JP4266859B2 - Electrophotographic photosensitive member, image forming method using the same, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention has high durability and high image quality over a long period of time by using a photosensitive layer that has high wear resistance and scratch resistance, is unlikely to cause cracks and film peeling, and has good electrical characteristics. The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photoreceptor that realizes the above. The present invention also relates to an image forming method, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge for the image forming apparatus using the long-life, high-performance photoconductor.

In recent years, organic photoreceptors (OPC) have been widely used in copying machines, facsimile machines, laser printers, and composite machines in place of inorganic photoreceptors because of their good performance and various advantages. This is because, for example, (1) optical characteristics such as the light absorption wavelength range and the amount of absorption, (2) electrical characteristics such as high sensitivity and stable charging characteristics, and (3) material selection range (4) Ease of manufacturing, (5) Low cost, (6) Non-toxicity, and the like.
On the other hand, the diameter of the photoconductor has recently been reduced due to the downsizing of the image forming apparatus, and the high speed of the machine and the maintenance-free movement have been added to increase the durability of the photoconductor. From this point of view, organophotoreceptors are generally soft because the crosslinkable charge transport layer is mainly composed of a low molecular charge transport material and an inert polymer. It has the disadvantage that wear is likely to occur due to mechanical loading by the system. In addition, due to the demand for higher image quality, the cleaning blade has to be increased in hardness and contact pressure for the purpose of improving the cleaning properties as the particle size of the toner particles is reduced. This also promotes the wear of the photoreceptor. It is a factor. Such abrasion of the photoreceptor deteriorates electrical characteristics such as sensitivity deterioration and chargeability, and causes abnormal images such as image density reduction and background stains. Further, scratches where wear is locally generated cause streak-like stain images due to poor cleaning. Under the present circumstances, the wear and scratches are rate-determined and the life of the photoconductor has been replaced.

Therefore, it is indispensable to reduce the above-mentioned wear amount in order to increase the durability of the organic photoreceptor, and this is the most pressing issue in this field.
Techniques for improving the abrasion resistance of the photosensitive layer include (1) using a curable binder in the crosslinkable charge transport layer (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and (2) using a polymer charge transport material. (For example, see Patent Document 2), (3) those in which an inorganic filler is dispersed in a cross-linked charge transport layer (for example, see Patent Document 3), and the like. Among these techniques, those using the curable binder (1) have poor compatibility with the charge transport material, and the residual potential increases due to impurities such as polymerization initiators and unreacted residues, resulting in a decrease in image density. Tends to occur. In addition, although the polymer charge transport material (2) can improve the abrasion resistance to some extent, the durability required for the organic photoreceptor is not fully satisfied. Not reached. In addition, polymer charge transport materials are difficult to polymerize and purify, and it is difficult to obtain a high-purity material. Therefore, it is difficult to stabilize electrical characteristics between materials. Furthermore, production problems such as high viscosity of the coating solution may occur. The dispersion of the inorganic filler (3) exhibits higher abrasion resistance than a photoreceptor in which a normal low molecular charge transport material is dispersed in an inert polymer, but the charge present on the surface of the inorganic filler. The residual potential increases due to the trap, and the image density tends to decrease. In addition, when the unevenness of the inorganic filler and the binder resin on the surface of the photoconductor is large, defective cleaning may occur, which may cause toner filming and image flow. These technologies (1), (2), and (3) are sufficient to satisfy the overall durability including the electrical durability and mechanical durability required for the organic photoreceptor. Has not reached.
Furthermore, a photoreceptor containing a polyfunctional acrylate monomer cured product in order to improve the abrasion resistance and scratch resistance of (1) is also known (see Patent Document 4). However, in this photoreceptor, although there is a description that the polyfunctional acrylate monomer cured product is contained in the protective layer provided on the photosensitive layer, the protective layer may contain a charge transport material. However, there is a problem of compatibility with the cured product when a cross-linked charge transport layer contains a low-molecular charge transport material. As a result, precipitation of a low-molecular charge transport material and white turbidity occur, and not only the image density is lowered but also the mechanical strength is lowered due to the increase of the exposed portion potential.
Furthermore, since this photoconductor specifically reacts with the monomer in a state containing a polymer binder, the three-dimensional network structure does not proceed sufficiently, and the crosslink density becomes dilute, resulting in a dramatic wear resistance. Has not yet been able to demonstrate.

  As a wear resistance technology for a photosensitive layer that replaces these, a charge transport layer formed by using a coating liquid comprising a monomer having a carbon-carbon double bond, a charge transport material having a carbon-carbon double bond, and a binder resin. It is known to be provided (for example, refer to Patent Document 5). This binder resin is thought to play a role of improving the adhesion between the charge generation layer and the curable charge transport layer, and further mitigating the internal stress of the film during thick film curing, and has a carbon-carbon double bond. These are broadly classified into those having reactivity with the charge transfer agent and those having no reactivity with the double bond. This photoconductor is remarkably compatible with wear resistance and good electrical properties, but when a non-reactive binder resin is used, the binder resin, the monomer and the charge transport agent are used. The compatibility with the cured product produced by this reaction is poor, and phase separation occurs in the cross-linked charge transport layer, which may cause scratches and sticking of external additives and paper powder in the toner. In addition, as described above, the three-dimensional network structure does not proceed sufficiently, and the cross-linking density becomes dilute. In addition, what is specifically described as the monomer used in this photoreceptor is bifunctional, and from these reasons, it has not yet been satisfactory in terms of wear resistance. Even when a reactive binder is used, the molecular weight of the cured product is increased, but the number of intermolecular crosslinks is small, and it is difficult to achieve a balance between the amount of the charge transporting substance and the crosslink density. Abrasion was not sufficient.

A photosensitive layer containing a compound obtained by curing a hole transporting compound having two or more chain polymerizable functional groups in the same molecule is also known (for example, see Patent Document 6).
However, this photosensitive layer has high hardness because the crosslink density can be increased, but since the bulky hole transporting compound has two or more chain polymerizable functional groups, distortion occurs in the cured product and internal stress is reduced. In some cases, the cross-linked surface layer tends to crack and peel off when used for a long time.
Even in these conventional techniques, a photoreceptor having a crosslinked photosensitive layer in which a charge transporting structure is chemically bonded cannot be said to have sufficient comprehensive characteristics at present.

JP 56-48637 A JP-A 64-1728 JP-A-4-281461 Japanese Patent No. 3262488 Japanese Patent No. 3194392 JP 2000-66425 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a high durability and high performance electrophotographic photosensitive member that has high wear resistance and scratch resistance and good electrical characteristics, and is less susceptible to cracks and film peeling especially in the photosensitive layer. It is to be. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming method, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge for an image forming apparatus, which use these high durability and high performance photoconductors and realize high image quality over a long period of time.

As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have found that in an electrophotographic photoreceptor charged by discharge , in which at least a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer, and a crosslinkable charge transport layer are sequentially laminated on a conductive support, The type charge transport layer contains a photopolymerization initiator, and cures at least a trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure and a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure by light irradiation. And the present invention was accomplished by discovering that the object can be achieved by setting the film thickness of the crosslinkable charge transport layer to 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

That is, the above-described problem is that in the electrophotographic photoreceptor in which at least a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer, and a crosslinkable charge transport layer are sequentially laminated on a conductive support, , A photopolymerization initiator, which is formed by curing a radically polymerizable compound having at least a trifunctional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure and a monofunctional charge transporting structure by light irradiation , The electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the cross-linked charge transport layer has a thickness of 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less , and is charged by discharge ”, (2)“ the cross-linked charge transport layer ” The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to item (1), wherein the film thickness is 2 μm or more and 8 μm or less, (3) “The cross-linked charge transport layer is insoluble in an organic solvent. Features The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to item (1) or (2) ”, (4)“ a trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure used in the cross-linked charge transporting layer ” Wherein the functional group is an acryloyloxy group and / or a methacryloyloxy group, the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of (1) to (3) above, (5) “the cross-linked type” The ratio of the molecular weight to the number of functional groups (molecular weight / number of functional groups) in the trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure used for the charge transporting layer is 250 or less (1) The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of Items to (4), (6) “functional group of the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure used for the cross-linked charge transporting layer, Acryloyl The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of (1) to (5) above, which is an oxy group or a methacryloyloxy group, and (7) “used for the most cross-linked charge transport layer” The electron according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the charge transport structure of the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure is a triarylamine structure. “Photosensitive member”, (8) “The radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure used in the cross-linked charge transporting layer is one or more of the following general formula (1) or (2): The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of (1) to (7), characterized in that:

（式中、Ｒ_１は水素原子、ハロゲン原子、置換基を有してもよいアルキル基、置換基を有してもよいアラルキル基、置換基を有してもよいアリール基、シアノ基、ニトロ基、アルコキシ基、−ＣＯＯＲ_７（Ｒ_７は水素原子、置換基を有してもよいアルキル基、置換基を有してもよいアラルキル基又は置換基を有してもよいアリール基）、ハロゲン化カルボニル基若しくはＣＯＮＲ_８Ｒ_９（Ｒ_８及びＲ_９は水素原子、ハロゲン原子、置換基を有してもよいアルキル基、置換基を有してもよいアラルキル基又は置換基を有してもよいアリール基を示し、互いに同一であっても異なっていてもよい）を表わし、Ａｒ_１、Ａｒ_２は置換もしくは未置換のアリーレン基を表わし、同一であっても異なってもよい。Ａｒ_３、Ａｒ_４は置換もしくは未置換のアリール基を表わし、同一であっても異なってもよい。Ｘは単結合、置換もしくは無置換のアルキレン基、置換もしくは無置換のシクロアルキレン基、置換もしくは無置換のアルキレンエーテル基、酸素原子、硫黄原子、ビニレン基を表わす。Ｚは置換もしくは無置換のアルキレン基、置換もしくは無置換のアルキレンエーテル２価基、アルキレンオキシカルボニル２価基を表わす。ｍ、ｎは０〜３の整数を表わす。）」、（９）「前記架橋型電荷輸送層に用いられる１官能の電荷輸送性構造を有するラジカル重合性化合物が、下記一般式（３）の一種以上であることを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（８）項のいずれかに記載の電子写真感光体；

(In the formula, R ₁ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, a cyano group, a nitro group, Group, alkoxy group, —COOR ₇ (R ₇ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent or an aryl group which may have a substituent), halogen Carbonyl group or CONR ₈ R ₉ (R ₈ and R ₉ may have a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Ar ₁ and Ar ₂ each represent a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group, and may be the same or different.Ar ₃ , which may be the same or different from each other. Ar ₄ may be substituted Represents an unsubstituted aryl group, which may be the same or different, X represents a single bond, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene ether group, O represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a vinylene group, Z represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene ether divalent group, or an alkyleneoxycarbonyl divalent group, and m and n are integers of 0 to 3. ) ”, (9)“ The radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure used in the cross-linked charge transporting layer is one or more of the following general formula (3): The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of (1) to (8);

（式中、ｏ、ｐ、ｑはそれぞれ０又は１の整数、Ｒａは水素原子、メチル基を表わし、Ｒｂ、Ｒｃは水素原子以外の置換基で炭素数１〜６のアルキル基を表わし、複数の場合は異なっても良い。ｓ、ｔは０〜３の整数を表わす。Ｚａは単結合、メチレン基、エチレン基；

(Wherein, o, p and q are each an integer of 0 or 1, Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Rb and Rc represent a substituent other than a hydrogen atom and an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, And s and t each represents an integer of 0 to 3. Za is a single bond, a methylene group or an ethylene group;

を表わす。）」、（１０）「前記架橋型電荷輸送層に用いられる電荷輸送性構造を有しない３官能以上のラジカル重合性モノマーの成分割合が、架橋型電荷輸送層全層に対し３０〜７０重量％であることを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（９）項のいずれかに記載の電子写真感光体」、（１１）「前記架橋型電荷輸送層に用いられる１官能の電荷輸送性構造を有するラジカル重合性化合物の成分割合が、架橋型電荷輸送層全層に対し３０〜７０重量％であることを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（１０）項のいずれかに記載の電子写真感光体」、（１２）「前記電荷輸送層が高分子電荷輸送物質を含有することを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（１１）項のいずれかに記載の電子写真感光体」、（１３）「前記高分子電荷輸送物質がトリアリールアミン構造を主鎖又は側鎖に有するポリカーボネートであることを特徴とする前記第（１２）項に記載の電子写真感光体」により解決される。

Represents. ) ”, (10)“ The proportion of the trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure used in the crosslinkable charge transport layer is 30 to 70 wt% with respect to the total crosslinkable charge transport layer. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of (1) to (9) above, (11) “monofunctional charge transporting property used in the cross-linked charge transporting layer” The ratio of the component of the radical polymerizable compound having a structure is 30 to 70% by weight with respect to the total amount of the cross-linked charge transport layer, according to any one of (1) to (10) above. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the charge transporting layer contains a polymer charge transporting substance. Body ", (13)" The polymer charge transport material is triaryl. " Is more resolved in the electronic photograph photoreceptor "described in the first (12), characterized in that a polycarbonate having a Min structure in the main chain or side chain.

