Photoconductive layers containing a mixture of at least two different organic photoconductors and electrophotographic elements comprising said layers

Description

[0001] This invention provides novel photoconductive layers containing mixtures of certain organic photoconductors and novel photoconductive elements containing such layers.

[0002] The use of photoconductive elements in electrophotographic processes is well known. Such elements generally comprise a conductive support bearing a photoconductive layer. The photoconductive layer generally comprises a photoconductive material dispersed in an electrically insulating binder. Among the materials which have been described as useful organic photoconductive materials are tri-substituted methanes such as disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,820,989 by Rule and triarylmethane leuco bases such as disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,542,547 by Wilson.

[0003] Photoconductive layers containing more than one triphenylmethane photoconductor have been suggested in, for example, Swiss Patent 435,979.

[0004] Photoconductive layers comprising the organic photoconductive materials disclosed in the aforementioned patents are capable of producing high resolution images at suitable exposures. However, after a period of storage or if the element was prepared using elevated drying temperatures, elements which contain a photoconductive layer having only one photoconductor often will not perform well. Such poor electrophotographic performance is apparently due to the tendency of the organic photoconductor to migrate to the surface of the layer and crystallize out in a snake-like pattern. Such crystallization has been called the "snake" defect or "snake" problem. It impairs the capability of the photoconductive layer for producing high resolution images.

[0005] We have now discovered that this crystallization, or "snake" problem can be overcome by producing a photoconductive layer comprising an electrically insulating binder having dispersed therein organic photoconductive material which contains at least two photoconductors selected from the classes (a) bis(4-N,N-dialkylamino-2-alkylaryl)-4-alkylarylmethane; (b) 1,1-bis(4-N,N-dialkylamino-2-alkylaryl)-2-alkylpropane; and (c) 4,4'-bis(dialkylamino)-2,2'-dialkyl-triarylmethane, these photoconductors not being selected from class (b) alone. The specified photoconductor mixture inhibits crystallization of the organic photoconductive material.

[0006] The three classes of photoconductor from which crystallization-inhibiting photoconductors are selected may be represented by the formula:

wherein each R, is an alkyl or substituted alkyl (e.g. aralkyl) group, each of X and X' is an alkyl or substituted alkyl group, each of Y and Y' is hydrogen, halogen, or an alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, hydroxyl or nitro group, and A is a 4-alkylaryl, 1-alkylethyl or aryl group, which may be substituted. Any alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy or substituted alkoxy group has 1 to 10 carbon atoms and any aryl or substituted aryl group is an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, naphthyl or anthryl group, any substituent in a substituted aryl group being halogen or an alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, hydroxyl or nitro group.

[0007] The photoconductive elements of this invention contain one or more of such photoconductive layers on a conductive support.

[0008] Formula I, representing the classes of organic photoconductors useful in the present invention, includes certain of the organic photoconductive materials disclosed in aforementioned U.S. Patent 3,542,547 and U.S. Patent 3,820,989.

[0009] Photoconductive elements comprising photoconductive layers of the type just described, are much more resistant to the formation of "snakes" resulting from crystallization of the organic photoconductors than elements comprising photoconductive layers which contain a single photoconductor represented by Formula I.

[0010] Organic photoconductors which are representative of those having the structure of Formula I, and from which a mixture of at least two photoconductors may be selected in accordance with this invention, are set out in Table I. TABLE I

1. 4,4'-bis(diethyiamino)-2,2'-dimethyitriphenyimethane

2. 4',4"-bis(diethylamino)-2,6-dichloro-2',2"-dimethyltriphenylmethane

3. 4,4'-bis(diethylamino)-2,2'-dimethyldiphenyl-α-naphthylmethane

4. 4',4"-bis(dimethylamino)-2-chloro-2',2"-dimethyltriphenylmethane

5. 4',4"-bis(dimethylamino)-2!,2"-dimethyl-4-methoxytriphenylmethane

6. 4,4'-bis(benzylethylamino)-2,2'-dimethyltriphenylmethane

7. 4,4'-bis(diethylamino)-2,2',5,5'-tetramethyltriphenylmethane

8. 4,4'-bis(diethylamino)-2,2'-dimethyldiphenyl-R-naphthylmethane

9. 4,4'-bis(diethylamino)-2,2'-dimethyldiphenyl-9-anthrylmethane

10. 1,1-bis(4-N,N-diethylamino-2-methylphenyl)-2-methylpropane

11. bis(4-N,N-diethylamino-2-methylphenyl)-4-methylphenylmethane

12. 4,4'-bis(diethylamino)-4"-isopropyl-2,2'-dimethyltriphenylmethane.

