JPH0497160A - Image holding member - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To extend a durable characteristic and to obtain a stable potential characteristic as well by providing a protective layer contg. at least a thermoplastic resin and photosetting resin on the surface. CONSTITUTION:The protective layer 1 is positioned on the outermost part of an image holding member 3 and protects the layer on the inner side thereof. This protective layer 1 is formed by mixing the thermoplastic resin (exclusive of a high-mol. wt. polyester resin) and the photosetting resin so as to synergistically act the characteristics of the respective resin components. Then, a photosensitive body which is free from carrier traps is formed. The photosensitive body which is substantially not chipped by a durable test, exhibits the stable potential characteristic and obviates the generation of line images by flaws even after the durable use and the inclination of densities by partial chipping is obtd. in this way.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to an image holding member, and more particularly to an image holding member with excellent durability.

[Prior Art] Image holding members are generally used as members for holding electrostatic images and/or toner images, such as electrophotographic photoreceptors, intermediate transfer members for color copying that require multiple transfers, or electrostatic recording members. It is being

Inorganic photoconductive materials such as selenium, cadmium sulfide, and zinc oxide have conventionally been used as photoconductive materials for electrophotographic photoreceptors. On the other hand, organic photoconductive materials such as polyvinylcarbazole, oxadiazole, and phthalocyanine have the advantage of higher productivity compared to inorganic photoconductive materials.
Its low sensitivity made it difficult to put it into practical use. Therefore, I (
Although some sensitization methods have been proposed, it is known that an effective method is to use a functionally separated photoreceptor in which a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are laminated.

On the other hand, as a matter of course, electrophotographic photoreceptors are required to have predetermined sensitivity, electrical properties, and optical properties depending on the electrophotographic process to which they are applied. In particular, for photoconductors that can be used repeatedly, the surface layer of the photoconductor is directly subjected to electrical and mechanical external forces such as corona charging, toner development, transfer to paper, and cleaning processing, so it is difficult to withstand such external forces. sexuality is required. Specifically, durability is required against a decrease in sensitivity, a decrease in potential, an increase in residual potential due to deterioration due to ozone and NO generated during corona charging, and the occurrence of surface abrasion and scratches due to rubbing.

Furthermore, cleaning performance is an important factor, and in order to improve cleaning performance, it is essential to reduce frictional resistance.

Since the surface of the photoreceptor is mainly composed of a resin and a photosensitive material, the performance of the resin is particularly important, and there has been a demand for an excellent resin that satisfies the above-mentioned characteristics. Recently, polycarbonate resin has come to be used as a binder for the surface layer as a resin that satisfies these requirements.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, when acrylic resin was used, the durability was around several thousand to ten thousand sheets, but by using polycarbonate resin, the durability was increased to 50,000 to 100,000 sheets. However, the durability could not reach 300,000 to 1,000,000 sheets when inorganic photoreceptors such as Se or a-3L (amorphous SL) were used.

Therefore, many studies have been carried out to provide a protective layer by adding conventional resins or fluorine-containing resins, but due to the structure of the photosensitive layer, the residual potential (residual potential) cannot be reduced due to long-term use. Vr) increases,
A negative effect of decreased sensitivity was observed. This problem can be improved by reducing the thickness of the protective layer, for example, to 2 to 3 μm or less, but the conventionally used resins still suffer from a lot of wear due to long-term use, and durability is not improved. It ends in Furthermore, when using a resin to which polytetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as rPTFEJ) is used for the protective layer, it is necessary to use a soft resin in order to bring out the good leaning characteristics of PTFE. This is because the surface of the photoreceptor is scraped little by little as the photoreceptor is used for a long period of time, exposing fresh PTFE to the surface, and the effect of PTFE cannot be expressed well with a hard binder. However, when a soft binder is used, the durability of the protective layer increases due to the effect of PTFH, but the film is soft and is therefore more likely to be scratched by rubbing with a cleaning blade or cracked by impact (peeling of the film). Furthermore, parts of the transfer paper that come into contact with the photoreceptor, such as the leading edge or the trailing edge, become scratches on the photoreceptor, resulting in image defects such as black streaks. Furthermore, regarding the problems of increased residual potential and decreased sensitivity due to long-term use, the same problems as those of ordinary protective layers remain.

