Electrophotographic Photoreceptor Intermediate Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic photoreceptors face challenges in maintaining uniform image density and preventing exposure memory due to carrier retention issues, which affect image quality after repeated usage.
Innovation Solution
The photoreceptor is designed with a conductive support, an intermediate layer containing rutile type titanium oxide particles with an organic compound, a charge generating layer using a 2,3-butanediol adduct of phthalocyanine, and a charge transporting layer with a specific ionization potential, along with a protective layer incorporating metal oxide particles and a charge transporting material in a cured resin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rutile type titanium oxide particles with high electron transporting property are used in the intermediate layer, then sensitivity is improved, but exposure memory occurs due to carrier retention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating only the surface of titanium oxide particles with organic compounds, rather than changing the bulk properties. The surface treatment creates a localized region with modified electron transporting property, allowing the core to maintain high sensitivity while the surface prevents excessive carrier retention that causes exposure memory
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of electron transporting property through surface treatment with organic compounds. This chemical modification alters the surface electronic structure of titanium oxide particles, adjusting the balance between maintaining sufficient electron transport for sensitivity and preventing excessive carrier retention that leads to exposure memory
2Object-generated harmful factors
If metal oxide particles with low electron transporting property are incorporated in the intermediate layer to prevent exposure memory, then exposure memory is reduced, but image density changes due to decreased sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses local quality by treating only the surface of titanium oxide particles with organic compounds, preserving the high electron transporting property of the bulk material while modifying only the surface region to control carrier retention and prevent exposure memory
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining titanium oxide particles with surface-treated organic compounds. This composite approach allows the inorganic core to provide high electron transporting property for sensitivity while the organic surface layer modulates carrier retention to prevent exposure memory
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a charge transporting material with large ionization potential is used in the charge transporting layer to prevent exposure memory, then exposure memory is reduced, but sensitivity decreases leading to image density change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ionization potential parameter of the charge transporting material to an optimized range (5.45-5.60 eV). This parameter optimization balances the competing requirements: sufficiently large ionization potential to prevent carrier retention and exposure memory, while not so large that sensitivity and image density are compromised
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
This configuration enhances electric potential stability and prevents exposure memory, ensuring consistent image density even after repeated usage by optimizing electron and hole transporting properties.
Implementation Method 1
the intermediate layer contains rutile type titanium oxide particles, and 50% or more of the rutile type titanium oxide particles have an organic compound on a surface of the titanium oxide particles
Implementation Method 2
the charge generating layer has a pigment containing a 2,3-butanediol adduct of a phthalocyanine compound
Implementation Method 3
the charge transporting layer contains a charge transporting material having an ionization potential of 5.45 to 5.60 eV
Implementation Method 4
the protective layer contains metal oxide particles and the charge transporting material in a cured resin
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive support having thereon an intermediate layer, a charge generating layer, a charge transporting layer, and a protective layer sequentially laminated in that order, wherein the intermediate layer contains rutile type titanium oxide particles, and 50% or more of the rutile type titanium oxide particles have an organic compound on a surface of the titanium oxide particles; the charge generating layer has a pigment containing a 2,3-butanediol adduct of a phthalocyanine compound; the charge transporting layer contains a charge transporting material having an ionization potential of 5.45 to 5.60 eV; and the protective layer contains metal oxide particles and the charge transporting material in a cured resin prepared by curing a polymerizable compound.