Intermediate transfer members

Abstract: A resistive transfer component having a fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer layer (30), and in embodiments, the resistive transfer component comprises an optional polyimide substrate (32), and an optional outer silicone release layer (33).

Description: The present invention relates to intermediate toner image transfer components in the following referred to as "intermediate transfer components", and more specifically, to intermediate transfer components useful in transferring a developed image in an electrostatographic, especially xerographic machine or apparatus. In embodiments, the present invention allows for the preparation and manufacture of intermediate transfer components with excellent electrical, chemical and mechanical properties, including controlled resistivity in a desired resistivity range and excellent conformability. Further, in embodiments, the intermediate transfer components also exhibit excellent chemical and electrical properties such as statistical insensitivity of conductivity to increases in temperature and to environmental changes. Moreover, the intermediate transfer components herein, in embodiments, allow for high transfer efficiencies to and from intermediates even for full color images and can be useful in both dry and liquid toner developments systems. In electrostatographic printing machines wherein the toner image is electrostatically transferred by a potential between the imaging member and the intermediate transfer member, the transfer of the toner particles to the intermediate transfer member and the retention thereof should be as complete as possible so that the image ultimately transferred to the image receiving substrate will have a high resolution. Substantially 100% toner transfer occurs when most or all of the toner particles comprising the image are transferred and little residual toner remains on the surface from which the image was transferred. Substantially 100% toner transfer is especially important for generating full color images since undesirable shifting or color deterioration in the final colors can occur when the primary color images are not accurately and efficiently transferred to and from the intermediate transfer members. To help decrease charge exchange and increase toner transfer, the resistivity of the intermediate transfer member should be within a desired range, and preferably, wherein the resistivity is virtually unaffected by changes in humidity, temperature, bias field, and operating time. Attempts at controlling the resistivity of intermediate transfer members have been accomplished by, for example, adding conductive fillers such as ionic additives and/or carbon black to the conformable layer. While the addition of electrically ionic additives to polymers may partially control the resistivity of the polymers to some extent, there are problems associated with the use of these additives. In particular, undissolved particles frequently bloom or migrate to the surface of the polymer and cause an imperfection in the polymer. This leads to a nonuniform resistivity, which in turn, causes poor antistatic properties and poor mechanical strength. The ionic additives on the surface may interfere with toner release and affect toner offset. Furthermore, bubbles appear in the conductive polymer, some of which can only be seen with the aid of a microscope, others of which are large enough to be observed with the naked eye. These bubbles provide the same kind of difficulty as the undissolved particles in the polymer namely, poor or nonuniform electrical properties and poor mechanical properties. In addition, the ionic additives themselves are sensitive to changes in temperature, humidity, and operating time. These sensitivities often limit the resistivity range. For example, the resistivity usually decreases by up to two orders of magnitude or more as the humidity increases from 20% to 80% relative humidity. This effect limits the operational or process latitude. Moreover, ion transfer can also occur in these systems. The transfer of ions will lead to charge exchanges and insufficient transfers, which in turn, will cause low image resolution and image deterioration, thereby adversely affecting the copy quality. In color systems, additional adverse results are color shifting and color deterioration. Ion transfer also increases the resistivity of the polymer member after repetitive use. This can limit the process and operational latitude and eventually the ion-filled polymer component will be unusable. Carbon black particles can impart other specific adverse effects. Such carbon dispersions are difficult to prepare due to carbon gelling, and the resulting layers may deform due to gelatin formation. This can lead to an adverse change in the