In addition, the use of high-hardness resin may be considered to improve wear resistance, but the coefficient of frictional resistance is several orders of magnitude higher than when polycarbonate or the like is used for the surface, making it difficult to obtain good leaning characteristics. There is room for improvement.

An object of the present invention is to provide a photoreceptor that has significantly improved durability and stable potential characteristics.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention relates to an image holding member characterized by having a protective layer on its surface containing a small amount of both a thermoplastic resin (excluding high molecular weight polyester resin) and a photocurable resin. .

The image holding member of the present invention will be explained below based on the drawings. Here, FIGS. 1 to 3 are schematic cross-sectional views showing various aspects of the image holding member of the present invention.

In each figure, the same reference numerals represent the same layers.

In the figure, l is a protective layer located at the outermost part of the image holding member to protect the inner layer. 2 is a photosensitive layer, but it may not exist in the image holding member of the present invention.

3 is an image holding layer, which is a laminate of all the layers inside from the protective layer 1, except for the conductive support 4. 5 is a charge transport layer, and 6 is a charge generation layer, and the vertical positional relationship between these two layers may be arbitrary.

Although the protective layer according to the present invention has excellent abrasion resistance, it has low frictional resistance and is therefore extremely useful as a surface protective layer of an image holding member.

Unlike conventional single-type resins or copolymer resins, this is a hybrid of a thermoplastic resin (excluding high-molecular-weight polyester resin) and a photocurable resin, which allows the properties of each resin component to work synergistically. We believe that as a result of this combination, we have achieved unprecedented effects. Furthermore, conventionally, a simple mixture of a thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting epoxy resin has been proposed (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-41152), but using the photocurable epoxy resin of the present invention By,
It has become possible to create a photoreceptor without carrier traps.

Moreover, since the protective layer of the present invention is extremely strong, it can be made thinner, and the thickness of the protective layer is set to 3 μm or less, more preferably 0.1 to 2 μm. Further, the image holding member can have a photosensitive layer if necessary.

Examples of the photosensitive layer include Se, a-3i, ZnO, C
A substance having inorganic photoconductivity such as dS or a substance having organic photoconductivity such as an organic dye, an organic pigment, or a polysilane compound is used. Furthermore, depending on the layer structure, the photosensitive layer may be one in which a charge generation layer is laminated on a conductive support, and then a charge transport layer is laminated in this order, or a photosensitive layer is one in which a charge transport layer is laminated on a conductive support, and then a charge generation layer is laminated in that order. There are also those that have one or more layers in which a charge generating material and a charge transporting material are mixed. Furthermore, these layer configurations are minimal, and an intermediate layer may be provided as needed.

A third component can be added to each layer (including the protective layer) used in the present invention, if necessary. It does not matter whether the component is a low molecular weight substance or a high molecular weight substance.

Further, the protective layer containing the resin component of the present invention can be produced as follows.

The resin components used to form the protective layer of the present invention will be explained.

Thermoplastic resins used in the present invention include polyamide resins, polyoxymethylene resins, polycarbonate resins, polyphenylene ether resins, polyaryl resins, polyolefin resins, polystyrene resins, styrene-butadiene-acrylonitrile resins, styrene-acrylonitrile resins, poly( Examples include meth)acrylate resins, polyether sulfone resins, and particularly preferred are polyoxymethylene resins, polyphenylene ether resins, and polyolefin resins.

Polyolefin resins include ethylene, propylene,
Homopolymers of 1-olefins such as 1-butene, -hexene and 1-octene, copolymers of these 1-olefins with each other, or copolymers of these olefins with polymerizable vinyl compounds can be used.

Preferred polyolefin resins are low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, and ethylene with 4 to 4 carbon atoms.
Copolymer with 12 1-olefins (2 to 20 of the latter
% by mole), particularly preferred is so-called linear low-density polyethylene.

A copolymer of ethylene and (meth)acrylic acid or (meth)acrylic acid ester can also be used.

Furthermore, an ethylene/propylene random copolymer with an ethylene component content of about 3 to 10 mol%, an ethylene content of 5 to 10 mol%
An ethylene/propylene block copolymer of about 30 mol % can also be used.

It is desirable to crosslink the above-mentioned polyolefin with a crosslinking agent such as a peroxide, an azo compound, or a diazo compound after coating. Alternatively, polyolefins into which reactive groups have been introduced can also be used. As the reactive group, a carboxylic acid group, a hydroxyl group, a glycidyl group, an amino acid, or the like can be used.