In addition, the above-described problem is that at least charging, image exposure, development, and transfer are repeated using the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of ( 14 ) and (1) to ( 13 ) of the present invention. The image forming method is characterized in that it is solved.

Further, the above problem is solved by ( 15 ) of the present invention, “an image forming apparatus comprising the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of the items (1) to ( 13 )”. .
In addition, the above-described problems are solved by the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of ( 16 ) and (1) to ( 13 ), a charging unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a cleaning unit, and a static eliminating unit. An image forming apparatus process cartridge having at least one means selected from the group consisting of means and detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus is solved.

According to the present invention, as a cross-linked charge transport layer of a photoreceptor in which a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer, and a cross-linked charge transport layer are laminated, a trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure and a monofunctional the radical polymerizable compound having a charge transport structure, there is also the you cured by light irradiation in the presence of a photopolymerization initiator, additionally the film thickness 1μm or more, by a 10 [mu] m, cracks or film peeling In addition, a highly durable and high-performance photoconductor having high wear resistance and scratch resistance and good electrical characteristics can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to provide a high-performance and highly reliable image forming process, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge for an image forming apparatus that can provide a good image over a long period of time by using this photoconductor.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photoreceptor charged by discharge , in which at least a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer and a crosslinkable charge transport layer are sequentially laminated on a conductive support, wherein the crosslinkable charge transport layer is photopolymerized. A crosslinkable charge formed by curing a radically polymerizable compound having a trifunctional or higher functional group having an initiator and having no charge transporting structure and a radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure by light irradiation. When the thickness of the transport layer is 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, more preferably 2 μm or more and 8 μm or less, the wear resistance and scratch resistance are high and the electrical characteristics are good, and particularly cracks and film peeling occur. It is possible to achieve a photoreceptor that is difficult to occur. Further, when the crosslinkable charge transport layer is insoluble in the organic solvent, better characteristics can be obtained and the life of the photoreceptor can be extended.

The reasons for this are as follows.
The electrophotographic photosensitive member is used in an environment where a series of processes of a charging unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a cleaning unit, and a static eliminating unit are repeated. Causes life. Factors that cause this wear and scratch are (1) charging, decomposition of the photoreceptor surface composition due to discharge during static elimination and chemical degradation due to oxidizing gas, (2) carrier adhesion during development, (3) during transfer (4) Friction with cleaning brush, cleaning blade and intervening toner or adhering carrier at the time of cleaning. In order to design a photoreceptor that is resistant to these hazards, it is important that the surface layer has high hardness, high elasticity, and uniformity. From the film structure, there is a method of forming a dense and homogeneous three-dimensional network structure. Promising. Since the cross-linked charge transport layer corresponding to the surface of the present invention has a cross-linked structure obtained by curing a tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer, a three-dimensional network structure is developed, and a high hardness and high elastic surface layer having a very high cross-linking density is provided. High abrasion resistance and scratch resistance are achieved. In this way, it is important to increase the crosslink density on the surface of the photoreceptor, that is, the number of crosslink bonds per unit volume. However, since a large number of bonds are instantaneously formed in the curing reaction, internal stress due to volume shrinkage occurs. This internal stress increases as the thickness of the cross-linked layer increases. Therefore, when the entire charge transport layer is cured, cracks and film peeling tend to occur. Even if this phenomenon does not appear initially, it may be likely to occur over time due to repeated use in the electrophotographic process and the influence of charging, development, transfer, cleaning hazards and thermal fluctuations. As a method for solving this problem, (1) a polymer component is introduced into the crosslinked layer and the crosslinked structure, (2) a large amount of monofunctional and bifunctional radically polymerizable monomers are used, and (3) a flexible group is introduced. Although the directionality which makes a cured resin layer soft, such as using the polyfunctional monomer which has, is mentioned, the crosslink density of a bridge | crosslinking layer becomes thin in any case, and remarkable wear resistance is not achieved. On the other hand, the photoconductor of the present invention is provided with a cross-linked charge transport layer having a high cross-linking density and having a three-dimensional network structure developed on the charge transport layer with a film thickness of 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. No film peeling occurs and very high wear resistance is achieved. By selecting a film thickness of the crosslinkable charge transport layer of 2 μm or more and 8 μm or less, in addition to further improving the margin for the above problem, a material selection for increasing the crosslink density that leads to further improvement in wear resistance. Is possible. The reason why the photoconductor of the present invention can suppress cracking and film peeling is that the cross-linked charge transport layer can be made thin, so that the internal stress does not increase, and since the charge transport layer is provided in the lower layer, the surface of the cross-linked charge transport layer This is because internal stress can be relaxed. For this reason, it is not necessary to contain a large amount of polymer material in the cross-linked charge transport layer, and the polymer material and radical polymerizable composition (radical polymerizable monomer or radical polymerizable compound having a charge transport structure) generated at this time. Scratches and toner filming due to incompatibility with the cured product resulting from this reaction are unlikely to occur. Further, when a thick film over the entire charge transport layer is cured by light energy irradiation, light transmission from the absorption by the charge transport structure to the inside is limited, and a phenomenon in which the curing reaction does not proceed sufficiently may occur. In the cross-linked charge transport layer of the present invention, the curing reaction proceeds uniformly from a thin film of 10 μm or less to the inside, and high wear resistance is maintained inside as well as the surface. In addition, in the formation of the outermost surface layer of the present invention, in addition to the above trifunctional radical polymerizable monomer, a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure is contained, which is a trifunctional or higher functional group. Incorporated into the cross-linking during curing of the radical polymerizable monomer. On the other hand, when a low molecular charge transport material having no functional group is contained in the cross-linked surface layer, precipitation of the low molecular charge transport material and white turbidity occur due to its low compatibility, and the cross-linked surface layer The mechanical strength also decreases. On the other hand, when a bifunctional or higher-functional charge transporting compound is used as the main component, the crosslink structure is fixed by a plurality of bonds and the crosslink density is further increased. However, the charge transporting structure is very bulky, so that the cured resin structure is distorted. Becomes very large, which increases the internal stress of the cross-linked charge transport layer.

  Furthermore, the photoreceptor of the present invention has good electrical characteristics, and thus high image quality can be realized over a long period of time. This is because a radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure is used as a constituent material of the crosslinkable charge transport layer and is immobilized in a pendant shape between the crosslinks. As described above, the charge transport material having no functional group causes precipitation and clouding phenomenon, and the electrical characteristics are remarkably deteriorated in repeated use such as reduction in sensitivity and increase in residual potential. When a bifunctional or higher-functional charge transporting compound is used as the main component, it is fixed in the crosslinked structure with a plurality of bonds, so the intermediate structure (cation radical) during charge transport cannot be kept stable, Sensitivity decreases due to traps and residual potential increases. Such deterioration of the electrical characteristics appears as an image such as a decrease in image density and thinning of characters. Furthermore, in the photoreceptor of the present invention, the high charge design with less charge trapping of the conventional photoreceptor can be applied as the lower charge transport layer, and the electrical side effects of the crosslinked charge transport layer can be minimized. .

  Further, in the formation of the cross-linked charge transport layer of the present invention, those in which the cross-linkable charge transport layer is insoluble in an organic solvent have particularly dramatic wear resistance. The cross-linked charge transport layer of the present invention is formed by curing a tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure and a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure. Although a three-dimensional network structure develops and has a high crosslinking density, it contains from other than the above components (for example, mono- or bifunctional monomers, polymer binders, antioxidants, leveling agents, plasticizers and other additives and lower layers) In some cases, the cross-linking density is locally dilute or the aggregate is formed of fine cured products cross-linked with high density. Such a crosslinkable charge transport layer has a weak bonding force between cured products and is soluble in an organic solvent, and is repeatedly used in an electrophotographic process. Elimination is likely to occur. The cross-linked charge transport layer insoluble in an organic solvent as in the present invention has an original three-dimensional network structure developed and has a high degree of cross-linking, and a chain reaction proceeds in a wide range, resulting in a cured product. Since the polymer has a high molecular weight, dramatic wear resistance is achieved.

（ただし、式中、Ｘ_１は、置換基を有していてもよいフェニレン基、ナフチレン基等のアリーレン基、置換基を有していてもよいアルケニレン基、−ＣＯ−基、−ＣＯＯ−基、−ＣＯＮ（Ｒ_１０）−基（Ｒ_１０は、水素、メチル基、エチル基等のアルキル基、ベンジル基、ナフチルメチル基、フェネチル基等のアラルキル基、フェニル基、ナフチル基等のアリール基を表わす。）、または−Ｓ−基を表わす。）
これらの置換基を具体的に例示すると、ビニル基、スチリル基、２−メチル−１，３−ブタジエニル基、ビニルカルボニル基、アクリロイルオキシ基、アクリロイルアミド基、ビニルチオエーテル基等が挙げられる。
（２）１，１−置換エチレン官能基としては、例えば以下の式で表される官能基が挙げられる。

（ただし、式中、Ｙは、置換基を有していてもよいアルキル基、置換基を有していてもよいアラルキル基、置換基を有していてもよいフェニル基、ナフチル基等のアリール基、ハロゲン原子、シアノ基、ニトロ基、メトキシ基あるいはエトキシ基等のアルコキシ基、−ＣＯＯＲ_１１基（Ｒ_１１は、水素原子、置換基を有していてもよいメチル基、エチル基等のアルキル基、置換基を有していてもよいベンジル、フェネチル基等のアラルキル基、置換基を有していてもよいフェニル基、ナフチル基等のアリール基、または−ＣＯＮＲ_１２Ｒ_１３（Ｒ_１２およびＲ_１３は、水素原子、置換基を有していてもよいメチル基、エチル基等のアルキル基、置換基を有していてもよいベンジル基、ナフチルメチル基、あるいはフェネチル基等のアラルキル基、または置換基を有していてもよいフェニル基、ナフチル基等のアリール基を表わし、互いに同一または異なっていてもよい。）、また、Ｘ_２は上記式１０のＸ_１と同一の置換基及び単結合、アルキレン基を表わす。ただし、Ｙ，Ｘ_２の少なくとも何れか一方がオキシカルボニル基、シアノ基、アルケニレン基、及び芳香族環である。）
これらの置換基を具体的に例示すると、α−塩化アクリロイルオキシ基、メタクリロイルオキシ基、α−シアノエチレン基、α−シアノアクリロイルオキシ基、α−シアノフェニレン基、メタクリロイルアミノ基等が挙げられる。
なお、これらＸ_１、Ｘ_２、Ｙについての置換基にさらに置換される置換基としては、例えばハロゲン原子、ニトロ基、シアノ基、メチル基、エチル基等のアルキル基、メトキシ基、エトキシ基等のアルコキシ基、フェノキシ基等のアリールオキシ基、フェニル基、ナフチル基等のアリール基、ベンジル基、フェネチル基等のアラルキル基等が挙げられる。
これらのラジカル重合性官能基の中では、特にアクリロイルオキシ基、メタクリロイルオキシ基が有用であり、３個以上のアクリロイルオキシ基を有する化合物は、例えば水酸基がその分子中に３個以上ある化合物とアクリル酸（塩）、アクリル酸ハライド、アクリル酸エステルを用い、エステル反応あるいはエステル交換反応させることにより得ることができる。また、３個以上のメタクリロイルオキシ基を有する化合物も同様にして得ることができる。また、ラジカル重合性官能基を３個以上有する単量体中のラジカル重合性官能基は、同一でも異なっても良い。 Next, the constituent materials of the crosslinking type charge transport layer coating solution of the present invention will be described.
The trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting property used in the present invention is a hole transporting structure such as triarylamine, hydrazone, pyrazoline, carbazole, such as condensed polycyclic quinone, diphenoquinone, cyano group. And a monomer having no electron transport structure such as an electron-withdrawing aromatic ring having a nitro group and having three or more radical polymerizable functional groups. The radical polymerizable functional group may be any group as long as it has a carbon-carbon double bond and is capable of radical polymerization.
Examples of these radical polymerizable functional groups include 1-substituted ethylene functional groups and 1,1-substituted ethylene functional groups shown below.
(1) Examples of the 1-substituted ethylene functional group include functional groups represented by the following formulas.