conformability of the intermediate transfer member, which in turn, can lead to insufficient transfer and poor copy quality, and possible contamination of other machine parts and later copies. Therefore, there exists an overall need for an intermediate transfer member for use in both dry and liquid toner systems, which provides for increased toner transfer efficiency and a decrease in the occurrence of charge exchange. More specifically, there exists a specific need for an intermediate transfer member having controlled resistivity in a desired range so as to neutralize toner charges, thereby decreasing the occurrence of charge exchange, increasing image quality and preventing contamination of other xerographic members. In addition, there exists a specific need for an intermediate transfer member which has an outer surface having the qualities of a stable resistivity in the desired resistivity range and in which the conformability and low surface energy properties of the release layer are not affected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a resistive transfer component which has superior electrical properties including a stable resistivity in the desired resistivity range even in conditions of changing humidity and temperature. The present invention provides a resistive toner image transfer component comprising at least one fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer layer (30). The present invention further provides an apparatus for forming images on a recording medium comprising the above resistive toner image transfer component. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the sub-claims. The transfer members provided herein are useful in both dry and liquid toner systems and are useful in color and multicolor systems. The intermediate transfer members herein, in embodiments, enable control of desired resistivities, allow for uniform electrical properties including resistivity, and neutralize toner charges, all of which contribute to good release properties, a decrease in the occurrence of charge exchange, an increase in image quality, and a decrease in contamination of other xerographic components such as photoconductors. The transfer members provided herein, in embodiments, also have improved insensitivities to environmental and mechanical changes, have low surface energy, and have good conformability. Figure 1 is a schematic view of an image development system containing an intermediate transfer member. Figure 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention, wherein a one layer intermediate transfer film comprising a fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer described herein is shown. Figure 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention, wherein a two layer intermediate transfer film described herein is shown. Figure 4 is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention, wherein a three layer intermediate transfer film described herein is shown. The present invention relates to resistive transfer systems comprising a fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer layer. Figure 1 demonstrates an embodiment of the present invention and depicts an intermediate transfer member 11 positioned between an imaging member 1 and a transfer roller 9. The imaging member 1 is exemplified by a photoreceptor drum. However, other appropriate imaging members may include other electrostatographic imaging receptors such as ionographic belts and drums, electrophotographic belts, and the like. In the multi-imaging system of Figure 1, each image being transferred is formed on the imaging drum by image forming station 36. Each of these images is then developed at developing station 37 and transferred to intermediate transfer member 11. Each of the images may be formed on the photoreceptor drum 1 and developed sequentially and then transferred to the intermediate transfer member 11. In an alternative method, each image may be formed on the photoreceptor drum 1, developed, and transferred in registration to the intermediate transfer member 11. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the multi-image system is a color copying system. In this color copying system, each color of an image being copied is formed on the photoreceptor drum. Each color image is developed and transferred to the intermediate transfer member 11. As above, each of the colored images may be formed on the drum 1 and developed sequentially and then transferred to the intermediate transfer member 11. In the alternative method, each color of an image may be formed on the photoreceptor drum 1, developed, and transferred in registration to the intermediate transfer member 11. After latent image forming station 36 has formed the latent image on the photoreceptor drum 1 and the latent image of the