Electrophotographic Photoreceptor Crosslinked Outermost Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic photoreceptors experience image unevenness due to hysteresis from light exposure, caused by changes in electric resistance in the outermost surface layer, particularly when using charge transporting materials with specific substituents and acidic substances as catalysts.
Innovation Solution
A crosslinked product is formed using charge transporting materials with substituents like —OH, —OCH3, —NH2, —SH, and —COOH, combined with acidic substances and specific compounds represented by formulas (A) and (B), which enhances mechanical strength and traps holes, preventing resistance changes and image unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If charge transporting materials with substituents (—OH, —OCH3, —NH2, —SH, —COOH) and acidic substances are used in the outermost surface layer, then the photoreceptor exhibits good charge transport performance, but image unevenness occurs due to hysteresis from light exposure causing resistance changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces compounds with specific structures (formulas A and B) as intermediary substances that mediate between the charge transporting materials and the acidic substances. These intermediary compounds trap holes generated during light exposure, preventing them from causing resistance changes in the charge transporting material, thus eliminating image unevenness while preserving charge transport performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite outermost surface layer containing multiple components: charge transporting materials with specific substituents, acidic substances as catalysts, and intermediary compounds (formulas A and B). This composite structure combines the benefits of charge transport with the ability to suppress hysteresis effects, resolving the contradiction between performance and image quality
2Strength
If the outermost surface layer is made with crosslinked products for mechanical strength, then durability improves, but resistance changes during light exposure cause image unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent forms a composite crosslinked structure incorporating charge transporting materials, acidic substances, and intermediary compounds (formulas A and B). This composite approach achieves both mechanical strength through crosslinking and image uniformity through the hole-trapping action of the intermediary compounds, resolving the contradiction between durability and image quality
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 solution effectively stabilizes image formation by suppressing electrostatic contrast differences and reducing image unevenness, ensuring consistent image quality by maintaining resistance values and mechanical strength.
Implementation Method 1
an outermost layer of the photosensitive layer contains a crosslinked product formed from at least one charge transporting material
Implementation Method 2
an acidic substance, and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula (A) and compounds represented by the following formula (B)
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the invention, an electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer provided on a surface of the conductive substrate is provided. In the electrophotographic photoreceptor, an outermost layer of the photosensitive layer containing a crosslinked product formed from at least one charge transporting material having at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of —OH, —OCH3, —NH2, —SH, and —COOH, an acidic substance, and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula (A) and compounds represented by the following formula (B).