(In the formula, X ₁ is an arylene group such as a phenylene group or a naphthylene group which may have a substituent, an alkenylene group which may have a substituent, a —CO— group, a —COO— group. , —CON (R ₁₀ ) — group (R ₁₀ represents an alkyl group such as hydrogen, methyl group or ethyl group, an aralkyl group such as benzyl group, naphthylmethyl group or phenethyl group, or an aryl group such as phenyl group or naphthyl group. Or the —S— group.)
Specific examples of these substituents include a vinyl group, a styryl group, a 2-methyl-1,3-butadienyl group, a vinylcarbonyl group, an acryloyloxy group, an acryloylamide group, and a vinyl thioether group.
(2) Examples of the 1,1-substituted ethylene functional group include functional groups represented by the following formulas.

(In the formula, Y is an aryl group such as an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, a phenyl group which may have a substituent, or a naphthyl group. Group, halogen atom, cyano group, nitro group, alkoxy group such as methoxy group or ethoxy group, -COOR ₁₁ group (R ₁₁ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl such as an optionally substituted methyl group or ethyl group) Group, an aralkyl group such as benzyl which may have a substituent, a phenethyl group or the like, an aryl group such as a phenyl group or a naphthyl group which may have a substituent, or -CONR ₁₂ R ₁₃ (R ₁₂ and R ₁₃ is a hydrogen atom, which may have a substituent an alkyl group such as methyl group and ethyl group, which may have a substituent group benzyl group, naphthylmethyl group, or Ara such phenethyl group, Kill group or substituent a phenyl group which may have a, an aryl group such as a naphthyl group, which may be the same or different from each other.) Further, X ₂ is the same as X ₁ in the formula 10 A substituent, a single bond, or an alkylene group, provided that at least one of Y and X ₂ is an oxycarbonyl group, a cyano group, an alkenylene group, and an aromatic ring.
Specific examples of these substituents include an α-acryloyloxy chloride group, a methacryloyloxy group, an α-cyanoethylene group, an α-cyanoacryloyloxy group, an α-cyanophenylene group, and a methacryloylamino group.
In addition, examples of the substituent further substituted with the substituent for X ₁ , X ₂ , and Y include, for example, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a methyl group, an alkyl group such as an ethyl group, a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, and the like And an aryloxy group such as a phenoxy group, an aryl group such as a phenyl group and a naphthyl group, and an aralkyl group such as a benzyl group and a phenethyl group.
Among these radical polymerizable functional groups, acryloyloxy group and methacryloyloxy group are particularly useful, and a compound having three or more acryloyloxy groups is, for example, a compound having three or more hydroxyl groups in the molecule and an acrylic group. It can be obtained by using an acid (salt), an acrylic acid halide, or an acrylic ester to cause an ester reaction or a transesterification reaction. A compound having three or more methacryloyloxy groups can be obtained in the same manner. Further, the radical polymerizable functional groups in the monomer having three or more radical polymerizable functional groups may be the same or different.

Specific examples of the trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure include the following, but are not limited to these compounds.
That is, examples of the radical polymerizable monomer used in the present invention include trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane alkylene-modified triacrylate, trimethylolpropane ethyleneoxy-modified (hereinafter referred to as EO modification). ) Triacrylate, trimethylolpropane propyleneoxy modified (hereinafter PO modified) triacrylate, trimethylolpropane caprolactone modified triacrylate, trimethylolpropane alkylene modified trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETTA), glycerol triacrylate Glycerol epichlorohydrin modified (hereinafter ECH modified) Acrylate, glycerol EO modified triacrylate, glycerol PO modified triacrylate, tris (acryloxyethyl) isocyanurate, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (DPHA), dipentaerythritol caprolactone modified hexaacrylate, dipentaerythritol hydroxypentaacrylate, alkylated di Pentaerythritol pentaacrylate, alkylated dipentaerythritol tetraacrylate, alkylated dipentaerythritol triacrylate, dimethylolpropane tetraacrylate (DTMPTA), pentaerythritol ethoxytetraacrylate, phosphoric acid EO-modified triacrylate, 2, 2, 5, 5 , -Tetrahydroxymethylcyclopentanone tetraacrylate And the like, which can be used in combination either alone or in combination.

  The trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure used in the present invention has a molecular weight relative to the number of functional groups in the monomer in order to form a dense crosslink in the crosslinkable charge transport layer. The ratio (molecular weight / functional group number) is preferably 250 or less. Further, when this ratio is larger than 250, the cross-linked charge transport layer is soft and wear resistance is somewhat lowered. Therefore, among the monomers exemplified above, monomers having a modifying group such as EO, PO, caprolactone, etc. It is not preferable to use a compound having a long modifying group alone. Further, the proportion of the trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure used in the crosslinkable charge transport layer is 20 to 80% by weight, preferably 30 to 70% by weight based on the total amount of the crosslinkable charge transport layer. %, Which substantially depends on the proportion of the trifunctional or higher-functional radical polymerization reactive monomer in the solid content of the coating liquid. When the monomer component is less than 20% by weight, the three-dimensional crosslink density of the crosslinkable charge transport layer is small, and a drastic improvement in wear resistance is not achieved as compared with the case of using a conventional thermoplastic binder resin. On the other hand, if it exceeds 80% by weight, the content of the charge transporting compound is lowered, and the electrical characteristics are deteriorated. The electrical characteristics and abrasion resistance required differ depending on the process used, and the film thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer of the photoreceptor varies accordingly. A range of 70% by weight is most preferred.

  The radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure used in the crosslinked charge transport layer of the present invention is, for example, a hole transport structure such as triarylamine, hydrazone, pyrazoline, carbazole, such as condensed polycyclic quinone. , A compound having an electron transport structure such as diphenoquinone, an electron-withdrawing aromatic ring having a cyano group or a nitro group, and having one radical polymerizable functional group. Examples of the radical polymerizable functional group include functional groups represented by the above formula 10 or formula 11. More specifically, those shown in the above radical polymerizable monomer can be mentioned, and acryloyloxy group and methacryloyloxy group are particularly useful. In addition, a triarylamine structure is highly effective as a charge transporting structure, and in particular, when a compound represented by the structure of the following general formula (1) or (2) is used, electrical characteristics such as sensitivity and residual potential are good. To last.

（式中、Ｒ_１は水素原子、ハロゲン原子、置換基を有してもよいアルキル基、置換基を有してもよいアラルキル基、置換基を有してもよいアリール基、シアノ基、ニトロ基、アルコキシ基、−ＣＯＯＲ_７（Ｒ_７は水素原子、置換基を有してもよいアルキル基、置換基を有してもよいアラルキル基又は置換基を有してもよいアリール基）、ハロゲン化カルボニル基若しくはＣＯＮＲ_８Ｒ_９（Ｒ_８及びＲ_９は水素原子、ハロゲン原子、置換基を有してもよいアルキル基、置換基を有してもよいアラルキル基又は置換基を有してもよいアリール基を示し、互いに同一であっても異なっていてもよい）を表わし、Ａｒ_１、Ａｒ_２は置換もしくは未置換のアリーレン基を表わし、同一であっても異なってもよい。Ａｒ_３、Ａｒ_４は置換もしくは未置換のアリール基を表わし、同一であっても異なってもよい。Ｘは単結合、置換もしくは無置換のアルキレン基、置換もしくは無置換のシクロアルキレン基、置換もしくは無置換のアルキレンエーテル基、酸素原子、硫黄原子、ビニレン基を表わす。Ｚは置換もしくは無置換のアルキレン基、置換もしくは無置換のアルキレンエーテル２価基、アルキレンオキシカルボニル２価基を表わす。ｍ、ｎは０〜３の整数を表わす。）

(In the formula, R ₁ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, a cyano group, a nitro group, Group, alkoxy group, —COOR ₇ (R ₇ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent or an aryl group which may have a substituent), halogen Carbonyl group or CONR ₈ R ₉ (R ₈ and R ₉ may have a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Ar ₁ and Ar ₂ each represent a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group, and may be the same or different.Ar ₃ , which may be the same or different from each other. Ar ₄ may be substituted Represents an unsubstituted aryl group, which may be the same or different, X represents a single bond, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene ether group, O represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a vinylene group, Z represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene ether divalent group, or an alkyleneoxycarbonyl divalent group, and m and n are integers of 0 to 3. Represents.)

Specific examples of general formulas (1) and (2) are shown below.
In the general formulas (1) and (2), in the substituent of R ₁ , examples of the alkyl group include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, and a butyl group, and examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group and a naphthyl group. The aralkyl group includes a benzyl group, a phenethyl group, and a naphthylmethyl group, and the alkoxy group includes a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group, and the like. These include a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, and a methyl group. Substituted with an alkyl group such as an ethyl group, an alkoxy group such as a methoxy group or an ethoxy group, an aryloxy group such as a phenoxy group, an aryl group such as a phenyl group or a naphthyl group, an aralkyl group such as a benzyl group or a phenethyl group, etc. May be.
Of the substituents for R ₁ , particularly preferred are a hydrogen atom and a methyl group.
Substituted or unsubstituted Ar ₃ and Ar ₄ are aryl groups, and examples of the aryl group include condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon groups, non-fused cyclic hydrocarbon groups, and heterocyclic groups.
The condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon group preferably has 18 or less carbon atoms forming a ring, for example, a pentanyl group, an indenyl group, a naphthyl group, an azulenyl group, a heptaenyl group, a biphenylenyl group, an as-indacenyl group. , S-indacenyl group, fluorenyl group, acenaphthylenyl group, preadenyl group, acenaphthenyl group, phenalenyl group, phenanthryl group, anthryl group, fluoranthenyl group, acephenanthrenyl group, aceanthrylenyl group, triphenylyl group, pyrenyl group , A chrycenyl group, a naphthacenyl group, and the like.

  Examples of the non-fused cyclic hydrocarbon group include monovalent groups of monocyclic hydrocarbon compounds such as benzene, diphenyl ether, polyethylene diphenyl ether, diphenyl thioether and diphenyl sulfone, or biphenyl, polyphenyl, diphenylalkane, diphenylalkene, diphenylalkyne, Monovalent groups of non-condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compounds such as triphenylmethane, distyrylbenzene, 1,1-diphenylcycloalkane, polyphenylalkane, and polyphenylalkene, or ring assemblies such as 9,9-diphenylfluorene And monovalent groups of hydrocarbon compounds.

Examples of the heterocyclic group include monovalent groups such as carbazole, dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, oxadiazole, and thiadiazole.
The aryl group represented by Ar ₃ or Ar ₄ may have a substituent as shown below, for example.
(1) Halogen atom, cyano group, nitro group and the like.
(2) Alkyl groups, preferably C ₁ -C _12, especially C ₁ -C ₈ , more preferably C ₁ -C ₄ linear or branched alkyl groups, further including fluorine atoms , a hydroxyl group, a cyano _group, an alkoxy group of C 1 -C _4, a phenyl group or a halogen _atom, which may have a phenyl group substituted by an alkoxy group C 1 -C ₄ alkyl or _C 1 -C ₄ Good. Specifically, methyl group, ethyl group, n-butyl group, i-propyl group, t-butyl group, s-butyl group, n-propyl group, trifluoromethyl group, 2-hydroxyethyl group, 2-ethoxyethyl Group, 2-cyanoethyl group, 2-methoxyethyl group, benzyl group, 4-chlorobenzyl group, 4-methylbenzyl group, 4-phenylbenzyl group and the like.
(3) An alkoxy group (—OR ₂ ), and R ₂ represents the alkyl group defined in (2). Specifically, methoxy group, ethoxy group, n-propoxy group, i-propoxy group, t-butoxy group, n-butoxy group, s-butoxy group, i-butoxy group, 2-hydroxyethoxy group, benzyloxy group And a trifluoromethoxy group.
(4) An aryloxy group, and examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group and a naphthyl group. It _may contain an alkoxy group having C 1 -C _4, alkyl group, or a halogen atom C 1 -C ₄ as a substituent. Specific examples include a phenoxy group, a 1-naphthyloxy group, a 2-naphthyloxy group, a 4-methoxyphenoxy group, and a 4-methylphenoxy group.
(5) Alkyl mercapto group or aryl mercapto group, and specific examples include methylthio group, ethylthio group, phenylthio group, p-methylphenylthio group and the like.
(6)

（式中、Ｒ_３及びＲ_４は各々独立に水素原子、前記（２）で定義したアルキル基、またはアリール基を表わす。アリール基としては、例えばフェニル基、ビフェニル基又はナフチル基が挙げられ、これらはＣ_１〜Ｃ_４のアルコキシ基、Ｃ_１〜Ｃ_４のアルキル基またはハロゲン原子を置換基として含有してもよい。Ｒ_３及びＲ_４は共同で環を形成してもよい）
具体的には、アミノ基、ジエチルアミノ基、Ｎ−メチル−Ｎ−フェニルアミノ基、Ｎ，Ｎ−ジフェニルアミノ基、Ｎ，Ｎ−ジ（トリール）アミノ基、ジベンジルアミノ基、ピペリジノ基、モルホリノ基、ピロリジノ基等が挙げられる。
（７）メチレンジオキシ基、又はメチレンジチオ基等のアルキレンジオキシ基又はアルキレンジチオ基等が挙げられる。
（８）置換又は無置換のスチリル基、置換又は無置換のβ−フェニルスチリル基、ジフェニルアミノフェニル基、ジトリルアミノフェニル基等。

(In the formula, R ₃ and R ₄ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group defined in (2) above, or an aryl group. Examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group, a biphenyl group, and a naphthyl group. these may form a ring _C 1 -C ₄ alkoxy _groups, C 1 -C a alkyl group or a halogen atom ₄ which may contain as substituents .R ₃ and _{R 4} jointly)
Specifically, amino group, diethylamino group, N-methyl-N-phenylamino group, N, N-diphenylamino group, N, N-di (tolyl) amino group, dibenzylamino group, piperidino group, morpholino group And pyrrolidino group.
(7) An alkylenedioxy group or an alkylenedithio group such as a methylenedioxy group or a methylenedithio group.
(8) A substituted or unsubstituted styryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted β-phenylstyryl group, a diphenylaminophenyl group, a ditolylaminophenyl group, and the like.

