Member for electrophotography, transfer device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a member for electrophotography comprising a surface layer and an elastic layer, the surface layer including a silicone compound, the member for electrophotography having higher cleanability maintaining properties than in a case where, when the coefficient of dynamic friction of the surface layer conforming to JIS K7125:1999 is defined as (A), and the coefficient of dynamic friction of the surface layer after the surface layer is subjected to corona processing at a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22°C, a relative humidity of 55%RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is defined as (B), (A) is less than 0.15 or more than 0.30, or (B-A) is more than 0.05.SOLUTION: A member for electrophotography comprises a surface layer and an elastic layer, and the surface layer includes a silicone compound. When the coefficient of dynamic friction of the surface layer conforming to JIS K7125:1999 is defined as (A), and the coefficient of dynamic friction of the surface layer after the surface layer is subjected to corona processing at a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22°C, a relative humidity of 55%RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is defined as (B), (A) is 0.15 or more and 0.35 or less, and (B-A) is 0.05 or less.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrophotographic member, a transfer device, and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In an image forming apparatus (such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer) using an electrophotographic method, a toner image formed on the surface of an image carrier is transferred to an electrophotographic member and fixed on a recording medium to form an image.

[0003]

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic member having a surface layer and an elastic layer, wherein the surface layer contains a silicone compound, and in the electrophotographic member, when the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer conforming to JIS K7125:1999 is (A), and the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer at a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22°C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is (B), the cleaning property maintainability is higher than when (A) is less than 0.15 or more than 0.30, or when (B - A) is more than 0.05.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] ​Means for solving the above problems include the following aspects. <1> Comprising a surface layer and an elastic layer, The surface layer contains a silicone compound, When the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer conforming to JIS K7125:1999 is (A), and the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer after corona treatment at a current of 100 μA or more and 1 kV or more, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is (B), (A) is 0.15 or more and 0.35 or less, and (B - A) is 0.05 or less, An electrophotographic member. <2> The silicone compound has a structure A represented by the formula: [RSiO 1.5 n (wherein, in the formula, R represents an organic group, and n represents an integer of 2 or more), and among a plurality of R's present in the structure A, at least one R is a group containing an alkyl group. The electrophotographic member according to <1>. <3> The surface free energy of the surface layer is 45 mJ / m 2 or less. The electrophotographic member according to <1> or <2>. <4> The content of the silicone compound is 3% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less with respect to the surface layer. The electrophotographic member according to any one of <1> to <3>. <5> The content of the silicone compound is 10% by volume or more and 40% by volume or less with respect to the surface layer. The electrophotographic member according to <4>. <6> The volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is 2.5 μm or less. The electrophotographic member according to any one of <1> to <5>. <7> The volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is 1 μm or less. The electrophotographic member according to <6>. <8> The surface layer contains a urethane resin as a binder resin. The electrophotographic member according to any one of <1> to <7>. <9>​ A transfer device comprising the electrophotographic member according to any one of <1> to <8>. <10> An image carrier, A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier, An electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier, A developing device that contains a developer containing toner and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with the developer to form a toner image, The transfer device according to <9>, which transfers the toner image onto the surface of a recording medium, A fixing device for fixing the toner image onto the surface of a recording medium, An image forming device comprising the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the invention according to <1>, there is provided an electrophotographic member that includes a surface layer and an elastic layer, the surface layer contains a silicone compound, and when the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer conforms to JIS K7125:1999 is (A), and the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer at a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is (B), the cleaning property maintainability is higher than when (A) is less than 0.15 or more than 0.30, or when (B - A) is more than 0.05.

[0008] According to the invention according to <2>, there is provided an electrophotographic member having higher cleaning property maintainability than when the silicone compound is PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane).

[0009] <3>, there is provided an electrophotographic member having higher cleaning property maintainability than when the surface free energy of the surface layer is more than 45 mJ / m 2 According to the invention according to <3>, there is provided an electrophotographic member having higher cleaning property maintainability than when the surface free energy of the surface layer is more than 45 mJ / m².

[0010] According to the invention according to <4>, an electrophotographic member is provided in which the maintainability of cleaning property is higher than when the content of the silicone compound is less than 3% by volume or more than 60% by volume with respect to the surface layer.

[0011] According to the invention according to <5>, an electrophotographic member is provided in which the maintainability of cleaning property is higher than when the content of the silicone compound is less than 10% by volume or more than 40% by volume with respect to the surface layer.

[0012] According to the invention according to <6>, an electrophotographic member is provided in which the maintainability of cleaning property is higher than when the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is more than 2.5 μm.

[0013] According to the invention according to <7>, an electrophotographic member is provided in which the maintainability of cleaning property is higher than when the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is more than 1 μm.

[0014] According to the invention according to <8>, an electrophotographic member is provided in which the maintainability of cleaning property is higher than when the binder resin of the surface layer is a polyimide resin.

