Patent Grant
7006780
Reference is made to commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/722,195 filed Nov. 25, 2003, entitled, “Processes for Solubilizing Organometallic Compounds in Fluorinated Solvents by Addition of a Partly Fluorinated Non-catalytic Co-solubilizer,” the subject matter each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to methods, processes and apparatii for development of images, and more specifically, to electrode members for use in a developer unit in electrophotographic machines. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatii in which at least a portion of a development unit electrode member is coated with a coating material, and in embodiments, a low surface energy coating material comprising a partly fluorinated polymer. In embodiments, the partly fluorinated polymer is soluble in fluorinated solvents. In embodiments, electrode member history, damping and/or toner accumulation is controlled or reduced. In embodiments, the coating comprises a partly fluorinated polymer, a fluorinated solvent, and a metal material. In embodiments, the metal material is a superconductor or a superconductor precursor. In embodiments, the partly fluorinated polymer acts as a co-solubilizer, making soluble in fluorinated solvents, materials which are not normally soluble in fluorinated solvents.
Generally, the process of electrophotographic printing includes charging a photoconductive member to a substantially uniform potential so as to sensitize the photoconductive member thereof. The charged portion of the photoconductive member is exposed to a light image of an original document being reproduced. This records an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive member. After the electrostatic latent image is recorded on the photoconductive member, the latent image is developed by bringing a developer material into contact therewith. Two component and single component developer materials are commonly used. A typical two component developer material comprises magnetic carrier granules having toner particles adhering triboelectrically thereto. A single component developer material typically comprises toner particles. Toner particles are attracted to the latent image forming a toner powder image on the photoconductive member. The toner powder image is subsequently transferred to a copy sheet. Finally, the toner powder image is heated to permanently fuse it to the copy sheet in image configuration.
One type of single component development system is a scavengeless development system that uses a donor roll for transporting charged toner to the development zone. At least one, and up to a plurality of electrode members are closely spaced to the donor roll in the development zone. An AC voltage is applied to the electrode members forming a toner cloud in the development zone. The electrostatic fields generated by the latent image attract toner from the toner cloud to develop the latent image.
Another type of a two component development system is a hybrid scavengeless development system, which employs a magnetic brush developer roller for transporting carrier having toner adhering triboelectrically thereto. A donor roll is used in this configuration also to transport charged toner to the development zone. The donor roll and magnetic roller are electrically biased relative to one another. Toner is attracted to the donor roll from the magnetic roll. The electrically biased electrode members detach the toner from the donor roll forming a toner powder cloud in the development zone, and the latent image attracts the toner particles thereto. In this way, the latent image recorded on the photoconductive member is developed with toner particles.
Various types of development systems have hereinbefore been used as illustrated by the following disclosures, which may be relevant to certain aspects of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,600 to Hays et al., the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes an apparatus wherein a donor roll transports toner to a region opposed from a surface on which a latent image is recorded. A pair of electrode members is positioned in the space between the latent image surface and the donor roll and is electrically biased to detach toner from the donor roll to form a toner cloud. Detached toner from the cloud develops the latent image.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,019, to Folkins, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a developer unit having a donor roll with electrode members disposed adjacent thereto in a development zone. A magnetic roller transports developer material to the donor roll. Toner particles are attracted from the magnetic roller to the donor roller. When the developer unit is inactivated, the electrode members are vibrated to remove contaminants therefrom.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,749 to Bares, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses an apparatus in which a donor roll advances toner to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member wherein a plurality of electrode wires are positioned in the space between the donor roll and the photoconductive member. The wires are electrically biased to detach the toner from the donor roll so as to form a toner cloud in the space between the electrode wires and the photoconductive member. The powder cloud develops the latent image. A damping material is coated on a portion of the electrode wires at the position of attachment to the electrode supporting members for the purpose of damping vibration of the electrode wires.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,300,339 and 5,448,342 both to Hays et al., the subject matter each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, disclose a coated toner transport roll containing a core with a coating thereover.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,170 to Hays et al., the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses an apparatus in which a donor roll advances toner to an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member. The donor roll includes a dielectric layer disposed about the circumferential surface of the roll between adjacent grooves.
