JP2005134578A - Substrate for image recording material, its manufacturing method, and image recording material - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a substrate for an image recording material which has both high of planar property and high rigidity highly compatibly and can be used suitably for various kinds of image recording materials recordable of high quality image especially, to provide a method for efficiently manufacturing the substrate, and to provide the image recording material having the substrate recordable of the high quality image and having excellent glossiness. <P>SOLUTION: In the subtrate containing base paper made of pulp as raw material, the content in a surface portion within ≤ 1/3 depth from the surface in the thickness direction of at least one surface of the base paper is ≥0.4 wt.pts per 100 wt. pts of the pulp, and larger than the content of the softening agent in a central part in the thickness direction of the base paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides a support for an image recording material having both high flatness and excellent rigidity, a method for producing the same, and a high-quality image that can be recorded using the support for an image recording material. The present invention relates to an image recording material capable of imparting good properties and excellent smoothness.

Conventionally, various attempts have been made to impart high flatness to the surface of a support for image recording material for the purpose of recording a high-quality image.
For example, as a cationic softening agent, there has been proposed a support for photographic paper containing a reaction product of a maleic anhydride copolymer and a polyalkylene polyamine or a reaction product of a urethane alcohol and an alkylating agent (patent) Reference 1). However, since this proposal includes a large amount of the cationic softening agent at any depth of the photographic paper support, it is possible to improve the flatness, but the rigidity becomes weak. There is.

  On the other hand, a method for producing a photographic paper base paper that includes an epoxidized fatty acid amide, has excellent rigidity (strength storage stability), and can improve edge stains during development has been proposed (see Patent Document 2). However, this proposal does not disclose any point that a high-quality image can be obtained by imparting high flatness.

  Accordingly, a support for an image recording material capable of achieving both high flatness and excellent rigidity at a high level, an efficient manufacturing method thereof, and a high gloss with high image quality using the support for image recording material. However, no image recording material capable of imparting good properties and excellent smoothness has yet been provided, and development of these materials is highly desired.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-273695 Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-48359

  An object of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems and achieve the following objects. That is, the present invention can achieve both high flatness and excellent rigidity at a high level, and can be used suitably for various image recording materials, and the efficiency of the image recording material support. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording material capable of recording a high-quality image and imparting excellent glossiness and excellent smoothness using the image recording material support, To do.

<1> In the support for an image recording material including a base paper made of pulp, the content of the softening agent in the surface portion having a depth of 1/3 or less in the thickness direction from at least one surface of the base paper is The support for an image recording material, wherein the content is 0.4 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the pulp and is greater than the content of the softening agent at the center in the thickness direction of the base paper.
<2> The image recording material support according to <1>, wherein the content of the softening agent in the surface portion is 0.4 to 1.5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the pulp.
<3> The image recording material support according to any one of <1> to <2>, wherein the content of the softening agent in the center is 0.2 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the pulp. .
<4> The support for an image recording material according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the base paper has a thickness of 50 to 250 μm.
<5> The support for an image recording material according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the softening agent is at least one selected from a softening agent and a bulking agent.
<6> The image recording material support according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the softening agent is a fatty acid-containing compound having 10 to 30 carbon atoms.
<7> The image recording material according to <6>, wherein the fatty acid-containing compound is at least one selected from an epoxidized fatty acid amide, a fatty acid diamide salt, an alkylene oxide adduct of a fatty acid ester, and a fatty acid quaternary ammonium salt. It is a support.
<8> The image recording material support according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the density of the base paper is 0.85 to 1.15 g / cm ³ .
<9> The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the softening agent-containing coating solution is applied to the surface of the base paper, dried, and then subjected to a calendar process. A method for producing a support for an image recording material.
<10> The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to <9>, wherein the calendar treatment is performed using a calendar having a metal roller having a surface temperature of 140 ° C. or higher.
<11> An image recording material comprising the image recording material support according to any one of <1> to <8>, and an image recording layer on the support.
<12> The image recording material according to <11>, wherein the image recording material is any one selected from electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, and inkjet recording materials.

  The support for an image recording material of the present invention includes a base paper made from pulp, and the content of the softening agent in the surface portion having a depth of 1/3 or less in the thickness direction from at least one surface of the base paper, It is 0.4 mass part or more with respect to 100 mass parts of said pulp, and is more than content of the said softening agent of the center part in the thickness direction of the said base paper. In the image recording material support of the present invention, since the content of the softening agent in the surface portion is larger than the content of the softening agent in the central portion, high flatness and excellent rigidity Are compatible at a high level.

  In the method for producing a support for an image recording material of the present invention, the softening agent-containing coating solution is applied to the surface of the base paper, dried, and then subjected to the calendar treatment, whereby the support for the image recording material. Is manufactured.

  The image recording material of the present invention has the support for image recording material of the present invention and an image recording layer on the support. In the image recording material of the present invention, by having the support for image recording material of the present invention, an image print having high image quality, high gloss and excellent smoothness can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, image recording that can solve conventional problems, can achieve high flatness and excellent rigidity at a high level, and can be suitably used for various image recording materials capable of recording particularly high-quality images. Material support, efficient production method thereof, and image recording material having the image recording material support, capable of recording high-quality images, and capable of imparting high glossiness and excellent smoothness Can be provided.

(Support for image recording material)
The support for an image recording material of the present invention includes a base paper made from pulp, and the content of the softening agent in the surface portion having a depth of 1/3 or less in the thickness direction from at least one surface of the base paper, It is 0.4 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the pulp, and is larger than the content of the softening agent in the central part in the thickness direction of the base paper.

-Base paper-
The base paper is not particularly limited as long as it has the pulp, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Specifically, it is a high-quality paper, for example, “Basics of Photographic Engineering—Silver Salt Photography” Hen- ", and papers described in pages 223 to 240 of Corona Co., Ltd. (Showa 54) are preferred.

  In order to impart a desired centerline average roughness to the surface of the base paper, for example, as described in JP-A-58-68037, a fiber length distribution (for example, a 24 mesh screen residue and , 42 mesh screen residue is, for example, preferably 20 to 45 mass% and 24 mesh screen residue is 5 mass% or less). Further, the center line average roughness can be adjusted by applying heat and pressure to the surface with a machine calendar, a super calendar, or the like.

  The pulp is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known materials. For example, natural pulp such as softwood and hardwood, synthetic pulp made of synthetic resin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, or synthetic pulp with natural pulp. Among them, a mixture of pulps, etc. Among them, hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP) from the viewpoint of improving the surface smoothness, rigidity and dimensional stability (curlability) of the base paper to a balanced and sufficient level at the same time. ) Are preferable, and softwood bleached kraft pulp (NBKP), hardwood sulfite pulp (LBSP) and the like can also be used.

The pulp fiber is preferably mainly composed of hardwood pulp having a short fiber length. The pulp fiber has a mass average fiber length of preferably 0.45 to 0.70 mm.
A beater, refiner, or the like can be used for beating the pulp.

  The Canadian standard freeness of the pulp is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. S. F. Is preferred, 250-350 ml C.I. S. F. Is more preferable.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as thickness of the said base paper, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 50-250 micrometers is preferable and 100-200 micrometers is more preferable.
When the thickness is less than 50 μm, the humidity-dependent curl may be defective, and when it exceeds 250 μm, the curl curl may be defective.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a density of the said base paper, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.85-1.15g / cm < ³ > is preferable and 0.95-1.05g / cm < ³ > is more preferable. .
If the density is less than 0.85 g / cm ³ , the flatness of the base paper may be poor, and if it exceeds 1.15 g / cm ³ , gloss unevenness called blacking may occur.

-Softening agent-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said softening agent, Although it can select suitably from well-known softening agents, For example, a softening agent, a bulking agent, etc. are mentioned suitably.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said softening agent, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a fatty acid containing compound etc. are mentioned suitably.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as carbon number in the said fatty-acid containing compound, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 10-30 are preferable.
Preferred examples of the fatty acid-containing compound include epoxidized fatty acid amides, fatty acid diamide salts, alkylene oxide adducts of fatty acid esters, and fatty acid quaternary ammonium salts. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Examples of the epoxidized fatty acid amide include compounds represented by the following structural formula (1). These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

但し、前記構造式（１）中、Ｒは、アルキル基、アルケニル基を表し、更に置換基で置換されていてもよい。ｎ及びｍは整数を表す。

However, in the structural formula (1), R represents an alkyl group or an alkenyl group, and may be further substituted with a substituent. n and m represent an integer.

Examples of the fatty acid diamide salt include compounds represented by the following structural formula (2), and an oleic acid diamide salt in which R is C ₁₇ H ₃₃ in the following structural formula (2) is particularly preferable. It is mentioned in.

但し、前記構造式（２）中、Ｒは、アルキル基、アルケニル基を表し、更に置換基で置換されていてもよい。ｎは整数を表す。

However, in the structural formula (2), R represents an alkyl group or an alkenyl group, and may be further substituted with a substituent. n represents an integer.

Examples of the alkylene oxide adduct of the fatty acid ester include those obtained by adding alkylene oxide to fats and oils. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
Examples of the fats and oils include terrestrial animal oils, marine animal oils, hardened oils thereof, semi-hardened oils, or recovered oils obtained in the refining process of these fats and oils, specifically, coconut oil, beef tallow, Fish oil, linseed oil, seeding oil, castor oil and the like can be mentioned.
Preferable examples of the alkylene oxide include ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as addition mole number of the said alkylene oxide, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, 0-20 are preferable and 2-10 are more preferable.
Moreover, in this invention, the alkylene oxide can also be added and used for the mixture of the refined | purified substance which made the said fats and oils or fats react with glycerin beforehand, and a monohydric-14 valent polyhydric alcohol.
Examples of the monohydric alcohol include linear or branched saturated or unsaturated alcohols having 1 to 24 carbon atoms and cyclic alcohols, and linear or branched saturated alcohols having 4 to 12 carbon atoms are preferable. Examples of the dihydric alcohol include C2-C32 α, ω-glycol, 1,2-diol, symmetric α-glycol, cyclic 1,2-diol, and the like. α, ω-glycol is preferred. Examples of the trivalent or higher alcohol include those having any one of 3 to 24 carbon atoms such as glycerin, diglycerin, sorbitol, and stachyose. As the alcohol, a divalent to hexavalent alcohol having 2 to 6 carbon atoms is particularly preferable.

  Examples of the fatty acid quaternary ammonium salt include compounds represented by the following structural formula (3). Specifically, dicured tallow dimethylammonium chloride, dipalmitoyldimethylammonium chloride, bis (β-hydroxy) Stearyl) diethylammonium chloride, di-cured palm oil dimethylammonium chloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

但し、前記構造式（３）中、Ｒ^１及びＲ^２は、炭素数１０〜２４のアルキル基、アルケニル基、ヒドロキシアルキル基を表し、Ｒ^３及びＲ^４は、炭素数１〜３のアルキル基、ヒドロキシアルキル基、ベンジル基、−（Ｃ_２Ｈ_４Ｏ）_ｎ−、を表し、Ｘは、ハロゲン、炭素数１〜３のアルキル基を有するモノアルキル硫酸塩基を表す。

However, the structural formula (3), ^{R 1} and ^{R 2} are alkyl groups of 10 to 24 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group, a hydroxyalkyl group, ^{R 3} and ^{R 4} are alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms , hydroxyalkyl group, benzyl _{group, - (C 2 H 4 O} ) n -, represents, X is represents a halogen, a monoalkyl sulfate group having an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

As content of the said softening agent in the said surface part, it is 0.4 mass part or more with respect to 100 mass parts of said pulp, 0.4-1.5 mass part is preferable, 0.6-1.2 mass Part is more preferred.
When the content is less than 0.4 part by mass, the planarity of the surface of the image recording material support may not be sufficient.
Note that the content of the softening agent is preferably satisfied by the layer on the side where the image recording layer is provided.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content of the said softening agent in the said center part, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.2 mass part or less is preferable with respect to 100 mass parts of said pulp, 0.1 Less than mass parts are more preferable, and 0 mass parts is particularly preferable.
When the content exceeds 0.1 parts by mass, the rigidity of the image recording material support may not be sufficient.
In addition, the said center part means the depth from 1/3 to 2/3 in the thickness direction from at least one surface of the said base paper.

