Electrophotographic Photoreceptor Charge Transport Layer Cyclic Siloxane Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic photoreceptors with charge transport layers containing cyclic siloxanes of molecular weight 450 or less can cause spot-like image defects and image unevenness due to rapid drying of low-molecular-weight cyclic siloxanes, leading to suboptimal image quality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a lamination type photosensitive layer with a charge transport layer containing polyalkylsiloxane and ensuring the amount of cyclic siloxane with a molecular weight of 450 or less is less than 0.1 ppm, or using a single layer type photosensitive layer with polyalkylsiloxane and minimizing low-molecular-weight cyclic siloxane content, to prevent image defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a charge transport layer containing cyclic siloxane with molecular weight of 450 or less is used, then the coating process is simplified and leveling is improved, but spot-like image defects and image unevenness occur due to rapid drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the cyclic siloxane from 450 or less to 451 or more, which fundamentally alters the drying characteristics. This parameter change eliminates rapid drying while maintaining the leveling and coating benefits, thereby preventing spot-like image defects and image unevenness.
2Shape
If polyalkylsiloxane is used as a leveling agent, then surface leveling is improved, but low-molecular-weight cyclic siloxane content causes image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular weight parameter of the polyalkylsiloxane's cyclic siloxane component from low molecular weight (450 or less) to high molecular weight (451 or more). This parameter change maintains the surface leveling capability while eliminating the harmful rapid drying effect that causes image defects.
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 significantly reduces the occurrence of spot-like image defects and image unevenness, resulting in improved image quality by controlling the amount of low-molecular-weight cyclic siloxane in the photoreceptor layers.
Implementation Method 1
a volatile leveling agent volatilized by being heated after application
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive substrate, and a lamination type photosensitive layer disposed on the conductive substrate and including a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer, in which the charge transport layer contains polyalkylsiloxane, and an amount of a cyclic siloxane having a molecular weight of 450 or less in the charge transport layer is less than 0.1 ppm.