Primarily because the adhesion force of the toner particles is greater than the stripping force generated by the electric field of the electrode members in the development zone, a problem results in that toner tends to build up on the electrode members. Accumulation of toner particles on the wire member causes non-uniform development of the latent image, resulting in print defects. The problem is aggravated by toner fines and any toner components, such as high molecular weight, crosslinked and/or branched components, and the voltage breakdown between the wire member and the donor roll.
One specific example of toner contamination results upon development of a document having solid areas, which require a large concentration of toner to be deposited at a particular position on the latent image. The areas of the electrode member corresponding to the high throughput or high toner concentration areas tend to include higher or lower accumulation of toner because of this differing exposure to toner throughput. When the printer subsequently attempts to develop another, different image, the toner accumulation on the electrode member will lead to differential development of the newly developed image corresponding to the areas of greater or lesser toner accumulation on the electrode members. The result is a darkened or lightened band in the position corresponding to the solid area of the previous image. This is particularly evident in areas of intermediate density, since these are the areas most sensitive to differences in development. These particular image defects caused by toner accumulation on the electrode wires at the development zone are referred to as wire history.
Accordingly, there is a specific need for electrode members in the development zone of a development unit of an electrophotographic printing machine, which provide for a decreased tendency for toner accumulation in order to decrease wire history and wire contamination, especially at high throughput areas, and decreasing the production of unwanted surface static charges from which contaminants may not release. One possible solution is to change the electrical properties of the wire. However, attempts at decreasing toner build-up on the development wire by changing the electrical properties thereof, may result in an interference with the function of the wire and its ability to produce the formation of the toner powder cloud.
Other attempts at reducing the accumulation of toner and to retaining electrical properties resulted in developer coating formulations for portions of the electrode wires.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,587, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses low surface energy coatings over a portion of the electrode wire.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,329, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses organic coatings of development electrodes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,964, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses inorganic coatings of development electrodes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,290, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses composite coated development electrodes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,327, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses coating compositions for development electrodes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,999,781, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses additional coating compositions for development electrodes.
Although the above newer coating formulations provided the desired properties of low surface energy, electrical conductivity and favorable tribo-charging against most toners and/or developer compositions, these formulations introduced roughness onto the surface morphology of the wire coating, due to limitations of process grinding of mineral fillers into the coating systems. Even a slight roughness introduces sufficient surface area to contribute to increased contamination of toner and toner additives.
Therefore, it is still desired to provide a coating for electrode members which has a greater decreased tendency to accumulate toner and which also retains the electrical properties of the electrode member in order to prevent interference with the functioning thereof. There is an additional need for electrode members which have superior mechanical properties such as a hard surface to provide increased durability against severe wear the electrode member receives when it is repeatedly brought into contact with tough rotating donor roll surfaces. Another desired mechanical property is a smooth electrode coating surface in order to decrease contamination of toner and toner additives.
Embodiments of the present invention include: an apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, comprising wire supports; a donor member spaced from the surface and being adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface; an electrode member positioned in the space between the surface and the donor member, the electrode member being closely spaced from the donor member and being electrically biased to detach toner from the donor member thereby enabling the formation of a toner cloud in the space between the electrode member and the surface with detached toner from the toner cloud developing the latent image, wherein opposed end regions of the electrode member are attached to wire supports adapted to support the opposed end regions of said electrode member; and a coating on at least a portion of nonattached regions of said electrode member, wherein said coating comprises a polymer comprising a partly fluorinated polymer.
Embodiments further include: An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, comprising wire supports; a donor member spaced from the surface and being adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface; an electrode member positioned in the space between the surface and the donor member, the electrode member being closely spaced from the donor member and being electrically biased to detach toner from the donor member thereby enabling the formation of a toner cloud in the space between the electrode member and the surface with detached toner from the toner cloud developing the latent image, wherein opposed end regions of the electrode member are attached to wire supports adapted to support the opposed end regions of said electrode member; and a coating on at least a portion of nonattached regions of said electrode member, wherein said coating comprises a) a polymer comprising a partly fluorinated polymer and b) a fluorinated solvent.