[0015] According to the inventions according to <9> and <10>, a transfer device and an image forming apparatus having an electrophotographic member with higher maintainability of cleaning property are provided as compared with the case where an electrophotographic member including a surface layer and an elastic layer, the surface layer containing a silicone compound, and conforming to JIS K7125:1999, the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer is (A), and the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer after corona treatment at a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is (B), and (A) is less than 0.15 or more than 0.30, or (B - A) is more than 0.05 is applied.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. The descriptions and examples are illustrative of the embodiments and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] In the numerical ranges described step by step in this specification, the upper limit value or the lower limit value described in one numerical range may be replaced with the upper limit value or the lower limit value of the numerical range described in other step-by-step descriptions. Further, in the numerical ranges described in this specification, the upper limit value or the lower limit value of the numerical range may be replaced with the value shown in the examples. In this specification, the term "step" includes not only an independent step but also the term if the intended purpose of the step is achieved even when it cannot be clearly distinguished from other steps. In this specification, when an embodiment is described with reference to the drawings, the configuration of the embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in the drawings. Also, the sizes of the members in each figure are conceptual, and the relative size relationships between the members are not limited thereto. In this specification, each component may contain a plurality of corresponding substances. When referring to the amount of each component in a composition in this specification, it means the total amount of the substance present in the composition.

[0019] In this specification, the "dynamic friction coefficient (A)" means the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer before corona treatment in a transfer member including a surface layer and an elastic layer, where the surface layer contains a silicone compound and conforms to JIS K7125:1999.

[0020] <Electrophotographic member> The electrophotographic member of the present disclosure includes a surface layer and an elastic layer. The surface layer contains a silicone compound, and when the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer conforms to JIS K7125:1999 is (A), and the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer after corona treatment at a current of 100 μA or more, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is (B), (A) is 0.15 or more and 0.35 or less, and (B - A) is 0.05 or less.

[0021] With the above configuration, the electrophotographic member of the present disclosure becomes an electrophotographic member with high cleaning property retention. The reason is presumably as follows.

[0022] In recent years, due to the increasing awareness of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), the development of materials with reduced environmental impact has been promoted. One of them is the technology of blending a silicone compound as a release agent in the surface layer of electrophotographic members.

[0023] However, an electrophotographic member having a surface layer containing a silicone compound as a release agent has low friction at the initial stage of use. However, due to the repeated application of voltage during transfer, the Si - O bonds present in the surface layer are silanolated by discharge energy, the coefficient of kinetic friction increases, and the cleaning property may decrease.

[0024] On the other hand, it is presumed that the electrophotographic member of the present disclosure has high cleaning property retention by satisfying the above-mentioned coefficients of kinetic friction (A) and (B).

[0025] Hereinafter, the details of the electrophotographic member of the present disclosure will be described.

[0026] The electrophotographic member of the present disclosure may be in the form of a roll or a belt. The electrophotographic member of the present disclosure may have, for example, a configuration having an elastic layer and a surface layer on a conductive substrate.

[0027] - Surface layer - The surface layer contains a silicone compound. Specifically, for example, the surface layer contains a silicone compound and a binder resin.

[0028] The silicone compound contains a compound having a structure A represented by the formula: [RSiO 1.5 n (wherein, in the formula, R represents an organic group and n represents an integer of 2 or more), and among a plurality of Rs present in the structure A, at least one R is preferably a group containing an alkyl group.

[0029] In the structure A, examples of the organic group represented by R include a hydroxyl group, a siloxy group, a hydrocarbon group, a hydrocarbon group in which one or more methylene groups are replaced by a carbonyl group, a hydrocarbon group in which one or more carbon atoms are replaced by a hetero atom (oxygen atom, nitrogen atom, or sulfur atom), or a group combining these.

[0030] Examples of the siloxy group described for the organic group represented by R include a monoalkylsiloxy group, a dialkylsiloxy group, a trialkylsiloxy group, etc., a dialkylsiloxy group and a trialkylsiloxy group are preferred, and a trialkylsiloxy group is more preferred.

[0031] Examples of the hydrocarbon group described for the organic group represented by R include an aliphatic hydrocarbon group and an aromatic hydrocarbon group.

[0032] Examples of the aliphatic hydrocarbon group include a linear, branched or alicyclic saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and a linear, branched or alicyclic unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group. As the aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms is preferred, and a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms is more preferred. The aliphatic hydrocarbon group may be substituted with substituents such as a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an aryl group, etc.

[0033] ​The aromatic hydrocarbon group includes hydrocarbon groups having 6 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 6 to 14 carbon atoms). Examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon group include a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, an anthracenyl group, and the like. The aromatic hydrocarbon group may be substituted with substituents such as a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an alkyl group, and an alkoxy group.

[0034] The organic group represented by R may have a reactive group. Examples of the reactive group include a vinyl group, an allyl group, a styryl group, a maleimide group, an epoxy group, and a (meth)acryloyl group.

[0035] Plural Rs present in Structure A may be the same organic group or different organic groups. However, among the plural Rs present in Structure A, at least one R is preferably a group containing an alkyl group. From the viewpoint of improving the maintainability of detergency, the alkyl group is more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, still more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an alkyl group having 1 carbon atom (i.e., a methyl group).

[0036] Note that examples of the silicone compound include a high molecular compound called silsesquioxane having various skeletal structures. Silsesquioxane may have any of amorphous, ladder-like, and cage-like skeletal structures, but the surface free energy of the surface layer is 45 mJ / m 2 It is in the following range, and from the viewpoint of improving the maintainability of detergency, a cage-like T8 type can be exemplified. Due to the rigid structure, it is difficult for silanol groups to be generated even when a repeated voltage is applied during transfer, and an increase in the dynamic friction coefficient is suppressed, so the maintainability of detergency is easily improved.