photoreceptor has been developed at developing station 37, the charged toner particles 3 from the developing station 37 are attracted and held by the photoreceptor drum 1 because the photoreceptor drum 1 possesses a charge 2 opposite to that of the toner particles 3. In Figure 1, the toner particles are shown as negatively charged and the photoreceptor drum 1 is shown as positively charged. These charges can be reversed, depending on the nature of the toner and the machinery being used. In a preferred embodiment, the toner is present in a liquid developer. However, the present invention, in embodiments, is useful for dry development systems also. A biased transfer roller 9 positioned opposite the photoreceptor drum 1 has a higher voltage than the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1. As shown in Figure 1, biased transfer roller 9 charges the backside 6 of intermediate transfer member 11 with a positive charge 10. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a corona or any other charging mechanism may be used to charge the backside 6 of the intermediate transfer member 11. The negatively charged toner particles 3 are attracted to the front side 5 of the intermediate transfer member 11 by the positive charge 10 on the backside 6 of the intermediate transfer member 11. The intermediate transfer member may be in the form of a sheet, web or belt as it appears in Figure 1, or in the form of a roller or other suitable shape. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate transfer member is in the form of a belt. In another embodiment of the invention, not shown in the figures, the intermediate transfer member may be in the form of a sheet. It is desirable that the intermediate transfer member be comprised of materials that have good dimensional stability, are resistant to attack by materials of the toner or developer, and are conformable to image receiving substrates. The fluorocarbon elastomers of the present invention possess these properties. Conformability means that the material is able to contact an image receiving substrate with substantially complete smoothness, that is, that the material conforms to match the topography or contour of the surface of the substrate. The image produced on the substrate is high in resolution and has good image quality. An image transferred by an intermediate transfer member lacking conformability produces complete images having varying shades (i.e.. areas lighter in color than other areas), low resolution images, color shifting, color deterioration and incomplete areas where the toner was unable to contact the substrate. After the toner latent image has been transferred from the photoreceptor drum to the intermediate transfer member, the intermediate transfer member may be contacted under heat and pressure to an image receiving substrate such as paper. The toner image on the intermediate transfer member is then transferred and fixed, in image configuration, to the substrate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, toner particles are supplied in a liquid developer form. Using fluorinated carbon as a filler in fluoroelastomers helps to solve the above problems. The intermediate transfer member material of the present invention enables high yield transfer of toner particles from the photoreceptor to the intermediate transfer member due to the combination of fluorinated carbon and fluoroelastomer which provide for a stable resistivity within the desired range of from 10 7 to 10 13 Ω/sq. Further, such fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomers allow for a stable resistivity within the desired range also greatly reduces the charge exchange between the intermediate transfer member and both the toner and the charge director optionally in the developer. The intermediate transfer member of the present invention can be of at least three different configurations. In one embodiment of the invention, the intermediate transfer component 24 is of a single layer configuration as shown in Figure 2. The single layer 30 is a fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer. The fluorinated carbon 31 is evenly dispersed in the fluoroelastomer. It is believed that the fluorinated carbon crosslinks with the fluoroelastomer. It is preferred that the surface resistivity of the single fluoropolymer layer is from 10 7 to 10 13 Ω/sq, preferably from 10 9 to 10 12 Ω/sq, and particularly preferred about 5 x 10 10 Ω/sq. The thickness of the single layer intermediate transfer component is from 0.025 to 0.75mm (1 to 30 mil), preferably from 0.125 to 0.375 mm (5 to 15 mil). The hardness of the single layer intermediate transfer component is less than 85 Shore A, preferably from 45 to 65 Shore A. An optional filler may be added to enhance mechanical strength of the single layer film. Examples