[0011] In addition to the organic photoconductors defined by formula I, triphenylamine type photoconductors, including substituted triphenylamines, are useful in increasing the speed of the photoconductive compositions of the present invention. Especially useful organic photoconductors in this regard are triphenylamine, 4-diphenylaminochalcone, bis(4-diphenylaminobenzal)acetone, 4-hydroxymethyltriphenylamine, tri-2-tolylamine, 4-carboxytriphenylamine, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)triphenylamine, 4,4',4"-trimethoxytriphenylamine and tri-p-tolylamine. Other useful triphenylamine photoconductors are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent 3,180,730.

[0012] The photoconductive compositions of the present invention are homogeneous or heterogeneous.

[0013] Homogeneous photoconductive compositions are prepared in a conventional manner, for example by simply admixing the selected formula I photoconductors and the electrically insulating binder in a coating solvent. Electrophotographic elements are formed from the homogeneous photoconductive compositions by simply coating the compositions on a support having a conductive layer, such as described hereinafter.

[0014] The heterogeneous compositions include aggregate photoconductive compositions of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,615,415 by Light.

[0015] Aggregate photoconductive compositions may be prepared by several techniques, such as by fuming as disclosed by Light; or the so-called "dye first" technique described in Gramza et al, U.S. Patent 3,615,396; or the so-called "shearing" method described in Gramza, U.S. Patent 3,615,415; or the two-stage dilution technique described in Kryman et al U.S. Patent 3,679,408. Still another method of preparation involves preforming the finely-divided aggregate particles such as is described in Gramza et al, U.S. Patent 3,732,180 and simply storing these preformed aggregate particles until it is desired to prepare the charge-transport layer. At this time, the preformed aggregate particles may be dispersed in an appropriate coating vehicle together with the desired electrically insulating polymeric binder and coated as a layer on a suitable substrate to form a heterogeneous photoconductive element.

[0016] If desired, a photoconductive layer of the invention can be prepared as a self-supporting layer.

[0017] The total amount of the organic photoconductors included in the layer may vary widely but preferably ranges from 5 to 40 weight percent based on the total dry weight of the layer. Each of the organic photoconductors selected may be included in the layer at a concentration up to its solubility limit in the resulting layer. The solubility of each organic photoconductor in a particular film-forming binder can be found by determining by differential thermal analysis at what concentration the organic photoconductor forms a separate phase. It is preferred to use equal weights of the organic photoconductors present.

[0018] The photoconductive layers of the invention can also be spectrally and/or chemically sensitized by the addition of effective amounts of sensitizing compounds. Sensitizing compounds useful with the photoconductive compounds of the present invention can be selected from a wide variety of materials, including such materials as pyrylium dye salts including thiapyrylium dye salt and selenapyrylium dye salts disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,250,615; fluorenes; aggregate-type sensitizers of the type described in U.S. Patent 3,615,414; aromatic nitro compounds of the kind described in U.S. Patent 2,610,120; anthrones like those described in U.S. Patent 2,670,284; quinones like those in U.S. Patent 2,670,286; benzophenones like those in U.S. Patent 2,670,287; thiazoles like those in U.S. Patent 2,732,301; mineral acids; carboxylic acids such as maleic acid, di- and tri-chloroacetic acids, and salicyclic acid; sulphonic and phosphoric acids; and various dyes, such as cyanine (including carbocyanine), merocyanine, diarylmethane, thiazine, azine, oxazine, xanthene, phthalein, acridine, azo and anthraquinone dyes and mixtures thereof. The sensitizers preferred for use with the compounds of this , invention are selected from pyrylium salts, including selenapyrylium salts and thiapyrylium salts, and cyanine dyes including carbocyanine dyes such as disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,597,196.

[0019] Where a sensitizing compound is employed with a binder and organic photoconductor to form a photoconductive layer, a suitable amount of the sensitizing compound may be mixed with the coating composition so that, after thorough mixing and coating, the sensitizing compound is uniformly distributed in the coated element. Other methods of incorporating the sensitizer, may, however, be employed.

[0020] The amount of sensitizer that can be added to the organic photoconductor layer to give effective increases in speed can vary widely. The optimum concentration in any given case will vary with the specific photoconductor(s) and sensitizing compound used. In general, substantial speed gains can be obtained where an appropriate sensitizer is added in a concentration range from about 0.0001 to about 30 percent by weight based on the total dry weight of the photoconductive layer. Normally, a sensitizer is added in an amount by weight of from 0.005 to 5.0 percent by weight.