In addition, embodiments include: an apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on a surface, comprising wire supports; a donor member spaced from the surface and being adapted to transport toner to a region opposed from the surface; an electrode member positioned in the space between the surface and the donor member, the electrode member being closely spaced from the donor member and being electrically biased to detach toner from the donor member thereby enabling the formation of a toner cloud in the space between the electrode member and the surface with detached toner from the toner cloud developing the latent image, wherein opposed end regions of the electrode member are attached to wire supports adapted to support the opposed end regions of said electrode member; and a coating on at least a portion of nonattached regions of said electrode member, wherein said coating comprises a) a polymer comprising a partly fluorinated polymer, b) a fluorinated solvent, and c) a superconductor precursor.
The above aspects of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds upon reference to the drawings in which:
For a general understanding of the features of the present invention, a description thereof will be made with reference to the drawings.
Referring now to
More specifically, developer unit 38 includes a housing 44 defining a chamber 76 for storing a supply of two component (toner and carrier) developer material therein. Donor roller 40, electrode members 42 and magnetic roller 46 are mounted in chamber 76 of housing 44. The donor roller can be rotated in either the ‘with’ or ‘against’ direction relative to the direction of motion of belt 10. In
Developer unit 38 also has electrode members 42, which are disposed in the space between the belt 10 and donor roller 40. A pair of electrode members is shown extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the donor roller. The electrode members are made from of one or more thin (i.e., 50 to 100 μm in diameter) stainless steel or tungsten electrode members which are closely spaced from donor roller 40. The distance between the electrode members and the donor roller is from about 5 to about 35 μm, or from about 10 to about 25 μm or the thickness of the toner layer on the donor roll. The electrode members are self-spaced from the donor roller by the thickness of the toner on the donor roller. To this end, the extremities of the electrode members supported by the tops of end bearing blocks also support the donor roller for rotation. The electrode member extremities are attached so that they are slightly above a tangent to the surface, including toner layer, of the donor structure. Mounting the electrode members in such a manner makes them insensitive to roll run-out due to their self-spacing.
As illustrated in
With continued reference to
As successive electrostatic latent images are developed, the toner particles within the developer material are depleted. A toner dispenser (not shown) stores a supply of toner particles, which may include toner and carrier particles. The toner dispenser is in communication with chamber 76 of housing 44. As the concentration of toner particles in the developer material is decreased, fresh toner particles are furnished to the developer material in the chamber from the toner dispenser. In an embodiment of the invention, the auger in the chamber of the housing mixes the fresh toner particles with the remaining developer material so that the resultant developer material therein is substantially uniform with the concentration of toner particles being optimized. In this way, a substantially constant amount of toner particles are in the chamber of the developer housing with the toner particles having a constant charge. The developer material in the chamber of the developer housing is magnetic and may be electrically conductive. By way of example, in an embodiment of the invention wherein the toner includes carrier particles, the carrier granules include a ferromagnetic core having a thin layer of magnetite overcoated with a non-continuous layer of resinous material. The toner particles may be made from a resinous material, such as a vinyl polymer, mixed with a coloring material, such as chromogen black. The developer material may comprise from about 90% to about 99% by weight of carrier and from 10% to about 1% by weight of toner. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that any other suitable developer material may be used.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, one component developer material consisting of toner without carrier may be used. In this configuration, the magnetic roller 46 is not present in the developer housing. This embodiment is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,600, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
An embodiment of the developer unit is further depicted in
In an alternative embodiment to that depicted in
Toner particles are attracted to the electrode members primarily through electrostatic attraction. Toner particles adhere to the electrode members because the adhesion force of the toner is larger than the stripping force generated by the electric field of the electrode member. Generally, the adhesion force between a toner particle and an electrode member is represented by the general expression Fad=q2/kr2+W, wherein Fad is the force of adhesion, q is the charge on the toner particle, k is the effective dielectric constant of the toner and any dielectric coating, and r is the separation of the particle from its image charge within the wire which depends on the thickness, dielectric constant, and conductivity of the coating. Element W is the force of adhesion due to short range adhesion forces such as van der Waals and capillary forces. The force necessary to strip or remove particles from the electrode member is supplied by the electric field of the wire during half of its AC period, qE, plus effective forces resulting from mechanical motion of the electrode member and from bombardment of the wire by toner in the cloud. Since the adhesion force is quadratic in q, adhesion forces will be larger than stripping forces for sufficiently high values of q.