[0037] In Structure A, n in the formula represents an integer of 2 or more, but from the viewpoint of improving the maintainability of detergency, it preferably represents an integer of 8 or more, and more preferably represents an integer of 8 or more and 10000 or less.

[0038] From the viewpoint of improving the maintainability of cleaning performance, the content of the silicone compound is preferably 3% by volume or more, more preferably 6% by volume or more, and even more preferably 10% by volume or more with respect to the electrophotographic member. However, from the viewpoint of the flexural resistance of the electrophotographic member, the upper limit of the content of the silicone compound is preferably 60% by volume or less, more preferably 50% by volume or less, and even more preferably 40% by volume or less with respect to the electrophotographic member.

[0039] Also, the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, more preferably 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less, and even more preferably 1 μm or more and 2.5 μm or less. In particular, the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is preferably 2.5 μm or less, and more preferably 1 μm or less. When the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is within the above range, it is easily dispersed uniformly in the surface layer, the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer is reduced, and the increase in the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer is easily suppressed, and the maintainability of cleaning performance is easily improved.

[0040] The volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is measured as follows. A sample is collected from the surface layer of the electrophotographic member. The sample is a sample having a cut surface along the thickness direction of the surface layer as an observation surface. The observation surface of the sample is observed by a scanning electron microscope to take an image. In the image, the primary particles of the silicone compound are measured for the area of each particle by image analysis, and the equivalent circle diameter is calculated from this area value. This calculation of the equivalent circle diameter is performed for 100 silicone compounds. Then, the 50% diameter (D50v) in the volume-based cumulative frequency of the obtained equivalent circle diameter is taken as the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound.

[0041] Examples of the binding resin include polyamide resin, polyurethane resin, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, tetrafluoroethylene copolymer resin, polyester resin, polyimide resin, silicone resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer resin, melamine resin, fluororubber, epoxy resin, polycarbonate resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, cellulose resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyethylene resin, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin, and the like. Particularly, from the viewpoint of maintaining cleanability, it is preferable that the binding resin contains a urethane resin. Examples of the urethane resin may include acrylic urethane resin, polyester polyurethane resin, polyether polyurethane resin, and the like. Among them, from the viewpoint of maintaining cleanability, as the urethane resin, a silicone-modified urethane resin is preferable, and a silicone-modified acrylic urethane resin is more preferable.

[0042] The content of the binding resin is set to be the amount that becomes the main component of the surface layer. Here, the amount that becomes the main component of the surface layer means the amount of the most abundant component among the components contained in the surface layer excluding the silicone compound.

[0043] The surface layer may also contain an additive, and as the additive, it can be appropriately selected from well-known additives such as a conductive agent, a reinforcing agent, an antioxidant, a surfactant, a heat aging inhibitor, etc., according to various uses of the electrophotographic member.

[0044] The content of the additive with respect to the surface layer is preferably 30% by mass or less, more preferably 20% by mass or less, and still more preferably 10% by mass or less.

[0045] The coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer is measured in accordance with JIS K7125:1999. The electrophotographic member of the present disclosure complies with JIS K7125:1999. When the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer is (A), and the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer after corona treatment at a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is (B), (A) is 0.15 or more and 0.35 or less, and more preferably 0.22 or more and 0.25 or less. Further, (B - A) is 0.05 or less, and more preferably 0.01 or less.

[0046] Also, from the viewpoint of improving the maintainability of cleaning performance, the surface free energy of the surface layer is 45 mJ / m 2 or less is preferable, 42 mJ / m 2 or less is more preferable, and 38 mJ / m 2 is even more preferable.

[0047] The surface free energy of the surface layer is measured by the following method. Based on the OWRK (Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble) method, using water, diiodomethane, and n-dodecane with known surface free energies, water is dropped onto the electrophotographic member to measure the contact angle of water, diiodomethane is dropped onto the electrophotographic member to measure the contact angle of diiodomethane, and n-dodecane is dropped onto the electrophotographic member to measure the contact angle of n-dodecane, and the surface free energy (mJ / m 2 ) is calculated.

[0048] To make the surface free energy 45 mJ / m 2 or less, the silicone compound contains a compound having the structure A. In the structure A, the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group is preferably 1 or more and 4 or less.

[0049] The thickness of the surface layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the application. For example, it may be 0.1 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

[0050] -Elastic layer- The elastic layer is not particularly limited as long as it contains an elastic material. Examples of the elastic material include isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, fluororubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether terpolymer rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM), acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber (NBR), polyurethane rubber, natural rubber, and rubbers obtained by mixing these.

[0051] From the viewpoint of improving conductivity, the elastic layer preferably contains a conductive agent. Examples of the conductive agent include carbon blacks such as ketjen black and acetylene black; pyrolytic carbon, graphite; metals or alloys such as aluminum, copper, nickel, and stainless steel; conductive metal oxides such as tin oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide-antimony oxide solid solution, and tin oxide-indium oxide solid solution; substances obtained by rendering the surface of an insulating material conductive; and powders of such. The conductive agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0052] Examples of other additives include known materials that can be added to an elastomer, such as softeners, plasticizers, curing agents, vulcanizing agents, vulcanization accelerators, antioxidants, surfactants, coupling agents, and fillers (such as silica and calcium carbonate).

