Gallium Phthalocyanine Crystal Ghost Defect Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic photosensitive members face issues with image quality deterioration due to ghost phenomena, especially under low-temperature, low-humidity environments, and existing solutions do not effectively incorporate organic electron acceptors into phthalocyanine crystals, leading to surface adherence rather than true incorporation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a specific amine compound represented by formula (1) into gallium phthalocyanine crystals, which are then subjected to a wet milling treatment to ensure the compound is integrated within the crystal structure, thereby enhancing the crystal's sensitivity and reducing ghost image defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a phthalocyanine pigment is used as a charge-generating substance, then sensitivity to long-wavelength light is improved, but photocarriers remain on the photosensitive layer causing ghost phenomena
Solution Approach 1:
An organic electron acceptor compound is introduced as an intermediary substance between the phthalocyanine pigment and the environment. This acceptor receives electrons from the phthalocyanine upon light exposure, preventing electron accumulation that causes ghost phenomena, while maintaining the high light sensitivity of the phthalocyanine pigment
2Use of energy by moving object
If an organic electron acceptor is added during acid pasting process, then sensitizing effect is improved, but the additive chemically changes making crystal form transformation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The organic electron acceptor is incorporated into the phthalocyanine crystal structure during the crystal formation process itself, rather than being added later during acid pasting. This preliminary incorporation ensures the acceptor is properly integrated into the crystal lattice, maintaining both the sensitizing effect and the ability to transform crystal forms as needed
3Quantity of substance
If wet pulverization treatment is used to incorporate organic electron acceptor, then the acceptor is incorporated into crystal surface, but the acceptor is merely mixed with or adheres to surface rather than truly incorporated
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical and physical parameters of the crystal growth process are optimized to enable true incorporation of the organic electron acceptor into the crystal lattice. By controlling parameters such as solvent composition, temperature, and addition rate during crystal formation, the acceptor becomes an integral part of the crystal structure rather than merely surface-adhered
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The approach results in electrophotographic photosensitive members that produce images with reduced defects under normal and severe environmental conditions, leveraging the amine compound's role in stabilizing the gallium phthalocyanine crystal structure and improving charge-generating capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the amine compound's role in stabilizing the gallium phthalocyanine crystal structure
Implementation Method 2
A produced photocarrier is liable to remain on the photosensitive layer
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each having the electrophotographic photosensitive member that can output an image having less image defects due to a ghost phenomenon not only under a normal-temperature, normal-humidity environment but also under a low-temperature, low-humidity environment as a particularly severe condition. The electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support, in which the photosensitive layer includes a gallium phthalocyanine crystal containing a specific amine compound in itself.