The photocurable resin component used in the present invention refers to a resin that polymerizes or crosslinks by mixing a photopolymerization initiator, a crosslinking agent, etc. and irradiating it with light such as ultraviolet rays. Specifically, the photocurable resin component includes an epoxy resin. , urethane resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, acrylic resin, and silicone resin. Preferably, cationically polymerizable compounds can be mentioned.

The cationically polymerizable compound is preferably one or a mixture of two or more cationically polymerizable compounds whose main component is an epoxy resin having two or more oxirane rings in one molecule. Epoxy resin,
Novolac type epoxy resin, alicyclic epoxy resin, etc. are used.

Examples of such aromatic epoxy resins include Epicote 828, Epicote 834, Epicote 836,
Epicote 1001, Epicote 1004, Epicote 1007, Epicote 190P, Epicote 191P
(The above are product names of Yuka Shell Epoxy products), DER
331, DER332, DER661, DER664,
DER667 (the above is a trade name of a Dow Chemical Company product),
Araldite 260, Araldite 280, Araldite 6071, Araldite 6084, Araldite 60
97 (the above are trade names of Ciba-Geigy products), and these can be used alone or as a mixture.

Examples of the novolac type epoxy resin include Epicote 152, Epicote 154 (trade names of Yuka Shell Epoxy Gakusha products), and Araldite EPN113.
8. Araldite EPN1139, Araldite ECN
1235, Araldite ECN1273, Araldite ECN1280, Araldite ECN1299 (the above are trade names of Ciba Geigy products), and these may be used alone or as a mixture.

As the alicyclic epoxy resin, for example, Araldite C
Y175, Araldite CY177, Araldite CY
179, Araldite CY192 (the above are trade names of Ciba Geigy products), ERL4221, ERL4229,
ERL4234 (the above is a trade name of a product manufactured by Union Carbide), etc., and these may be used alone or in combination.

Other butadiene-based epoxy resins can also be used, and mixtures of the various epoxy resins mentioned above can also be used.

A monofunctional epoxy diluent may be used in the cationic polymerizable compound used in the present invention within a range that does not reduce the curing properties. As such a monofunctional epoxy diluent,
Examples include phenyl glycidyl ether, t-butyl glycidyl ether, and the like.

Furthermore, it is also possible to use a cationically polymerizable vinyl compound mixed with the epoxy resin, and examples of such cationically polymerizable vinyl compounds include styrene, allylbenzene, triallyl isocyanate, triallylcyanate, vinyl ether, N-vinylcarbazole,
Examples include N-vinylpyrrolidone.

It is desirable that the photocurable resin used in the present invention be produced by photocuring using ultraviolet irradiation.

In the case of photocuring, a photopolymerization initiator is added. Photopolymerization initiators that release Lewis acids that initiate polymerization of cationic polymerizable compounds by ultraviolet irradiation include aromatic diazonium salts, aromatic halonium salts, and photosensitive aromatic onium of group VIb or group Vb elements. Examples include salt.

The aromatic diazonium salt has the general formula [wherein R
'R' is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an alkoxy group, R
3 represents a hydrogen atom, an aromatic group, an amide group, or an aromatic group connected by a sulfur atom, M represents a metal or metalloid, and Q represents a halogen atom. a is a number from 1 to 6; moreover, a=(b-c) holds, b is a number satisfying the relationship cab≦8, and C is a number from 2 to 7, which is equal to the valence of M. ], X is a halogen atom such as ■, Br, Cρ, M is a metal or metalloid, Q is a halogen atom, d is O or 2, e is 0 or 1, and (d+
e) is equal to 2 or the valence of X, and g represents an integer greater than h and equal to or less than 8. ] Compounds represented by these include, for example, and the like.

Examples include.