[0021] Preferred electrically insulating binders for use in preparing the present organic photoconductive layers are film-forming, hydrophobic polymeric binders having fairly high dielectric strength. Materials of this type comprise styrene-butadiene copolymers; silicone resins; styrene-alkyd resins; silicone-alkyd resins; soya-alkyd resins; poly(vinyl chloride); poly(vinylidene chloride); vinylidene chlorideacrylonitrile copolymers; poly(vinyl acetate); vinyl acetate vinyl chloride copolymers; poly(vinyl acetals), such as poly(vinyl butyral); polyacrylic and polymethacrylic esters, such as poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(n-butyl methacrylate) and poly(isobutyl methacrylate); polystyrene; nitrated polystyrene; polymethyl- styrene; isobutylene polymers; polyesters, such as poly[ethylene-co-alkylenebis(alkyleneoxyaryl)-phenylenedicarboxylate]; phenolformaldehyde resins; ketone resins; polyamides; polycarbonates; poly- thiocarbonates; poly[ethylene-co-isopropylidene-2,2-bis(ethyleneoxyphenylene) terephthalate]; copolymers of vinyl haloarylates; poly(ethylene-co-neopentyl terephthalate); and vinyl acetate such as poly(vinyl-m-bromobenzoate-co-vinyl acetate).

[0022] Methods of making resins of this type have been described in the prior art, for example styrenealkyd resins can be prepared according to the method described in U.S. Patent 2,361,019 and 2,258,423. Suitable resins of the type contemplated for use in the photoconductive layers of the invention are sold under such tradenames as 'Vitel' PE-101, 'Cymac', 'Piccopale' 100, 'Saran' F-220 and 'Lexan'. Other types of insulating binders which can be used in the photoconductive layers of the invention include such materials as mineral waxes.

[0023] A variety of solvents are useful for preparing solutions of dispersions from which the photoconductive layers of the present invention can be made. For example, benzene; toluene; acetone; 2-butanone; chlorinated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride; ethylene chloride; ethers, such as tetrahydrofuran, or mixtures of such solvents, can advantageously be employed in the practice of this invention.

[0024] Coating thicknesses of such dispersions or solutions on supports can vary widely. Normally, a wet coating thickness in the range of 0.025 mm to 2.5 mm is useful in the practice of the invention. A preferred range of wet coating thickness is from 0.050 mm to 0.15 mm.

[0025] Suitable supporting materials for the photoconductive layers of the present invention can include any electrically conducting supports. Examples include conducting papers, aluminium-paper laminates, metal foils such as aluminium and zinc foils; metal plates, such as aluminium, copper, zinc, brass and galvanized plates; vapour-deposited metal layers (silver, nickel, aluminium) on conventional film supports such as cellulose acetate, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polystyrene.

[0026] An especially useful conductive support (layer) can be prepared by coating a transparent film- support such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) with a layer containing a semiconductor dispersed in a resin. A suitable conductive layer can be prepared from the sodium salt of a carboxyester lactone of a maleic anhydride-vinyl acetate copolymer or cuprous iodide. Such conductive layers, supports and methods for their preparation and use are disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,007,901, 3,245,833 and 3,267,807.

[0027] The photoconductive layers of the present invention can be employed in photoconductive elements useful in an electrophotographic process. In a process of this type, an electrophotographic element held in the dark, is given a blanket positive or negative electrostatic charge as desired, by placing it under a corona discharge to give a uniform charge to the surface of the photoconductive layer. This charge is retained by the layer owing to the substantial dark-insulating property of the layer. The electrostatic charge on the surface of the photoconductive layer is then selectively dissipated from the surface of the layer by imagewise exposure technique to leave a latent electrostatic image on the photoconductive layer. Suitable exposure techniques include contact-printing, lens projection of an image, and reflex and bireflex techniques.

[0028] The latent electrostatic image is then developed, possibly after transfer to another surface, by treatment with a developer comprising electrostatically responsive particles having optical density. The developer is in the form of a liquid dispersion, dust, or powder and generally comprises a pigmented thermoplastic resin called a toner.

[0029] The developed image can be fixed by heating which causes the toner resin to melt or fuse into or on the image receiver element. A transfer of the toner image formed on the photoconductive layer can be made to a second support such as paper which then becomes the final print after fusing. Techniques of this type are well known in the art.

[0030] The organic photoconductive layers of the present invention can be used in electrophotographic elements having many structural variations. For example, the layers can be formed as single layers or as multiple layers on a suitable opaque or transparent conducting support. Likewise, the layers can be contiguous or spaced having layers of insulating material or other photoconductive or sensitizing material therebetween. Configurations differing from those disclosed herein are also useful.

[0031] The following examples are included for a further understanding of this invention.