The arylene group represented by Ar ₁ and Ar ₂ is a divalent group derived from the aryl group represented by Ar ₃ and Ar ₄ .

X represents a single bond, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene ether group, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a vinylene group. However, when m is 0, X is preferably not a single bond.
The substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group is a C ₁ -C ₁₂ , preferably C ₁ -C ₈ , more preferably C ₁ -C ₄ linear or branched alkylene group, and these alkylene groups include a fluorine atom, a hydroxyl group, a cyano _group, an alkoxy group of C 1 -C _4, a phenyl group or a halogen _atom, a phenyl group substituted with an alkyl group or a _C 1 -C ₄ alkoxy group C 1 -C ₄ It may be. Specifically, methylene group, ethylene group, n-butylene group, i-propylene group, t-butylene group, s-butylene group, n-propylene group, trifluoromethylene group, 2-hydroxyethylene group, 2-ethoxyethylene Group, 2-cyanoethylene group, 2-methoxyethylene group, benzylidene group, phenylethylene group, 4-chlorophenylethylene group, 4-methylphenylethylene group, 4-biphenylethylene group and the like.
The substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylene _group, a cyclic alkylene group of C 5 -C _7, these are the cyclic alkylene group fluorine atom, a hydroxyl _group, an alkyl group of C 1 -C _4, a C 1 -C ₄ It may have an alkoxy group. Specific examples include a cyclohexylidene group, a cyclohexylene group, and a 3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene group.
The substituted or unsubstituted alkylene ether group represents ethyleneoxy, propyleneoxy, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, alkylene ether group alkylene group is hydroxyl group, methyl group, ethyl group, etc. You may have the substituent of.
The vinylene group is

で表わされ、
Ｒ_５は水素、アルキル基（前記（２）で定義されるアルキル基と同じ）、アリール基（前記Ａｒ_３、Ａｒ_４で表わされるアリール基と同じ）、ａは１または２、ｂは１〜３を表わす。

Represented by
R ₅ is hydrogen, an alkyl group (same as the alkyl group defined in (2) above), an aryl group (same as the aryl group represented by Ar ₃ or Ar ₄ above), a is 1 or 2, and b is 1 to 2 3 is represented.

Z represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene ether divalent group, or an alkyleneoxycarbonyl divalent group.
Examples of the substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group include the same alkylene groups as those described above for X.
Examples of the substituted or unsubstituted alkylene ether divalent group include the divalent group of the alkylene ether group of X.
Examples of the alkyleneoxycarbonyl divalent group include a caprolactone-modified divalent group.

  Further, the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure of the present invention is more preferably a compound having a structure of the following general formula (3).

（式中、ｏ、ｐ、ｑはそれぞれ０又は１の整数、Ｒａは水素原子、メチル基を表わし、Ｒｂ、Ｒｃは水素原子以外の置換基で炭素数１〜６のアルキル基を表わし、複数の場合は異なっても良い。ｓ、ｔは０〜３の整数を表わす。Ｚａは単結合、メチレン基、エチレン基、

(Wherein, o, p and q are each an integer of 0 or 1, Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Rb and Rc represent a substituent other than a hydrogen atom and an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, And s and t each represents an integer of 0 to 3. Za is a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group,

を表わす。）
上記一般式で表わされる化合物としては、Ｒｂ、Ｒｃの置換基として、特にメチル基、エチル基である化合物が好ましい。
本発明で用いる上記一般式（１）及び（２）特に（３）の１官能性の電荷輸送構造を有するラジカル重合性化合物は、炭素−炭素間の二重結合が両側に開放されて重合するため、末端構造とはならず、連鎖重合体中に組み込まれ、３官能以上のラジカル重合性モノマーとの重合で架橋形成された重合体中では、高分子の主鎖中に存在し、かつ主鎖−主鎖間の架橋鎖中に存在（この架橋鎖には１つの高分子と他の高分子間の分子間架橋鎖と、１つの高分子内で折り畳まれた状態の主鎖のある部位と主鎖中でこれから離れた位置に重合したモノマー由来の他の部位とが架橋される分子内架橋鎖とがある）するが、主鎖中に存在する場合であってもまた架橋鎖中に存在する場合であっても、鎖部分から懸下するトリアリールアミン構造は、窒素原子から放射状方向に配置する少なくとも３つのアリール基を有し、バルキーであるが、鎖部分に直接結合しておらず鎖部分からカルボニル基等を介して懸下しているため立体的位置取りに融通性ある状態で固定されているので、これらトリアリールアミン構造は重合体中で相互に程よく隣接する空間配置が可能であるため、分子内の構造的歪みが少なく、また、電子写真感光体の表面層とされた場合に、電荷輸送経路の断絶を比較的免れた分子内構造を採りうるものと推測される。
本発明の１官能の電荷輸送性構造を有するラジカル重合性化合物の具体例を以下に示すが、これらの構造の化合物に限定されるものではない。

Represents. )
As the compound represented by the above general formula, a compound having a methyl group or an ethyl group as a substituent for Rb and Rc is particularly preferable.
The radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure represented by the general formulas (1) and (2), particularly (3) used in the present invention is polymerized with the carbon-carbon double bond open on both sides. Therefore, in a polymer that is not a terminal structure but is incorporated in a chain polymer and crosslinked by polymerization with a tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer, it exists in the main chain of the polymer, and Present in the cross-linked chain between the chain and the main chain (this cross-linked chain has an intermolecular cross-linked chain between one polymer and another polymer, and a site where the main chain is folded in one polymer. And other intramolecular cross-linked chains that are cross-linked with other sites derived from the polymerized monomer at positions away from this in the main chain), but even if they are present in the main chain, Even if present, the triarylamine structure suspended from the chain moiety is It has at least three aryl groups arranged in the radial direction and is bulky, but is not directly bonded to the chain part, but is suspended from the chain part via a carbonyl group, etc. Since these triarylamine structures can be arranged adjacent to each other in the polymer, there is little structural distortion in the molecule, and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is also fixed. In the case of a layer, it is presumed that an intramolecular structure that is relatively free from interruption of the charge transport pathway can be adopted.
Specific examples of the radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure of the present invention are shown below, but are not limited to the compounds having these structures.

  Further, the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure used in the present invention is important for imparting the charge transport performance of the crosslinked charge transport layer. -80% by weight, preferably 30-70% by weight. If this component is less than 20% by weight, the charge transport performance of the crosslinkable charge transport layer cannot be maintained sufficiently, and deterioration of electrical characteristics such as a decrease in sensitivity and an increase in residual potential will occur with repeated use. On the other hand, if it exceeds 80% by weight, the content of the trifunctional monomer having no charge transport structure is lowered, and the crosslink density is lowered, so that high wear resistance is not exhibited. The electrical characteristics and abrasion resistance required differ depending on the process used, and the film thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer of the photoreceptor varies accordingly. A range of 70% by weight is most preferred.

The crosslinkable charge transport layer of the present invention is obtained by curing at least a trifunctional or higher radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure and a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure. Monofunctional and bifunctional radically polymerizable monomers and radically polymerizable oligomers are used in combination for the purpose of imparting functions such as viscosity adjustment during coating, stress relaxation of the cross-linked charge transport layer, lower surface energy and reduced friction coefficient. be able to. Known radical polymerizable monomers and oligomers can be used.
Examples of the monofunctional radical monomer include 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl carbitol acrylate, 3-methoxybutyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, and cyclohexyl acrylate. , Isoamyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, methoxytriethylene glycol acrylate, phenoxytetraethylene glycol acrylate, cetyl acrylate, isostearyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, styrene monomer, and the like.
Examples of the bifunctional radical polymerizable monomer include 1,3-butanediol diacrylate, 1,4-butanediol diacrylate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, 1, Examples include 6-hexanediol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, bisphenol A-EO modified diacrylate, bisphenol F-EO modified diacrylate, and neopentyl glycol diacrylate.
Examples of the functional monomer include those substituted with a fluorine atom such as octafluoropentyl acrylate, 2-perfluorooctylethyl acrylate, 2-perfluorooctylethyl methacrylate, 2-perfluoroisononylethyl acrylate, No. 60503, JP-B-6-45770, siloxane repeating units: 20-70 acryloyl polydimethylsiloxane ethyl, methacryloyl polydimethylsiloxane ethyl, acryloyl polydimethylsiloxane propyl, acryloyl polydimethylsiloxane butyl, diacryloyl polydimethylsiloxane Examples include vinyl monomers having a polysiloxane group such as diethyl, acrylates and methacrylates.
Examples of the radical polymerizable oligomer include epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, and polyester acrylate oligomers. However, if a large amount of monofunctional and bifunctional radically polymerizable monomers and radically polymerizable oligomers are contained, the three-dimensional crosslink density of the crosslinkable charge transport layer is substantially decreased, leading to a decrease in wear resistance. For this reason, the content of these monomers and oligomers is limited to 50 parts by weight or less, preferably 30 parts by weight or less, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer.
The cross-linked charge transport layer of the present invention is obtained by curing at least a radical polymerizable monomer having at least three functional groups having no charge transport structure and a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure by light irradiation. but Ru contain a photopolymerization initiator in the cross-linked charge transport layer coating solution in order to proceed efficiently curing reaction of this.

Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include diethoxyacetophenone, 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethane-1-one, 1-hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone, 4- (2-hydroxyethoxy) phenyl- (2 -Hydroxy-2-propyl) ketone, 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1- (4-morpholinophenyl) butanone-1, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one, 2- Acetophenone-based or ketal-based photopolymerization initiators such as methyl-2-morpholino (4-methylthiophenyl) propan-1-one, 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione-2- (o-ethoxycarbonyl) oxime, Benzoin, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isobutyl ether Benzoin ether photopolymerization initiators such as benzoin isopropyl ether, benzophenone, 4-hydroxybenzophenone, methyl o-benzoylbenzoate, 2-benzoylnaphthalene, 4-benzoylbiphenyl, 4-benzoylphenyl ether, acrylated benzophenone, Benzophenone photopolymerization initiators such as 1,4-benzoylbenzene, thioxanthones such as 2-isopropylthioxanthone, 2-chlorothioxanthone, 2,4-dimethylthioxanthone, 2,4-diethylthioxanthone, 2,4-dichlorothioxanthone Examples of photopolymerization initiators and other photopolymerization initiators include ethyl anthraquinone, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic acid. Phenylethoxyphosphine oxide, bis (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phenylphosphine oxide, bis (2,4-dimethoxybenzoyl) -2,4,4-trimethylpentylphosphine oxide, methylphenylglyoxyester, 9,10 -Phenanthrene, an acridine type compound, a triazine type compound, an imidazole type compound is mentioned. Moreover, what has a photopolymerization acceleration effect can also be used individually or in combination with the said photoinitiator. Examples thereof include triethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine, ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, isoamyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, (2-dimethylamino) ethyl benzoate, 4,4′-dimethylaminobenzophenone, and the like.
These polymerization initiators may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of the polymerization initiator is 0.5 to 40 parts by weight, preferably 1 to 20 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the total content having radical polymerizability.