of suitable fillers include MgO, CaO, ZnO, Ca(OH) 2 and the like. The one layer configuration can be in the form of a belt, film, or an endless flexible seamed or seamless belt or film. In another embodiment of the invention, the intermediate transfer belt 24 is of a two layer configuration as shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, the intermediate transfer component comprises a substrate 32, and having thereon a fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer outer layer 30. The fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer is as described above in the description of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 having a fluorinated carbon filler 31 dispersed in the fluoroelastomer layer. In this two layer configuration shown in Figure 3, the substrate is preferably a flexible film or belt made of plastic having a high resistivity. Alternatively, the substrate is a rigid roll made of a metal such as aluminum, steel, or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the substrate is a flexible belt made of a resistive plastic such as a polyimide. Specific examples of suitable polyimides include PAI (polyamideimide), PI (polyimide), polyaramide, polyphthalamide, and the like. The plastic must be capable of exhibiting high mechanical strength, be flexible, and be resistive. It is preferred that the polyimide contain a resistive filler such as carbon black, graphic or a metal oxide such as tin oxide. It is preferred that the resistivity of the substrate layer be from 10 7 to 10 13 Ω/sq, preferably from 10 9 to 10 12 Ω/sq, and particularly preferred about 5 x 10 10 Ω/sq. In addition, it is preferred that the plastic have a flexural strength of from 3.4 x 10 9 to 2 x 10 10 Pa (500,000 to 3,000,000 psi), and a flexural modulus of from 6.9 x 10 7 to 3.8 x 10 8 Pa (10,000 to 55,000 psi). The thickness of the substrate is from 0.025 to 0.25mm (1 to 10 mil), preferably from 0.025 to 0.125 mm (1 to 5 mil). The fluorinated carbon filled outer layer 30 has a thickness of from 0.012 to 0.15 mm (0.5 to 6 mil), preferably from 0.025 to 0.1mm (1 to 4 mil). The surface resistivity is from 10 7 to 10 13 Ω/sq. preferably from 10 9 to 10 12 Ω/sq, and particularly preferred about 5 x 10 10 Ω/sq. The hardness of the conformable outer layer is less than 85 Shore A, and preferably from 45 to 65 Shore A. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate transfer belt 24 is of a three layer configuration as shown in Figure 4. This three layer configuration provides superior conformability and is suitable for use with liquid toner, and especially in color xerographic machines. In this three layer configuration, the intermediate transfer belt 24 comprises a substrate 32 as defined above, and having thereon an intermediate layer 30 comprised of a conformable fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer layer positioned on the substrate, and an outer release layer 33. The mechanical and electrical properties of the fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer layer and the substrate are as described above, wherein the intermediate layer contains a fluorinated carbon filler 31 dispersed therein. This outer layer is preferably thin, having a thickness of from 0.0025 to 0.05 mm (0.1 to 2 mils), and preferably from 0.005 to 0.037 mm (0.2 to 1.5 mils). The outer release layer is made of a known material suitable for release such as, for example, a silicone rubber. Specific example of silicone rubbers useful herein include Silicone 552 available from Sampson Coating, Inc. Richmond, Virginia; Eccosil 4952D available from Emerson Cuming, Inc., WO Burn, Massachusetts; Dow Corning DC-437 Silicone available from Dow Corning, Midland, Michigan, and any other suitable commercially available silicone material. Preferably, the outer layer includes an optional metal oxide filler such as Fe 2 O 3 dispersed therein. The three layer configuration works very well with liquid development and is the: preferred configuration of the present invention. The circumference of the component in a film or belt configuration of from 1 to 3 or more layers, is from 20.3 to 152.4 cm (8 to 60 inches), preferably from 25.4 to 127 cm (10 to 50 inches), and particularly preferred from 38.1 to 88.9 cm (15 to 35 inches). The width of the film or belt is from 20.3 to 10.6 cm (8 to 40 inches), preferably from 25.4 to 91.4 cm (10 to 36 inches), and particularly preferred from 25.4 to 61 cm (10 to 24 inches). It is preferably that the film be an endless, seamed flexible belt or a seamed flexible belt, which may or may not include puzzle cut seam(s). Examples of such belts are described in U.S. Patent Numbers 5,487,707; and 5,514,436. A method for manufacturing reinforced seamless belts is set forth in U.S. Patent 5,409,557. The particular