[0053] The elastic layer may be a foam containing an elastic material (hereinafter, also referred to as "elastic foam"). In order to obtain the elastic foam, a foaming agent, a foam stabilizer, a catalyst, etc. may be used as necessary. Examples of the foaming agent include water; azo compounds such as azodicarbonamide, azobisisobutyronitrile, and diazoaminobenzene; benzenesulfonyl hydrazides such as benzenesulfonyl hydrazide, 4,4'-oxybisbenzenesulfonyl hydrazide, and toluenesulfonyl hydrazide; bicarbonates such as sodium bicarbonate that generate carbon dioxide gas by thermal decomposition; a mixture of NaNO2 and NH4Cl that generates nitrogen gas; peroxides that generate oxygen; and the like.

[0054] The elastic layer preferably has a volume resistivity of 10 9 Ω or less when a voltage of 10 V is applied, more preferably 10 1 Ω or more and 10 9 Ω or less, and even more preferably 10 2 Ω or more and 10 8 Ω or less.

[0055] The volume resistivity of the elastic layer is measured as follows. The electrophotographic member is placed on a metal plate such as a copper plate with a load of 500 g applied to each of both ends of the electrophotographic member. Using a microcurrent measuring instrument (R8320 manufactured by Advantest), a voltage (V) of 10 V (in the case of the elastic layer) is applied between the conductive support member of the electrophotographic member and the metal plate, and the current value I (A) after 5 seconds is read and calculated by the following formula. The measurement is performed in an environment of a temperature of 22 °C and a humidity of 55% RH. Formula: Volume resistivity Rv (Ω) = V / I

[0056] The thickness of the elastic layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the application. For example, it may be 5 mm or more and 500 mm or less. The length of the elastic layer in the axial direction is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the application. For example, it may be 5 mm or more and 500 mm or less. The width of the elastic layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the application. For example, it may be 5 mm or more and 500 mm or less.

[0057] The method for forming the elastic layer is not particularly limited, and known methods are used. For example, in the case of an elastic foam, a method of preparing a composition containing an elastic material, a foaming agent, and other components (such as a vulcanizing agent, etc.), extruding the composition into a cylindrical shape, and then heating the formed product for vulcanization and foaming, a method of cutting out a cylindrical shape from a huge foam can be mentioned. Further, after forming a cylindrical elastic foam, a central hole for inserting a support member may be formed to obtain a cylindrical elastic foam. After obtaining the cylindrical elastic foam, the shape may be further adjusted as necessary, or post-treatment such as polishing the surface may be performed.

[0058] -Conductive substrate- The conductive substrate is selected according to the shape of the electrophotographic member (that is, roll shape or belt shape). The conductive substrate functions as an electrode and a support member. For example, as its material, metals such as iron (free-cutting steel, etc.), copper, brass, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, etc. can be mentioned. As the conductive substrate, a member having a plating treatment on its outer peripheral surface (resin member, ceramic member, etc.), a member in which a conductive agent is dispersed (rubber member, resin member, ceramic member, etc.), etc. can also be mentioned. The conductive substrate may be a belt-shaped member, a hollow member (cylindrical member), or a non-hollow member.

[0059] <Transfer device> The transfer device of the present disclosure includes the electrophotographic member of the present disclosure as a transfer member. By including the electrophotographic member of the present disclosure, a transfer device with high maintainability of cleaning performance can be obtained.

[0060] The transfer device of the present disclosure may include an intermediate transfer body made of the electrophotographic member of the present disclosure on which a toner image is transferred to the surface, a primary transfer device that primarily transfers the toner image to the surface of the intermediate transfer body, and a secondary transfer device that secondarily transfers the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to the surface of a recording medium. Further, the transfer device of the present disclosure may include an intermediate transfer member on which a toner image is transferred to the surface, a primary transfer device including a primary transfer member made of the electrophotographic member of the present disclosure that primarily transfers the toner image to the surface of the intermediate transfer member, and a secondary transfer device that secondarily transfers the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer member to the surface of a recording medium. Further, the transfer device of the present disclosure may include an intermediate transfer member on which a toner image is transferred to the surface, a primary transfer device that primarily transfers the toner image to the surface of the intermediate transfer member, and a secondary transfer device including a secondary transfer member made of the electrophotographic member of the present disclosure that secondarily transfers the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer member to the surface of a recording medium. That is, the electrophotographic member of the present disclosure may be applied to any of the intermediate transfer member, the primary transfer member, and the secondary transfer member.

[0061] <Image forming apparatus> The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes an image carrier, a charging device that charges the surface of the image carrier, an electrostatic latent image forming device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier, a developing device that stores a developer containing toner and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with the developer to form a toner image, the transfer device of the present disclosure that transfers the toner image to the surface of a recording medium, and a fixing device that fixes the toner image to the surface of the recording medium.