In order to prevent the toner defects associated with wire contamination and wire history, the electrical properties of the electrode member can be changed, thereby changing the adhesion forces in relation to the stripping forces. However, such changes in the electrical properties of the electrode member may adversely affect the ability of the electrode member to adequately provide a toner cloud, which is essential for developing a latent image. The present inventors have developed a way to reduce the unacceptable accumulation of toner on the electrode member while maintaining the desired electrical and mechanical properties of the electrode member. The electrode member of the present invention is coated with a material coating that reduces the significant attraction of toner particles to the electrode member, which may result in toner accumulation. However, the material coating does not adversely interfere with the mechanical or electrical properties of the electrode member. Materials having these qualities include materials that comprise partly fluorinated polymers. In embodiments, the partly fluorinated material acts as a co-solubilizer making soluble in fluorinated solvents, materials which are not normally solvent in fluorinated solvents. In embodiments, the coating includes a partly fluorinated co-solubilizer or partly fluorinated polymer, a metal material, and a fluorinated solvent.
The partly fluorinated material decreases the accumulation of toner by assuring electrical continuity for charging the wires and eliminates the possibility of charge build-up. In addition, such partly fluorinated materials as described herein do not interfere with the electrical properties of the electrode member and do not adversely affect the electrode's ability to produce a toner powder cloud. Moreover, the electrode member maintains its tough mechanical properties, allowing the electrode member to remain durable against the severe wear the electrode member receives when it is repeatedly brought into contact with tough, rotating donor roll surfaces. Also, the electrode member maintains a “smooth” surface after the coating is applied. A smooth surface includes surfaces having a surface roughness of less than about 5 microns, or from about 0.01 to about 1 microns of Ra roughness.
The term “partly fluorinated polymers” as used herein, refers to fluorinated polymers that are not completely fluorinated, and contain units or chains other than fluorinated chains. The partly fluorinated polymers may comprise hydrocarbon chains, hydrocarbon units, hydrocarbon substituents, or any carbon-hydrogen bonds, inserted within or adjacent to units containing carbon-fluorine bonds and to units containing other carbon-hydrogen bonds, provided that the resulting partly fluorinated polymer has sufficient chemical and thermal stability to satisfy the process and use requirements. In embodiments, the partly fluorinated polymers are soluble in fluorinated solvents. In embodiments, the partly fluorinated polymers may be amorphous, thereby giving them excellent light transmission properties. In embodiments, the partly fluorinated polymers are solution-coatable and have a low surface energy, and therefore, smooth, thin and uniform low surface energy coatings can result.
A co-solubilizer is a substance, which when added to a mixture renders the solute of that mixture soluble by reaction with the solute. A co-solubilizer is normally soluble in the solvent. Without the co-solubilizer, the solute would otherwise not be soluble in the solvent.