resistivity of the fluoropolymer conformable layer can be chosen and controlled depending, for example, on the amount of fluorinated carbon, the kind of curative, the amount of curative, the amount of fluorine in the fluorinated carbon, and the curing procedures including the specific curing agent, curing time and curing temperature. The resistivity can be generated not only by selecting the appropriate curing agents, curing time and curing temperature as set forth above, but also by selecting a specific polymer and filler, such as a specific fluorinated carbon, or mixtures of various types of fluorinated carbon. The percentage of fluorine in the fluorinated carbon will also affect the resistivity of the fluoroelastomer when mixed therewith. The fluorinated carbon which is believed to crosslink with an elastomer, provides unexpectedly superior results by providing an intermediate transfer member having a stable resistivity within the desired range which is virtually unaffected by numerous environmental and mechanical changes, and provides sufficient antistatic properties. Fluorinated carbon, sometimes referred to as graphite fluoride or carbon fluoride is a solid material resulting from the fluorination of carbon with elemental fluorine. The number of fluorine atoms per carbon atom may vary depending on the fluorination conditions. The variable fluorine atom to carbon atom stoichiometry of fluorinated carbon permits systemic, uniform variation of its electrical resistivity properties. Controlled and specific resistivity is a highly desired feature for a conformable surface of an intermediate transfer member. Fluorinated carbon is a specific class of compositions which is prepared by the chemical addition of fluorine to one or more of the many forms of solid carbon. In addition, the amount of fluorine can be varied in order to produce a specific, desired resistivity. Fluorocarbons are either aliphatic or aromatic organic compounds wherein one or more fluorine atoms have been attached to one or more carbon atoms to form well defined compounds with a single sharp melting point or boiling point. Fluoropolymers are linked-up single identical molecules which comprise long chains bound together by covalent bonds. Moreover, fluoroelastomers are a specific type of fluoropolymer. Thus, despite some apparent confusion in the art, it is apparent that fluorinated carbon is neither a fluorocarbon nor a fluoropolymer and the term is used in this context herein. The fluorinated carbon material may include the fluorinated carbon materials as described herein. The methods for preparation of fluorinated carbon are well known and documented in the literature, such as in the following U.S. Patents 2,786,874; 3,925,492; 3,925,263; 3,872,032 and 4,247,608. Essentially, fluorinated carbon is produced by heating a carbon source such as amorphous carbon, coke, charcoal, carbon black or graphite with elemental fluorine at elevated temperatures, such as 150° to 600° C. A diluent such as nitrogen is preferably admixed with the fluorine. The nature and properties of the fluorinated carbon vary with the particular carbon source, the conditions of reaction and with the degree of fluorination obtained in the final product. The degree of fluorination in the final product may be varied by changing the process reaction conditions, principally temperature and time. Generally, the higher the temperature and the longer the time, the higher the fluorine content. Fluorinated carbon of varying carbon sources and varying fluorine contents is commercially available from several sources. Preferred carbon sources are carbon black, crystalline graphite and petroleum coke. One form of fluorinated carbon which is suitable for use in accordance with the invention is polycarbon monofluoride which is usually written in the shorthand manner CF x with x representing the number of fluorine atoms and generally being up to 1.5, preferably from 0.01 to 1.5, more preferably from 0.02 to 1.5, and particularly preferred from 0.04 to 1.4. The compound represented by formula CF x has a lamellar structure composed of layers of fused six carbon rings with fluorine atoms attached to the carbons and lying above and below the plane of the carbon atoms. Preparation of CF x type fluorinated carbon is described, for example, in above-mentioned U.S. Patents 2,786,874 and 3,925,492. Generally, formation of this type of fluorinated carbon involves reacting elemental carbon with F 2 catalytically. This type of fluorinated carbon can be obtained commercially from many vendors, including Allied Signal, Morristown, New Jersey; Central Glass International, Inc., White Plains, New York; Diakin Industries, Inc., New York, New York; and Advance Research Chemicals, Inc., Catoosa, Oklahoma. Another form of fluorinated carbon which