The content of the softening agent refers to the total of the content of the softening agent that has reacted with the pulp and the content of the softening agent that has not reacted with the pulp. In the case of using a fatty acid amide, it can be measured by the following method.
That is, samples of 10 g each were collected from the surface portion and the central portion, and first, (1) in order to extract epoxidized fatty acid amide unreacted with the pulp, the sample was subjected to n − at 130 ° C. After dry distillation in butanol, 2.4N hydrochloric acid was added to this n-butanol extract, hydrolyzed to n-butyl ester at 130 ° C. for 6 hours, extracted twice with 50 ml of chloroform, sodium sulfate After drying at 20 g, epoxidized fatty acid amide that has not reacted with the pulp can be quantified by subjecting to gas chromatography (column: DB-FFAP). Also, (2) in order to extract the epoxidized fatty acid amide reacted with the pulp, 10% hydrochloric acid was added to the n-butanol extract and hydrolyzed-n-butylated at 130 ° C. for 6 hours, Extraction with 50 ml of chloroform twice, drying with 20 g of sodium sulfate, and subsequent gas chromatography (column: DB-FFAP) allows quantification of the epoxidized fatty acid amide that has not reacted with the pulp. . The content of the epoxidized fatty acid amide can be quantified by adding the values quantified in (1) and (2).

-Other ingredients-
The other components are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.For example, fillers, dry paper strength enhancers, sizing agents, wet paper strength enhancers, fixing agents, pH adjusters, Examples include other drugs.

Examples of the filler include calcium carbonate, clay, kaolin, white clay, talc, titanium oxide, diatomaceous earth, barium sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide.
Examples of the dry paper strength enhancer include cationized starch, cationized polyacrylamide, anionized polyacrylamide, amphoteric polyacrylamide, and carboxy-modified polyvinyl alcohol.
Examples of the sizing agent include fatty acid salts, rosin derivatives such as rosin and maleated rosin, paraffin wax and the like, and compounds containing higher fatty acids such as alkyl ketene dimer and alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA). Among these, alkyl ketene dimers are particularly preferable.

Examples of the wet paper strength enhancer include polyamine polyamide epichlorohydrin, melamine resin, urea resin, and epoxidized polyamide resin.
Examples of the fixing agent include polyvalent metal salts such as aluminum sulfate and aluminum chloride, and cationic polymers such as cationized starch.
Examples of the pH adjuster include caustic soda and sodium carbonate.
As said other chemical | medical agent, an antifoamer, dye, a slime control agent, a fluorescent whitening agent, etc. are mentioned, for example.
Furthermore, a softening agent etc. can also be added as needed. As the softening agent, for example, those described in New Handbook for Paper Processing (Edited by Paper Medicine Time), pages 554 to 555 (issued in 1980) can be used.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the process liquid used for the said surface size process, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, water-soluble polymer, a size agent, a water-resistant substance, a pigment, a pH adjuster, dye In addition, a fluorescent brightener may be included.
Examples of the water-soluble polymer include cationized starch, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxy-modified polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose sulfate, gelatin, casein, sodium polyacrylate, and styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer sodium salt. And sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

Examples of the water-resistant substance include latex / emulsions such as styrene-butadiene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene, vinylidene chloride copolymer, and polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin.
Examples of the pigment include calcium carbonate, clay, kaolin, talc, barium sulfate, and titanium oxide.

The base paper is preferably made by dehydrating the pulp paper stock with a hand-made machine or the like, and press-drying wet paper produced using a wet press apparatus or the like.
The moisture content of the base paper before press-drying is 30 to 70%, more preferably 45 to 60%. If the water content is less than 30%, the paper strength may not be sufficient. On the other hand, if it exceeds 70%, the press-dried base paper may be broken.
Here, the moisture content of the base paper can be measured in accordance with JIS P8127.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a use of the said support body for image recording materials, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, an electrophotographic material, a heat sensitive material, a sublimation transfer material, a thermal transfer material, a silver salt photographic material, an inkjet It can be suitably used for recording materials.

  The support for an image recording material of the present invention has high flatness and excellent rigidity because the content of the softening agent in the surface portion is larger than the content of the softening agent in the center portion. It can be suitably used for various image recording materials that are compatible in dimension and can record high-quality images, and can be particularly suitably used for the image recording material of the present invention.

(Method for producing support for image recording material)
In the method for producing a support for an image recording material of the present invention, the softening agent-containing coating solution is applied to the surface of the base paper, and calendered using a calendar having a metal roller having a surface temperature of 140 ° C. or higher. Other processing appropriately selected according to the case is performed.

  The softening agent-containing liquid is not particularly limited as long as it contains the softening agent, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. The softening agent may be used alone or with a known solvent. It may be a mixture.

  The coating method is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known coating methods. For example, spin coating, bar coating, roll coating, kneader coating, curtain coating, and die coating , Blade coating method, dip coating method, spray coating method, doctor coating method, gravure coating method and the like.

  The calender is not particularly limited as long as it contains the metal roller, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a soft calender roller comprising a combination of a metal roller and a synthetic resin roller, a pair of metals The thing which has a machine calendar roller which consists of rollers is mentioned. Among these, those having a soft calender roller are suitable, and in particular, a long nip shoe calender consisting of a metal roller and a shoe roller via a synthetic resin belt can take a long nip width of 50 to 270 mm, This is preferable because the contact area between the base paper and the roller increases.

  The surface temperature of the metal roller is 140 ° C. or higher, preferably 200 ° C. or higher, and more preferably 250 ° C. or higher. The upper limit temperature of the surface temperature of the metal roller is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, about 300 ° C. is preferable.

The nip pressure during the calender treatment is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 100 kN / cm ² or more, 100~600kN / cm ² is more preferable.

  The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to the present invention includes the softening agent in the surface portion and the central portion by appropriately selecting the coating method, the coating time, the coating amount of the softening agent-containing coating liquid, and the like. The image recording according to the present invention can be adjusted as appropriate within the predetermined range, and can be imparted with high flatness by performing the calendar process, efficiently and at low cost. A material support can be produced.

(Image recording material)
The image recording material of the present invention has the support for image recording material of the present invention and an image recording layer on the support.
The pulp and the image recording material support are as described above.
The image recording material varies depending on the use and type of the image recording material, and examples thereof include electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, and ink jet recording materials.

<Electrophotographic materials>
The electrophotographic material has the support for an image recording material of the present invention and at least one toner image-receiving layer provided on at least one surface of the support as the image recording layer. Other selected layers, for example, surface protective layer, intermediate layer, undercoat layer, cushion layer, charge control (prevention) layer, reflection layer, tint preparation layer, storage stability improvement layer, adhesion prevention layer, anti-curl layer, smooth It has a chemical layer. Each of these layers may have a single layer structure or a laminated structure.

[Toner image receiving layer]
The toner image receiving layer is a toner image receiving layer for receiving color or black toner and forming an image. The toner image receiving layer has a function of receiving toner for forming an image from a developing drum or an intermediate transfer body by (static) electricity, pressure, etc. in a transfer process, and fixing it by heat, pressure, etc. in a fixing process. Have

The toner image-receiving layer has a light transmittance of preferably 78% or less, more preferably 73% or less, and even more preferably 72% or less, from the viewpoint that the electrophotographic material has a photographic feel.
Here, the light transmittance can be measured by separately forming a coating film having the same thickness on a polyethylene terephthalate film (100 μm) and using the direct reading haze meter (Suga Test Instruments HGM-2DP). it can.

  The toner image-receiving layer contains at least a thermoplastic resin and, if necessary, other components.

-Thermoplastic resin-
The thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited as long as it can be deformed under temperature conditions such as fixing and can accept the toner, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. And the same type of resins are preferred. In many of the toners, polyester resins, copolymer resins such as styrene and styrene-butyl acrylate are used. In this case, polyester resins, styrene and styrene are also used as thermoplastic resins for the electrophotographic image receiving paper. -It is preferable to use a copolymer resin such as butyl acrylate, more preferably 20% by mass or more of a copolymer resin such as polyester resin, styrene, or styrene-butyl acrylate. Polymers, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymers, styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymers and the like are also preferable.

  Specific examples of the thermoplastic resin include, for example, (1) a resin having an ester bond, (2) a polyurethane resin, (3) a polyamide resin, (4) a polysulfone resin, and (5) a polyvinyl chloride resin. (6) Polyvinyl butyral, (7) Polycaprolactone resin, (8) Polyolefin resin, and the like.

Examples of the resin having an ester bond (1) include terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, phthalic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, abietic acid, succinic acid, trimellitic acid, and pyromellitic acid. Dicarboxylic acid components such as acids (these dicarboxylic acid components may be substituted with sulfonic acid groups, carboxyl groups, etc.) and diether derivatives of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, bisphenol A, bisphenol A (for example, Bisphenol A ethylene oxide 2 adducts, bisphenol A propylene oxide 2 adducts, etc.), bisphenol S, 2-ethylcyclohexyldimethanol, neopentyl glycol, cyclohexyldimethanol, glycerin, etc. Polyacrylic acid ester resins such as polyester resins, polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polymethyl acrylate, polybutyl acrylate, etc. obtained by condensation with the alcohol component (these alcohol components may be substituted with hydroxyl groups, etc.) Alternatively, polymethacrylic acid ester resin, polycarbonate resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, styrene acrylate resin, styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer resin, vinyl toluene acrylate resin, and the like can be given.
Specific examples include those described in JP-A Nos. 59-101395, 63-7971, 63-7972, 63-7773, and 60-294862.

Examples of commercially available polyester resins include Toyobo's Byron 290, Byron 200, Byron 280, Byron 300, Byron 103, Byron GK-140, Byron GK-130; Kao's Tufton NE-382, Tufton U- 5, ATR-2009, ATR-2010; Elitel UE3500, UE3210, XA-8153 manufactured by Unitika; Polyester TP-220, R-188 manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Co., Ltd.
Commercially available products of the acrylic resin include Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. Dianal SE-5437, SE-5102, SE-5377, SE-5649, SE-5466, SE-5482, HR-169, 124, HR-1127. , HR-116, HR-113, HR-148, HR-131, HR-470, HR-634, HR-606, HR-607, LR-1065, 574, 143, 396, 637, 162, 469, 216 , BR-50, BR-52, BR-60, BR-64, BR-73, BR-75, BR-77, BR-79, BR-80, BR-83, BR-85, BR-87, BR -88, BR-90, BR-93, BR-95, BR-100, BR-101, BR-102, BR-105, BR-106, BR-107, BR- 08, BR-112, BR-113, BR-115, BR-116, BR-117; Sreck P SE-0020, SE-0040, SE-0070, SE-0100, SE-1010, SE- manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. 1035; Sanyo Chemical Industries Himer ST95, ST120; FM601 manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals.

Examples of the (5) polyvinyl chloride resin include polyvinylidene chloride resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl propionate copolymer resin, and the like.
Examples of the (6) polyvinyl butyral include cellulose resins such as polyol resins, ethyl cellulose resins, and cellulose acetate resins. Examples of commercially available products include those manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. The polyvinyl butyral preferably has a polyvinyl butyral content of 70% by mass or more, an average polymerization degree of 500 or more, and more preferably an average polymerization degree of 1000 or more. Examples of commercially available products include Denka Butyral 3000-1, 4000-2, 5000A, 6000C manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd .; S-REC BL-1, BL-2, BL-3, BL-S, BX manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. -L, BM-1, BM-2, BM-5, BM-S, BH-3, BX-1, BX-7, and the like.
Examples of the (7) polycaprolactone resin include styrene-maleic anhydride resin, polyacrylonitrile resin, polyether resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin, and the like.
Examples of the (8) polyolefin resin include polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins, copolymer resins of olefins such as ethylene and propylene and other vinyl monomers, acrylic resins, and the like.

  The said thermoplastic resin may be used individually by 1 type, may use 2 or more types together, In addition to these, these mixtures, these copolymers, etc. can also be used.

  The thermoplastic resin is preferably one that can satisfy the following properties of the toner image-receiving layer in the state where the toner image-receiving layer is formed, more preferably one that can satisfy the above-mentioned properties of the toner image-receiving layer even with the resin alone. It is also preferable to use two or more resins having different layer properties.

  As the thermoplastic resin, those having a larger molecular weight than the thermoplastic resin used in the toner are preferable. However, the molecular weight described above is not necessarily preferable depending on the relationship between the thermodynamic properties of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner and the resin used in the toner image-receiving layer. For example, when the softening temperature of the resin used in the toner image receiving layer is higher than that of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner, the molecular weight is the same or the resin used in the toner image receiving layer is the same. Smallness may be preferred.

It is also preferable to use a mixture of resins having the same composition and different average molecular weights as the thermoplastic resin. Further, as the relationship with the molecular weight of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner, the relationship disclosed in JP-A-8-334915 is preferable.
The molecular weight distribution of the thermoplastic resin is preferably wider than the molecular weight distribution of the thermoplastic resin used in the toner.
Examples of the thermoplastic resin include JP-A-5-127413, JP-A-8-194394, JP-A-8-334915, JP-A-8-334916, JP-A-9-171265, and JP-A-10. Those satisfying the physical properties disclosed in the publication No. 221877 / etc. Are preferred.