Examples of suitable co-solubilizers comprising a partly fluorinated polymer include a partly fluorinated polymer having the following Formula I:
R1—(CF2)n—R2
wherein n represents a number of from about 0 to about 25, or from about 1 to about 10, or from about 1 to about 5; R1 and R2 are the same or different and each is selected from the group consisting of CF3; hydrogen; hydroxyl; hydroxyalkyl having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, or from about 1 to about 10 carbons, or from about 1 to about 5 carbons; aminoalkyl having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, or from about 1 to about 10 carbons, or from about 1 to about 5 carbons; aminoaryl having from about 4 to about 14 carbons or from about 6 to about 10 carbons; aryl having from about 4 to about 14 carbons or from about 6 to about 10 carbons; aryloxy having from about 4 to about 14 carbons, or from about 6 to about 10 carbons; alkyl having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, or from about 1 to about 10 carbons, or from about 1 to about 5 carbons such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl and the like; carboxylic acid; carboxylic acid containing groups having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, or from about 1 to about 10 carbons, or from about 1 to about 5 carbons; carbonyls and alkyl carbonyls and alkyl ketone carbonyls each having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, or from about 1 to about 10 carbons, or from about 1 to about 5 carbons; and CF3(CF2)o(CH2)p, wherein o is a number of from about 0 to about 25, and p is a number of from about 1 to about 25; with the proviso that R1 and R2 are not both fully fluorinated.
In embodiments, R1 and/or R2 is a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid containing group having the following formula II:
—(CH2)q—COOH
wherein q is a number of from about 1 to about 25, or from about 1 to about 10, or from about 1 to about 5. In further embodiments, the co-solubilizer has the following formula III:
CF3(CF2)r(CH2)s—COOH
wherein r is a number of from about 0 to about 25, or from about 1 to about 25, or from about 1 to about 10, and s is a number of from about 1 to about 25, or from about 1 to about 10, or from about 1 to about 5. Examples of partly fluorinated co-solubilizers falling within this formula include partly fluorinated co-solubilizers such as CF3(CF2)2(CH2)2COOH, and the like, and mixtures thereof.
In embodiments, R1 and/or R2 is a hydroxyalkyl having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, or from about 1 to about 10 carbons, or from about 1 to about 5 carbons. Examples of partly fluorinated co-solubilizers falling within this formula include those selected from the group consisting of H(CF2)6CH2OH, H(CF2)10CH2OH, HOCH2(CF2)3CH2OH, CHF2(CF2)CH2OH, CF3CHFCF2CH2OH, CF3(CF2)2CHOHCH3, and mixtures thereof.
In embodiments, in formula I, R1 and/or R2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl carbonyl having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, or from about 1 to about 10 carbons, or from about 1 to about 5 carbons; carbonyls having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, or from about 1 to about 10 carbons, or from about 1 to about 5 carbons; or alkyl ketone carbonyl having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, or from about 1 to about 10 carbons, or from about 1 to about 5 carbons.
Other examples of suitable partly fluorinated co-solubilizers include 4-aminononafluorobiphenyl, 4-amino-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoic acid or 1H,1H,11H-eicosafluoroundecyl acrylate and mixtures thereof.
The partly fluorinated coating material is present in the organometallic solution in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 40 percent by weight of total solids, or from about 2 to about 15 percent by weight of total solids. Total solids as used herein, refers to the total amount by weight of partly fluorinated material, fillers, additives, organometallic material such as superconductor or superconductor precursor, and other like solid ingredients contained in the organometallic solution.
An organometallic compound may be used herein in the process. In embodiments, the organometallic compound can be a superconductor or superconductor precursor. The term “superconductors” as used herein refers to metals, alloys and compounds which have the ability to lose both electrical resistance and magnetic permeability at or near absolute zero. In other words, superconductors have infinite electrical conductivity at or near absolute zero. Superconductivity does not normally occur in alkali metals, noble metals, ferro- and antiferromagnetic metals. Usually, elements having 3, 5, or 7 valence electrons per atom can be superconductors.
A superconductor precursor is a material that may be processed to form a superconductor. Organometallic compounds are typically processed via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to produce films which can be either superconductors or can possess other unique properties such as chemochromic or thermochromic properties. MOCVD refers to metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. Organometallics that can be processed to create superconductor films are referred to as superconductor precursors.