[0062] Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 70 of the present disclosure is, for example, an image forming apparatus of an intermediate transfer type generally called a tandem type, and includes a plurality of image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K (an example of a toner image forming apparatus) in which toner images of respective color components are formed by an electrophotographic method, a primary transfer unit 10 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) the toner images of respective color components formed by the respective image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K to an intermediate transfer belt 15, a secondary transfer unit 20 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) the superimposed toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 to a sheet K which is a recording medium, and a fixing device 60 that fixes the secondarily transferred image onto the sheet K. Further, the image forming apparatus 70 has a control unit 40 that controls the operations of the respective apparatuses (units).

[0064] Each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K of the image forming apparatus 70 includes a photoreceptor 11 that holds a toner image formed on its surface and rotates in the direction of arrow A.

[0065] Around the photoreceptor 11, a charger 12 that charges the photoreceptor 11 is provided as an example of a charging means, and a laser exposure device 13 (the exposure beam is indicated by reference numeral Bm in the figure) that writes an electrostatic latent image onto the photoreceptor 11 is provided as an example of a latent image forming means.

[0066] Also, around the photoreceptor 11, a developing device 14 that stores toner of each color component and visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 11 with toner is provided as an example of a developing means, and a primary transfer roll 16 that transfers the toner image of each color component formed on the photoreceptor 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the primary transfer unit 10 is provided.

[0067] Furthermore, around the photoreceptor 11, a photoreceptor cleaner 17 that removes residual toner on the photoreceptor 11 is provided, and electrophotographic devices of the charger 12, the laser exposure device 13, the developing device 14, the primary transfer roll 16, and the photoreceptor cleaner 17 are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 11. These image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K are arranged substantially linearly in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) from the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0068] An intermediate transfer belt 15, which is an example of an intermediate transfer member, is formed such that its volume resistivity is, for example, 1×10 6 Ωcm or more and 1×10 14 Ωcm or less, and its thickness is configured to be about 0.1 mm, for example.

[0069] The intermediate transfer belt 15 is circulated (rotated) at a speed suitable for the purpose in the B direction shown in FIG. 1 by various rolls. As these various rolls, a drive roll 31 that is driven by a motor (not shown) with excellent constant speed performance to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 15, a support roll 32 that supports the intermediate transfer belt 15 extending substantially linearly along the arrangement direction of each photoreceptor 11, a tension applying roll 33 that functions as a correction roll to apply tension to the intermediate transfer belt 15 and prevent the intermediate transfer belt 15 from meandering, a back roll 25 provided in the secondary transfer portion 20, and a cleaning back roll 34 provided in a cleaning portion that scrapes off residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0070] The primary transfer portion 10 is composed of a primary transfer roll 16 that is disposed to face the photoreceptor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roll 16 is disposed in pressure contact with the photoreceptor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween, and a voltage (primary transfer bias) having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner (negative polarity. The same applies hereinafter) is applied to the primary transfer roll 16. Thereby, the toner images on the respective photoreceptors 11 are sequentially electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 15, and a superimposed toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0071] The secondary transfer portion 20 includes a back roll 25 and a secondary transfer roll 22 disposed on the toner image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0072] The surface resistivity of the back roll 25 is 1×10 7 Ω / □ or more and 1×10 10It is formed to be Ω / □ or less, and the hardness is set to, for example, 70° (Asker C: manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd., the same applies hereinafter). This back roll 25 is disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to constitute a counter electrode of the secondary transfer roll 22, and a power supply roll 26 made of metal, to which a secondary transfer bias is stably applied, is disposed in contact therewith.

[0073] On the other hand, the secondary transfer roll 22 is a cylindrical roll having a volume resistivity of 10 7.5 Ωcm or more and 10 8.5 Ωcm or less. The secondary transfer roll 22 is disposed in pressure contact with the back roll 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween. Further, the secondary transfer roll 22 is grounded, and a secondary transfer bias is formed between the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back roll 25, and the toner image is secondarily transferred onto the sheet K conveyed to the secondary transfer portion 20.

[0074] Further, on the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion 20 of the intermediate transfer belt 15, an intermediate transfer belt cleaning member 35 is provided so as to be able to contact and separate therefrom, for removing residual toner and paper dust on the intermediate transfer belt 15 after secondary transfer and cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15. Further, on the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion 20 of the secondary transfer roll 22, a secondary transfer roll cleaning member 22A is provided for removing residual toner and paper dust on the secondary transfer roll 22 after secondary transfer and cleaning the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15. The secondary transfer roll cleaning member 22A is exemplified by a cleaning blade. However, it may be a cleaning roll.

[0075] Note that the intermediate transfer belt 15, the primary transfer roll 16, and the secondary transfer roll 22 correspond to an example of a transfer device. Here, the image forming apparatus 70 may be configured to include a secondary transfer belt instead of the secondary transfer roll 22. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a secondary transfer belt 23, a drive roll 23A disposed opposite to the back roll 25 via the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer belt 23, and an idler roll 23B for stretching the secondary transfer belt 23 together with the drive roll 23A, and may include a secondary transfer device.

