Electrophotographic Photoreceptor Protective Layer Solubility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electron-transporting compounds in protective layers of electrophotographic photoreceptors often fail to dissolve uniformly in organic solvents, leading to aggregation and insufficient electrical properties due to precipitation, which affects the mechanical strength and residual potential of the photoreceptor.

Innovation Solution

A protective layer containing a polymer of an electron-transporting compound with a dinaphthoquinone skeleton bonded to a chain-polymerizable functional group through an aromatic spacer, ensuring uniform composition and improved solubility, thereby enhancing the electrical properties and mechanical strength of the photoreceptor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electron-transporting compounds are added to the protective layer, then electrical properties are improved, but aggregation and precipitation occur due to insufficient solubility in organic solvents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical propertiesVSAvoiduniformity of protective layer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the molecular structure of electron-transporting compounds by introducing solubilizing groups (such as silyl groups, alkyl groups, or ether groups) to change their solubility parameters. This allows the compounds to dissolve uniformly in organic solvents while maintaining their electron-transporting functionality, thereby preventing aggregation and precipitation in the protective layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite electron-transporting compounds that combine the core electron-transporting structure with solubilizing moieties. These composite molecules integrate both functions: maintaining electrical performance while ensuring uniform distribution and solubility in the protective layer matrix, thus resolving the contradiction between electrical properties and compositional uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If a protective layer is formed to improve mechanical strength, then abrasion resistance is enhanced, but electron-transporting compounds may precipitate reducing electrical properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidelectrical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the solubility parameters of electron-transporting compounds through molecular structure modification, ensuring they remain dissolved in the protective layer matrix even when the layer provides enhanced mechanical strength. This prevents precipitation that would otherwise degrade electrical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces solubilizing groups as intermediary structures that mediate between the electron-transporting compound and the protective layer matrix. These intermediary groups enhance compatibility and solubility, allowing the compound to function effectively within the mechanically strengthened protective layer without precipitating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 proposed solution prevents aggregation and precipitation of electron-transporting compounds, achieving a uniform protective layer with excellent residual potential and electrical properties, particularly in electrophotographic photoreceptors.

Implementation Method 1

applying energy such as heat, light and radiation to the layer to polymerize the compound to form a cured resin layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

a compound having electron-transporting property, such as a compound which is useful as an electron-transporting compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron transport: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

a structure in which a chain-polymerizable functional group is bonded to a dinaphthoquinone skeleton through an aromatic group, namely through an aromatic group as a spacer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteric hindrance:

Data Source

PatentUS20240353769A1Electrophotographic photoreceptor, coating liquid for forming electrophotographic photoreceptor protective layer, compound, electrophotographic photoreceptor cartridge, and image formation device

Publication Date: 2024.10.24 MITSUBISHI CHEM CORP

AI summary

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