has been postulated by Nobuatsu Watanabe as poly(dicarbon monofluoride) which is usually written in the shorthand manner (C 2 F) n . The preparation of (C 2 F) n type fluorinated carbon is described, for example, in above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,608, and also in Watanabe et al., "Preparation of Poly(dicarbon monofluoride) from Petroleum Coke", Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan, 55, 3197-3199 (1982). In addition, preferred fluorinated carbons selected include those described in U.S. Patent 4,524,119 to Luly et al., and those having the tradename Accufluor®, (Accufluor® is a registered trademark of Allied Signal, Morristown, New Jersey) for example, Accufluor® 2028, Accufluor® 2065, Accufluor® 1000, and Accufluor® 2010. Accufluor® 2028 and Accufluor® 2010 have 28 and 11 percent fluorine content, respectively. Accufluor® 1000 and Accufluor® 2065 have 62 and 65 percent fluorine content respectively. Also, Accufluor® 1000 comprises carbon coke, whereas Accufluor® 2065, 2028 and 2010 all comprise conductive carbon black. These fluorinated carbons are of the formula CF x and are formed by the reaction of C + F 2 = CF x . The following chart demonstrates some properties of four preferred fluorinated. carbons useful in the present invention. PROPERTIES ACCUFLUOR® UNITS GRADE 1000 2065 2028 2010 N/A Feedstock Coke Conductive Carbon Black N/A Fluorine Content 62 65 28 11 % True Density 2.7 2.5 2.1 1.9 g/cc Bulk Density 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.09 g/cc Decomposition Temperature 630 500 450 380 °C Median Particle Size 8 <1 <1 <1 micrometers Surface Area 130 340 130 170 m 2 /g Thermal Conductivity 10 -3 10 -3 10 -3 N.A. cal/cm-sec-°C Electrical Resistivity 10 11 10 11 10 8 <10 ohm-cm Color Gray White Black Black N/A As has been described herein, a major advantage of the invention is the capability to be able to vary the fluorine content of the fluorinated carbon to permit systematic uniform variation of the resistivity properties of the intermediate transfer member. The preferred fluorine content will depend on the equipment used, equipment settings, desired resistivity, and the specific fluoroelastomer chosen. The fluorine content in the fluorinated carbon is from 1 to 70 weight percent based on the weight of fluorinated carbon (carbon content of from 99 to 30 weight percent), preferably from 5 to 65 (carbon content of from 95 to 35 weight percent), and particularly preferred from 10 to 30 weight percent (carbon content of from 90 to 70 weight percent). The median particle size of the fluorinated carbon can be less than 1µm (micron) and up to 10 µm (microns), is preferably less than 1 µm (micron), and particularly preferred from 0.1 to 0.9 µm (micron). The surface area is preferably from 100 to 400 m 2 /g, preferred of from 110 to 340, and particularly preferred from 130 to 170 m 2 /g. The density of the fluorinated carbons is preferably from 1.5 to 3 g/cc, preferably from 1.9 to 2.7 g/cc. The amount of fluorinated carbon in the conformable fluoroelastomer layer of the intermediate transfer member is from 1 to 50 percent by weight of the total solids content, and preferably from 1 to 30 weight percent based on the weight of total solids. Total solids as used herein refers to the amount of fluoroelastomer and/or other elastomers. The specific surface resistivity of the outer layer of the intermediate transfer component is important in that a resistivity within a desired range such as that set forth above will significantly decrease static related adhesion of the toner to the intermediate transfer surface and provide an opportunity to drive transfer of the toner image. The present invention, in embodiments, provides intermediate transfer system members which possess the desired resistivity. Further, the resistivity of the present intermediate transfer member is virtually unaffected by high temperature, changes in humidity, operating time, bias field, and many other environmental changes. It is preferable to mix different types of fluorinated carbon primarily to tune the mechanical and electrical properties. For example, an amount of from 0 to 40 percent, and preferably from 1 to 35 percent by weight of Accufluor® 2010 can be mixed with an amount of from 0 to 40 percent, preferably from 1 to 35 percent Accufluor® 2028. Other forms of fluorinated carbon can also be mixed. Another example is an amount of from 0 to 40 percent Accufluor® 1000 mixed with an amount of from 0 to 40 percent, preferably from 1 to 35 percent Accufluor® 2065. All other combinations of mixing the different forms of Accufluor® are possible. The conformable layers herein include fluoroelastomers. Specifically, suitable fluoroelastomers are those described in detail in U.S. Patents 5,166,031, 5,281,506, 5,366,772 