42. The element according to claim 41 wherein the charge control agent is present at said surface of the element in the amount of from about 0.2 to about 4 micrograms/cm2 of surface.

43. The radiation sensitive element of claim 42 wherein said charge control agent is selected from citric acid; d-tartaric acid; 1-tartaric acid; succinic acid; oxalic acid; maloric acid; malic acid; maleic acid; adipic acid; fumaric acid; and glutaric acid.

44. A multilayer radiation sensitive element of the type subject to triboelectric charging upon impact and dissociation with another material said element having a surface thereof modified against generation of triboelectrical charges sufficient in electrical potential to cause static discharges, said element comprising a base and at least one radiation sensitive layer and including at at least one surface of said element at least one charge control agent in an amount sufficient to limit the triboelectric charging of said surface to an electrical charge of from about -10 to about +10 esu/cm2 as determined by impact electrification of 20 psi impact pressure at 5 percent relative humidity and 70*F. against a stainless steel or anodized aluminum impacting surface; said charge control agent being selected from polymeric compounds having structural formulas selected from the group consisting of:

45. The element according to claim 44 wherein the charge control agent is present at said surface of the element in the amount of from about 0.2 to about 4 micrograms/cm2 of surface.

46. The radiation sensitive element of claim 44 wherein said charge control agent is selected from polyethylene pyromellitate; copolymer of dimethylformate with Beta -propiolactone; and copolymer of dimethylformate with trimellitic anhydride.

47. A multilayer radiation sensitive element of the type subject to triboelectric charging upon impact and dissociation with another material said element having a surface thereof modified against generation of triboelectrical charges sufficient in electrical potential to cause static discharges, said element comprising a base and at least one radiation sensitive layer and including at at least one surface of said element at least one charge control agent in an amount sufficient to limit the triboelectric charging of said surface to an electrical charge of from about -10 to about +10 esu/cm2 as determined by impact electrification of 20 psi impact pressure at 5 percent relative humidity and 70*F. against a stainless steel or anodized aluminum impacting suface; said charge control agent being selected from lower alkyl phosphates.

48. The element according to claim 44 wherein the charge control agent is present at said surface of the element in the amount of from about 0.2 to about 4 micrograms/cm2 of surface.

49. The radiation sensitive element according to claim 47 wherein said charge control agent is Ethyl Dihydrogen Phosphate, Butyl Dihydrogen Phosphate, or Dibutyl Hydrogen Phosphate.