Organic Photoreceptor Protective Layer Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Organic photoreceptors face issues with scratch resistance and dot reproducibility due to the diffusion of metal oxide microparticles at reduced electric field intensity, leading to transfer memory generation and decreased surface resistance, especially under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions.
Innovation Solution
An organic photoreceptor with a protective layer containing a cured resin obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable compound in the presence of a radical scavenger, metal oxide microparticles, and a specific charge transport substance, where the volume ratio of metal oxide microparticles to the charge transport substance is optimized to maintain scratch resistance and dot reproducibility over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal oxide microparticles are added to the protective layer to improve scratch resistance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but dot reproducibility decreases due to particle diffusion at reduced electric field intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the protective layer by introducing a hole transfer catalyst that accelerates hole transfer reactions. This allows the system to maintain adequate electric field intensity even with metal oxide microparticles present, preventing particle diffusion while preserving scratch resistance. The catalyst concentration and type are optimized to balance both requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The hole transfer catalyst acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates charge transport across the protective layer containing metal oxide microparticles. This mediator enables sufficient hole transfer efficiency without requiring high electric field intensity, thereby preventing microparticle diffusion while maintaining the protective layer's mechanical strength and dot reproducibility.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the protective layer has high abrasion resistance for longer lifetime, then durability is improved, but transfer memory generation occurs due to decreased surface resistance under high-temperature and high-humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the protective layer composition by adding a hole transfer catalyst that maintains charge transfer efficiency under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions. This prevents surface resistance degradation that would otherwise lead to transfer memory generation, while preserving the long lifetime provided by the abrasion-resistant metal oxide microparticles.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If charge transport substance is added to suppress transfer memory generation, then transfer memory is reduced, but dot reproducibility decreases and film strength reduces due to plasticizer effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charge transport function from the main protective layer matrix and concentrates it in the hole transfer catalyst component. This allows the bulk protective layer to maintain its mechanical strength and dot reproducibility properties, while the catalyst specifically addresses transfer memory generation without causing plasticizer effects throughout the entire layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The hole transfer catalyst is distributed in specific concentrations within the protective layer to provide localized charge transfer enhancement where needed. This localized approach suppresses transfer memory generation at the interface without requiring high concentrations throughout the entire protective layer, thereby preserving film strength and dot reproducibility.
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 optimized volume ratio of metal oxide microparticles to charge transport substance in the protective layer ensures excellent memory tolerance and dot reproducibility while preventing transfer memory generation, even after prolonged use, and maintains appropriate film strength for wear and tear.
Implementation Method 1
a cured resin constituent obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable compound in the presence of a radical scavenger
Implementation Method 2
a compound represented by the following general formula (1) as a charge transport substance
Implementation Method 3
metal oxide microparticles... have been known as protective layers which are excellent in abrasion resistance and scratch resistance
Data Source
AI summary
In an organic photoreceptor that has a protective layer formed on an organic photosensitive layer, the protective layer contains; a cured resin constituent obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable compound in the presence of a radical scavenger represented by the general formula (2); metal oxide microparticles; and a compound represented by the general formula (1) as a charge transport substance, and the relational expression (1): 80/A≦B≦160/A and the relational expression (2): 12≦A≦25 are satisfied when the volume ratio (volume %) of the metal oxide microparticles in the protective layer and the volume ratio (volume %) of the compound represented by the general formula (1) in the protective layer are respectively denoted by A and B.