Furthermore, as a photosensitive aromatic onium salt of a group VIb element or a group Vb element, the general formula % formula % ([[) [wherein R6 is a monovalent aromatic organic group, R7 is an alkyl group, A monovalent aliphatic organic group selected from a cycloalkyl group and a substituted alkyl group, R8 is a polyvalent organic group constituting a heterocyclic structure selected from an aliphatic organic group and an aromatic organic group, and Y is S
, Se, Te, group vrb elements, or N, P, As, Sb
and Bi, M represents a metal or metalloid, and Q represents a halogen atom. i is an integer from O to 4, j
is an integer from 0 to 2, k is an integer from 0 to 2, and (i
+j+k) is equal to the valence of Y, equal to 3 when Y is in group VIb, equal to 4 when Y is in group Vb, and i=(m−
n) holds, m is a number that satisfies the relationship n<m≦8, and n is an integer from 2 to 7 and is equal to the valence of M. ] It is a compound represented by

Examples of onium salts of group Vlb elements include the following.

In addition, examples of onium salts of group VB elements include: etc.

It is desirable that the resin composition used in the present invention be dissolved in a solvent and applied to a substrate.

As the solvent for dissolving the resin composition of the present invention, those used as solvents for dissolving thermoplastic resins (excluding high molecular weight polyester resins) can be used, but in general, ketone solvents such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, Ether solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, aromatic solvents such as toluene, xylene or cresols, or aliphatic solvents such as hexane and heptane can be used.

Other useful solvents include halogen-containing solvents,
Examples include: chloroform, dichloroethane, tetrachloroethane,
One or more mixed solvents such as halogenated hydrocarbons such as trichloropropane and tetrachlorobenzene, and fluorine-containing alcohols such as difluoroethanol, tetrafluoroethanol, and hexafluoroisopropanol are preferable.

Thermoplastic resins (excluding high molecular weight polyester resins)
) The blending ratio of photocurable resin to 100 parts by weight is 3 to 50.
parts by weight, preferably 8 to 45 parts by weight, more preferably 1
It is 0 to 40 parts by weight. The blending ratio of the Lewis acid free type photopolymerization initiator is O.1 to 100 parts by weight of the photocurable resin.
~50 parts by weight, preferably 1 to 30 parts by weight.

As a coating method, any method such as dipping, roll coater/bar coater, spraying, brushing, etc. can be used. Among these, immersion method (dipping method)
is preferable because the resulting coating film is particularly excellent in uniformity.

The ultraviolet irradiation conditions are from room temperature to the decomposition temperature of the thermoplastic resin, preferably above the glass transition point and below the melting start point, particularly preferably at a temperature 20°C or more higher than the glass transition point. The temperature should be 20°C lower than the starting point, and the irradiation time should be 60 seconds or less, preferably 30 seconds or less.
It is less than seconds, more preferably 5 to 15 seconds. Irradiation conditions are appropriately selected depending on the amount of solvent-insoluble parts of the crosslinked product obtained. As ultraviolet rays, those having a wavelength of generally 200 to 500 nm, preferably 300 to 400 nm are used.

The protective layer of the present invention containing a specific resin component has a solvent of 10 m
After dissolving 100a+g in 1 with stirring at 100°C for 1 hour, the undissolved part obtained by filtering and washing with a 3G glass filter is dried at 130°C until reaching a constant temperature, and the remaining undissolved part ( The gel is cured by UV irradiation to an amount of io weight % or more, preferably 15 weight % or more, particularly preferably 20 weight % or more. As the conductive support of the image holding member in the present invention, for example, those of the form shown below can be mentioned.

(1) Metals such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, corrosion-resistant steel (stainless steel), copper, etc. formed into a plate or drum shape.

(2) Non-conductive supports such as glass, resin, paper, etc.
A thin film is formed by depositing or laminating a metal such as aluminum, palladium, rhodium, gold, or platinum on the conductive support of 1).

(3) Non-conductive supports such as glass, resin, paper, etc.
A layer of a conductive compound such as a conductive polymer, tin oxide, or indium oxide is deposited on the conductive support of 1), or is formed by coating it as a dispersion coating with a conductive or non-conductive polymer. Something.

An undercoat layer having a barrier function or an adhesive function can also be provided between the conductive support and the photosensitive layer. The thickness of the undercoat layer is suitably 5 μm or less, preferably 0.1 to 3 μm. The undercoat layer can be formed of, for example, casein, polyvinyl alcohol, nitrocellulose, polyamide (nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 610, copolymerized nylon, N-alkoxymethylated nylon, etc.), polyurethane, aluminum oxide, or the like.