[0076] On one hand, upstream of the yellow image forming unit 1Y, a reference sensor (home position sensor) 42 that generates a reference signal serving as a reference for the image forming timing in each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is disposed. Further, downstream of the black image forming unit 1K, an image density sensor 43 for performing image quality adjustment is disposed. This reference sensor 42 recognizes a mark provided on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and generates a reference signal, and each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is configured to start image formation according to an instruction from the control unit 40 based on the recognition of this reference signal.

[0077] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, as conveyance means for conveying the sheet K, there are provided a sheet storage unit 50 that stores the sheet K, a paper feed roll 51 that takes out and conveys the sheet K stacked in the sheet storage unit 50 at a predetermined timing, a conveyance roll 52 that conveys the sheet K fed out by the paper feed roll 51, a conveyance guide 53 that feeds the sheet K conveyed by the conveyance roll 52 to the secondary transfer unit 20, a conveyance belt 55 that conveys the sheet K after being secondarily transferred by the secondary transfer roll 22 to the fixing device 60, and a fixing inlet guide 56 that guides the sheet K to the fixing device 60.

[0078] Next, the basic image forming process of the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure will be described. In the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, image data output from an image reading device (not shown), a personal computer (PC) (not shown), or the like is subjected to image processing by an image processing device (not shown) and then an image forming operation is executed by the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

[0079] In the image processing device, various image processing such as shading correction, position shift correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame removal, color editing, movement editing, etc. is performed on the input image data. The image data subjected to the image processing is converted into colorant gradation data of four colors, Y, M, C, and K, and output to the laser exposure device 13.

[0080] In the laser exposure device 13, in accordance with the input colorant gradation data, for example, an exposure beam Bm emitted from a semiconductor laser is irradiated onto each photoreceptor 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. In each photoreceptor 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, after the surface is charged by the charger 12, the surface is scanned and exposed by this laser exposure device 13, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image of each color of Y, M, C, and K by each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

[0081] The toner image formed on the photoreceptors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 at the primary transfer portion 10 where each photoreceptor 11 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 15. More specifically, at the primary transfer portion 10, a voltage (primary transfer bias) of a polarity opposite to the charging polarity (negative polarity) of the toner is applied to the base material of the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the primary transfer roll 16, and the toner images are sequentially superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to perform primary transfer.

[0082] After the toner images are sequentially primary transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15, the intermediate transfer belt 15 moves and the toner images are conveyed to the secondary transfer portion 20. When the toner images are conveyed to the secondary transfer portion 20, in the conveying means, the paper feed roll 51 rotates in accordance with the timing when the toner images are conveyed to the secondary transfer portion 20, and the paper K of the target size is supplied from the paper storage portion 50. The paper K supplied by the paper feed roll 51 is conveyed by the conveying roll 52 and reaches the secondary transfer portion 20 through the conveying guide 53. Before reaching this secondary transfer portion 20, the paper K is temporarily stopped, and alignment is performed between the position of the paper K and the position of the toner image by the rotation of an alignment roll (not shown) in accordance with the movement timing of the intermediate transfer belt 15 holding the toner image.

[0083] In the secondary transfer unit 20, the secondary transfer roll 22 is pressed against the back roll 25 via the intermediate transfer belt 15. At this time, the sheet K conveyed in synchronization is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer roll 22. At this time, when a voltage (secondary transfer bias) of the same polarity as the charging polarity (negative polarity) of the toner is applied from the power supply roll 26, a transfer electric field is formed between the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back roll 25. Then, the unfixed toner image held on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is electrostatically transferred all at once onto the sheet K in the secondary transfer unit 20 pressurized by the secondary transfer roll 22 and the back roll 25.

[0084] After that, the sheet K onto which the toner image has been electrostatically transferred is conveyed as it is in a state of being peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the secondary transfer roll 22, and is conveyed to a conveyance belt 55 provided on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction of the secondary transfer roll 22. In the conveyance belt 55, the sheet K is conveyed to the fixing device 60 in accordance with the optimum conveyance speed in the fixing device 60. The unfixed toner image on the sheet K conveyed to the fixing device 60 is fixed on the sheet K by undergoing a fixing process with heat and pressure by the fixing device 60. Then, the sheet K on which the fixed image is formed is conveyed to a paper discharge storage unit (not shown) provided in the discharge unit of the image forming apparatus.

[0085] On the other hand, after the transfer to the sheet K is completed, the residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is conveyed to the cleaning unit as the intermediate transfer belt 15 rotates, and is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the cleaning back roll 34 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaning member 35.

Example

[0086] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more specifically by way of examples. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited only to the following examples. Note that "part" is based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[0087] <Example 1> - Preparation of elastic layer - A rubber composition was prepared by blending the following components in the following proportions. CR (chloroprene rubber) “TSR-61” (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation): 35 parts ECO (epichlorohydrin rubber) “610” (manufactured by Daiso Corporation): 15 parts EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber) “EP33” (manufactured by JSR Corporation): 35 parts NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber) “DN211” (manufactured by Nippon Zeon Corporation): 15 parts Sulfur (manufactured by Tsurumi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): 0.5 part Zinc oxide (manufactured by Kyodo Chemical Co., Ltd.): 5 parts Vulcanization accelerator “Nocceler M” (manufactured by Ouchi Shinsei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): 1 part Stearic acid: 0.5 part Conductive agent (carbon black) “#3030B” (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation): 23 parts

[0088] Next, the rubber composition was put into a Banbury mixer and kneaded, and then further kneaded with two rolls. The obtained kneaded product was formed into an endless belt shape by an extrusion molding machine equipped with a tube crosshead. Next, the rubber composition formed into an endless belt shape was heated with pressurized steam (temperature 126 °C, pressure 1.5 kg / cm 2 ) in a vulcanizing kettle to form an elastic layer. The elastic layer was covered on the outside of a metal tube (conductive substrate), and the surface was polished to obtain an endless belt-shaped elastic layer (diameter 40 mm, width 340 mm, thickness 492 μm).