Other examples of suitable superconductors include metal oxide superconductors comprising admixtures of metals from Groups IB, IIA, and IIIB of the Periodic Table. Illustrative materials of such type include the metal oxide superconductors of the yttrium-barium-copper type (YBa2Cu3Oy) type, the so-called “123” high temperature superconductors (HTSC) materials, wherein y may be from about 6 to about 7.3, as well as materials where Y may be substituted by Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Yb, Lu, Y0.5—Sc0.5, Y0.5—La0.5, and Y0.5—Lu0.5, and where Ba may be substituted by Sr—Ca, Ba—Sr, and Ba—Ca. Another illustrative class of superconductor materials includes those of the general formula (AO)mM2Can−1CunO2n+2, wherein the A cation can be thallium, lead, bismuth, or a mixture of these elements, m=1 or 2 (but is only 2 when A is bismuth), n is a number of from about 1 to about 5, M is a cation such as barium or strontium, and the substitution of calcium by strontium frequently is observed, as described in “High Tc Oxide Superconductors, “MRS Bulletin, January, 1989, pp. 20–24, and “High Tc Bismuth and Thallium Oxide Superconductors,” Sleight, A. W., et al., MRS Bulletin, January, 1989, pp. 45–48. Other examples include YbBa2Cu3O7−x (see P. P. Edwards et al. Chemistry Britain, 1987, pp. 23–26; Pb2Sr2LnCu3)O8−x (see M. O'Keefe et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1988, 110, 1506; La2−xSrxCuO4 (see Bednorz and Muller, Z. Phys. B. Cond. Matter, 1986, 64, pp 189–195, and the like.
Specific examples of superconductors or superconductor precursors include organometallic compounds such as copper (II) hexafluoropentanedionate, copper (II) methacryloxyethylacetonacetonate, antimony ethoxide, indium hexafluoropentandionate, and the like, and mixtures thereof.
Other organometallic fillers include monodentate, bidentate, or multidentate ligands such as beta-diketonates, cyclopentadienyls, alkyls, perfluoroalkyls, alkoxides, perfluoroalkoxides, and Schiff bases. Other examples of bidentate or multidentate ligands may comprise oxyhydrocarbyl ligands, nitrogenous oxyhydrocarbyl ligands, or fluorooxyhydrocarbyl ligands. The multidentate ligand may be selected from the group consisting of amines and polyamines, bipyridines, ligands of the Formula IV:
wherein G is —O—, —S—, or —NR—, wherein R is H or hydrocarbyl; crown ethers or cryptates; and ligands of the formula R0O(C(R1)2C(R2)2O)nR0, wherein R0 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, cyanato, perfluoroethyl, perfluoro-n-propyl, or vinyl; R1 is hydrogen, fluorine, or a sterically acceptable hydrocarbyl substituent; R2 is hydrogen, fluorine or a sterically acceptable hydrocarbyl substituent; n is 4, 5, or 6, and R0, R1 and R2 may be the same or different from each other.
Examples of organometallic additives also include those having the following Formula VII:
where M may be selected from the group consisting of Al, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Ca, Ce, Cr, Co, Cu, Ga, Hf, In, Ir, Fe, Pb, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pd, Pt, K, Dy, Er, Eu, Gd, Ho, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Sc, Tb, Tm, Yb, Y, Rh, Ru, Si, Ag, Na, Sr, Ta, TI, Sn, Ti, V, Zn, Zr, and the like; X or Y may be a hydrocarbon chain having from about 1 to about 30 carbons, or from about 3 to about 12 carbons; a fluorocarbon having from about 1 to about 30 carbons or from about 3 to about 12 carbons, or having from about 1 to about 20 fluorocarbon units of from about 3 to about 8 fluorocarbon units; a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group such as methoxy, propoxy, ethoxy, butoxy, pentoxy, and the like; substituted or unsubstituted a cyclic group having from about 4 to about 12 carbons such as cyclobutane, cyclopentane, benzene, a phenyl group such as phenol, cycloheptane, and the like; and wherein n is a number of from about 1 to about 100, or from about 1 to about 20, or from about 1 to about 4.
