Photosensitive Member Surface Layer for Stable Electrophotographic Potential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic photosensitive members suffer from significant potential fluctuations during repeated use, despite improvements in abrasion resistance through the incorporation of fluorine atom-containing resin particles, leading to unsatisfactory suppression of charge accumulation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a polymer A with a specific structural unit, free of acidic groups with a pKa of 3 or less, into the surface layer of the photosensitive member, along with fluorine atom-containing resin particles, to enhance dispersibility and suppress potential fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fluorine atom-containing resin particles are incorporated into the surface layer to improve abrasion resistance, then mechanical durability is improved, but potential fluctuation during repeated use increases
Solution Approach 1:
A fluorine-containing polymer with specific structural units (formula 1) is introduced as an intermediary substance between the fluorine atom-containing resin particles and the surface layer matrix. This polymer acts as a dispersant that prevents aggregation of resin particles while maintaining abrasion resistance, thereby suppressing potential fluctuation during repeated use without sacrificing mechanical durability
Solution Approach 2:
The surface layer is formulated as a composite material containing fluorine atom-containing resin particles, binder material, and the specific fluorine-containing polymer (formula 1). This composite structure combines the abrasion resistance of fluorine resin particles with the potential-fluctuation-suppressing effect of the polymer, achieving both improved mechanical durability and reduced potential fluctuation
2Strength
If fluorine atom-containing resin particles are used to enhance surface layer durability, then friction resistance is improved, but charge accumulation suppression is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fluorine-containing polymer (formula 1) serves as an intermediary that mediates between the fluorine resin particles and the charge accumulation phenomenon. Its specific structural units interact with the resin particles to prevent charge buildup while maintaining the friction resistance benefits of the fluorine-containing surface layer
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical and physical parameters of the surface layer by incorporating the specific fluorine-containing polymer with defined structural units (formula 1). This parameter change enables the surface layer to simultaneously achieve low friction and suppressed charge accumulation, resolving the contradiction between friction resistance and charge accumulation suppression
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic photosensitive member including a surface layer, wherein the surface layer comprises a fluorine atom-containing resin particle, a binder material, and a polymer having a specific structural unit represented by the following formula (1):In formula (1) R11 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R12 represents a single bond or a methylene group, Rf1 and Rf2 each independently represent a perfluoroalkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or a perfluoroalkylidene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and Rf3 represents a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.