Examples

[0032] A standard thermal crystallization or "snake" test consisted of heating the electrophotographic element for one minute at 90°C followed by storage at room temperature with periodical examination under 200x magnification. The time, in days, weeks or months when the defect is first observed, is recorded. This test accelerates the crystallization of the organic photoconductor present in the element. Under normal conditions the element would only be subjected to this high a temperature during a 5-10 second fixation step.

Examples 1-4

[0033] The electrophotographic element comprised a conductive support bearing a photoconductive- layer containing an electrically insulating polyester binder poly-[ethylene-co-isopropylidene-2,2- bis(ethylene oxyphenylene)-terephthalate], one or more organic photoconductors, 4-[N-butylamino]-2(p-methoxyphenyl) benzo-[b] pyrylium fluoroborate spectral sensitizer and a polysiloxane surfactant of the type described by Cawley in U.S. Patent 3,861,915. The organic photoconductor (OP) content of each element and the results of the thermal test are tabulated in Table I1.

"a" numbers represent organic photoconductor from Table I.
Photoconductor "c" was bis(4-diethylamino)tetraphenylmethane.
These data show that elements containing a mixture of three different organic photoconductors resist formation of snakes to a much greater extent than elements containing only one organic photoconductor.

Examples 5-6

[0034] Aggregate photoconductive elements were formed substantially as described in Example 1 of U.S. Patent 3,615,414.

[0035] The elements comprised a conducting support and an aggregate photoconductive layer containing a binder combination of bis phenol A polycarbonate (92% by weight based on binder), a polyethylene-co-neopentyl terephthalate polyester resin (8% by weight based on total binder content of the layer) one or more organic photoconductors and aggregate forming pyrylium sensitizers. The organic photoconductor content of these aggregate photoconductive layers and the results of the thermal test are tabulated in Table III.

Examples 7-9

[0036] The electrophotographic element comprised a conductive support bearing a photoconductive layer containing an electrically insulating polyester binder consisting of about 94% by weight of poly[ethylene-co-isopropylidene-2,2'-bis(ethylene oxyphenylene)-terephthalate] and about 6% by weight of poly[ethylene-co-isopropylidene-2,2'-bis(ethylene oxymethylene)-terephthalate] 6% by weight based on binder), one or more formula I organic photoconductors, tri-p-tolylamine, a pyrylium spectral sensitizer and a polysiloxane surfactant of the type described by Cawley in U.S. Patent 3,861,915. The organic photoconductor (OP) content of each element and the results of the thermal test are tabulated in Table IV. The sensitizer used in Examples 7 and 9 was 4-[N-butylamino]-2(p-methoxyphenyl) benzo[b]-pyrylium perchlorate. The sensitizer of Example 8 was 2,4-bis(4-ethyl phenyl)-6-(2,6-diphenyl-4H-pyran-4-ylidine) methyl pyrylium fluoroborate.

[0037] The data of Table IV shows that combination of three or more formula I organic photoconductors are effective in retarding development of snakes in homogeneous photoconductive elements of the type described in these examples.

Examples 10-11

[0038] The electrophotographic element comprised a conductive support bearing a photoconductive layer containing an electrically insulating polyester binder poly-[ethylene-co-isopropylidene-2,2- bis(ethylene oxyphenylene)-terephthalate] (94% by weight based on binder) and poly-[ethylene-co- isopropylidene-2,2-bis(ethylene oxymethylene)-terephthalate] (6% by weight based on binder), three or more organic photoconductors, 2,4-bis(4-ethyl-phenyl)-6-(2,6-diphenyl-4H-pyran-4-ylidene)methyl- pyrylium fluoroborate (Example 11) or 4-[N-butylamino]-2-(p-methoxyphenyl)benzo[b]pyrylium perchlorate (Example 12) spectral sensitizer and a polysiloxane surfactant of the type described by Cawley in U.S. Patent 3,861,915. The organic photoconductor (OP) content of each element and the results of the thermal test are tabulated in Table V.

Claims

1. A photoconductive layer comprising organic photoconductive material dispersed in electrically insulating binder characterised in that the organic photoconductive material contains least two photoconductors selected from the classes (a) bis-(4-N,N-dialkylamino-2-alkylaryl)-4-alki arylmethane; (b) 1,1-bis(4-N,N-dialkylamino-2-alkylaryl)-2-alkylpropane; and (c) 4,4'-bis(dialks amino)-2,2'-dialkyltriarylmethane, these photoconductors not being selected from class (b) alone.