The organometallic compound can be present in the organometallic solution in any desired amount. Examples of amounts include from about 10 to about 250 parts per hundred, or from about 25 to about 200 parts per hundred, or from about 50 to about 200 parts per hundred organometallic material:polymer.
Any suitable fluorinated solvent may be used. A fluorinated solvent is a solvent comprising fluorine. In embodiments, the fluorinated solvent has low surface energy and low surface tension. Examples of fluorinated solvents include any partially or fully fluorinated organic molecule having a carbon chain with from about 2 to about 25 carbons, or from about 5 to about 15 carbons. The fluorinated solvent may contain carboxylic acid functionality. A specific commercially available example of a suitable fluorinated solvent includes Fluorinert FC-75 from 3M. The fluorinated solvent is added to the organometallic compound and the fluorinated polymer in an amount of from about 1 to about 20 percent, or from about 5 to about 15 percent solution by weight. The fluorinated solvent does not render the organometallic compound soluble.
The process for solubilizing an organometallic compound in a fluorinated solvent to form an organometallic solution includes adding and reacting a partly fluorinated co-solubilizer, an organometallic compound, and a fluorinated solvent. Unlike in known processes, the co-solubilizer does not act like a catalyst. Instead, the co-solubilizer acts as a filler or additive, and is present in the final organometallic solution. In known processes, fluorinated co-solubilizers act as catalysts and are not “used up” in the reaction, and do not become part of the final solution. Instead, in known processes, the fluorinated co-solubilizers can be easily and readily separated out of the final solution. In the present process, the partly fluorinated co-solubilizer is “used up” in the process, is present in the final solution, and is not readily or easily separated out of the final solution. The partly fluorinated co-solubilizer in the present process has the ability to cause the organometallic compound or superconductor or superconductor precursor to become miscible in the fluorinated solvent.
In known processes of fluorous biphase catalysis, the organometallic compound is solubilized in the fluorinated solvent. The catalysis reaction occurs when an aqueous phase (containing reactants) is combined into one single phase at a temperature at which the aqueous phase and a given fluorinated solvent phase are miscible. When the reaction is completed, the temperature of the reaction vessel is then returned to a temperature where the aqueous and fluorinated phase are once again immiscible. The catalyst remains in the fluorinated phase where it can be re-used, while the product of the reaction is emulsified or soluble in the aqueous phase.
The volume resistivity of the coated electrode is for example from about 10−10 to about 10−1 ohm-cm, or from 10−5 to 10−1 ohm-cm. The surface roughness (Ra) is less than about 5 microns or from about 0.01 to about 1 micron. The low surface energy is from about 5 to about 35 dynes/cm or from about 10 to about 25 dynes/cm.
In an embodiment of the invention, the material coating is coated over at least a portion of the nonattached regions of the electrode member. The nonattached region of the electrode member is the entire outer surface region of the electrode minus the region where the electrode is attached to the mounting means 54 and minus the anchoring area (55 in
Toner can accumulate anywhere along the electrode member, but it will not affect development unless it accumulates in the length of the electrode member near to the donor roll or on the length closest to the photoreceptor. Therefore, in an embodiment, the material coating covers the electrode member along the entire length corresponding to the donor roll, and on the entire length corresponding to the photoreceptor.
The material coating may be deposited on at least a portion of the electrode member by any suitable, known method. These deposition methods include liquid and powder coating, dip and spray coating. In a deposition method, the material coating is coated on the electrode member by dip coating. The curing time can be controlled by the concentration of catalyst, temperature, or both.
The partly fluorinated polymer coating can be coated to a very thin coating, such as, for example, from about 1 to about 5 μm thick, or from about 1 to about 2 μm thick. If the coating is applied to only a portion of the electrode member, the thickness of the coating may or may not taper off at points farthest from the midpoint of the electrode member. Therefore, the thickness of the coating may decrease at points farther away from the midpoint of the electrode.