The thermoplastic resin used in the toner image-receiving layer is particularly preferably an aqueous resin such as a water-soluble resin or a water-dispersible resin for the following reasons (1) to (2).
(1) No organic solvent is discharged in the coating and drying process, and it is excellent in environmental suitability and work suitability.
(2) Many release agents such as wax are difficult to dissolve in a solvent at room temperature, and are often dispersed in a solvent (water, organic solvent) in advance. Further, the water dispersion form is more stable and more suitable for the production process. Furthermore, the water-based coating is more likely to cause the wax to bleed onto the surface during the coating and drying process, and the effects of the release agent (offset resistance, adhesion resistance, etc.) can be easily obtained.

As the water-based resin, the composition, the bond structure, the molecular structure, the molecular weight, the molecular weight distribution, and the form are not specified as long as they are water-soluble resins and water-dispersible resins. Examples of the water-based group of the polymer include a sulfonic acid group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxylic acid group, an amino group, an amide group, or an ether group.
Examples of the water-soluble resin include Research Disclosure No. 17,643, page 26, No. 18,716, page 651, No. 307,105, pages 873-874, and JP-A No. 64-13546. 71) to those described on pages (75) to (75).
Specifically, vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-vinyl pyrrolidone copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, water-soluble polyester, water-soluble acrylic, water-soluble polyurethane, water-soluble nylon, water-soluble epoxy Resin can be used. Further, the gelatin may be selected from so-called demineralized gelatin in which the content of lime-processed gelatin, acid-processed gelatin, calcium, or the like is reduced in accordance with various purposes, and is preferably used in combination. Commercially available as water-soluble polyester, various plus coats manufactured by Teraoh Chemical Industry Co., Ltd .; Dainippon Ink Chemicals Co., Ltd. Finetex ES series; Finetex 6161, K-96; Hiros NL-1189, BH-997L manufactured by Seiko Chemical Industry, and the like.

Examples of water-dispersible resins include water-dispersed resins such as water-dispersed acrylic resins, water-dispersed polyester resins, water-dispersed polystyrene resins, and water-dispersed urethane resins; acrylic resin emulsions, polyvinyl acetate emulsions, and SBR (styrene / butadiene). -Rubber) Emulsions such as emulsions, resins and emulsions in which the thermoplastic resins (i) to (viii) above are dispersed in water, or copolymers, mixtures thereof, and cationically modified ones are appropriately selected. Two or more types can be combined.
Commercially available products of the water-dispersible resin include, for example, Toyobo's Bironal series, Takamatsu Yushi pesresin A series, Kao Tufton UE series, Nippon Synthetic Polyester WR series, Unitika Eliere series, and acrylic series. Then, high loss XE, KE, PE series manufactured by Seiko Chemical Industry, Jurimer ET series manufactured by Nippon Pure Chemical Co., Ltd. and the like can be mentioned.
The film formation temperature (MFT) of the polymer used is preferably room temperature or higher for storage before printing, and preferably 100 ° C. or lower for fixing of toner particles.

  The thickness of the toner image-receiving layer is suitably ½ or more, preferably 1 to 3 times the particle diameter of the toner used. The toner image receiving layer preferably has a thickness disclosed in JP-A-5-216322 and JP-A-7-301939. Specifically, the thickness of the toner image receiving layer is, for example, preferably 1 to 50 μm, and more preferably 5 to 15 μm.

  As a component other than the thermoplastic resin in the toner image receiving layer, the light transmittance of the toner image receiving layer can be easily adjusted within the numerical range, and in particular, the whiteness of the toner image receiving layer can be adjusted. Colorants such as pigments and dyes are preferred, and pigments are particularly preferred. In addition, the other components include various additives added for the purpose of improving the thermodynamic properties of the toner image-receiving layer, such as plasticizers, mold release agents or slip agents, matting agents, fillers, and crosslinking agents. , Charge control agents, emulsions, dispersions and the like.

  The content of the thermoplastic resin in the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 50% by mass or more, and more preferably 50 to 90% by mass.

-Colorant-
Examples of the colorant include fluorescent brighteners, white pigments, colored pigments, dyes, and the like.
The fluorescent whitening agent is a compound that absorbs in the near ultraviolet region and emits fluorescence at 400 to 500 nm, and various known fluorescent whitening agents can be used without particular limitation. Examples of the optical brightener include K.I. Preferable examples include the compounds described in “The Chemistry of Synthetic Dies” edited by Veen Rataraman, Vol. Specific examples include stilbene compounds, coumarin compounds, biphenyl compounds, benzoxazoline compounds, naphthalimide compounds, pyrazoline compounds, carbostyril compounds, and the like. As a commercial item of the said fluorescent whitening agent, Sumitomo Chemical white fur fur PSN, PHR, HCS, PCS, B; UVITEX-OB made from Ciba-Geigy etc. are mentioned, for example.

As said white pigment, inorganic pigments, such as a titanium oxide and a calcium carbonate, can be used, for example.
Examples of the colored pigment include various pigments and azo pigments described in JP-A-63-44653 (for example, azo lake; carmine 6B, red 2B, insoluble azo; monoazo yellow, disazo yellow, pyrazolo orange, vulcan orange, Condensed azo series; chromophyl yellow, chromophthal red), polycyclic pigments (eg, phthalocyanine series; copper phthalocyanine blue, copper phthalocyanine green, dioxazine series; dioxazine violet, isoindolinone series; isoindolinone yellow, slen series Perylene, perinone, flavantron, thioindigo, lake pigment (eg, malachite green, rhodamine B, rhodamine G, Victoria blue B), and inorganic pigment (eg, oxide, titanium dioxide, bengara, sulfate); Um, carbonate; precipitated calcium carbonate, succinate; hydrous succinate, anhydrous succinate, metal powder; aluminum powder, bronze powder, zinc dust, carbon black, yellow lead, bitumen, etc.) .
These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, titanium oxide is particularly preferable as the pigment.

  Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a shape of the said pigment, It is preferable that it is a hollow particle shape at the point which is excellent in the heat conductivity at the time of image fixing (low heat conductivity).

As the dye, various dyes such as oil-soluble dyes and water-insoluble dyes can be used.
Examples of the oil-soluble dye include anthraquinone compounds and azo compounds.
Examples of the water-insoluble dye include C.I. I. Vat violet 1, C.I. I. Vat violet 2, C.I. I. Vat violet 9, C.I. I. Vat violet 13, C.I. I. Vat violet 21, C.I. I. Vat Blue 1, C.I. I. Vat Blue 3, C.I. I. Vat Blue 4, C.I. I. Vat Blue 6, C.I. I. Vat Blue 14, C.I. I. Vat Blue 20, C.I. I. Vat dyes such as Vat Blue 35; I. Dispers Violet 1, C.I. I. Disperse Violet 4, C.I. I. Disperse Violet 10, C.I. I. Disperse Blue 3, C.I. I. Disperse Blue 7, C.I. I. Disperse dyes such as Disperse Blue 58; I. Solvent Violet 13, C.I. I. Solvent Violet 14, C.I. I. Solvent Violet 21, C.I. I. Solvent Violet 27, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 11, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 12, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 25, C.I. I. Solvent Blue 55, and the like.
A colored coupler used in silver salt photography can also be preferably used.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as content in the said toner image receiving layer (surface) of the said coloring agent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.1-8 g / m < ² > is preferable, for example. 5 to 5 g / m ² is more preferable.
When the content of the colorant is less than 0.1 g / m ² , the light transmittance in the toner image-receiving layer may be increased. When the content exceeds 8 g / m ² , handling such as cracking and adhesion resistance is performed. May decrease.
Further, among the colorants, as described above, the addition amount of the pigment is preferably 40% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or less, based on the mass of the thermoplastic resin constituting the toner image receiving layer. A mass% or less is more preferable.

-Release agent-
The release agent is blended in the toner image receiving layer in order to prevent the toner image receiving layer from being offset. The release agent is heated and melted at the fixing temperature, deposited on the surface of the toner image-receiving layer, unevenly distributed on the surface of the toner image-receiving layer, and further cooled and solidified to form a release agent material on the surface of the toner image-receiving layer. If it forms a layer, there will be no restriction | limiting in particular, According to the objective, it can select suitably.
Examples of the release agent include at least one selected from a silicone compound, a fluorine compound, a wax, and a matting agent. Among these, at least one selected from silicone oil, polyethylene wax, carnauba wax, silicone particles, and polyethylene wax particles is particularly preferable.

  As the mold release agent, for example, compounds described in “Summary of properties and applications of revised wax” by Kosho Shobo and the Silicone Handbook published by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Inc. can be used. JP-B-59-38581, JP-B-4-32380, Patent Nos. 2838498, 2949558, JP-A-50-117433, 52-52640, 57-148755, 61-62056. 61-62057, 61-118760, JP-A-2-42451, 3-41465, 4-212175, 4-214570, 4-263267, 5-34966, 5-119514, 6-59502, 6-161150, 6-175396, 6-219040, 6-230600, 6-295093, 7-36210, 7 -43940, 7-56387, 7-56390, 7-64335, 7-199682, 7-223362 7-287413, 8-184992, 8-227180, 8-248671, 8-248799, 8-248801, 8-278663, 9-152939, 9 -160278, 9-185181, 9-319139, 9-319143, 10-20549, 10-48889, 10-198069, 10-207116, 11-2917 No. 11-44969, No. 11-65156, No. 11-73049, No. 11-194542, and the silicone compounds, fluorine compounds, and waxes used in the toners are also preferably used. it can. Moreover, these may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  Examples of the silicone compounds include non-modified silicone oils as silicone oils (specifically, dimethylsiloxane oil, methyl hydrogen silicone oil, phenylmethyl silicone oil, commercially available products KF-96 and KF-96L manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.). KF-96H, KF-99, KF-50, KF-54, KF-56, KF-965, KF-968, KF-994, KF-995, HIVAC F-4, F-5; Toray Dow Corning SH200, SH203, SH490, SH510, SH550, SH710, SH704, SH705, SH7028A, SH7036, SM7060, SM7001, SM7706, SH7036, SH8710, SH1107, SH8627; Toshiba TSF 00, TSF401, TSF404, TSF405, TSF431, TSF433, TSF434, TSF437, TSF450 series, TSF451 series, TSF456, TSF458 series, TSF483, TSF484, TSF4045, TSF4300, TSF4600, YF33 series, YF-3057, YF-3800 3802, YF-3804, YF-3807, YF-3897, XF-3905, XS69-A1753, TEX100, TEX101, TEX102, TEX103, TEX104, TSW831, etc., amino-modified silicone oil (KF manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. as a commercial product) -857, KF-858, KF-859, KF-861, KF-864, KF-880, Toray Dow Corning Ricone SF8417, SM8709, Toshiba Silicone TSF4700, TSF4701, TSF4702, TSF4703, TSF4704, TSF4705, TSF4706, TEX150, TEX151, TEX154, etc., carboxy-modified silicone oil (Toray Dow Corning Silicone BY16-880, commercially available products) Toshiba silicone TSF4770, XF42-A9248, etc.), carbinol modified silicone oil (commercially available Toshiba Silicone XF42-B0970 etc.), vinyl modified silicone oil (commercially available Toshiba Silicone XF40-A1987 etc.), epoxy modified silicone oil (As commercial products, Toray Dow Corning Silicone SF8411, SF8413; Toshiba Silicone T F3965, TSF4730, TSF4732, XF42-A4439, XF42-A4438, XF42-A5041, XC96-A4462, XC96-A4463, XC96-A4464, TEX170, etc., polyether-modified silicone oil (KF-351 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. as a commercial product) (A), KF-352 (A), KF-353 (A), KF-354 (A), KF-355 (A), KF-615 (A), KF-618, KF-945 (A); Toray Dow Corning Silicone SH3746, SH3771, SF8421, SF8419, SH8419, SH8410; Toshiba Silicone TSF4440, TSF4441, TSF4445, TSF4446, TSF4450, TSF4452, TSF4453, TSF4 60), silanol-modified silicone oil, methacryl-modified silicone oil, mercapto-modified silicone oil, alcohol-modified silicone oil (commercially available products include Toray Dow Corning Silicone SF8427, SF8428, Toshiba Silicone TSF4750, TSF4751 and XF42-B0970) , Alkyl-modified silicone oil (SF8416 made by Toray Dow Corning Silicone, TSF410, TSF411, TSF4420, TSF4421, TSF4422, TSF4450, XF42-334, XF42-A3160, XF42-A3161, etc. made by Toshiba Silicone) Oil (commercially available Toray Dow Corning Silicone FS1265, Toshiba Silicone FQF 501), silicone rubber and silicone fine particles (Toray Dow Corning Silicone SH851U, SH745U, SH55UA, SE4705U, SH502UA & B, SRX539U, SE6770U-P, DY38-038, DY38-047, Trefill F-201, F -202, F-250, R-900, R-902A, E-500, E-600, E-601, E-506, BY29-119; Toshiba Silicone Tospearl 105, 120, 130, 145, 240, 3120 Etc.), silicone-modified resins (specifically, olefin resins, polyester resins, vinyl resins, polyamide resins, cellulose resins, phenoxy resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resins, urethane resins, acrylic resins, styrene-acrylic resins) And compounds obtained by modifying these copolymer resins with silicone, etc., and commercially available products such as DAIROMAR SP203V, SP712, SP2105, SP3023 manufactured by Daiichi Seika; MODIPER FS700, FS710, FS720, FS730, FS770; Cymac US-270, US-350, US-352, US-380, US-413, US-450, Reseda GP-705, GS-30, GF-150, GF-300; manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone SH997, SR2114, SH2104, SR2115, SR2202, DCI-2577, SR2317, SE4001U, SRX625B, SRX643, SRX439U, SRX488U, SH804, SH840, SR2107, SR2115 Toshiba Silicone YR3370, TSR1122, TSR102, TSR108, TSR116, TSR117, TSR125A, TSR127B, TSR144, TSR180, TSR187, YR47, YR3187, YR3224, YR3232, YR3270, YR3286, TE2175, TE2 , Reactive silicone compounds (specifically, there are addition reaction type, peroxide curable type, ultraviolet curable type, and TSR1500, TSR1510, TSR1511, TSR1515, TSR1520, YR3286, YR3340, PSA6574, manufactured by Toshiba Silicones as commercially available products. TPR6500, TPR6501, TPR6600, TPR6702, TPR6604, T PR6700, TPR6701, TPR6705, TPR6707, TPR6708, TPR6710, TPR6712, TPR6721, TPR6722, UV9300, UV9315, UV9425, UV9430, XS56-A2775, XS56-A2982, XS56-A3075, XS56-A3957, X56-A3957, X56-A3957 XS56-B1794, SL6100, SM3000, SM3030, SM3200, YSR3022, etc.).