Examples of effective charge generating substances used in the present invention include the following substances. These charge generating substances may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

(1) Azo pigments: monoazo, bisazo, trisazo, etc.; (2) Phthalocyanine pigments: metal-phthalocyanine,
Nonmetallic phthalocyanine, etc.; (3) Indigo pigment: indigo, thioindigo, etc. (4
) Perylene pigments: perylene anhydride, perylene imide, etc.; (5) Polycyclic quinone pigments: condensation of anthraquinone, pyrenequinone, etc.; (6) squaryllium pigments; (7) biryllium salts, thiopyrylium salts; (8) Triphenylmethane dye; (9) Inorganic substances such as selenium and amorphous silicon.

A layer containing a charge-generating substance, that is, a charge-generating layer, can be formed by dispersing the above-mentioned charge-generating substance in, for example, a suitable binder and coating it on a conductive support. . It can also be produced by forming a thin film on a conductive support by a dry method such as vapor deposition, sputtering, or CVD.

The binder can be selected from a wide range of binding resins, including the following: polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, polyarylate resin, butyral resin, polystyrene resin, polyvinyl acetal resin, Diaryl phthalate resin, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, phenolic resin, silicone resin, polysulfone resin, styrene-butadiene copolymer resin, alkyd resin, epoxy resin, urea resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin may be used alone or as a copolymer, or may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of resin contained in the charge generation layer is 80% by weight or less, preferably
Select from 0 to 40% by weight. The thickness of the charge generation layer is 5 μm.
Hereinafter, it is particularly preferable to use a thin film layer having a thickness of 0.01 μm to 1 μm.

Further, various sensitizers may be added to the charge generation layer.

The charge transport layer is provided above or below the charge generation layer and has the function of receiving charge carriers from the charge generation layer and transporting them in the presence of an electric field. The charge transport layer is formed by dissolving a charge transport material in a solvent together with a suitable binder if necessary and coating the layer, and the thickness thereof is generally 5 to 40 .mu.m, preferably 15 to 30 .mu.m.

Charge transport materials include electron transport materials and hole transport materials. Examples of electron transport materials include 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone, 2,4,5,7-titranitrofluorenone, chloranil, and tetracyanoquinodione. Examples include electron-withdrawing substances such as methane and polymerized materials of these electron-withdrawing substances.

Examples of hole transport substances include the following: Polycyclic aromatic compounds: pyrene, anthracene, etc. Heterocyclic compounds: carbazole, indole, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, oxadiazole, pyrazole, pyrazoline , thiadiazole, triazole, etc.; Hydrazone compounds: p-diethylaminobenzaldehyde-N,N-diphenylhydrazone, N,N-diphenylhydrazino-3-
Methylidene-9-ethylcarbazole, etc.: Styryl compounds: α-phenyl-4°-N, N-diphenylaminostilbene, 5-[4-(di-p-tolylamino)benzylidene]-5H-dibenzo[a, d ] Cycloheptene, etc.; ・Benzidine-based compounds; ・Triarylmethane-based compounds; ・Triphenylamine or polymers having a group consisting of these compounds in the main chain or side chain (e.g. poly-N-
vinyl carbazole, polyvinylanthracene, etc.).

In addition to these organic charge transport materials, inorganic materials such as selenium, selenium-tellurium, amorphous silicon (α-3i), and cadmium sulfide can also be used.

Further, these charge transport materials can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

If the charge transport material does not have film-forming properties, an appropriate binder (binding resin) can be used. Specific examples of the binder include insulating resins or elastomers such as diacrylic resin, polyarylate, polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin, polysulfone, polyacrylamide, polyamide, and chlorinated rubber. or organic photoconductive polymers such as Bo'J-N-vinylcarbazole and polyvinylanthracene.

Another specific example of the present invention is an electrophotographic photoreceptor containing the aforementioned azo pigment and charge transport material in the same layer. At this time, poly-
A charge transfer complex consisting of N-vinylcarbazole and trinitrofluorenone can also be used.

The electrophotographic photoreceptor of this example can be formed by coating and drying a solution prepared by dispersing the above-mentioned azo pigment and charge transport material in a suitable resin solution on a substrate.

The electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention can be used not only in electrophotographic copying machines, but also in electrophotographic application fields such as laser beam printers, CRT printers, LED printers, liquid crystal printers, laser plate making, and facsimile printers. I can do it.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of a general transfer type electrophotographic apparatus using a drum type photoreceptor equipped with the image holding member of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 41 denotes a drum-type photoreceptor as an image carrier, which is rotated at a predetermined circumferential speed in the direction of the arrow around a shaft 41a. During the rotation process, the photoreceptor 41 is uniformly charged to a predetermined positive or negative potential on its peripheral surface by the charging means 42, and then in the exposure section 43, it is exposed to a slit by an image exposure means (not shown). exposure, laser beam scanning exposure, etc.). As a result, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the exposed images are sequentially formed on the circumferential surface of the photoreceptor.

The electrostatic latent image is then developed with toner by a developing means 44,
The toner developed image is sequentially transferred by the transfer means 45 onto the surface of the transfer material P that is fed from a paper feeding section (not shown) between the photoreceptor 41 and the transfer means 45 in synchronization with the rotation of the photoreceptor 41. be done.

The transfer material P that has undergone the image transfer is separated from the photoreceptor surface, introduced into the image fixing means 48, where the image is fixed, and printed out outside the machine as a copy.

After the image has been transferred, the surface of the photoreceptor 41 is cleaned by a cleaning means 46 to remove residual toner and is repeatedly used for image formation.

As the uniform charging means 42 for the photoreceptor 41, a corona charging device is generally widely used. Further, as the transfer device 45, corona transfer means is widely and generally used. The electrophotographic apparatus is constructed by combining a plurality of components such as the photoreceptor 41, developing means 44, and cleaning means 46 as an apparatus unit, and this unit is detachable from the apparatus main body. It may be configured as follows.

For example, the photoreceptor 41 and the cleaning means 46 may be integrated into a single apparatus unit, and may be configured to be detachable using a guide means such as a rail of the apparatus main body. At this time, the above-mentioned device unit may be configured with a charging means 42 and/or a developing means 44.

In addition, when an electrophotographic device that exposes a light image is used as a copying machine or a printer, the reflected light from the original, the transmitted light, or the original is read and converted into a signal, and this signal is used to scan the laser beam and drive the light emitting diode array. Alternatively, this may be performed by driving a liquid crystal shutter array or the like.

Furthermore, when used as a facsimile printer, the optical image exposure is exposure for printing received data. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of this case.

In FIG. 5, the controller 51 is the image reading section 5.
0 and printer 59. The entire controller 51 is controlled by a CPU 57. The read data from the image reading section is transmitted to the partner station through the transmitting circuit 53.

Data received from the partner station is sent to a printer 59 through a receiving circuit 52. Predetermined image data is stored in an image memory 56. A printer controller 58 controls a printer 59. 54 is a telephone.

Images received from the line 55 (image information connected via the line or from a remote terminal) are demodulated by the receiving circuit 52, and then decoded by the CPU 57 and sequentially stored in the image memory 56. Ru. Then, when one page worth of image information is stored in the image memory 56, the image information for that page is recorded. When the printer controller 58 receives the image information for one page from the CPU 57, it controls the printer 59 to record the image information for that page. While the printer 59 is recording, the next page is being received.

As described above, an electrophotographic apparatus equipped with the image holding member of the present invention can be used as a printer to receive and record images.

An example of the image holding member of the present invention which does not have a photosensitive layer is one in which a dielectric layer is provided on a support for the purpose of protecting and supporting an electrostatic latent image or a toner image, and the dielectric Examples include those in which the protective layer of the present invention containing the thermoplastic resin and the photocurable resin is formed on the surface of the body layer and/or the dielectric layer.

Application examples of image holding members without a photosensitive layer include intermediate transfer members or electrostatic recording members for toner layers or electrostatic latent images.

Example 1 An aluminum cylinder with an outer diameter of 80 mm and a length of 360 mm was used as a base, and alkoxymethylated nylon 5
% methanol solution was applied by dipping method to provide a subbing layer (intermediate layer) with a thickness of 1 μm.

Next, 10 parts (by weight, same hereinafter) of the pigment of the following structural formula (1), 8 parts of polyvinyl butyral, and 50 parts of cyclohexanone were mixed and dispersed for 20 hours in a sand mill device using 100 parts of glass beads with a diameter of 1 mm. . Add 70 to 120 (appropriate) parts of methyl ethyl ketone to this dispersion, apply it on the undercoat layer, and dry it at 100°C for 5 minutes to form a 0.2 μm layer.
A charge generation layer was formed.

