Electrophotographic Photosensitive Member Surface Layer Lubricity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic photosensitive members experience issues with image streaks and image smearings due to insufficient lubricity and moisture attachment, leading to unstable electrical characteristics over repeated use, despite enhancements in durability and surface layer materials.
Innovation Solution
A production method for electrophotographic photosensitive members involving a surface layer formed with a hole transporting compound and a compound represented by a specific formula, which includes long-chain alkyl groups for enhanced lubricity and hydrophobicity, and a fumaric or maleic acid ester structure for crosslinking, preventing charge retention and toner fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surface layer containing a cured product of a chain-polymerizable compound is formed to enhance durability, then durability is improved, but image streaks occur due to insufficient lubricity of the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the surface layer by incorporating specific compounds with long-chain alkyl groups (10 or more carbon atoms) and fumaric or maleic acid ester structures. This compositional parameter change provides both durability through crosslinking and lubricity through the long-chain alkyl groups, resolving the contradiction between durability and image streak prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material approach by combining multiple functional components in the surface layer: hole transporting compounds for electrical characteristics, compounds with long-chain alkyl groups for lubricity, and fumaric or maleic acid ester structures for crosslinking. This composite structure simultaneously achieves durability and suppresses image streaks.
2Reliability
If the surface layer material is modified to improve durability, then durability is enhanced, but image smearings occur due to attachment of moisture onto the surface under high-humidity environment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters of the surface layer by incorporating compounds with long-chain alkyl groups (10 or more carbon atoms) and fumaric or maleic acid ester structures. These compositional changes provide hydrophobicity that prevents moisture attachment while maintaining durability through crosslinking, thus resolving the contradiction between durability and image smearing prevention.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a compound with long-chain alkyl group is contained in surface layer to suppress image streaks, then lubricity is improved, but electrical characteristics deteriorate in repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite material strategy by combining hole transporting compounds (for electrical characteristics) with compounds containing long-chain alkyl groups and fumaric or maleic acid ester structures (for lubricity and crosslinking). This composite approach ensures that electrical characteristics are maintained while lubricity is improved, resolving the contradiction between suppressing image streaks and maintaining electrical characteristics.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If surface layer composition is optimized for lubricity, then image streaks are suppressed, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single surface layer composition: hole transporting function, lubricity provision through long-chain alkyl groups, and crosslinking capability through fumaric or maleic acid ester structures. This consolidation achieves image streak suppression while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity by incorporating all necessary functions in one coating formulation.
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 method effectively suppresses image streaks and smearings, maintaining good electrical characteristics from initial use to repeated use by enhancing surface lubricity and hydrophobicity, and preventing charge retention and toner fusion.
Implementation Method 1
a compound having a long-chain alkyl group and a chain-polymerizable functional group, and a compound represented by formula (1)... copolymerized product of a hole transporting compound having a chain-polymerizable functional group with a compound represented by formula (1)
Implementation Method 2
curing the coating film to thereby form a surface layer... copolymerized product of a hole transporting compound having a chain-polymerizable functional group with a compound represented by formula (1)
Implementation Method 3
enhanced in durability... suppressed in image streaks occurring due to deterioration in lubricity of the surface... compound having a long-chain alkyl group... enhanced surface lubricity
Implementation Method 4
image defects (image smearings) occurring due to attachment of moisture onto the surface... enhanced surface lubricity and hydrophobicity... suppressed in image smearings
Data Source
AI summary
A coating film of a coating liquid for a surface layer, the coating liquid containing a hole transporting compound having a chain-polymerizable functional group and a compound having a specified structure, is cured to thereby form a surface layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member.