[0089] - Preparation of surface layer - To 100 parts by mass of silicone-modified acrylic urethane (manufactured by Henkel Japan), 34 parts by mass of SQ1 (PSS-octakis(dimethylsilyloxy)substituted body, manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich, R = dimethylsilyloxy in Structural Formula A) (an amount that becomes 6% by volume with respect to the surface layer) and 15 parts by mass of carbon black “FW200” (manufactured by Degussa) were added to prepare a coating liquid for forming a surface layer. Next, a coating solution for forming a surface layer was spray-coated on the surface of the produced elastic layer and dried by heating at 180°C for 30 minutes to form a surface layer (thickness: 8 μm). An electrophotographic member having a diameter of 40 mm, a width of 340 mm, and a thickness of 500 μm was obtained.

[0090] <Example 2> An electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that SQ1 was added to the surface layer so as to be 10% by volume.

[0091] <Example 3> An electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that SQ1 was added to the surface layer so as to be 40% by volume.

[0092] <Example 4> An electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that SQ1 was added to the surface layer so as to be 60% by volume.

[0093] <Example 5> An electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the binder resin was a polyimide resin and SQ1 was added to the surface layer so as to be 30% by volume.

[0094] <Example 6> An electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3, except that SQ1 was replaced with SQ2 (Tospearl 120 (polymethylsilsesquioxane), manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials, R = methyl in Structural Formula A).

[0095] <Comparative Example 1> An electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2, except that SQ1 was replaced with PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane: Sylarene R200) (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.).

[0096] <Comparative Example 2> An electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that SQ1 was added to the surface layer so as to be 2% by volume.

[0097] <Comparative Example 3> SQ1 was added to the surface layer in an amount of 70% by volume, and an electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

[0098] <Comparative Example 4> An electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2 except that SQ1 was changed to SQ3 (Tospearl 130 (polymethylsilsesquioxane), manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials, R = methyl in Structural Formula A).

[0099] <Evaluation> -Surface free energy- According to the method described above, the surface free energy of the surface layer of the electrophotographic members obtained in the examples and comparative examples was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0100] -Volume average particle diameter- According to the method described above, the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound in the surface layer of the electrophotographic members obtained in the examples and comparative examples was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0101] -Dynamic frictional force- Using the sheet pieces cut to a thickness of 1 mm including the surface layer from the electrophotographic members obtained in the examples and comparative examples, the dynamic frictional force of the surface layer before and after corona treatment at a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW was measured using a portable friction meter (manufactured by HEIDON (Shinto Kagaku)) in accordance with JIS K7125:1999. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0102] -Cleanability- The electrophotographic members obtained in the examples and comparative examples were applied to the secondary transfer roll of an ApeosPort VII C6688 (manufactured by Fujifilm Business Innovation) modified machine. After passing 10,000 sheets of single-sided solid black (K) 100% images on A3 plain paper, the stain on the back of the 10,001st output paper was visually observed to evaluate the cleanability. The evaluation was carried out according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0103] A: No stain adheres at all B: There is dirt adhering, and the adhesion area is 5% or more and less than 10%. C: There is dirt adhering, and the adhesion area is 10% or more.

[0104]

Table 1

[0105] As shown in Table 1, it can be seen that the electrophotographic member of this example has higher maintainability of cleaning properties than the electrophotographic member of the comparative example.

[0106] Embodiments of the present disclosure include the following aspects. (((1))) Comprising a surface layer and an elastic layer, The surface layer contains a silicone compound, Based on JIS K7125:1999, when the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer is (A), and the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer at a current of 100 μA or more and 1 kV or more, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is (B), (A) is 0.15 or more and 0.35 or less, and (B - A) is 0.05 or less, An electrophotographic member. (((2))) The silicone compound has the formula: [RSiO 1.5 n A compound having structure A represented by (wherein, in the formula, R is an organic group, and n represents an integer of 2 or more), and among the plurality of Rs present in structure A, at least one R is a group containing an alkyl group, the electrophotographic member according to (((1))). (((3))) The surface free energy of the surface layer is 45 mJ / m 2 or less, the electrophotographic member according to (((1))) or (((2))). (((4))) The content of the silicone compound is 3% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less based on the electrophotographic member, the electrophotographic member according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))). ​(((5))) The content of the silicone compound is 10% by volume or more and 40% by volume or less with respect to the electrophotographic member, and the electrophotographic member according to (((4))). (((6))) The volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is 2.5 μm or less, and the electrophotographic member according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))). (((7))) The volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is 1 μm or less, and the electrophotographic member according to (((6))). (((8))) The surface layer contains a urethane resin as a binder resin, and the electrophotographic member according to any one of (((1))) to (((7))). (((9))) A transfer device including the electrophotographic member according to any one of (((1))) to (((8))). (((10))) An image carrier, A charging device that charges the surface of the image carrier, An electrostatic latent image forming device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier, A developing device that contains a developer containing toner and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with the developer to form a toner image, The transfer device according to (((9))), which transfers the toner image onto the surface of a recording medium, A fixing device that fixes the toner image onto the surface of a recording medium, An image forming apparatus comprising the same.