  Examples of the fluorine compound include fluorine oil (Daikin Industries # 1, # 3, # 10, # 20, # 50, # 100, Unidyne TG-440, TG-452, TG-490, TG as commercially available products). -560, TG-561, TG-590, TG-652, TG-670U, TG-991, TG-999, TG-3010, TG-3020, TG-3510; TF-100, MF-110 manufactured by Tochem Products , MF-120, MF-130, MF-160, MF-160E; Asahi Glass Surflon S-111, S-112, S-113, S-121, S-131, S-132, S-141, S- 145; Mitsui Fluorochemicals FC-430, FC-431, etc.), fluoro rubber (Toray Dow Corning Silicone L as a commercial product) 63U, etc.), fluorine-modified resin (Nippon Yushi Modiper F200, F220, F600, F2020, F3035; Dainichi Seika's Dialomers FF203, FF204; Asahi Glass Surflon S-381, S-383, S-393, SC -101, SC-105, KH-40, SA-100; manufactured by Tochem Products EF-351, EF-352, EF-801, EF-802, EF-601, TFE, TFEA, TFEMA, PDFOH; manufactured by Sumitomo 3M THV-200P, etc.), fluorine sulfonic acid compounds (commercially available products from Tochem Products such as EF-101, EF-102, EF-103, EF-104, EF-105, EF-112, EF-121, EF-122A, EF-122B, EF-122C, EF-123A, EF-12 B, EF-125M, EF-132, EF-135M, EF-305, FBSA, KFBS, LFBS, etc.), fluorosulfonic acid, fluoric acid compounds and salts (specifically, anhydrous hydrofluoric acid, dilute hydrofluoric acid, borohydrofluoric acid) , Zinc borofluoride, nickel borofluoride, tin borofluoride, lead borofluoride, copper borofluoride, silicofluoric acid, potassium fluorotitanate, perfluorocaprylic acid, ammonium perfluorooctanoate), inorganic fluoride (specifically Is aluminum fluoride, potassium silicofluoride, potassium fluoride zirconate, zinc fluoride tetrahydrate, calcium fluoride, lithium fluoride, barium fluoride, tin fluoride, potassium fluoride, acidic potassium fluoride, fluoride Magnesium, fluorinated titanic acid, fluorinated zirconic acid, ammonium hexafluorophosphate, hexafluorophosphoric acid Potassium etc.).

  Examples of the wax include synthetic hydrocarbons, modified waxes, hydrogenated waxes, natural waxes, and the like.

  Examples of the synthetic hydrocarbon include polyethylene wax (as commercial products, Polylon A, 393, H-481, manufactured by Chukyo Yushi Co., Ltd., Sanyo Kasei Sun Wax E-310, E-330, E-250P, LEL-250, LEL- 800, LEL-400P, etc.), polypropylene wax (commercially available Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd. Biscol 330-P, 550-P, 660-P), Fischer-Tropsch wax (commercially available products such as Nippon Seiki FT100, FT-0070, etc.) , Acid amide compounds or acid imide compounds (specifically, stearamide, phthalimide anhydride, etc., commercially available products such as Chukyo Oil & Fats Cellosol 920, B-495, High Micron G-270, G-110, Hydrin D- 757) and the like.

  Examples of the modified wax include amine-modified polypropylene (QN-7700 manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd. as a commercial product), acrylic acid-modified, fluorine-modified, olefin-modified wax, and urethane type wax (NPS-6010 manufactured by Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. as a commercial product). -5090), alcohol type wax (NPS-9210, NPS-9215, OX-1949, XO-020T, etc., manufactured by Nippon Seiki) and the like.

  Examples of the hydrogenated wax include hardened castor oil (as a commercially available product, castor wax from Ito Oil Co., Ltd.), castor oil derivatives (dehydrated castor oil DCO, DCO Z-1, DCO Z-3, castor from Ito Oil as commercial products). Oil fatty acid CO-FA, ricinoleic acid, dehydrated castor oil fatty acid DCO-FA, dehydrated castor oil fatty acid epoxy ester D-4 ester, castor oil-based urethane acrylate CA-10, CA-20, CA-30, castor oil derivative MINERASOL S -74, S-80, S-203, S-42X, S-321, Special castor oil-based condensed fatty acid MINERASOL RC-2, RC-17, RC-55, RC-335, Special castor oil-based condensed fatty acid ester MINERASOL LB-601, LB-603, LB-604, LB-702, L B-703, # 11, L-164, etc.), stearic acid (12-hydroxystearic acid made by Ito Oil as a commercial product), lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, behenic acid, sebacic acid (as commercial products) Sebacic acid from Ito Oil), undecylenic acid (such as undecylenic acid from Ito Oil as a commercial product), heptylic acid (such as heptyl acid from Ito Oil as a commercial product), maleic acid, highly maleated oil (as a commercial product) HIMALIN DC-15, LN-10, 00-15, DF-20, SF-20, etc., manufactured by Ito Oil Co., Ltd., blown oil (commercially available, Celbonol # 10, # 30, # 60, R-40 manufactured by Ito Oil Co., Ltd.) , S-7, etc.), cyclopentadiene oil (CP oil, CP oil-S, etc. made by Ito Oil Co., Ltd. as commercial products) and the like.

  As the natural wax, for example, at least one selected from plant waxes, animal waxes, mineral waxes and petroleum waxes is preferable, and plant waxes are particularly preferable. As the natural wax, a water-dispersed wax is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of compatibility when a water-based thermoplastic resin is used as the thermoplastic resin of the toner image-receiving layer.

Examples of the plant wax include carnauba wax (Nippon Seiki EMUSTAR-0413, Chukyo Yushi Cellosol 524, etc. as commercial products), castor oil (commercially available Ito Oil refined castor oil, etc.), rapeseed oil, large Examples include bean oil, wax, cotton wax, rice wax, sugarcane wax, candelilla wax, Japan wax, jojoba oil, and the like. Among these, in particular, it has an excellent offset resistance, adhesion resistance, paper permeability, glossiness, is resistant to cracking, and can provide an electrophotographic image-receiving sheet capable of forming a high-quality image. Is particularly preferably a carnauba wax having a temperature of 70 to 95 ° C.
Examples of the animal wax include beeswax, lanolin, spermaceti, stew wax (whale oil), and wool wax.

  Examples of the mineral wax include, for example, montan wax, montan ester wax, ozokerite, ceresin, and fatty acid ester (commercially available products are Nippon Sanka's Sansosizer DOA, AN-800, DINA, DIDA, DOZ, DOS, TOTM, TITM. , E-PS, nE-PS, E-PO, E-4030, E-6000, E-2000H, E-9000H, TCP, C-1100, etc.). Among these, in particular, it has an excellent offset resistance, adhesion resistance, paper permeability, glossiness, is resistant to cracking, and can provide an electrophotographic image-receiving sheet capable of forming a high-quality image. Is particularly preferably a montan wax having a temperature of 70 to 95 ° C.

  Examples of the petroleum wax include paraffin wax (paraffin wax 155, 150, 140, 135, 130, 125, 120, 115, HNP-3, HNP-5, HNP-9, HNP- 10, HNP-11, HNP-12, HNP-14G, SP-0160, SP-0145, SP-1040, SP-1035, SP-3040, SP-3035, NPS-8070, NPS-L-70, OX- 2151, OX-2251, EMUSTAR-0384, EMUSTAR-0136, Chukyo Oil & Fats Cellosol 686, 428, 651-A, A, H-803, B-460, E-172, 866, K-133, Hydrin D-337 E-139, 125 ° paraffin, 125 ° FD, 130 ° Fins, 135 ° paraffin, 135 ° H, 140 ° paraffin, 140 ° N, 145 ° paraffin, paraffin wax M, etc., microcrystalline wax (commercially available from Nihon Seiki Hi-Mic-2095, Hi-Mic-3090) , Hi-Mic-1080, Hi-Mic-1070, Hi-Mic-2065, Hi-Mic-1045, Hi-Mic-2045, EMUSTAR-0001, EMUSTAR-042X, Chukyo Oil & Fats Cellosol 967, M, Nisseki Mitsubishi Petroleum (manufactured by Nippon Seiki OX-1749, OX-0450, OX-0650B, OX-0153, OX-261BN, OX-0551, OX-0550, OX) -0750B, JP- 500, JP-056R, such as JP-011P), and the like.

The content of the natural wax in the toner image-receiving layer (surface), for example, preferably ^{0.1~4g / m 2, 0.2~2g / m} 2 is more preferable.
When the content is less than 0.1 g / m ² , offset resistance and adhesion resistance may be particularly insufficient. When the content exceeds 4 g / m ² , the amount of wax is excessive and formed. The image quality may be inferior.

  The melting point (° C.) of the natural wax is preferably 70 to 95 ° C., more preferably 75 to 90 ° C., particularly in terms of offset resistance and paper passing properties.

  Examples of the matting agent include various known ones. Solid particles used as the matting agent can be classified into inorganic particles and organic particles. Specific examples of the material for the inorganic matting agent include oxides (for example, silicon dioxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide), alkaline earth metal salts (for example, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate), halogens Examples include silver halide (eg, silver chloride, silver bromide) and glass.

  Examples of the inorganic matting agent include West German Patent 2529321, British Patent 760775, 1260772, U.S. Patent 1201905, 2192241, 3030562, 3030649, 3257206, 3322555, and 3353958. No. 3,370,951, No. 3,411,907, No. 3,437,484, No. 3523022, No. 3,615,554, No. 3,635,714, No. 3769020, No. 40212245, and No. 4029504.

The material of the organic matting agent includes starch, cellulose ester (for example, cellulose acetate propionate), cellulose ether (for example, ethyl cellulose) and synthetic resin. The synthetic resin is preferably water-insoluble or poorly water-soluble. Examples of the water-insoluble or poorly water-soluble synthetic resin include poly (meth) acrylic acid esters (for example, polyalkyl (meth) acrylate, polyalkoxyalkyl (meth) acrylate, polyglycidyl (meth) acrylate), poly (meth) acrylate. ) Acrylamide, polyvinyl ester (eg, polyvinyl acetate), polyacrylonitrile, polyolefin (eg, polyethylene), polystyrene, benzoguanamine resin, formaldehyde condensation polymer, epoxy resin, polyamide, polycarbonate, phenol resin, polyvinyl carbazole, polyvinylidene chloride, etc. Is mentioned.
You may use the copolymer which combined the monomer used for the above polymer.