  Furthermore, the crosslinkable charge transport layer coating liquid of the present invention may contain additives such as various plasticizers (for the purpose of stress relaxation and adhesion improvement), leveling agents, and low molecular charge transport materials having no radical reactivity. Can be contained. As these additives, known additives can be used, and as plasticizers, those used in general resins such as dibutyl phthalate and dioctyl phthalate can be used, and the amount used is the total solid content of the coating liquid. To 20% by weight or less, preferably 10% or less. As leveling agents, silicone oils such as dimethyl silicone oil and methylphenyl silicone oil, polymers or oligomers having a perfluoroalkyl group in the side chain can be used, and the amount used is based on the total solid content of the coating liquid. 3% by weight or less is appropriate.

  The crosslinkable charge transport layer of the present invention will be described later with a coating liquid containing at least a trifunctional or higher-functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure and a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure. It is formed by coating and curing on the charge transport layer. When the radically polymerizable monomer is a liquid, such a coating liquid can be applied by dissolving other components in the liquid, but if necessary, it is diluted with a solvent and applied. Solvents used at this time include alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone, esters such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and propyl ether. Ethers such as dichloromethane, halogens such as dichloromethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethane, and chlorobenzene, aromatics such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, and cellosolves such as methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, and cellosolve acetate. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The dilution ratio with the solvent varies depending on the solubility of the composition, the coating method, and the target film thickness, and is arbitrary. The coating can be performed using a dip coating method, spray coating, bead coating, ring coating method or the like.

In the present invention, after applying such a crosslinkable charge transport layer coating solution, energy is externally applied and cured to form a crosslinkable charge transport layer. The external energy used at this time is light. The UV light source such as high-pressure mercury lamp or metal halide lamp that has emission wavelength mainly in ultraviolet light can be used as light energy. Is possible. Irradiation light amount is 50 mW / cm ² or more, preferably 1000 mW / cm ² or less, it takes time for the curing reaction is less than 50 mW / cm ^2. If it is higher than 1000 mW / cm ^2, the progress of the reaction becomes non-uniform, and local flaws are generated on the surface of the cross-linked charge transport layer, or many unreacted residues and reaction termination ends are generated. Further, the internal stress increases due to rapid crosslinking, ing the cause of cracking and peeling. Reaction rate control ease, it is useful that using energy convenience or Stanislaus Lo Kuang devices.

The film thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer of the present invention is 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, more preferably 2 μm or more and 8 μm or less. If it is thicker than 10 μm, cracks and film peeling are likely to occur as described above, and if it is 8 μm or less, the margin is further improved, so that the crosslink density can be increased, and material selection and curing that further increase wear resistance. Conditions can be set. On the other hand, the radical polymerization reaction is prone to oxygen inhibition, that is, the surface in contact with the air is not easily cross-linked or non-uniform due to the effect of radical trapping by oxygen. This effect appears remarkably in the surface layer of 1 μm or less, and the cross-linked charge transport layer having a thickness of less than this thickness is liable to cause a decrease in wear resistance or uneven wear. In addition, mixing of the lower layer charge transport layer component occurs during the application of the crosslinkable charge transport layer. If the coating thickness of the crosslinkable charge transport layer is thin, the contaminants spread throughout the layer, which inhibits the curing reaction and lowers the crosslink density. For these reasons, the cross-linked charge transport layer of the present invention has good wear resistance and scratch resistance at a film thickness of 1 μm or more, but when it is repeatedly used, it can be locally scraped to the lower charge transport layer. The wear of the portion increases, and the density unevenness of the halftone image tends to occur due to the chargeability and sensitivity fluctuation. Therefore, it is desirable that the thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer be 2 μm or more for a longer life and higher image quality.
In the present invention, the charge generation layer, the charge transport layer, and the crosslinkable charge transport layer are sequentially laminated. When the outermost crosslinkable charge transport layer is insoluble in an organic solvent, the wear resistance, scratch resistance, It is characterized by achieving sex. As a method for testing the solubility in an organic solvent, a drop of an organic solvent having high solubility in a polymer substance, for example, tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, or the like, is dropped on the surface layer of the photoconductor, and the surface shape of the photoconductor is dried after natural drying. It can be determined by observing the change with a stereomicroscope. Dissolving photoconductors have a phenomenon that the central part of the droplet becomes concave and the surroundings swell up, the charge transport material precipitates and becomes cloudy or cloudy due to crystallization, and the surface swells and then shrinks, causing wrinkles Changes such as phenomena are observed. In contrast, an insoluble photoconductor does not exhibit the above-described phenomenon, and does not change at all as before dropping.

  In the constitution of the present invention, in order to make the crosslinkable charge transport layer insoluble in the organic solvent, (1) composition of the crosslinkable charge transport layer coating solution, adjustment of the content ratio thereof, (2) crosslinkable charge Dilution solvent of transport layer coating solution, adjustment of solid content concentration, (3) Selection of coating method of crosslinkable charge transport layer, (4) Control of curing condition of crosslinkable charge transport layer, (5) Charge of lower layer It is important to control these, such as making the transport layer difficult to dissolve, but it is not achieved by a single factor.

  The composition of the crosslinkable charge transport layer coating liquid includes radical polymerization in addition to the above-described trifunctional or higher radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure and a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure. When a large amount of additives such as binder resins, antioxidants, and plasticizers that do not have a functional functional group are included, the crosslinking density is reduced, the cured product resulting from the reaction and phase separation of the above additives occur, and the organic solvent It becomes soluble to. Specifically, it is important to suppress the total content to 20% by weight or less with respect to the total solid content of the coating liquid. Further, in order not to dilute the crosslinking density, the total content of monofunctional or bifunctional radical polymerizable monomers, reactive oligomers, and reactive polymers is 20% by weight or less based on the trifunctional radical polymerizable monomers. It is desirable. Further, when a large amount of a radical polymerizable compound having a bifunctional or higher functional charge transporting structure is contained, a bulky structure is fixed in the crosslinked structure by a plurality of bonds, so that distortion is likely to occur. It is easy to become an aggregate. This can cause solubility in organic solvents. Although different depending on the compound structure, the content of the radical polymerizable compound having a bifunctional or higher functional charge transporting structure is preferably 10% by weight or less based on the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure.

Regarding the diluting solvent of the crosslinkable charge transport layer coating solution, if a solvent with a low evaporation rate is used, the remaining solvent may interfere with curing or increase the amount of the lower layer component mixed, resulting in uneven curing. And the cured density is reduced. For this reason, it tends to be soluble in organic solvents. Specifically, tetrahydrofuran, a mixed solvent of tetrahydrofuran and methanol, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl cellosolve and the like are useful, but are selected according to the coating method. Moreover, regarding the solid content concentration, if it is too low for the same reason, it tends to be soluble in an organic solvent. Conversely, the upper limit concentration is constrained by the limitations of film thickness and coating solution viscosity. Specifically, it is desirable to use in the range of 10 to 50% by weight. As the coating method for the cross-linked charge transport layer, for the same reason, the solvent content at the time of forming the coating film, the method of reducing the contact time with the solvent is preferable, specifically, the spray coating method, the amount of coating liquid A ring coat method in which the above is regulated is preferable. In order to suppress the amount of the lower layer component mixed, it is also effective to use a polymer charge transport material as the charge transport layer and to provide an insoluble intermediate layer for the coating solvent for the cross-linked charge transport layer.

As curing conditions for the cross-linked charge transport layer, if the energy of light irradiation is low, the curing is not completely completed and the solubility in the organic solvent is increased. On the other hand, when cured with very high energy, the curing reaction becomes non-uniform, and it tends to increase the number of uncrosslinked parts and radical stopping parts and to form an aggregate of minute cured products. For this reason, it may become soluble in an organic solvent. In order to insolubilize in an organic solvent , curing conditions by UV light irradiation are 50 to 1000 mW / cm ² , 5 seconds to 5 minutes, and the temperature rise is controlled to 50 ° C. or less to suppress non-uniform curing reaction. It is desirable.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described according to the layer structure.
<About the layer structure of the electrophotographic photoreceptor>
The electrophotographic photosensitive member used in the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention. On a conductive support (31), a charge generation layer (35) having a charge generation function and a charge transport layer having a charge transport material function are shown. (37) and a cross-linked charge transport layer (39).

<About conductive support>
As the conductive support (31), a material having a volume resistance of 10 ¹⁰ Ω · cm or less, for example, a metal such as aluminum, nickel, chromium, nichrome, copper, gold, silver, platinum, tin oxide, oxidation Metal oxide such as indium is deposited or sputtered to form film or cylindrical plastic, paper coated, or aluminum, aluminum alloy, nickel, stainless steel, etc. After conversion, a tube that has been subjected to surface treatment such as cutting, superfinishing, or polishing can be used. Further, an endless nickel belt and an endless stainless steel belt disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-36016 can be used as the conductive support (31).
In addition, the conductive support dispersed in a suitable binder resin and coated on the support can also be used as the conductive support (31) of the present invention.

  Examples of the conductive powder include carbon black, acetylene black, metal powder such as aluminum, nickel, iron, nichrome, copper, zinc and silver, or metal oxide powder such as conductive tin oxide and ITO. Can be mentioned. The binder resin used at the same time is polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer. , Polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyarylate resin, phenoxy resin, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate resin, ethyl cellulose resin, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl toluene, poly-N-vinyl carbazole, acrylic resin, silicone resin, epoxy resin, Examples thereof include thermoplastic, thermosetting resins, and photocurable resins such as melamine resin, urethane resin, phenol resin, and alkyd resin. Such a conductive layer can be provided by dispersing and coating these conductive powder and binder resin in a suitable solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, methyl ethyl ketone, and toluene.

  Further, a heat shrinkable tube in which the conductive powder is contained in a material such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene, chlorinated rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene-based fluororesin on a suitable cylindrical substrate. Those provided with a conductive layer can be used favorably as the conductive support (31) of the present invention.

<About photosensitive layer>
(Charge generation layer)
The charge generation layer (35) is a layer mainly composed of a charge generation material having a charge generation function, and a binder resin can be used in combination as necessary. As the charge generation material, inorganic materials and organic materials can be used.
Inorganic materials include crystalline selenium, amorphous selenium, selenium-tellurium, selenium-tellurium-halogen, selenium-arsenic compounds, and amorphous silicon. In amorphous silicon, dangling bonds that are terminated with hydrogen atoms or halogen atoms, or those that are doped with boron atoms, phosphorus atoms, or the like are preferably used.
On the other hand, a known material can be used as the organic material. For example, phthalocyanine pigments such as metal phthalocyanine and metal-free phthalocyanine, azulenium salt pigments, squaric acid methine pigments, azo pigments having carbazole skeleton, azo pigments having triphenylamine skeleton, azo pigments having diphenylamine skeleton, dibenzothiophene skeleton Azo pigments having fluorenone skeleton, azo pigments having oxadiazole skeleton, azo pigments having bis-stilbene skeleton, azo pigments having distyryl oxadiazole skeleton, azo pigments having distyrylcarbazole skeleton, perylene Pigments, anthraquinone or polycyclic quinone pigments, quinoneimine pigments, diphenylmethane and triphenylmethane pigments, benzoquinone and naphthoquinone pigments, cyanine and azomethine pigments, Goido based pigments, and bisbenzimidazole pigments. These charge generation materials can be used alone or as a mixture of two or more.

  The binder resin used as necessary for the charge generation layer (35) is polyamide, polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyketone, polycarbonate, silicone resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl ketone, polystyrene, poly-N-. Examples thereof include vinyl carbazole and polyacrylamide. These binder resins can be used alone or as a mixture of two or more. In addition to the binder resin described above as a binder resin for the charge generation layer, a polymer charge transport material having a charge transport function, such as an arylamine skeleton, benzidine skeleton, hydrazone skeleton, carbazole skeleton, stilbene skeleton, pyrazoline skeleton, etc. Polymer materials such as polycarbonate, polyester, polyurethane, polyether, polysiloxane, and acrylic resin, polymer materials having a polysilane skeleton, and the like can be used.

Specific examples of the former include JP-A-01-001728, JP-A-01-009964, JP-A-01-013061, JP-A-01-019049, JP-A-01-241559, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 04-011627, 04-175337, 04-183719, 04-2225014, 04-230767, 04-320420, 05 -232727, JP-A 05-310904, JP-A 06-234836, JP-A 06-234837, JP-A 06-234838, JP-A 06-234839, JP-A 06-234840. No. 1, JP-A 06-234841, JP-A 06-239049, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 06-236050, 06-236051, 06-295077, 07-0756374, 08-176293, 08-208820, 08 No. -21640, JP 08-253568, JP 08-269183, JP 09-062019, JP 09-043883, JP 09-71642, JP 09-87376. JP-A 09-104746, JP-A 09-110974, JP-A 09-110976, JP-A 09-157378, JP-A 09-221544, JP-A 09-227669. JP 09-235367 A, JP 09-241369 A Charge transporting polymer materials described in JP 09-268226 A, JP 09-272735 A, JP 09-302084 A, JP 09-302085 A, JP 09-328539 A, etc. Can be mentioned.
Specific examples of the latter include polysilylene polymers described in, for example, JP-A No. 63-285552, JP-A No. 05-19497, JP-A No. 05-70595, JP-A No. 10-73944, and the like. Illustrated.