Next, 10 parts of a styryl compound having the following structural formula (2) and 10 parts of bisphenol Z type polycarbonate were dissolved in 65 parts of monochlorobenzene on this charge generation layer. This solution was applied onto a substrate by a dipping method and dried with hot air at 120° C. for 60 minutes to form a charge transport layer with a thickness of 20 μm.

Next, apply a film with a thickness of 1.0 μm on top of this charge transport layer using the following method.
A protective layer was provided.

Polyoxymethylene resin [Product name: Ultraform N2
320 (manufactured by BASF Engineering Plastics)] 100 parts and epoxy resin (B) [epoxy equivalent: 1
60; Aromatic ester type; Product name: Ebicoat 19
0P (manufactured by Yuka Shell Epoxy Co., Ltd.)] was dissolved in 100 ml of phenol at 100°C. Next, 3 parts of triphenylsulfonium hexafluoroantimonate (C) was added as a photopolymerization initiator to prepare a resin composition solution.

The light irradiation conditions were 2 parts w high pressure mercury lamp (30w/c
m) was irradiated for 8 seconds at 130° C. from a position 20 cm away to cure it.

The performance of the obtained photoreceptor drum was as shown in Table 1. The photoreceptor drum produced in this way was used in a copying machine [Product name:
NP-3525 (manufactured by Canon ■)] and set the temperature to 2.
A durability test of 600,000 sheets was conducted in an environment of 4°C and 55% relative humidity. The results are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 1 A photoreceptor similar to that in Example 1 was produced except that the protective layer used in Example 1 was not used, and a durability test was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 2 Instead of the protective layer used in Example 1, a charge transport layer (CTL
), 4 parts of bisphenol Z-type polycarbonate used in Example 1, 70 parts of monochlorobenzene, and 1 part of PTFE fine powder were mixed and dispersed in a sand mill for 10 hours to prepare a coating liquid. This coating liquid was applied onto the CTL by a spray method to a thickness of 1.0 μm to form a protective layer, and a durability test was conducted. The results are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 3 The coating solution used in Comparative Example 2 was remixed so that the thickness of the protective layer was 12.0 μm, and the coating solution was sprayed to a thickness of 12.0 μm.
A durability test was conducted with a protective layer of 0 μm. The results are shown in Table 1.

The photoreceptor drum produced in this way was used in a copying machine [Product name:
NP-3525 (manufactured by Canon ■)] and passes 60 sheets of paper.
A ten-thousand-sheet durability test was conducted. The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 2 Polyphenylene ether resin [intrinsic viscosity [η] 0.5 dl/g (25°C
, chloroform) (manufactured by Nippon Ether Co., Ltd.) 1, and the same experiment as in Example 1 was conducted, except that the operation was performed at 25° C. using chloroform as the solvent. The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 3 An experiment similar to Example 1 was conducted except that polyethylene resin was used instead of polyoxymethylene resin, xylene was used as a solvent, and the operation was performed at 100°C.

The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 4 Epoxy resin [bisphenol type; epoxy equivalent 184 to 194: trade name: Ebicoat 828] as photocurable resin
(manufactured by Yuka Shell Epoxy Co., Ltd.)] was used, but the same experiment as in Example 1 was conducted. The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 5 A photoreceptor was prepared in exactly the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of epoxy resin used in Example 1 was changed to 10 parts, and a durability test was conducted. The results are shown in Table 1.

The thickness of the protective layer used was 0.8 μm.

Example 6 A photoreceptor was prepared in exactly the same manner as in Example 1, except that it was irradiated with the high-pressure mercury lamp light used in Example 1 for 5 seconds, and a durability test was conducted. The results are shown in Table 1. The thickness of the protective layer used was 0.9 μm.

Example 7 An aluminum cylinder with an outer diameter of 80 mm and a length of 360 mm was used as a base. A 5% methanol solution of the alkoxymethylated nylon used in Example 1 was applied to this by a dipping method to form a subbing layer (intermediate layer) with a thickness of 1 μm.