In the case of the copolymer, a small amount of hydrophilic repeating units may be contained. Examples of the monomer that forms the hydrophilic repeating unit include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α, β-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, hydroxyalkyl (meth) acrylate, sulfoalkyl (meth) acrylate, and styrene sulfonic acid.
Examples of the organic matting agent include British Patent No. 1055713, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,939,213, 2221873, 2268661, 2322037, 2376005, 2391181, 2701245, 2992101, and 3079257. Nos. 3,262,782, 3,443,946, 3,516,832, 3,539,344, 3,591,379, 3,754,924, 3,767,448, JP-A-49-106821, JP-A-57-14835 Are described in the above.
Two or more kinds of solid particles may be used in combination. As an average particle diameter of the said solid particle, 1-100 micrometers is preferable, for example, and 4-30 micrometers is more preferable. The amount of the solid particles, preferably ^{0.01~0.5g / m 2, 0.02~0.3g / m} 2 is more preferable.

  As the release agent added to the toner image-receiving layer of the present invention, these derivatives, oxides, purified products, and mixtures can also be used. Moreover, these may have a reactive substituent.

The melting point (° C.) of the release agent is preferably 70 to 95 ° C., and more preferably 75 to 90 ° C., particularly in terms of offset resistance and paper passing properties.
The release agent is particularly preferably a water-dispersed release agent from the viewpoint of compatibility when an aqueous thermoplastic resin is used as the thermoplastic resin of the toner image receiving layer.

  The content of the release agent in the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 0.1 to 10% by mass, more preferably 0.3 to 8.0% by mass, and still more preferably 0.5 to 5.0% by mass. .

-Plasticizer-
As the plasticizer, known plasticizers for resins can be used without particular limitation. The plasticizer has a function of adjusting the flow or softening of the toner image-receiving layer by either heat or pressure when fixing the toner.
Examples of the plasticizer include "Chemical Handbook" (edited by the Chemical Society of Japan, Maruzen), "Plasticizer-Theory and Application-" (edited by Koichi Murai, Koshobo), "Research on plasticizer""Studyunder" (edited by Polymer Chemistry Association) and "Handbook Rubber and Plastic Compounded Chemicals" (edited by Rubber Digest Co., Ltd.).

  Examples of the plasticizer include phthalic acid esters, phosphoric acid esters, fatty acid esters, abietic acid esters, adipic acid esters, sebacic acid esters, azelaic acid esters, benzoic acid esters, butyric acid esters. Epoxidized fatty acid esters, glycolic acid esters, propionic acid esters, trimellitic acid esters, citric acid esters, sulfonic acid esters, carboxylic acid esters, succinic acid esters, maleic acid esters, fumaric acid Esters, phthalic acid esters, stearic acid esters, etc .; amides (for example, fatty acid amides, sulfoamides, etc.), ethers, alcohols, lactones, polyethyleneoxys, etc. -83154, 59-178451 59-178453, 59-178454, 59-178455, 59-178457, 62-174754, 62-245253, 61-209444, 61-200538, 62 No.-8145, No. 62-9348, No. 62-30247, No. 62-136646, No. 62-174754, No. 62-245253, No. 61-209444, No. 61-200538, No. 62-8145 Nos. 62-9348, 62-30247, 62-136646, JP-A-2-235694, etc.). In addition, the said plasticizer can be mixed and used for resin.

  A relatively low molecular weight polymer can be used as the plasticizer. In this case, the molecular weight of the plasticizer is preferably lower than the molecular weight of the binder resin to be plasticized. The molecular weight is preferably 15,000 or less, and more preferably 5,000 or less. In the case of a polymer plasticizer, the polymer is preferably the same type as the binder resin to be plasticized. For example, a low molecular weight polyester is preferable for plasticizing a polyester resin. Furthermore, oligomers can also be used as plasticizers. In addition to the above compounds, commercially available products include, for example, Adeka Sizer PN-170, PN-1430 manufactured by Asahi Denka Kogyo; P. HALL products PARAPLEX-G-25, G-30, G-40; Rika Hercules products Ester gum 8L-JA, Ester R-95, Pentaline 4851, FK115, 4820, 830, Louisol 28-JA, Picolastic A75, Pico Tex LC, Crystallex 3085, etc. are mentioned.

The plasticizer relieves stress and strain (physical strain such as elastic force and viscosity, strain due to mass balance of molecules, binder main chain, pendant, etc.) generated when toner particles are embedded in the toner image receiving layer. Can be used arbitrarily to
The plasticizer may be in a micro-dispersed state in the toner image-receiving layer, may be in a phase-separated microscopically in a sea-island shape, or may be in a sufficiently mixed and dissolved state with other components such as a binder.
The content of the plasticizer in the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 0.001 to 90% by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 60% by mass, and particularly preferably 1 to 40% by mass.
The plasticizer adjusts smoothness (improves transportability due to reduced frictional force), improves fixing unit offset (detachment of toner and layers from the fixing unit), adjusts curl balance, and adjusts charging (toner electrostatic image It may be used for the purpose of forming).

-Filler-
As said filler, an organic or inorganic filler is mentioned, A well-known thing can be used as a reinforcing agent for binder resin, a filler, and a reinforcing material. The filler should be selected with reference to "Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounding Chemicals" (edited by Rubber Digest Co., Ltd.), "New Edition Plastic Compounding Agent Fundamentals and Applications" (Taiseisha), "Filler Handbook" (Taiseisha), etc. Can do.
As the filler, an inorganic filler (or inorganic pigment) can be suitably used. Examples of the inorganic filler (inorganic pigment) include silica, alumina, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, mica-like iron oxide, white lead, lead oxide, cobalt oxide, strontium chromate, molybdenum-based pigment, smectite, magnesium oxide. , Calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, mullite, and the like. Among these, silica and alumina are preferable. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Moreover, as said filler, a thing with a small particle size is preferable. If the particle size is large, the surface of the toner image-receiving layer tends to be roughened.

The silica includes spherical silica and amorphous silica. The silica can be synthesized by a dry method, a wet method, or an airgel method. The surface of the hydrophobic silica particles may be surface-treated with a trimethylsilyl group or silicone. As silica, colloidal silica is preferable. The average particle size of the silica is preferably 4 to 120 nm, and more preferably 4 to 90 nm.
The silica is preferably porous. The average pore diameter of the porous silica is preferably 50 to 500 nm. Moreover, the average pore volume per mass of the porous silica is preferably, for example, 0.5 to 3 ml / g.

  The alumina includes anhydrous alumina and alumina hydrate. As the crystal form of anhydrous alumina, α, β, γ, δ, ζ, η, θ, κ, ρ, or χ can be used. Alumina hydrate is preferred over anhydrous alumina. As the alumina hydrate, a monohydrate or a trihydrate can be used. Monohydrates include pseudoboehmite, boehmite and diaspore. Trihydrates include dibsite and bayerite. As an average particle diameter of an alumina, 4-300 nm is preferable and 4-200 nm is more preferable. Alumina is preferably porous. As an average hole diameter of porous alumina, 50-500 nm is preferable, for example. The average pore volume per mass of the porous alumina is preferably, for example, 0.3 to 3 ml / g.

The alumina hydrate can be synthesized by a sol-gel method in which ammonia is added to an aluminum salt solution to precipitate, or a method in which an alkali aluminate is hydrolyzed. Anhydrous alumina can be obtained by dehydrating alumina hydrate by heating.
The filler is preferably 5 to 2000 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the dry mass of the binder of the toner image receiving layer.

-Crosslinking agent-
The cross-linking agent can be added to adjust the storage stability, thermoplasticity, etc. of the toner image-receiving layer. As the crosslinking agent, a compound having two or more known reactive groups in the molecule, such as an epoxy group, an isocyanate group, an aldehyde group, an active halogen group, an active methylene group, an acetylene group, or the like as a reactive group is used.

As the crosslinking agent, a compound having two or more groups capable of forming a bond by a hydrogen bond, an ionic bond, a coordination bond, or the like can also be used.
Examples of the crosslinking agent include resin coupling agents, curing agents, polymerization agents, polymerization accelerators, coagulants, film-forming agents, film-forming aids, and the like. Examples of the coupling agent include chlorosilanes, vinyl silanes, epoxy silanes, aminosilanes, alkoxyaluminum chelates, titanate coupling agents, etc., and “Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounding Chemicals” (edited by Rubber Digest Co., Ltd.). ) Etc. can be used.

-Charge control agent-
The toner image-receiving layer preferably contains a charge control agent in order to adjust toner transfer, adhesion, etc., and to prevent charge adhesion of the toner image-receiving layer. As the charge control agent, conventionally known various charge control agents can be used. Examples of the charge control agent include surfactants such as cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and nonionic surfactants, polymer electrolytes, conductive metal oxides, and the like. Can be used. For example, quaternary ammonium salts, polyamine derivatives, cation-modified polymethyl methacrylate, cationic antistatic agents such as cation-modified polystyrene, anionic antistatic agents such as alkyl phosphates and anionic polymers, fatty acid esters, polyethylene oxide, etc. Nonionic antistatic agents may be mentioned, but are not limited thereto.

In the case where the toner has a negative charge, preferred examples of the charge control agent blended in the toner image receiving layer include cations and nonions.
Examples of the conductive metal oxide include ZnO, TiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , In ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , MgO, BaO, and MoO ₃ . These conductive metal oxides may be used alone or in combination with these composite oxides. Further, the metal oxide may further contain a different element, for example, Al, In, etc. for ZnO, Nb, Ta, etc. for TiO ₂ , Sb, Nb, for SnO ₂ . A halogen element or the like can be contained (doping).

  The material that can be used for the toner image-receiving layer may contain various additives for improving the stability of the output image and for improving the stability of the toner image-receiving layer itself. Examples of the additive include various known antioxidants, antioxidants, deterioration inhibitors, ozone deterioration inhibitors, ultraviolet absorbers, metal complexes, light stabilizers, preservatives, fungicides, and the like.

  Examples of the antioxidant include a chroman compound, a coumaran compound, a phenol compound (eg, hindered phenol), a hydroquinone derivative, a hindered amine derivative, and a spiroindane compound. The antioxidant is described in JP-A No. 61-159644.

  Examples of the antiaging agent include those described in “Handbook Rubber / Plastic Compounding Chemicals Revised 2nd Edition” (1993, Rubber Digest Co.) p76-121.

  Examples of the ultraviolet absorber include a benzotriazole compound (described in US Pat. No. 3,533,794), a 4-thiazolidone compound (described in US Pat. No. 3,352,681), a benzophenone compound (described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 46-2784), Examples thereof include ultraviolet absorbing polymers (described in JP-A-62-260152).

  Examples of the metal complex include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,241,155, 4,425,018, and 4,254,195, JP-A-61-88256, JP-A-62-174741, JP-A-63-199248, and JP-A-1-75568. No. 1-74272.

As described above, known photographic additives can be added to the material that can be used for the toner image-receiving layer. Examples of the photographic additive include, for example, Research Disclosure Magazine (hereinafter abbreviated as RD) No. 17643 (December 1978), 18716 (November 1979) and 307105 (November 1989), and the corresponding parts are summarized below.
Type of additive RD17643 RD18716 RD307105
1. Brightener 24 pages 648 right column 868 pages 2. Stabilizer Pages 24-25 Page 649 Right column 868-870 Light Absorber Page 25-26 Page 649 Right Column 873 (Ultraviolet Absorber)
4). Dye image stabilizer page 25 page 650 right column page 872 5. Hardener 26 pages 651 left column 874-875 6. Binder page 26 page 651 left column pages 873-874 Plasticizer, lubricant page 27 page 650 right column page 876 8. Coating aid 26-27 pages 650, right column 875-876 (surfactant)
9. Antistatic agent page 27 page 650 right column pages 876-877
Ten. Matting agent 878-879 pages

[Physical properties of toner image-receiving layer]
The toner image-receiving layer has a 180-degree peel strength at a fixing temperature with the fixing member of preferably 0.1 N / 25 mm or less, and more preferably 0.041 N / 25 mm or less.
Here, the 180-degree peel strength can be measured according to the method described in JIS K6887 using the surface material of the fixing member.
The toner image receiving layer preferably has high whiteness. The whiteness is preferably 85% or more as measured by the method defined in JIS P8123. Further, it is preferable that the spectral reflectance is 85% or more in the wavelength region of 440 nm to 640 nm and the difference between the maximum spectral reflectance and the minimum spectral reflectance in the same wavelength region is within 5%. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the spectral reflectance is 85% or more in the wavelength region of 400 nm to 700 nm, and the difference between the maximum spectral reflectance and the minimum spectral reflectance in the same wavelength region is within 5%.
Further, as the whiteness, specifically, in the CIE 1976 (L ^* a ^* b ^* ) color space, the L ^* value is preferably 80 or more, more preferably 85 or more, and particularly preferably 90 or more. The white color is preferably neutral as much as possible. As the white color, in the L ^* a ^* b ^* space, the value of (a ^* ) ² + (b ^* ) ² is preferably 50 or less, more preferably 18 or less, and particularly preferably 5 or less.