The charge generation layer (35) may contain a low molecular charge transport material.
Low molecular charge transport materials that can be used in combination with the charge generation layer (35) include hole transport materials and electron transport materials.
Examples of the electron transporting material include chloroanil, bromanyl, tetracyanoethylene, tetracyanoquinodimethane, 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone, 2,4,5,7-tetranitro-9-fluorenone, 2,4 , 5,7-tetranitroxanthone, 2,4,8-trinitrothioxanthone, 2,6,8-trinitro-4H-indeno [1,2-b] thiophen-4-one, 1,3,7-tri Examples thereof include electron-accepting substances such as nitrodibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide and diphenoquinone derivatives. These electron transport materials can be used alone or as a mixture of two or more.

  Examples of the hole transporting material include the electron donating materials shown below and are used favorably. As hole transport materials, oxazole derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, imidazole derivatives, monoarylamine derivatives, diarylamine derivatives, triarylamine derivatives, stilbene derivatives, α-phenylstilbene derivatives, benzidine derivatives, diarylmethane derivatives, triaryls Other known materials such as methane derivatives, 9-styrylanthracene derivatives, pyrazoline derivatives, divinylbenzene derivatives, hydrazone derivatives, indene derivatives, butadiene derivatives, pyrene derivatives, bisstilbene derivatives, enamine derivatives, and the like can be given. These hole transport materials can be used alone or as a mixture of two or more.

Methods for forming the charge generation layer (35) include a vacuum thin film preparation method and a casting method from a solution dispersion system.
As the former method, a vacuum deposition method, a glow discharge decomposition method, an ion plating method, a sputtering method, a reactive sputtering method, a CVD method, or the like is used, and the above-described inorganic materials and organic materials can be satisfactorily formed.
In addition, in order to provide a charge generation layer by the casting method described later, if necessary, the inorganic or organic charge generation material together with a binder resin, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, dioxolane, toluene, dichloromethane, monochlorobenzene, dichloroethane, cyclohexanone, cyclohexane. Can be formed by dispersing with a ball mill, attritor, sand mill, bead mill, etc. using a solvent such as pentanone, anisole, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, etc. . Moreover, leveling agents, such as a dimethyl silicone oil and a methylphenyl silicone oil, can be added as needed. The coating can be performed using a dip coating method, spray coating, bead coating, ring coating method or the like.
The thickness of the charge generation layer provided as described above is suitably about 0.01 to 5 μm, preferably 0.05 to 2 μm.

(About charge transport layer)
The charge transport layer (37) is a layer having a charge transport function. A charge transport material having a charge transport function and a binder resin are dissolved or dispersed in an appropriate solvent, and this is coated on the charge generation layer (35) and dried. To form.
As the charge transport material, the electron transport material, hole transport material and polymer charge transport material described in the charge generation layer (35) can be used. As described above, the use of the polymer charge transport material can reduce the solubility of the lower layer when the cross-linked charge transport layer is applied, and is particularly useful.

As the binder resin, polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl acetate, Polyvinylidene chloride, polyarylate resin, phenoxy resin, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate resin, ethyl cellulose resin, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl toluene, poly-N-vinyl carbazole, acrylic resin, silicone resin, epoxy resin, melamine resin, urethane resin And thermoplastic or thermosetting resins such as phenol resins and alkyd resins.
The amount of the charge transport material is appropriately 20 to 300 parts by weight, preferably 40 to 150 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. However, when a polymer charge transport material is used, it can be used alone or in combination with a binder resin.
As the solvent used for coating the charge transport layer, the same solvent as that used for the charge generation layer can be used, but a solvent that dissolves the charge transport material and the binder resin well is suitable. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The lower layer portion of the charge transport layer can be formed by a coating method similar to that for the charge generation layer (35).

If necessary, a plasticizer and a leveling agent can be added.
As a plasticizer that can be used in combination with the charge transport layer, those used as plasticizers for general resins such as dibutyl phthalate and dioctyl phthalate can be used as they are, and the amount used is 0 with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. About 30 parts by weight is appropriate.
Leveling agents that can be used in combination with the charge transport layer include silicone oils such as dimethyl silicone oil and methylphenyl silicone oil, and polymers or oligomers having a perfluoroalkyl group in the side chain. The amount used is a binder resin. About 0 to 1 part by weight is appropriate for 100 parts by weight.
The thickness of the charge transport layer is suitably about 5 to 40 μm, preferably about 10 to 30 μm. On the charge transport layer thus formed, the above-mentioned crosslinkable charge transport layer coating solution is applied, dried as necessary, and a curing reaction is started by external energy of heat or light irradiation, thereby crosslinkable charge. A transport layer is formed.

<About the intermediate layer>
In the photoreceptor of the present invention, an intermediate layer is provided between the charge transport layer and the cross-linked charge transport layer for the purpose of suppressing charge transport layer component mixing into the cross-linked charge transport layer or improving adhesion between the two layers. It is possible. For this reason, as the intermediate layer, those which are insoluble or hardly soluble in the cross-linked charge transport layer coating solution are suitable, and generally a binder resin is used as a main component. Examples of these resins include polyamide, alcohol-soluble nylon, water-soluble polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl butyral, and polyvinyl alcohol. As a method for forming the intermediate layer, a generally used coating method is employed as described above. The thickness of the intermediate layer is suitably about 0.05 to 2 μm.

<About the undercoat layer>
In the photoreceptor of the present invention, an undercoat layer can be provided between the conductive support (31) and the photosensitive layer. In general, the undercoat layer is mainly composed of a resin. However, considering that the photosensitive layer is coated with a solvent on these resins, the resin may be a resin having high solvent resistance with respect to a general organic solvent. desirable. Examples of such resins include water-soluble resins such as polyvinyl alcohol, casein, and sodium polyacrylate, alcohol-soluble resins such as copolymer nylon and methoxymethylated nylon, polyurethane, melamine resin, phenol resin, alkyd-melamine resin, and epoxy. Examples thereof include a curable resin that forms a three-dimensional network structure such as a resin. Further, a metal oxide fine powder pigment exemplified by titanium oxide, silica, alumina, zirconium oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide and the like may be added to the undercoat layer in order to prevent moire and reduce residual potential.
These undercoat layers can be formed using an appropriate solvent and a coating method like the above-mentioned photosensitive layer. Furthermore, a silane coupling agent, a titanium coupling agent, a chromium coupling agent, or the like can be used as the undercoat layer of the present invention. In addition, in the undercoat layer of the present invention, Al ₂ O ₃ is provided by anodic oxidation, organic matter such as polyparaxylylene (parylene), SiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , TiO ₂ , ITO, CeO ₂ A material provided with an inorganic material such as a vacuum thin film can also be used favorably. In addition, known ones can be used. The thickness of the undercoat layer is suitably from 0 to 5 μm.

<Addition of antioxidant to each layer>
Further, in the present invention, in order to improve environmental resistance, in particular, for the purpose of preventing a decrease in sensitivity and an increase in residual potential, a cross-linked charge transport layer, a charge transport layer, a charge generation layer, an undercoat layer, an intermediate layer An antioxidant can be added to each layer.

The following are mentioned as antioxidant which can be used for this invention.
(Phenolic compounds)
2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol, butylated hydroxyanisole, 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-ethylphenol, stearyl-β- (3,5-di-t-butyl-4 -Hydroxyphenyl) propionate, 2,2'-methylene-bis- (4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'-methylene-bis- (4-ethyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 4, 4'-thiobis- (3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 4,4'-butylidenebis- (3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 1,1,3-tris- (2-methyl-4 -Hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) butane, 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris (3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) benzene, tetrakis- [methylene- -(3 ', 5'-di-t-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate] methane, bis [3,3'-bis (4'-hydroxy-3'-t-butylphenyl) butyric acid ] Cryol ester, tocopherols and the like.

(Paraphenylenediamines)
N-phenyl-N'-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-phenyl-N-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N'- Di-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N′-dimethyl-N, N′-di-t-butyl-p-phenylenediamine and the like.

(Hydroquinones)
2,5-di-t-octylhydroquinone, 2,6-didodecylhydroquinone, 2-dodecylhydroquinone, 2-dodecyl-5-chlorohydroquinone, 2-t-octyl-5-methylhydroquinone, 2- (2-octadecenyl) ) -5-methylhydroquinone and the like.

(Organic sulfur compounds)
Dilauryl-3,3′-thiodipropionate, distearyl-3,3′-thiodipropionate, ditetradecyl-3,3′-thiodipropionate, and the like.

(Organic phosphorus compounds)
Triphenylphosphine, tri (nonylphenyl) phosphine, tri (dinonylphenyl) phosphine, tricresylphosphine, tri (2,4-dibutylphenoxy) phosphine, and the like.
These compounds are known as antioxidants such as rubbers, plastics and fats and oils, and commercially available products can be easily obtained.
The addition amount of the antioxidant in this invention is 0.01 to 10 weight% with respect to the total weight of the layer to add.

<Image Forming Method and Apparatus>
Next, the image forming method and the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The image forming method and the image forming apparatus of the present invention use a laminated photoreceptor having a crosslinkable charge transport layer on the surface, which has very high wear resistance and scratch resistance and is unlikely to cause cracks or film peeling. An image forming method and an image forming apparatus comprising a process of charging, image exposure, and developing on a photoconductor, followed by a process of transferring a toner image onto an image carrier (transfer paper), fixing, and cleaning the surface of the photoconductor It is.
In some cases, an image forming method or the like in which an electrostatic latent image is directly transferred to a transfer member and developed does not necessarily have the above-described process arranged on a photosensitive member.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus. A charging charger (3) is used as a means for charging the photoconductor on average. As the charging means, a corotron device, a scorotron device, a solid discharge element, a needle electrode device, a roller charging device, a conductive brush device, or the like is used, and a known system can be used.
In particular, the configuration of the present invention is particularly effective when a charging unit such as a contact charging method or a non-contact proximity arrangement charging method is used in which the photosensitive composition is decomposed by proximity discharge from the charging unit. The contact charging method referred to here is a charging method in which a charging roller, a charging brush, a charging blade, or the like is in direct contact with the photosensitive member. On the other hand, the proximity charging method is, for example, a type in which the charging roller is arranged in a non-contact state so as to have a gap of 200 μm or less between the surface of the photoreceptor and the charging means. If this gap is too large, the charging tends to become unstable, and if it is too small, the surface of the charging member may be contaminated when toner remaining on the photoreceptor exists. is there. Accordingly, the gap is suitably 10 to 200 μm, preferably 10 to 100 μm.
Next, the image exposure unit (5) is used to form an electrostatic latent image on the uniformly charged photoreceptor (1). As the light source, all luminescent materials such as a fluorescent lamp, a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, a sodium lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), a semiconductor laser (LD), and an electroluminescence (EL) can be used. Various types of filters such as a sharp cut filter, a band pass filter, a near infrared cut filter, a dichroic filter, an interference filter, and a color temperature conversion filter can be used to irradiate only light in a desired wavelength range.
Next, the developing unit (6) is used to visualize the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor (1). Development methods include a one-component development method using a dry toner, a two-component development method, and a wet development method using a wet toner. When the photosensitive member is positively (negatively) charged and image exposure is performed, a positive (negative) electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive member. A positive image can be obtained by developing this with negative (positive) toner (electrodetection fine particles), and a negative image can be obtained by developing with positive (negative) toner.
Next, a transfer charger (10) is used to transfer the toner image visualized on the photoconductor onto the transfer body (9). In addition, a pre-transfer charger (7) may be used for better transfer. As these transfer means, a transfer charger, an electrostatic transfer method using a bias roller, a mechanical transfer method such as an adhesive transfer method and a pressure transfer method, and a magnetic transfer method can be used. As the electrostatic transfer method, the charging means can be used.
Next, a separation charger (11) and a separation claw (12) are used as means for separating the transfer body (9) from the photoreceptor (1). As other separation means, electrostatic adsorption induction separation, side end belt separation, tip grip conveyance, curvature separation, and the like are used. As the separation charger (11), the charging means can be used.
Next, a fur brush (14) and a cleaning blade (15) are used to clean the toner remaining on the photoreceptor after transfer. Further, a pre-cleaning charger (13) may be used in order to perform cleaning more efficiently. Other cleaning means include a web method, a magnet brush method, and the like, but each may be used alone or in combination.
Next, a neutralizing unit is used for the purpose of removing the latent image on the photoreceptor as required. As the charge removal means, a charge removal lamp (2) and a charge removal charger are used, and the exposure light source and the charging means can be used respectively.
In addition, known processes can be used for reading, feeding, fixing, paper discharge and the like that are not close to the photoconductor.