Next, 3 parts of ε-type Cu-PC as a charge-generating substance, 6 parts of a hydrazone compound of structural formula (3) as a charge-transporting substance, 6 parts of bisphenol Z-type polycarbonate used in Example 1, and 50 parts of monochlorobenzene were mixed in a sand mill. 30
A coating solution was prepared by mixing and dispersing for a period of time. This coating liquid was applied onto the substrate by a spray method to form a photosensitive layer having a thickness of 20 μm.

Next, a film with a thickness of 1.0 was applied on this photosensitive layer in the same manner as in Example 1.
A protective layer with a thickness of μm was formed and its durability was tested.

The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 8 A photoreceptor was prepared in exactly the same manner as in Example 1, except that the order of the layer structure of the charge generation layer and charge transport layer was reversed, and a durability test was conducted on the photoreceptor. The results are shown in Table 1. The thickness of the protective layer used was 0.9 μm.

[Effects of the Invention] By providing the protective layer of the present invention on the surface, there is almost no abrasion in the durability test (it shows stable potential characteristics, and even after long-term use, there is no occurrence of streaks due to scratches or a decrease in density due to partial abrasion). It was possible to obtain a photoreceptor without inclination, and as a result, it became possible to obtain a good copy image.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

(1) Explanation regarding types of drawings Figures 1, 2, and 3 are schematic cross-sectional views of a photoreceptor having the configuration of the present invention, and Figure 4 is a schematic configuration of a general transfer type electrophotographic device. 1 and 5 are block diagrams of a facsimile system using the electrophotographic apparatus as a printer. (2) Explanation of the symbols representing the main parts of the drawings 1... Protective layer, 2... Photosensitive layer, 3... Image holding layer, 4... Conductive support, 5... Charge transport Layer 6...charge generation layer 41...drum type photoreceptor 42...charging means 43...exposure section 44...developing means 45...transfer means 50...image reading section 51. ... Controller 52 ... Receiving circuit 53 ... Transmitting circuit 54 ... Telephone 55 ... Line 56 ... Image memory 57 ... CPU 58 ... Printer controller 59 ... Printer

Claims (17)

[Claims] (1) An image holding member characterized by having a protective layer on its surface containing a thermoplastic resin (excluding high molecular weight polyester resin) and a photocurable resin. (2) The image holding member according to claim 1, wherein the photocurable resin is a photoionically cured resin. (3) The image holding member according to claim 1, wherein the photocurable resin is a photocured epoxy resin. (4) The above photocuring resin is 3 to 5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of thermoplastic resin (excluding high molecular weight polyester resin).
The image holding member according to claim 1, wherein the image holding member contains 0 parts by weight. (5) The image holding member according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of 3.0 μm or less. (6) The image holding member according to claim 1, wherein the image holding member has at least the protective layer and a photosensitive layer. (7) The image holding member according to claim 6, further comprising an organic conductive layer as the photosensitive layer. (8) The image holding member according to claim 6, wherein the photosensitive layer is a laminate of a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer. (9) The image holding member according to claim 6, wherein the photosensitive layer includes a layer made of a mixture of a charge generating substance and a charge transporting substance. (10) The image holding member according to claim 8, wherein the layer closer to the support is a charge generation layer. (11) The image holding member according to claim 8, wherein the layer closer to the support is a charge transport layer. (12) At least one of the charging means, the developing means, and the cleaning means is integrally supported with an image holding member having a protective layer containing a thermoplastic resin (excluding high molecular weight polyester resin) and a cured resin on its surface. A device unit comprising: a single unit that is detachably attached to the device body; (13) The apparatus unit according to claim 12, wherein the cured resin is a photoionically cured epoxy resin. (14) In an electrophotographic apparatus having an image holding member, a latent image forming means, a means for developing the formed latent image, and a means for transferring the developed image to a transfer material, the image holding member is made of thermoplastic resin (however, 1. An electrophotographic device characterized by having a protective layer on its surface containing a cured resin (excluding polyester resin) and a cured resin. (15) The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the cured resin is a photoionically cured epoxy resin. (16) An image holding member having a protective layer containing a thermoplastic resin (excluding high molecular weight polyester resin) and a cured resin on its surface, a latent image forming means, and a means for transferring the developed image to a transfer material. A facsimile machine comprising a receiving means for receiving image information from an electrophotographic device and a remote terminal. (17) The facsimile according to claim 16, wherein the cured resin is a photoionically cured epoxy resin.