[0107] The effects of the above aspects are as follows.

[0108] According to the invention according to ((1)), a member for electrophotography is provided, which includes a surface layer and an elastic layer, the surface layer contains a silicone compound, and when the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer is (A) according to JIS K7125:1999, and the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer after corona treatment at a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is (B), the cleaning property maintaining property is higher than when (A) is less than 0.15 or more than 0.30, or when (B - A) is more than 0.05.

[0109] According to the invention according to ((2)), a member for electrophotography is provided, which has a higher cleaning property maintaining property than when the silicone compound is PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane).

[0110] According to the invention according to ((3)), a member for electrophotography is provided, which has a higher cleaning property maintaining property than when the surface free energy of the surface layer is more than 45 mJ / m 2 ².

[0111] According to the invention according to ((4)), a member for electrophotography is provided, which has a higher cleaning property maintaining property than when the content of the silicone compound is less than 3% by volume or more than 60% by volume with respect to the member for electrophotography.

[0112] According to the invention according to ((5)), a member for electrophotography is provided, which has a higher cleaning property maintaining property than when the content of the silicone compound is less than 10% by volume or more than 40% by volume with respect to the member for electrophotography.

[0113] According to the invention according to ((6)), a member for electrophotography is provided, which has a higher cleaning property maintaining property than when the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is more than 2.5 μm.

[0114] According to the invention according to ((7)), a member for electrophotography is provided, which has a higher cleaning property maintaining property than when the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is more than 1 μm.

[0115] According to the invention according to ((8)), there is provided an electrophotographic member having higher cleaning property retention than when the binder resin of the surface layer is a polyimide resin.

[0116] According to the inventions according to ((9)) and ((10)), there are provided a transfer device and an image forming device having higher cleaning property retention than when an electrophotographic member is applied, the electrophotographic member including a surface layer and an elastic layer, the surface layer containing a silicone compound, and when the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer is (A) and the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer after corona treatment at a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22°C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is (B) in accordance with JIS K7125:1999, (A) is less than 0.15 or more than 0.30, or (B - A) is more than 0.05.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0117] 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Image Forming Unit 10 Primary Transfer Unit 11 Photoconductor 12 Charger 13 Laser Exposer 14 Developing Device 15 Intermediate Transfer Belt 16 Primary Transfer Roll 17 Photoconductor Cleaner 20 Secondary Transfer Unit 22 Secondary Transfer Roll 22A Secondary Transfer Roll Cleaning Member 25 Back Roll 26 Power Supply Roll 31 Driving Roll 32 Support Roll 33 Tension Applying Roll 34 Cleaning Back Roll 35 Intermediate Transfer Belt Cleaning Member 40 Control Unit 42 Reference Sensor 43 Image Density Sensor 50 Paper Cassette 51 Sheet feeding roll 52 Conveying roll 53 Conveying guide 55 Conveying belt 56 Fixing entrance guide 60 Fixing device 70 Image forming device 100 Electro-photographic member 110 Conductive substrate 120 Roll body 122 Elastic layer 124 Intermediate layer 126 Surface layer

Claims

1. Comprising a surface layer and an elastic layer, The surface layer contains a silicone compound, Based on JIS K7125:1999, when the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer is (A), and the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer at a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is (B), (A) is 0.15 or more and 0.35 or less, and (B - A) is 0.05 or less, An electrophotographic member.

2. The silicone compound has a structure A represented by the formula: [RSiO １．５ ｎ (wherein, in the formula, R represents an organic group and n represents an integer of 2 or more), and among a plurality of Rs present in the structure A, at least one R is a group containing an alkyl group. The electrophotographic member according to claim 1.​

3. The surface free energy of the surface layer is 45 mJ / m ２ The electrophotographic member according to claim 1, wherein the surface free energy of the surface layer is 45 mJ / m or less.

4. The content of the silicone compound is 3% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less with respect to the surface layer. The electrophotographic member according to Claim 1.

5. The content of the silicone compound is 10% by volume or more and 40% by volume or less with respect to the surface layer. The electrophotographic member according to Claim 4.

6. The volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is 2.5 μm or less. The electrophotographic member according to Claim 1.

7. The volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is 1 μm or less. The electrophotographic member according to Claim 6.

8. The surface layer contains a urethane resin as a binder resin. The electrophotographic member according to Claim 1.

9. A transfer device comprising the electrophotographic member according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

10. An image carrier, A charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier, An electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image carrier, A developing device that contains a developer containing toner and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier with the developer to form a toner image, The transfer device according to Claim 9, which transfers the toner image onto the surface of a recording medium, A fixing device for fixing the toner image onto the surface of the recording medium, An image forming apparatus comprising the same.

Images