The present invention is an image forming method and an image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic photoreceptor according to the present invention for such image forming means.
The image forming means may be fixedly incorporated in a copying apparatus, facsimile, or printer, but may be incorporated in these apparatuses in the form of a process cartridge and detachable. An example of the process cartridge is shown in FIG.
The process cartridge for the image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor (101), and in addition, a charging unit (102), a developing unit (104), a transfer unit (106), a cleaning unit (107), and a discharging unit (not shown). ), And an apparatus (part) that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body.
Referring to the image forming process by the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3, the surface of the photoconductor (101) is exposed by charging by the charging means (102) and exposure by the exposure means (103) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image is formed, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing means (104). The toner development is transferred to the transfer body (105) by the transfer means (106), and printed. Out. Next, the surface of the photoconductor after the image transfer is cleaned by a cleaning unit (107), and further neutralized by a neutralizing unit (not shown), and the above operation is repeated again.
The present invention provides a laminate type photoreceptor having a cross-linked charge transport layer on the surface, which has very high wear resistance and scratch resistance and is unlikely to cause cracks and film peeling, and at least one of charging, developing, transferring, cleaning, and neutralizing means. The present invention provides a process cartridge for an image forming apparatus in which the two are integrated.
As is apparent from the above description, the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention is not only used in electrophotographic copying machines, but also in electrophotographic application fields such as laser beam printers, CRT printers, LED printers, liquid crystal printers, and laser plate making. Can also be used widely.

<Synthesis example of compound having monofunctional charge transport structure>
The compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure in the present invention is synthesized, for example, by the method described in Japanese Patent No. 3164426. An example of this is shown below.
(1) Synthesis of hydroxy group-substituted triarylamine compound (the following structural formula B) 113.85 g (0.3 mol) of a methoxy group-substituted triarylamine compound (the following structural formula A) and 138 g (0.92 mol) of sodium iodide To this, 240 ml of sulfolane was added and heated to 60 ° C. in a nitrogen stream. In this liquid, 99 g (0.91 mol) of trimethylchlorosilane was added dropwise over 1 hour and stirred at a temperature of about 60 ° C. for 4 and a half hours to complete the reaction. About 1.5 L of toluene was added to the reaction solution, cooled to room temperature, and washed repeatedly with water and an aqueous sodium carbonate solution. Thereafter, the solvent was removed from the toluene solution, and purification was performed by column chromatography (adsorption medium: silica gel, developing solvent: toluene: ethyl acetate = 20: 1). Cyclohexane was added to the obtained pale yellow oil to precipitate crystals. In this way, 88.1 g (yield = 80.4%) of white crystals of the following structural formula B was obtained.
Melting point: 64.0-66.0 ° C

(2) Triarylamino group-substituted acrylate compound (Exemplary Compound No. 54 in Table 1)
82.9 g (0.227 mol) of the hydroxy group-substituted triarylamine compound (Structural Formula B) obtained in (1) above was dissolved in 400 ml of tetrahydrofuran, and an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH: 12.4 g, Water: 100 ml) was added dropwise. The solution was cooled to 5 ° C., and 25.2 g (0.272 mol) of acrylic acid chloride was added dropwise over 40 minutes. Then, it stirred at 5 degreeC for 3 hours, and reaction was complete | finished. The reaction solution was poured into water and extracted with toluene. This extract was repeatedly washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and water. Thereafter, the solvent was removed from the toluene solution, and purification was performed by column chromatography (adsorption medium: silica gel, developing solvent: toluene). N-Hexane was added to the obtained colorless oil to precipitate crystals. In this way, Exemplified Compound No. As a result, 80.73 g (yield = 84.8%) of 54 white crystals were obtained.
Melting point: 117.5-119.0 ° C

EXAMPLES Next, although an Example demonstrates this invention further in detail, this invention is not limited to a following example. Note that “parts” used in the examples all represent parts by weight.
<Example 1>
By coating and drying an undercoat layer coating solution, a charge generation layer coating solution, and a charge transport layer coating solution in the following order on a φ30 mm aluminum cylinder in sequence, an undercoat layer of 3.5 μm A 0.2 μm charge generation layer and an 18 μm charge transport layer were formed. On this charge transport layer, a coating solution for a cross-linked charge transport layer having the following composition is spray-coated and naturally dried for 20 minutes, and then a metal halide lamp: 160 W / cm, irradiation distance: 120 mm, irradiation intensity: 500 mW / cm ^2. Irradiation time: Light irradiation was performed under conditions of 60 seconds to cure the coating film. Further, drying was performed at 130 ° C. for 20 minutes to provide a cross-linked charge transport layer having a thickness of 5.2 μm.
[Coating liquid for undercoat layer]
Alkyd resin 6 parts (Beckosol 1307-60-EL, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
Melamine resin 4 parts (Super Becamine G-821-60, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
Titanium oxide 40 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 50 parts [Coating liquid for charge generation layer]
Bisazo pigment of the following structural formula (I) 2.5 parts Polyvinyl butyral (XYHL, manufactured by UCC) 0.5 part Cyclohexanone 200 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 80 parts

〔電荷輸送層用塗工液〕
ビスフェノールＺポリカーボネート １０部
（パンライトＴＳ−２０５０、帝人化成製）
下記構造式（II）の低分子電荷輸送物質（Ｄ−１） ７部
テトラヒドロフラン １００部
１％シリコーンオイルのテトラヒドロフラン溶液 ０．２部
（ＫＦ５０−１００ＣＳ、信越化学工業製）

[Coating liquid for charge transport layer]
Bisphenol Z polycarbonate 10 parts (Panlite TS-2050, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals)
Low molecular charge transport material (D-1) having the following structural formula (II) 7 parts Tetrahydrofuran 100 parts 1% silicone oil tetrahydrofuran solution 0.2 part (KF50-100CS, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)

〔架橋型電荷輸送層用塗工液〕
電荷輸送性構造を有さない３官能以上のラジカル重合性モノマー １０部
トリメチロールプロパントリアクリレート
（ＫＡＹＡＲＡＤ ＴＭＰＴＡ、日本化薬製）
分子量：２９６、官能基数：３官能、分子量／官能基数＝９９
１官能の電荷輸送性構造を有するラジカル重合性化合物 １０部
（例示化合物Ｎｏ．５４）
光重合開始剤 １部
１−ヒドロキシ−シクロヘキシル−フェニル−ケトン
（イルガキュア１８４、チバ・スペシャルティ・ケミカルズ製）
テトラヒドロフラン １００部

[Coating liquid for cross-linked charge transport layer]
Trifunctional or higher-functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure 10 parts Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (KAYARAD TMPTA, Nippon Kayaku)
Molecular weight: 296, number of functional groups: trifunctional, molecular weight / number of functional groups = 99
10 parts of a radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure (Exemplary Compound No. 54)
Photoinitiator 1 part 1-Hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)
Tetrahydrofuran 100 parts

<Example 2>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the film thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer in Example 1 was changed to 1.2 μm.

<Example 3>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the film thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer of Example 1 was changed to 7.8 μm.

<Example 4>
A radical having a monofunctional charge transport structure is replaced with the following monomer in place of the trifunctional or higher radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure, which is contained in the coating liquid for the crosslinkable charge transport layer of Example 1. The polymerizable compound was exemplified as Compound No. 1. Instead of 138 and 10 parts, an electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer was changed to 5.4 μm.
Trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure 10 parts Pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (SR-295, manufactured by Kayaku Sartomer)
Molecular weight: 352, number of functional groups: 4 functions, molecular weight / number of functional groups = 88

<Example 5>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer in Example 4 was changed to 1.3 μm.

<Example 6>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the film thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer in Example 4 was changed to 7.6 μm.

<Example 7>
The trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure contained in the coating liquid for the crosslinkable charge transport layer of Example 1 is replaced with the following monomer, and the photopolymerization initiator is replaced with 1 part of the following compound: Instead, an electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the film thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer was 5.0 μm.
Trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure 10 parts Dipentaerythritol caprolactone-modified hexaacrylate (KAYARAD DPCA-60, Nippon Kayaku)
Molecular weight: 1263, number of functional groups: 6 functions, molecular weight / number of functional groups = 211
Photoinitiator 1 part 2,2-Dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethane-1-one (Irgacure 651, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)

<Example 8>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 7 except that the film thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer in Example 7 was changed to 9.5 μm.

<Example 9>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 7 except that the film thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer in Example 7 was changed to 1.8 μm.

<Example 10>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 7 except that the thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer in Example 7 was changed to 2.3 μm.

<Example 11>
The trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure contained in the coating liquid for the crosslinkable charge transporting layer of Example 1 is replaced with the following monomer, and the film thickness of the crosslinkable charge transporting layer is set to 5 An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness was set to 8 μm.
Trifunctional or higher radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure 10 parts Dipentaerythritol caprolactone-modified hexaacrylate (KAYARAD DPCA-120, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
Molecular weight: 1947, number of functional groups: 6 functions, molecular weight / number of functional groups = 325

<Example 12>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 11 except that the film thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer of Example 11 was changed to 9.7 μm.

<Example 13>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 11 except that the thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer in Example 11 was 2.0 μm.

<Example 14>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the coating liquid for the crosslinkable charge transport layer of Example 1 had the following composition and the thickness of the crosslinkable charge transport layer was 5.0 μm.
Trifunctional or higher-functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure 9 parts Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (KAYARAD TMPTA, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku)
Molecular weight: 296, number of functional groups: trifunctional, molecular weight / number of functional groups = 99
10 parts of a radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure (Exemplary Compound No. 54)
Photoinitiator 1 part 1-Hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)
1 part of bisphenol Z polycarbonate (Panlite TS-2050, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals)
Tetrahydrofuran 100 parts

<Example 15>
The radical polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure contained in the coating liquid for a crosslinkable charge transport layer of Example 1 was converted into a monofunctional exemplified compound No. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 54 and 9 parts and 1 part of a bifunctional compound having the following structure were used and the film thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer was 5.2 μm.
9 parts of radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure (Exemplary Compound No. 54)
1 part of a radically polymerizable compound having a bifunctional charge transporting structure

<Example 16>
6 parts of the amount of a tri- or more functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure contained in the coating liquid for a crosslinkable charge transporting layer of Example 1 and having a monofunctional charge transporting structure An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of the compound was changed to 14 parts and the thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer was changed to 5.5 μm.

<Example 17>
14 parts of the amount of a tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer not having a charge transporting structure contained in the coating liquid for a crosslinkable charge transporting layer of Example 1 and radical polymerization having a monofunctional charge transporting structure An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of the compound was changed to 6 parts and the film thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer was changed to 5.5 μm.

<Example 18>
The radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure contained in the coating liquid for a crosslinkable charge transporting layer of Example 1 is exemplified by Compound No. 1. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer was changed to 4.3 μm instead of 144 parts.

<Example 19> ... Coating having the same composition as in Example 1 except that the photopolymerization initiator contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution of Reference Example Example 1 was replaced with the following thermal polymerization initiator. Similarly, the solution is applied on the charge transport layer using a liquid, and is naturally dried, then heated at 70 ° C. for 30 minutes using a blow-type oven, and further heated at 150 ° C. for 1 hour to form a 4.1 μm thick cross-linked charge transport layer. A photoreceptor of the present invention was obtained.
Thermal polymerization initiator 1 part 2,2-bis (4,4-di-t-butylperoxycyclohexyl) propane (Perkadox 12-EB20, manufactured by Kayaku Akzo)

Example 20 Reference Example An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 19 except that the thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer in Example 19 was 2.0 μm.