The toner image receiving layer preferably has a high glossiness. As the glossiness, the 45 ° glossiness is preferably 60 or more, more preferably 75 or more, and particularly preferably 90 or more in the entire region from white without toner to black having the maximum density.
However, the glossiness is preferably 110 or less. When the glossiness exceeds 110, it becomes like metallic luster, which is not preferable for image quality.
The glossiness can be measured based on JIS Z8741.

The toner image receiving layer preferably has high smoothness. As the smoothness, the arithmetic average roughness (Ra) is preferably 3 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or less, and particularly preferably 0.5 μm or less in the entire region from white without toner to black having the maximum density.
The arithmetic average roughness can be measured based on JIS B0601, JIS B0651, and JIS B0652.

The toner image-receiving layer preferably has physical properties of one of the following items, more preferably a plurality of items, and most preferably all physical properties.
(1) Tm (melting temperature) of the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 30 ° C. or higher, and more preferably Tm + 20 ° C. or lower of the toner.
(2) The temperature at which the viscosity of the toner image-receiving layer becomes 1 × 10 ⁵ cp is preferably 40 ° C. or higher, and more preferably lower than that of the toner.
(3) The storage elastic modulus (G ′) at the fixing temperature of the toner image receiving layer is preferably 1 × 10 ² to 1 × 10 ⁵ Pa. The loss elastic modulus (G ″) is preferably 1 × 10 ² to 1 × 10 ⁵ Pa.
(4) The loss tangent (G ″ / G ′), which is the ratio of the loss elastic modulus (G ″) at the fixing temperature of the toner image receiving layer and the storage elastic modulus (G ′), is preferably from 0.01 to 10.
(5) The storage elastic modulus (G ′) at the fixing temperature of the toner image-receiving layer is preferably −50 to +2500 with respect to the loss elastic modulus (G ″) at the fixing temperature of the toner.
(6) The inclination angle of the molten toner on the toner image-receiving layer is preferably 50 degrees or less, and more preferably 40 degrees or less.
The toner image-receiving layer preferably satisfies the physical properties disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2788358, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 7-248637, 8-305067, and 10-239889. .

The toner image-receiving layer preferably has a surface electrical resistance in the range of 1 × 10 ⁶ to 1 × 10 ¹⁵ Ω / cm ² (under conditions of 25 ° C. and 65% RH).
If the surface resistance is less than 1 × 10 ⁶ Ω / cm ² , the amount of toner when the toner is transferred to the toner image-receiving layer is not sufficient, and the density of the resulting toner image tends to be low, If it exceeds 1 × 10 ¹⁵ Ω / cm ² , an excessive charge is generated at the time of transfer, the toner is not sufficiently transferred, the density of the image is low, and electrostatic charge is generated during handling of the electrophotographic image receiving sheet. May be easily attached. Misfeeds, double feeds, discharge marks, toner transfer missing, etc. may occur during copying.

The surface electrical resistance of the surface opposite to the toner image-receiving layer with respect to the support is preferably 5 × 10 ^{8 to} 3.2 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω / cm ² and 1 × 10 ⁹ to 1 × 10 ^10. More preferable is Ω / cm ² .
Here, the surface electrical resistance is measured in accordance with JIS K6911. The sample is conditioned for 8 hours or more in an environment of temperature 20 ° C. and humidity 65%, and R8340 manufactured by Advantest Corporation is used in the same environment. In addition, the measurement can be performed after 1 minute has passed since energization under the condition of an applied voltage of 100V.

-Other layers-
Examples of the other layers include a surface protective layer, a back layer, an intermediate layer, an adhesion improving layer, an undercoat layer, a cushion layer, a charge control (prevention) layer, a reflective layer, a tint adjusting layer, a storage stability improving layer, and an adhesive. Examples include a prevention layer, an anti-curl layer, and a smoothing layer. These layers may be composed of a single layer or may be composed of two or more layers.

  The surface protective layer is used for the purpose of protecting the surface of the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet, improving storage stability, improving handleability, imparting writing properties, improving instrument passage properties, imparting anti-offset properties, and the like. It can be provided on the surface of the image receiving layer. The surface protective layer may be a single layer or may be composed of two or more layers. In the surface protective layer, various thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, and the like can be used as a binder, and it is preferable to use the same type of resin as the toner image receiving layer. However, thermodynamic characteristics, electrostatic characteristics, and the like do not need to be the same as those of the toner image-receiving layer, and can be optimized.

The surface protective layer may contain the various additives described above that can be used for the toner image-receiving layer. In particular, the surface protective layer may be blended with other additives such as a matting agent in addition to the release agent used in the present invention. In addition, as said mat agent, various well-known things are mentioned.
The outermost surface layer in the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet (for example, the surface protective layer when a surface protective layer is formed) preferably has good compatibility with the toner from the viewpoint of fixability. Specifically, the contact angle with the melted toner is preferably, for example, 0 to 40 degrees.

In the electrophotographic image-receiving sheet, the back layer is provided on the opposite side of the toner image-receiving layer with respect to the support for the purpose of imparting backside output suitability, improving backside output image quality, improving curl balance, and improving device passability. It is preferred that
Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a color of the said back layer, When the said electrophotographic image receiving sheet is a double-sided output type image receiving paper which forms an image also in a back surface, it is preferable that a back layer is also white. The whiteness and the spectral reflectance are preferably 85% or more like the surface.
Further, the back layer may have the same structure as that of the toner image receiving layer for improving the duplex output suitability. Various additives described above can be used for the back layer. As such an additive, it is particularly suitable to blend a matting agent, a charge adjusting agent and the like. The back layer may have a single layer configuration or a stacked configuration of two or more layers.
Further, in order to prevent offset at the time of fixing, when a releasable oil is used for the fixing roller or the like, the back layer may be oil absorbing.

  The adhesion improving layer is preferably formed for the purpose of improving the adhesion between the support and the toner image receiving layer in the electrophotographic image receiving paper. The above-mentioned various additives can be blended in the adhesion improving layer, and it is particularly preferable to blend a crosslinking agent. The electrophotographic image-receiving sheet is preferably further provided with a cushion layer or the like between the adhesion improving layer and the toner image-receiving layer in order to improve toner acceptability.

  The intermediate layer is formed, for example, between the support and the adhesion improving layer, between the adhesion improving layer and the cushion layer, between the cushion layer and the toner image receiving layer, and between the toner image receiving layer and the storage stability improving layer. Can do. Of course, in the case of an electrophotographic material comprising a support, a toner image receiving layer and an intermediate layer, the intermediate layer can be present, for example, between the support and the toner image receiving layer.

〔toner〕
The electrophotographic material is used with a toner receiving layer receiving toner in printing or copying.
The toner contains at least a binder resin and a colorant, and if necessary, a release agent and other components.

-Toner binder resin-
Examples of the binder resin include styrenes such as styrene and parachlorostyrene; vinyl esters such as vinyl naphthalene, vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, vinyl fluoride, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, and vinyl butyrate; Methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, 2-chloroethyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, methyl α-chloroacrylate, methyl methacrylate, methacryl Methylene aliphatic carboxylic acid esters such as ethyl acetate and butyl methacrylate; Vinyl nitriles such as acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and acrylamide; Vinyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, and vinyl isobutyl ether Tells; N-vinyl compounds such as N-vinyl pyrrole, N-vinyl carbazole, N-vinyl indole, N-vinyl pyrrolidone; single weight of vinyl monomers such as vinyl carboxylic acids such as methacrylic acid, acrylic acid and cinnamic acid Copolymers, copolymers thereof, and various polyesters can be used, and various waxes can be used in combination.
Among these resins, it is preferable to use a resin of the same system as that used for the toner image receiving layer.

-Toner Colorant-
As the colorant, those usually used in toners can be used without limitation. For example, carbon black, chrome yellow, hansa yellow, benzidine yellow, sren yellow, quinoline yellow, permanent orange GTR, pyrazolone. Orange, Vulcan Orange, Watch Young Red, Permanent Red, Brilliantamine 3B, Brilliantamine 6B, Daypon Oil Red, Pyrazolone Red, Risor Red, Rhodamine B Lake, Lake Red C, Rose Bengal, Aniline Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Calco Examples include various pigments such as oil blue, methylene blue chloride, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, and malachite green oxalelate. Acridine, xanthene, azo, benzoquinone, azine, anthraquinone, thioindico, dioxazine, thiazine, azomethine, indico, thioindico, phthalocyanine, aniline black, polymethine, triphenyl Examples include various dyes such as methane, diphenylmethane, thiazine, thiazole, and xanthene. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
The content of the colorant is preferably 2 to 8% by mass. If the content of the colorant is 2% by mass or more, the coloring power is not weakened. On the other hand, if the content is 8% by mass or less, the transparency is not impaired.

-Toner release agent-
As the mold release agent, all known waxes can be used in principle, but polar waxes containing nitrogen such as relatively low molecular weight high crystalline polyethylene wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax, amide wax, urethane compound, etc. Etc. are particularly effective. About polyethylene wax, molecular weight 1000 or less is preferable and 300-1000 are more preferable.

  The compound having a urethane bond is suitable because even if it has a low molecular weight, the solid state can be maintained and the melting point can be set high for the molecular weight due to the strength of cohesive force due to the polar group. The preferred range of molecular weight is 300-1000. The raw materials are a combination of diisocyanate compounds and monoalcohols, a combination of monoisocyanic acid and monoalcohol, a combination of dialcohols and monoisocyanic acid, a combination of trialcohols and monoisocyanic acid, triisocyanic acid Various combinations such as combinations of compounds and monoalcohols can be selected, but in order not to increase the molecular weight, it is preferable to combine a compound of a polyfunctional group and a monofunctional group, and an equivalent functional group amount. It is important to ensure that

Examples of the monoisocyanate compound include dodecyl isocyanate, phenyl isocyanate and derivatives thereof, naphthyl isocyanate, hexyl isocyanate, benzyl isocyanate, butyl isocyanate, and allyl isocyanate.
Examples of the diisocyanate compound include tolylene diisocyanate, 4,4'diphenylmethane, toluene diisocyanate, 1,3-diisocyanate 1,3-phenylene, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 4-methyl-m-phenylene diisocyanate, and diisocyanate. Examples include isophorone.
Examples of the monoalcohol include very common alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, and heptanol.
Examples of the dialcohols include many glycols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and trimethylene glycol; examples of the trialcohol include trimethylolpropane, triethylolpropane, and trimethanolethane. It is not necessarily limited to this range.

  These urethane compounds can be mixed with a resin and a colorant at the time of kneading and used as a kneaded and pulverized toner as in a normal release agent. Also, when used in the emulsion polymerization aggregation melting toner described above, it is dispersed in water together with a polymer electrolyte such as an ionic surfactant, a polymer acid or a polymer base, and heated to a melting point or higher to produce a homogenizer or pressure discharge. A fine dispersion is obtained by applying strong shearing with a mold disperser to prepare a release agent particle dispersion of 1 μm or less, which can be used together with a resin particle dispersion, a colorant dispersion and the like.

-Toner and other components-
The toner may contain other components such as an internal additive, a charge control agent, and inorganic fine particles. As the internal additive, a magnetic material such as a metal such as ferrite, magnetite, reduced iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese, an alloy, or a compound containing these metals can be used.

  As the charge control agent, various commonly used charge control agents such as quaternary ammonium salt compounds, nigrosine compounds, dyes composed of complexes of aluminum, iron, chromium, and triphenylmethane pigments may be used. it can. A material that is difficult to dissolve in water is preferable from the viewpoint of controlling the ionic strength that affects the stability during aggregation and melting and reducing wastewater contamination.

  Examples of the inorganic fine particles include silica, alumina, titania, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and tricalcium phosphate. These may be used alone, and these may be used as an ionic surfactant or a polymer acid. Alternatively, it may be used after being dispersed with a polymer base.

  Furthermore, a surfactant can be used for emulsion polymerization, seed polymerization, pigment dispersion, resin particle dispersion, mold release dispersion, aggregation, and stabilization thereof. For example, anionic surfactants such as sulfate ester, sulfonate, phosphate, and soap, cationic surfactants such as amine salt type and quaternary ammonium salt type, polyethylene glycol type, alkylphenol It is also effective to use a nonionic surfactant such as an ethylene oxide adduct system or a polyhydric alcohol system in combination. As a dispersing means at that time, a general means such as a rotary shear type homogenizer, a ball mill having a media, a sand mill, a dyno mill, or the like can be used.