In an embodiment of the invention, a primer is used in addition to the organic coating. The thickness of the primer is from about 0.01 to about 0.1 microns, or from about 0.01 to about 0.5 microns, or from about 0.01 to about 0.05 microns. An example of a specific primer is DOW CORNING 1200, which is an orthosilicate orthotitanate primer. Other primers may include n-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (Gelest product code SIA0591.0), (3-glycidoxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (Gelest Product code SIG5840.0), and methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (Gelest Product Code SIM6487.4).
A filler such as an electrically conductive filler, may be added to the material coating in the amount of from about 5 to about 35 percent by weight of total solids, or from about 15 to about 20 percent by weight of total solids. Total solids herein include the amount of partly fluorinated polymer, fluorinated solvent, metal material, fillers, and any other additives.
Examples of electrically conductive fillers include carbon black fillers (such as carbon black such as BLACK PEARL®), fluorinated carbon black (such as ACCUFLUOR® or CARBOFLUOR®), graphite, or the like, and mixtures thereof; metals such as calcium, magnesium, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and the like, and mixtures thereof; metal oxides such as antimony oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, and the like, and mixtures thereof; doped metal oxides such as antimony doped tin oxide, aluminum doped zinc oxide, antimony doped titanium dioxide, and the like, and mixtures thereof; polymer fillers such as polytetrafluoroethylene powder, polyaniline powder, and the like, and mixtures thereof; and nanocomposites such as fluorinated nanocomposites. Fluorinated nanocomposites can be added as in-situ sol-gel derived filler networks as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,726,247 and 5,876,686 to Dupont. Key benefits are improved adhesion and wear resistance.
The electrode members exhibit superior performance in terms of low surface energy, and decreased accumulation of toner on the surface of the electrode member, while also maintaining electrical properties which stimulate production of powder cloud development without charge build-up. In addition, the electrode members herein exhibit superior mechanical properties such as durability against donor roll surfaces, which are normally made of tough materials such as ceramics. In addition, the partly fluorinated coatings provide a very thin, robust, yet smooth surface, which reduces or eliminates the occurrence of wire history contamination.
Other applications for the above partly fluorinated polymer coatings in addition to use as coatings for wires, include electrically or thermal conductive soluble fluoropolymer-ceramic hybrids or intermediates, electroluminescent fluorinated fluids or polymer coatings, photosensitive fluorinated fluids or coatings, colored fluorinated fluids or soluble polymer coatings for display devices, fluorinated carrier fluids for metal oxide film formation (where low surface tension of fluorinated fluids are desirable), thermochromic fluorescent or electrochromic fluorinated fluids or coatings, and many other applications.
All the patents and applications referred to herein are hereby specifically, and totally incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the instant specification.
The following Examples further define and describe embodiments of the present invention. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts and percentages are by weight.
Preparation of Multidentate Ligand in Fluorinated Solvent Solution
An amount of 0.05 grams (0.0001 moles) of an organometallic bidentate ligand (copper II hexafluoropentanedionate) was added to 5.0 grams of 3M Fluorinert FC-75 (a fluorinated solvent). At this point, the superconductor precursor (CuHFP) was not soluble in the fluorinated solvent.
Solubilization of Multidentate Ligand in Fluorinated Solvent Solution
To the mixture formed in Example 2, an amount of 0.5 g (approximately 0.0009 moles) of 11H-eicosfluoroundecanoic acid (partially fluorinated co-solubilizer) was added. The resulting combination formed a green-blue solution.
The CuHFP was insoluble in FC-75 (fluorinated solvent) until the 11H-eicosfluoroundecanoic acid (partially fluorinated co-solubilizer) was added.
Solubilization of Multidentate Ligand in Fluorinated Solvent Solution
To the solution formed in Example 2, an amount of 5 grams of a 1 weight percent solution of a fully fluorinated polymer (TEFLON® AF 2400) in a fluorinated solvent (FC-75) was added. The resulting solution was blue-green and exhibited no signs of insolubility or immiscibility.
While the invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that various modifications and variations will be apparent to the artisan. All such modifications and embodiments as may readily occur to one skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.
The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20050111884 A1 | May 2005 | US |