<Example 21>
A liquid containing a polymer charge transport material (PD-1) having the following composition was used as the charge transport layer coating liquid of Example 1 and applied to a similar charge generation layer and dried to form an 18 μm charge transport layer. Formed. On this charge transport layer, a cross-linked charge transport layer having a thickness of 2.2 μm was provided in the same manner as in Example 11 to produce an electrophotographic photoreceptor.
[Coating liquid for charge transport layer]
Polymer charge transport material (PD-1) having the following structural formula: 15 parts

テトラヒドロフラン １００部
１％シリコーンオイルのテトラヒドロフラン溶液 ０．３部
（ＫＦ５０−１００ＣＳ、信越化学工業製）

Tetrahydrofuran 100 parts 1% silicone oil tetrahydrofuran solution 0.3 parts (KF50-100CS, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)

<Comparative Example 1>
A trifunctional or higher-functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure contained in the coating liquid for a crosslinkable charge transporting layer of Example 1 is converted into a bifunctional radical having no charge transporting structure of the following structural formula An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer was changed to 5.4 μm instead of 10 parts of the polymerizable monomer.
Bifunctional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure 10 parts 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.)
Molecular weight: 226, number of functional groups: bifunctional, molecular weight / number of functional groups = 113

<Comparative example 2>
The radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure contained in the coating liquid for a crosslinkable charge transporting layer of Example 1 was converted into the radical polymerization having a bifunctional charge transporting structure of Example 15 [Chemical Formula 19]. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer was changed to 7.2 μm instead of 10 parts of the conductive compound.

<Comparative Example 3>
Radical polymerization having a monofunctional charge transporting structure without containing a trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure, which is the composition of the coating liquid for the crosslinkable charge transporting layer of Example 1. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of the conductive compound was changed to 20 parts and the thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer was changed to 4.2 μm.

<Comparative example 4>
Trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerization having no charge transporting structure without containing a monofunctional charge transporting structure having a monofunctional charge transporting structure, which is the composition of the coating liquid for the crosslinkable charge transporting layer of Example 1. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of the conductive monomer was changed to 20 parts and the thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer was changed to 4.6 μm.

<Comparative Example 5>
It does not contain a radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure, which is a composition of the coating liquid for the crosslinkable charge transport layer of Example 1, and is used in the coating liquid for the charge transport layer instead. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 10 parts of the low molecular charge transport material (D-1) having the structural formula (II) was added and the film thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer was 5.2 μm. Produced.

<Comparative Example 6>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer of Example 1 was changed to 0.8 μm.

<Comparative Example 7>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the film thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer in Example 1 was 10.5 μm.

<Comparative Example 8>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the film thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer in Example 4 was changed to 0.7 μm.

<Comparative Example 9>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the film thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer of Example 4 was 10.3 μm.

<Comparative Example 10>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 7 except that the thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer in Example 7 was changed to 0.8 μm.

<Comparative Example 11>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 11 except that the thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer in Example 11 was changed to 0.9 μm.

<Comparative Example 12>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 19 except that the thickness of the crosslinked charge transport layer in Example 19 was changed to 0.8 μm.

<Comparative Example 13>
The charge transport layer of Example 1 was not provided, but instead, the following crosslinkable charge transport layer coating solution was applied and cured in the same manner on the charge generation layer, and a 18.0 μm crosslinkable charge transport layer was provided. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1.
[Coating liquid for cross-linked charge transport layer]
Trifunctional or higher radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure 8 parts Pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (SR-295, manufactured by Kayaku Sartomer)
Molecular weight: 352, number of functional groups: 4 functions, molecular weight / number of functional groups = 88
Trifunctional or higher radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure 2 parts Dipentaerythritol caprolactone-modified hexaacrylate (KAYARAD DPCA-60, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
10 parts of a radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure (Exemplary Compound No. 54)
Photoinitiator 1 part 1-Hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)
Tetrahydrofuran 100 parts

<Comparative example 14>
The charge transport layer of Example 1 was not provided, but instead the following crosslinkable charge transport layer coating solution was applied and cured in the same manner on the charge generation layer, and a 15.0 μm crosslinkable charge transport layer was provided. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1.
[Coating liquid for cross-linked charge transport layer]
Trifunctional or higher-functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure 8 parts Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (KAYARAD TMPTA, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
Molecular weight: 296, number of functional groups: trifunctional, molecular weight / number of functional groups = 99
Trifunctional or higher radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure 2 parts Dipentaerythritol caprolactone-modified hexaacrylate (KAYARAD DPCA-60, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
10 parts of a radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure (Exemplary Compound No. 54)
Photoinitiator 1 part 1-Hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)
Tetrahydrofuran 100 parts

<Comparative Example 15>
An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the cross-linkable charge transport layer of Example 1 was not provided and the thickness of the charge transport layer was 22 μm.

  With respect to the electrophotographic photoreceptors of Examples 1 to 21 and Comparative Examples 1 to 15 produced as described above, the appearance was visually observed to determine the presence or absence of cracks and film peeling. Next, as a solubility test in an organic solvent, one drop of tetrahydrofuran (hereinafter abbreviated as THF) and dichloromethane (hereinafter abbreviated as MDC) was dropped, and the change in the surface shape after natural drying was observed. The results are shown in Table 4.

From the results of Table 4, the photoreceptors having 1 to 10 μm cross-linked charge transport layer of the present invention represented by Examples 1 to 21 (Examples 19 and 20 are reference examples) are cracked and peeled off at the time of formation. Thus, a photoreceptor having a good appearance was obtained. On the other hand, a photoconductor using a radically polymerizable compound having a bifunctional charge transporting structure as the crosslinkable charge transporting layer component of Comparative Example 2, and the crosslinkable charge transporting layers of Comparative Examples 7, 9, and 13 have a film thickness of 10 μm or more. The thick photoreceptor was cracked or peeled off when the cross-linked charge transport layer was formed. In addition, the photoreceptors of Examples 1 to 21 (Examples 19 and 20 are reference examples) are slightly soluble or insoluble in an organic solvent, and a crosslinked charge transport layer having a high crosslinking density is obtained. The insolubilization with respect to the organic solvent was further improved when the thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer was 2 μm or more. On the other hand, the photoconductors of Comparative Examples 3 and 5 were affected by the crosslinkable charge transport layer component, and the photoconductors of Comparative Examples 10 and 11 had a charge transport layer component of less than 1 μm. It spreads throughout the cross-linked charge transport layer and became soluble in organic solvents.

Next, Examples 1 to 21 (Examples 19 and 20 are reference examples) Among Comparative Examples 1 to 15, Comparative Examples 2, 7, 9, and 13 in which cracks and film peeling occurred during the formation of the cross-linked charge transport layer. And a photoconductor of Comparative Example 3 in which the curing reaction of the crosslinkable charge transport layer did not proceed, and using these photoconductors produced in the same manner, a paper passing test of 50,000 sheets of A4 size was carried out. . First, the photosensitive member was mounted on a process cartridge for an electrophotographic apparatus, and the initial dark portion potential was set to −700 V with a Ricoh imago Neo Neo 270 remodeling machine using a 655 nm semiconductor laser as an image exposure light source. Thereafter, a paper passing test was started, and the initial portion and the dark portion and exposed portion potentials after copying 50,000 sheets were measured. Further, the film thickness of all layers after the initial copy and after copying 50,000 sheets was measured, and the amount of wear was calculated from the difference. The results are shown in Table 5.

From the results of the paper passing test shown in Table 5, the photoreceptors having 1 to 10 μm of the crosslinked charge transport layer of the present invention shown in Examples 1 to 21 (Examples 19 and 20 are reference examples) have high wear resistance. In addition, it has good electrical characteristics and a good image can be obtained over time. Further, a photoconductor having a cross-linkable charge transport layer of 2 μm or more has achieved a long-life photoconductor that maintains a good image for a longer period. On the other hand, those using a bifunctional monomer or a low molecular charge transport material having no functional group as a crosslinkable charge transport layer component of Comparative Examples 1 and 5 have a low crosslink density and uneven curing reaction. Wear resistance is low and image deterioration is remarkable. Further, the photoreceptors in which the film thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layers of Comparative Examples 6 to 12 did not reach 1 μm had large wear unevenness, and therefore, halftone density unevenness and line-like background stains due to poor cleaning occurred. The photoreceptor in which the entire charge transport layer of Comparative Example 14 was replaced with a cross-linked charge transport layer caused film peeling when copying 5000 sheets due to a large internal stress. The photoconductor using the conventional thermoplastic binder resin in the charge transport layer without the cross-linked charge transport layer of Comparative Example 15 has lower wear resistance and lower durability than the photoconductor of the present invention.

  Therefore, as a cross-linked charge transport layer of a photoreceptor in which the charge generation layer, charge transport layer, and cross-linked charge transport layer of the present invention are laminated, a trifunctional or higher-functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure and a monofunctional It is formed by curing a radically polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure. Further, when the film thickness is 1 μm or more and 10 μm, cracks and film peeling do not occur, and wear resistance and scratch resistance are high. It has been found that a photoreceptor can be obtained. In addition, it has been found that the image forming process, the image forming apparatus, and the process cartridge for the image forming apparatus using the photoconductor of the present invention have high performance and high reliability.

1 is an example of a cross-sectional view of an electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a process cartridge for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoconductor 2 Static elimination lamp 3 Charger 4 Eraser 5 Image exposure part 6 Developing unit 7 Pre-transfer charger 8 Registration roller 9 Transfer paper 10 Transfer charger 11 Separation charger 12 Separation claw 13 Pre-cleaning charger 14 Fur brush 15 Cleaning blade 31 Conductivity Support 33 Photosensitive layer 35 Charge generation layer 37 Charge transport layer 39 Crosslinkable charge transport layer 101 Photosensitive drum 102 Charging device 103 Exposure device 104 Development device 105 Transfer body 106 Transfer device 107 Cleaning blade

Claims (16)

In an electrophotographic photosensitive member in which at least a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer, and a crosslinkable charge transport layer are sequentially laminated on a conductive support, the crosslinkable charge transport layer contains a photopolymerization initiator and has at least a charge transport structure. Formed by curing by irradiation of a radical polymerizable compound having a trifunctional or higher functional radical monomer having no functional group and a monofunctional charge transporting structure, and the film thickness of the crosslinkable charge transporting layer is 1 μm or more, 10 μm An electrophotographic photosensitive member, characterized in that the photosensitive member is charged by discharge .   2. The electrophotographic photoreceptor according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the cross-linked charge transport layer is 2 μm or more and 8 μm or less.   The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein the crosslinkable charge transport layer is insoluble in an organic solvent.   The functional group of a tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure used for the surface layer is an acryloyloxy group and / or a methacryloyloxy group. The electrophotographic photoreceptor described in 1.   The ratio of the molecular weight to the number of functional groups (molecular weight / number of functional groups) in a trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure used for the crosslinkable charge transporting layer is 250 or less. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of 1 to 4.   The functional group of the radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure used for the crosslinkable charge transporting layer is an acryloyloxy group or a methacryloyloxy group. The electrophotographic photosensitive member described.   The charge transport structure of the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure used in the most cross-linked charge transport layer is a triarylamine structure. Electrophotographic photoreceptor. 8. The radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure used in the cross-linked charge transport layer is one or more of the following general formula (1) or (2): The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of the above.

(In the formula, R ₁ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, a cyano group, a nitro group, Group, alkoxy group, —COOR ₇ (R ₇ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent or an aryl group which may have a substituent), halogen Carbonyl group or CONR ₈ R ₉ (R ₈ and R ₉ may have a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Ar ₁ and Ar ₂ each represent a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group, and may be the same or different.Ar ₃ , which may be the same or different from each other. Ar ₄ may be substituted Represents an unsubstituted aryl group, which may be the same or different, X represents a single bond, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene ether group, O represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a vinylene group, Z represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene ether divalent group, or an alkyleneoxycarbonyl divalent group, and m and n are integers of 0 to 3. Represents.) The radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure used in the cross-linked charge transport layer is at least one of the following general formula (3). Electrophotographic photoreceptor.

(Wherein, o, p and q are each an integer of 0 or 1, Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Rb and Rc represent a substituent other than a hydrogen atom and an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, And s and t each represents an integer of 0 to 3. Za is a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group,

Represents. )   The proportion of the trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure used in the crosslinkable charge transport layer is 30 to 70% by weight based on the total amount of the crosslinkable charge transport layer. Item 10. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of Items 1 to 9.   2. The component ratio of the radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure used in the crosslinkable charge transport layer is 30 to 70% by weight based on the total amount of the crosslinkable charge transport layer. The electrophotographic photoreceptor according to any one of 1 to 10.   The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein the charge transport layer contains a polymer charge transport material.   13. The electrophotographic photoreceptor according to claim 12, wherein the polymer charge transport material is a polycarbonate having a triarylamine structure in the main chain or side chain. Using an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 1 to 13, at least charging, image exposure, development, image forming method characterized by repeating the transfer. An image forming apparatus, comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 1 to 13. An electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , and at least one means selected from the group consisting of a charging means, a developing means, a transfer means, a cleaning means, and a charge eliminating means, A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus, wherein the process cartridge is removable from a main body of the forming apparatus.

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