An external additive may be further added to the toner as necessary.
Examples of the external additive include inorganic powder and organic particles.
Examples of the inorganic particles include SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , CuO, ZnO, SnO ₂ , Fe ₂ O ₃ , MgO, BaO, CaO, K ₂ O, Na ₂ O, ZrO ₂ , CaO. _{SiO 2, K 2 O · (} TiO 2) n, Al 2 O 3 · 2SiO 2, CaCO 3, MgCO 3, BaSO 4, MgSO 4, and the like.
Examples of the organic particles include fatty acid or derivatives thereof, powders of these metal salts, and resin powders of fluorine resins, polyethylene resins, acrylic resins, and the like. For example, the average particle size of these powders is preferably 0.01 to 5 μm, and more preferably 0.1 to 2 μm.

  The method for producing the toner is not particularly limited, and (i) a step of forming aggregated particles in a dispersion obtained by dispersing resin particles to prepare an aggregated particle dispersion, (ii) in the aggregated particle dispersion. A step of adding and mixing a fine particle dispersion in which fine particles are dispersed to adhere the fine particles to the aggregated particles to form adhered particles; and (iii) heating and fusing the adhered particles to form toner particles. Those obtained by a method for producing a toner including the steps are preferable.

-Toner physical properties-
The volume average particle diameter of the toner is preferably 0.5 to 10 μm.
If the volume average particle size of the toner is too small, there may be an adverse effect on toner handling (replenishability, cleaning properties, fluidity, etc.), and particle productivity may be reduced. On the other hand, if the volume average particle size of the toner is too large, the image quality and resolution due to graininess and transferability may be adversely affected.
Further, the toner preferably satisfies the toner volume average particle size range, and the volume average particle size distribution index (GSDv) is preferably 1.3 or less.
The ratio (GSDv / GSDn) of the volume average particle size distribution index (GSDv) to the number average particle size distribution index (GSDn) is preferably 0.95 or more.
Further, the toner preferably satisfies the volume average particle diameter range of the toner, and the average value of the shape factor represented by the following formula is preferably 1.00 to 1.50.
Shape factor = (π × L ² ) / (4 × S)
In the above formula, L represents the maximum length of toner particles. S represents the projected area of the toner particles.
When the toner satisfies the above conditions, it has an effect on image quality, particularly graininess and resolution, and it is difficult to cause omission and blur due to transfer, and handling properties are adversely affected even if the average particle size is not small. It becomes difficult.

  The storage modulus G ′ (measured at an angular frequency of 10 rad / sec) at 150 ° C. of the toner itself is preferably 10 to 200 Pa from the viewpoint of improving the image quality in the fixing process and preventing the offset property.

<Thermal material>
The heat-sensitive material has, for example, a structure in which at least a thermochromic layer is provided as the image-recording layer on the image-recording material support of the present invention, and is repeated by heating with a heat-sensitive head and fixing with ultraviolet rays. Examples thereof include heat-sensitive materials used in a thermoautochrome method (TA method) for forming an image.

<Sublimation transfer material>
The sublimation transfer material has, for example, a configuration in which an ink layer containing at least a heat diffusible dye (sublimation dye) is provided as the image recording layer on the support for image recording material of the present invention. And a sublimation transfer method in which a heat-diffusible dye is transferred from an ink layer onto a sublimation transfer sheet by heating with a thermal head.

<Thermal transfer material>
The thermal transfer material has, for example, a configuration in which at least a heat-meltable ink layer is provided as the image recording layer on the image recording material support of the present invention, and is heated and melted by a thermal head. Examples include a method of melting and transferring ink from an ink layer onto a thermal transfer sheet.

<Silver salt photographic material>
The silver salt photographic material has, for example, a structure in which an image forming layer that develops at least YMC as the image recording layer is provided on the support for image recording material of the present invention, and is subjected to printing exposure. Examples include a silver halide photographic system in which a silver halide photographic sheet is passed through a plurality of processing tanks while being immersed, and color development, bleach-fixing, washing with water and drying are performed.

<Inkjet recording material>
As the ink jet recording material, for example, on the support for image recording material of the present invention, as the image recording layer, liquid ink such as water-based ink (using a dye or pigment as a coloring material) and oil-based ink, The colorant receiving layer is solid at room temperature and can receive solid ink or the like that is melted and liquefied and used for printing.

<Printing paper>
The image recording material support is also preferably used as printing paper. When used as printing paper, a material having high mechanical strength is preferable from the viewpoint of applying ink or the like by a printing machine.

  When the base paper is used as the support for the image recording material, it is preferable that the paper contains a filler, a softening agent, an internal additive for papermaking, and the like. As fillers, commonly used ones can be used, such as clay, calcined clay, diatomaceous earth, talc, kaolin, calcined kaolin, deramikaolin, heavy calcium carbonate, light calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, titanium dioxide. Inorganic fillers such as zinc oxide, silicon oxide, amorphous silica, aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, organic fillers such as urea-formalin resin, polystyrene resin, phenol resin, and fine hollow particles , Etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Examples of the internal additive for papermaking include various conventionally used nonionic, cationic, and anionic yield improvers, freeness improvers, paper strength improvers, and internally added sizing agents. Can be mentioned. Specifically, basic aluminum compounds such as sulfate band, aluminum chloride, sodium aluminate, basic aluminum chloride, basic polyaluminum hydroxide; polyvalent metal compounds such as ferrous sulfate and ferric sulfate, starch , Modified starch, polyacrylamide, urea resin, melamine resin, epoxy resin, polyamide resin, polyamine resin, polyamine, polyethyleneimine, vegetable gum, polyvinyl alcohol, latex, polyethylene oxide and other water-soluble polymers, hydrophilic cross-linked polymer particle dispersion And various compounds such as derivatives and modified products thereof, and these substances simultaneously have some of the functions as an internal additive for papermaking.

  Next, as the functions of the internal sizing agent, the alkyl ketene dimer compound, alkenyl succinic anhydride compound, styrene-acrylic compound, higher fatty acid compound, petroleum resin sizing agent and rosin sizing agent are used. Is mentioned.

  Furthermore, internal additives for papermaking such as dyes, fluorescent brighteners, pH adjusters, antifoaming agents, pitch control agents, slime control agents and the like may be appropriately added depending on the intended use.

  The printing paper is particularly suitable as offset printing paper, and can be used as letterpress printing paper, gravure printing paper, and electrophotographic paper.

  Since the image recording material of the present invention has a support for image recording material that achieves both high flatness and excellent rigidity at a high level and the image recording layer on the support, it records high-quality images. It has excellent gloss and smoothness, and is suitable for any of electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, and inkjet recording materials.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the following examples, the support for image recording material of the present invention is manufactured by the method for manufacturing the support for image recording material of the present invention, and further the image recording material having the support for image recording material of the present invention is manufactured. Content.

(Example 1)
-Preparation of support for image recording material-
Hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP) was beaten with a disc refiner to 300 ml (Canadian standard freeness, CSF) and adjusted to an average mass fiber length of 0.61 mm. A pulp sample was prepared by adding an additive to the pulp stock at the following ratio based on the mass of the pulp.
Type of additive Amount (%)
Cationic starch 1.2
Alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) 0.5
Anionic polyacrylamide 0.2
Polyamide polyamine epichlorohydrin 0.3
Note) AKD means an alkyl ketene dimer (the alkyl part is derived from a fatty acid mainly composed of behenic acid).

From the obtained pulp paper stock, a base paper having a basis weight of 150 g / m ² was prepared by a long net paper machine. An epoxidized fatty acid amide represented by the following structural formula (1) is used as the softening agent by a gate roll coater on the surface of the base paper (surface on which the toner image-receiving layer is applied) in the middle of the drying zone of the long paper machine. A dispersion (solid content, 6% by mass) was applied at a coating amount of 5 g / m ² and dried. In the structural formula (1) below, R represents C ₂₁ H ₄₁ , n represents 2, and m represents 2.

At the end of the paper making process, a soft calender was used and calendering was performed so that the metal roller was in contact with the surface on the side where the toner image receiving layer was to be formed. Furthermore, calendar processing was performed using a shoe calendar, and a support for an image recording material of Example 1 was prepared.
About the manufactured said support body for image recording materials, immersion depth, content of a softening agent, planarity, and rigidity were evaluated as follows. The results are shown in Table 1.
The obtained support for image recording material had a thickness of 150 μm and a density of 1.0 g / cm ³ . The surface temperature of the metal roller in the soft calendar process was 250 ° C., and the surface temperature of the metal roller in the shoe calendar process was 210 ° C.

<Immersion depth of softening agent>
The immersion depth of the applied softening agent was measured by the following method. That is, as the surface portion, a cross section having a depth from the surface coated with the softening agent (the surface coated with the toner image receiving layer) to 50 μm (1/3 depth from the surface coated with the softening agent). 10 samples were taken from any depth in the sample, extracted with n-butanol, re-extracted with chloroform, analyzed by gas chromatography, and the deepest immersion from the surface coated with the softening agent The depth was measured.

<Content of softening agent>
From the surface portion (depth within 1/3 from the surface to which the softening agent is applied) and the central portion (depth from 1/3 to 2/3 from the surface to which the softening agent is applied), respectively. A 10 g sample was taken. First, (1) in order to extract the softening agent unreacted with the pulp, the sample was subjected to dry distillation in n-butanol at 130 ° C., and then 2.4 N hydrochloric acid was added to the n-butanol extract. And then hydrolyzed to n-butyl ester at 130 ° C. for 6 hours, extracted twice with 50 ml of chloroform, dried with 20 g of sodium sulfate, and then subjected to gas chromatography (column: DB-FFAP). Was used to quantify the softening agent that had not reacted with the pulp. Next, (2) in order to extract the softening agent that has reacted with the pulp, hydrochloric acid having a concentration of 10% is added to the n-butanol extract and hydrolyzed-n-butylated at 130 ° C. for 6 hours. Then, the extract was extracted twice with 50 ml of chloroform, dried with 20 g of sodium sulfate, and then subjected to gas chromatography (column: DB-FFAP) to quantify the softening agent unreacted with the pulp.
Content of the said softening agent was made into the total value (mass part) of the value quantified by said (1) and (2) with respect to 100 mass parts of said pulps.

<Evaluation of flatness>
About each support for image recording materials, the planarity was evaluated according to the following criteria by visual observation with 20 panelists.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
1. A clear disorder of flatness is observed.
2 ・ ・ There is a disorder of flatness, and it is a level that causes a problem in practical use.
3. Although there is a slight disturbance in flatness, it is a level that does not cause a problem in practical use.
4. No problem with flatness.
5. No problem with flatness.

<Rigidity evaluation>
About each support body for image recording materials, the strength (rigidity) of "strain" in the touch by 20 panelists was evaluated according to the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
1 ・ ・ There is no rigidity ("strain").
2 ・ ・ Insufficient rigidity, which is a practically problematic level.
3. Although the rigidity is slightly lowered, it is a level that does not cause a problem in practical use.
4. No problem in rigidity.
5. No problem in rigidity at all.

(Example 2)
-Preparation of support for image recording material-
In Example 1, except that the coating amount of the dispersion of epoxidized fatty acid amides as softening agent (solid content 10 wt%) was 2.5 g / m ^2, in the same manner as in Example 1, Example 2 Were prepared, and the immersion depth, softener content, planarity and rigidity were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Example 3)
-Preparation of support for image recording material-
The image of Example 3 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the coating amount of the epoxidized fatty acid amide dispersion (solid content: 10% by mass) as the softening agent was 4 g / m ^2. A support for recording material was prepared, and the immersion depth, softener content, flatness and rigidity were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 4
-Preparation of support for image recording material-
In Example 1, a dispersion of a fatty acid diamide salt represented by the following structural formula (2) (solid content: 10% by mass) was used as a softening agent instead of an epoxidized fatty acid amide dispersion, and the coating amount was 3 A support for an image recording material of Example 4 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness was set to 0.5 g / m ^2, and the immersion depth, softener content, planarity and rigidity were evaluated. went. The results are shown in Table 1. In the following structural formula (2), R represents C ₁₇ H ₃₃ .