2. A layer according to Claim 1 which contains the organic photoconductors bis(4-N,N-dieth₁ amino-2-methylphenyl)-4-methylphenylmethane, 1,1-bis(4-N,N-diethylamino-2-methylphenyl)-methylpropane and 4,4'-bis(diethylamino)-2,2'-dimethyltriphenylmethane.

3. A layer according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the organic photoconductive material contains triphenylamine type photoconductor.

4. A layer according to Claim 3 wherein the triphenylamine type photoconductor is tri-, tolylamine.

5. A layer according to any of the preceding claims wherein the total amount of orgar photoconductors present in said layer is from 5 to 40 percent by weight.

6. A layer according to any of the preceding claims which is an aggregate photoconductive laye

7. A layer according to any of the preceding claims wherein the organic photoconductors a present in equal amounts by weight.

8. A layer according to any of the preceding claims wherein the binder is bisphenol A pol carbonate or poly[ethylene-co-iso-propylidene-2,2-bis(ethyleneoxyphenylene)terephthalate].

9. An electrophotographic element comprising a conductive support and a photoconductive lay according to any of the preceding claims.

Ansprüche

1. Photoleitfähige Schicht mit einem organischen photoleitfähigen, in einem elektrisc isolierenden Bindemittel dispergierten Material, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das organische photolei fähige Material mindestens zwei Photoleiter aus den folgenden Klassen enthält: (a) Bis (4-N,N dialkylamino-2-alkylaryl)-4-alkylarylmethan; (b) 1,1-Bis(4-N,N-dialkylamino-2-alkylaryl)-2-alkylpropz und (c) 4,4'-Bis(dialkylamino)-2,2'-dialkyltriarylmethan, wobei diese Photoleiter nicht ausschließlic aus Klasse (b) gewählt sind.

2. Schicht nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie die organischen Photoleiter Bi: (4-N,N-diäthylamino-2-methylphenyl)-4-methylphenylmethan; 1,1-Bis(4-N,N-diäthylamino-2-methy phenyl)-2-methylpropan und 4,4'-Bis(diäthylamino)-2,2'-dimethyltriphenylmethan enthält.

3. Schicht nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das organische photoleitfähic Material einen Photoleiter vom Triphenylamintyp enthält.

4. Schicht nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Photoleiter vom Triphenylaminth aus Tri-p-tolylamin besteht.

5. Schicht nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die G< samtmenge an organischen Photoleitern, die in der Schicht vorliegt, 5 bis 40 Gew.-% beträgt.

6. Schicht nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie eine photoleitfähige Schicht vom Aggregat-Typ ist.

7. Schicht nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die organischen Photoleiter in gleichen Gewichtsmengen vorliegen.

8. Schicht nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Bindemittel aus Bisphenol-A-Polycarbonat oder Poly[äthylen-co-isopropyliden-2,2-bis(äthylenoxyphenylen)-terephthalat] besteht.

9. Elektrophotographisches Element mit einem leitfähigen Schichtträger und einer photoleitfähigen Schicht nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche.

Revendications

1. Couche photoconductrice comprenant une substance photoconductrice organique dispersée dans un liant électriquement isolant, caractérisée en ce que la substance photoconductrice organique contient au moins deux photoconducteurs choisis parmi les classes a) bis(4-N,N-dialkylamino-2-alkylaryl)-4-alkylarylméthane, b) 1,1-bis(4-N,N-dialkylamino-2-alkylaryl)-2-alkylpropane et c) 4,4'-bis-(dialkylamino)-2,2'-dialkyltriarylméthane, ces photoconducteurs n'étant pas choisis dans la seule classe (b).

2. Couche conforme à la revendication 1, qui contient les photoconducteurs organiques bis-(4-N,N-diéthylamino-2-méthylphényl)-4-méthylphénylméthane; 1,1-bis(4-N,N-diéthytamino-2-méthyt- phényl)-2-méthylpropane et 4,4'-bis(diéthylamino)-2,2'-diméthyltriphénylméthane.

3. Couche conforme à la revendication 1 ou 2 dans laquelle la substance photoconductrice organique contient un photoconducteur du type triphénylamine.

4. Couche conforme à la revendication 3, dans laquelle le photoconducteur du type triphénylamine est la tri-p-tolylamine.

5. Couche conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la quantité totale de photoconducteurs organiques présents dans la couche est de 5 à 40% en masse.

6. Couche conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, qui est une couche photoconductrice à agrégats.

7. Couche conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle les photoconducteurs organiques sont présents en masses égales.

8. Couche conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le liant est un polycarbonate de bisphénol A ou un polytéréphtalate d'isopropylidène-2,2-bis(éthylèneoxy- phénylène) et d'éthylène.

9. Produit électrophotographique comprenant un support conducteur et une couche photoconductrice conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.