(Example 5)
-Preparation of support for image recording material-
In Example 4, the image recording of Example 5 was carried out in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the coating amount of the dispersion of fatty acid diamide salt as a softening agent (solid content: 5% by mass) was 10 g / m ^2. A material support was prepared, and the immersion depth, softener content, planarity and rigidity were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Example 6)
-Preparation of support for image recording material-
In Example 1, the coating amount of the dispersion of epoxidized fatty acid amide (solid content: 7.5% by mass) as a softening agent was 7.3 g / m ² , and the epoxidized fatty acid amide was used in the preparation of pulp paper stock Was added in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 0.1% by mass was added to the pulp, and the immersion depth, content, flatness, and rigidity of the support for image recording material of Example 6 were prepared. Evaluation was performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Comparative Example 1)
-Preparation of support for image recording material-
In Example 1, an image recording material support of Comparative Example 1 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the softening agent was not applied, and the immersion depth, content, flatness, and rigidity were adjusted. Evaluation was performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Comparative Example 2)
-Preparation of support for image recording material-
In Example 1, the image of Comparative Example 2 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the coating amount of the epoxidized fatty acid amide dispersion (solid content: 5% by mass) as a softening agent was 1 g / m ^2. A support for recording material was prepared, and the immersion depth, content, flatness and rigidity were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Comparative Example 3)
-Preparation of support for image recording material-
The image of Comparative Example 3 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the coating amount of the epoxidized fatty acid amide dispersion (solid content: 3% by mass) as a softening agent was 5 g / m ^2. A support for recording material was prepared, and the immersion depth, content, flatness and rigidity were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Comparative Example 4)
-Preparation of support for image recording material-
In Example 1, the softening agent (epoxidized fatty acid amide) was not applied, and in the preparation of pulp paper stock, the softening agent (epoxidized fatty acid amide) was 0.4 mass relative to the pulp. Except for adding%, a support for an image recording material of Comparative Example 4 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and the immersion depth, content, flatness and rigidity were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Comparative Example 5)
-Preparation of support for image recording material-
In Example 1, the softening agent (fatty acid diamide salt) was not applied, and 1.0% by mass of the softening agent (fatty acid diamide salt) was added to the pulp in the preparation of the pulp paper stock. Except for the addition, a support for image recording material of Comparative Example 5 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and the immersion depth, content, flatness, and rigidity were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 1.

表１の結果から、実施例１〜６の画像記録材料用支持体は、前記表面部における柔軟化剤の含有量が、前記パルプ１００質量部に対し０．４質量部以上であり、かつ、前記中心部における柔軟化剤の含有量が、０．１質量％以下であるため、高い平面性と優れた剛性とが高い次元で両立できていることが判る。一方、比較例１〜２は前記中心部における柔軟化剤の含有量が０であるため剛性に優れているが、平面性が悪くなっていることが判る。また、比較例４〜５は、前記中心部における柔軟化剤の含有量が、パルプ１００質量部に対し０．２質量部を超えるため、剛性に劣ることが判る。

From the results of Table 1, in the image recording material supports of Examples 1 to 6, the content of the softening agent in the surface portion is 0.4 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the pulp, and Since the content of the softening agent in the central portion is 0.1% by mass or less, it can be seen that high flatness and excellent rigidity can be achieved at a high level. On the other hand, it can be seen that Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are excellent in rigidity because the content of the softening agent in the central portion is 0, but the flatness is deteriorated. Moreover, since the content of the softening agent in the said center part exceeds 0.2 mass part with respect to 100 mass parts of pulp, it turns out that Comparative Examples 4-5 is inferior in rigidity.

(Examples 7-12 and Comparative Examples 6-10)
-Production of electrophotographic materials-
Using the obtained support for each image recording material, electrophotographic materials of Examples 7 to 12 and Comparative Examples 6 to 10 were produced by the following method.

--- Preparation of titanium dioxide dispersion-
40.0 g of titanium dioxide (Typaque (registered trademark) “A-220”, manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.), 2.0 g of PVA102 (manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.), and 58.0 g of ion-exchanged water were mixed, and NBK- manufactured by Nippon Seiki Seisakusho Co., Ltd. 2 was used to prepare a titanium dioxide dispersion (titanium dioxide pigment 40% by mass).

--- Preparation of coating solution for toner image-receiving layer-
15.5 g of the prepared titanium dioxide dispersion, carnauba wax dispersion (Cerosol 524, 15.0 g manufactured by Chukyo Yushi Co., Ltd.), polyester resin aqueous dispersion (solid content 30% by mass, KZA-7049, manufactured by Unitika) 100. 0 g, thickener (Alcox E30, 2.0 g made by Meisei Chemical Co., Ltd., 0.5 g anionic surfactant (AOT), and 80 ml ion-exchanged water were mixed and stirred to prepare a toner image-receiving layer coating solution. .
The prepared toner image-receiving layer coating solution had a viscosity of 40 mPa · s and a surface tension of 34 mN / m.

--- Preparation of coating solution for back layer--
Acrylic resin water dispersion (solid content 30% by mass, Hiloss XBH-997L, manufactured by Seiko Chemical Co., Ltd.) 100.0 g, matting agent (Tecpomer MBX-12, manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.) 5.0 g, release agent ( Hydrin D337, manufactured by Chukyo Yushi Co., Ltd.) 10.0 g, thickener (CMC) 2.0 g, anionic surfactant (AOT) 0.5 g, and ion-exchanged water 80 ml are mixed, stirred, and back layer A coating solution was prepared.
The viscosity of the coating solution for the back layer was 35 mPa · s, and the surface tension was 33 mN / m.

--Coating of back layer and toner image receiving layer--
The back layer coating solution was applied with a bar coater on the back surface of each of the image recording material supports obtained in Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 in contact with the heat roller. Next, the toner image-receiving layer coating solution was applied to the surface in contact with the heat roller with a bar coater in the same manner as in the case of the back layer.
The coating amount is 9 g / m ² in terms of dry mass for the back layer, and the toner image receiving layer coating solution and the back layer coating solution are applied so that the toner image receiving layer has a dry mass of 12 g / m ^2. did. The pigment in the toner image-receiving layer was 5% by mass of the mass of the thermoplastic resin used.
The back layer and the toner image-receiving layer were dried on-line with hot air after coating. In drying, the amount of drying air and the temperature were adjusted so that both the back surface and the toner image-receiving surface were dried within 2 minutes after coating. The drying point was the point at which the coating surface temperature was the same as the wet bulb temperature of the drying air.
After drying, a calendar process was performed. The calendar treatment was performed at a pressure of 14.7 kN / cm ² (15 kgf / cm ² ) using a gloss calendar while keeping the metal roller at 40 ° C.

Each obtained electrophotographic material was cut into A4 size, and an image was printed. The printer used was a color laser printer (DocuColor 1250-PF) manufactured by Fuji Xerox, except that the fixing belt device shown in FIG. 1 was used.
That is, in the fixing belt device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the fixing belt 2 is suspended over the heating roller 3 and the tension roller 5, and above the tension roller 5 via the fixing belt 2, the cleaning roller 6. Further, a pressure roller 4 is provided below the heating roller 3 via the fixing belt 2. The electrophotographic image-receiving paper having the latent toner image is inserted between the heating roller 3 and the pressure roller 4 from the right side in FIG. 1 and fixed, and then moved on the fixing belt 2, In the process, it is cooled by the cooling device 7 and finally cleaned by the cleaning roller 6.
In this fixing belt system, the conveyance speed of the fixing belt 2 is 30 mm / second, the nip pressure between the heating roller 3 and the pressure roller 4 is 0.2 MPa (2 kgf / cm ² ), and heating is performed. The set temperature of the roller 3 is 150 ° C., which corresponds to the fixing temperature. The set temperature of the pressure roller 4 was set to 120 ° C.

  The obtained electrophotographic prints were evaluated for image quality and glossiness as follows. The results are shown in Table 2.

<Evaluation of image quality>
The image quality of each electrophotographic print was visually observed, and the best image quality was ranked as A and then evaluated as B, C, D, E based on the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C: Intermediate (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E: Very poor (not possible as a high-quality recording material)

<Evaluation of glossiness>
The glossiness of each electrophotographic print was visually observed, and the best glossiness was ranked as A and then evaluated as B, C, D, E based on the following criteria.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C: Intermediate (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E: Very poor (not possible as a high-quality recording material)

表２の結果から、比較例６〜１０と比較して実施例７〜１２の電子写真材料は、画質及び光沢性に優れていることが判る。

From the results in Table 2, it can be seen that the electrophotographic materials of Examples 7 to 12 are superior in image quality and gloss as compared with Comparative Examples 6 to 10.

(Examples 13 to 18 and Comparative Examples 11 to 15)
-Production of silver salt photographic materials-
For each of the image recording material supports obtained in Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5, LDPE containing 10% by mass of TiO ₂ on the surface in contact with the heat roller was extrusion coated to a thickness of 25 μm. On the other hand, polyethylene (PE) of LDPE / HDPE = 1/1 (mass ratio) was extrusion coated to a thickness of 20 μm on the surface side not in contact with the heat roller. The LDPE surface side was subjected to corona discharge treatment, and gelatin was applied at 0.1 g / m ² to prepare a support for silver salt photographic material.

  The silver halide photographic materials of Examples 13 to 18 and Comparative Examples 11 to 15 were prepared by coating ordinary silver halide photographic emulsions on the gelatin coated surface of each of the obtained silver salt photographic material supports. Each obtained silver salt photographic material was exposed and developed to obtain a photographic print.

  About each obtained photographic print, the surface smoothness (micro unevenness | corrugation (1 mm or less)) and surface smoothness (undulation unevenness | corrugation (5-6 mm)) of a printed surface were evaluated as follows. The results are shown in Table 3.

-Surface smoothness (micro unevenness (1 mm or less))-
The surface properties of each photographic print were visually observed, and the best surface smoothness (micro unevenness (1 mm or less)) was ranked as A, and then ranked as B, C, D, E based on the following criteria. And evaluated.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C: Intermediate (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E: Very poor (not possible as a high-quality recording material)

-Surface smoothness (undulation unevenness (5-6 mm))-
The surface properties of each photographic print were visually observed. Based on the following criteria, the best surface smoothness (waviness unevenness (5-6 mm)) was designated as A, followed by B, C, D, E and rank. Attached and evaluated.
〔Evaluation criteria〕
A: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
B: Excellent (effective as a high-quality recording material)
C: Intermediate (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
D: Inferior (not possible as a high-quality recording material)
E: Very poor (not possible as a high-quality recording material)

表３の結果から、比較例１１〜１５と比較して実施例１３〜１８の銀塩写真材料は、微量凹凸及びうねり凹凸がいずれも小さく平滑性に優れていることが判る。

From the results in Table 3, it can be seen that the silver salt photographic materials of Examples 13 to 18 have small amounts of unevenness and undulation unevenness and are excellent in smoothness as compared with Comparative Examples 11 to 15.

  Since the support for image recording material of the present invention has high flatness and excellent rigidity, it can be suitably used for various image recording materials capable of recording high-quality images. Since the image recording material of the present invention has the support for the image recording material of the present invention, in particular, as an electrophotographic material, a heat sensitive material, a sublimation transfer material, a thermal transfer material, a silver salt photographic material, and an ink jet recording material. It can be used suitably.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a belt fixing device in a printer used in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Belt fixing device 2 Fixing belt 3 Heating roller 4 Pressure roller 5 Tension roller 6 Cleaning roller 7 Cooling device

Claims (12)

  In the support for an image recording material including a base paper made from pulp, the content of the softening agent in the surface portion having a depth of 1/3 or less in the thickness direction from at least one surface of the base paper is 100 masses of the pulp. The support for an image recording material, wherein the content is 0.4 parts by mass or more with respect to the part, and is greater than the content of the softening agent at the center in the thickness direction of the base paper.   The support for an image recording material according to claim 1, wherein the content of the softening agent in the surface portion is 0.4 to 1.5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the pulp.   The support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the content of the softening agent in the center is 0.2 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the pulp.   The support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base paper has a thickness of 50 to 250 µm.   The support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the softening agent is at least one selected from a softening agent and a bulking agent.   The support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the softening agent is a fatty acid-containing compound having 10 to 30 carbon atoms.   The support for an image recording material according to claim 6, wherein the fatty acid-containing compound is at least one selected from an epoxidized fatty acid amide, a fatty acid diamide salt, an alkylene oxide adduct of a fatty acid ester, and a fatty acid quaternary ammonium salt. The support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the density of the base paper is 0.85 to 1.15 g / cm ³ .   The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a softening agent-containing coating solution is applied to the surface of the base paper, dried, and then calendered. A method for producing a support for an image recording material.   The method for producing a support for an image recording material according to claim 9, wherein the calendering is performed using a calender having a metal roller having a surface temperature of 140 ° C or higher.   An image recording material comprising the support for image recording material according to claim 1 and an image recording layer on the support. The image recording material according to claim 11, which is any one selected from electrophotographic materials, heat-sensitive materials, sublimation transfer materials, thermal transfer materials, silver salt photographic materials, and inkjet recording materials.

Images