and 5,370,931, together with U.S. Patents 4,257,699, 5,017,432 and 5,061,965. As described therein these fluoroelastomers, particularly from the class of copolymers and terpolymers of vinylidenefluoride, hexafluoropropylene and tetrafluoroethylene, are known commercially under various designations as VITON® A, VITON® E, VITON® E60C, VITON® E430, VITON® 910, VITON® GH and VITON® GF. The VITON® designation is a Trademark of E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. Other commercially available materials include FLUOREL® 2170, FLUOREL® 2174, FLUOREL® 2176, FLUOREL® 2177 and FLUOREL® LVS 76 FLUOREL® being a Trademark of 3M Company. Additional commercially available materials include AFLAS tm a poly(propylene-tetrafluoroethylene) and FLUOREL II® (LII900) a poly(propylene-tetrafluoroethylenevinylidenefluoride) both also available from 3M Company, as well as the Tecnoflons identified as FOR-60KIR®, FOR-LHF®, NM® FOR-THF®, FOR-TFS®, TH®, TN505® available from Montedison Specialty Chemical Company. In another preferred embodiment, the fluoroelastomer is one having a relatively low quantity of vinylidenefluoride, such as in VITON® GF, available from E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. The VITON® GF has 35 mole percent of vinylidenefluoride, 34 mole percent of hexafluoropropylene and 29 mole percent of tetrafluoroethylene with 2 percent cure site monomer. The cure site monomer can be 4-bromoperfluorobutene-1, 1,1-dihydro-4-bromoperfluorobutene-1, 3-bromoperfluoropropene-1, 1,1-dihydro-3-bromoperfluoropropene-1, or any other suitable, known cure site monomer commercially available from DuPont or any other manufacturer. In a preferred single layer embodiment of the invention, the conformable layer is comprised of a fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer, wherein the fluoroelastomer is VITON GF® and the fluorinated carbon is selected from Accufluor® 1000, Accufluor® 2065, Accufluor® 2028, Accufluor® 2010, or mixtures thereof. The amount of fluoroelastomer used to provide the conformable layers is dependent on the amount necessary to form the desired thickness of the layer or layers. Specifically, the fluoroelastomer for the outer layer is added in an amount of from 60 to 99 percent, preferably 70 to 99 percent by weight of total solids. Optional intermediate adhesive layers and/or polymer layers may be applied to achieve desired properties and performance objectives of the present conductive film. An adhesive intermediate layer may be selected from, for example, epoxy resins and polysiloxanes. Preferred adhesives are proprietary materials such as THIXON 403/404, Union Carbide A-1100, Dow TACTIX 740, Dow TACTIX 741, and Dow TACTIX 742. A particularly preferred curative for the aforementioned adhesives is Dow H41. In the two layer configuration, there may be provided an adhesive layer between the substrate and the outer fluoropolymer layer. In the three layer configuration, there may also be an adhesive layer between the intermediate conductive fluoropolymer layer and the outer silicone layer, and/or between the intermediate fluoroelastomer layer and the polyimide substrate. The layer or layers may be deposited on the substrate via a well known coating processes. Known methods for forming the outer layer(s) on the substrate film such as dipping, spraying such as by multiple spray applications of very thin films, casting, flow-coating, web-coating, roll-coating, extrusion, molding, or the like can be used. It is preferred to deposit the layers by spraying such as by multiple spray applications of very thin films, by web coating or by flow-coating. The intermediate transfer components having a conformable layer comprising a fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer exhibit superior electrical and mechanical properties. The components are designed so as to enable control of electrical properties including control of conductivity in the desired resistivity range, wherein the conductivity is virtually insensitive to environmental changes. Further, the components have a reduced surface energy which helps to maintain excellent release properties. Moreover, the intermediate transfer components herein allow for neutralization of residual toner charge, which ultimately improves image quality. In addition, the intermediate transfer components herein have good conformability. The following Examples further define and describe embodiments of the present invention. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts and percentages are by weight. EXAMPLES Example I A resistive layer containing 30% by weight of Accufluor® 2028 in VITON® GF was prepared in the following manner. The coating dispersion was prepared by first adding a solvent (200 g of methyl ethyl ketone), a steel shot (2,300 g) and 19.5 g of ACCUFLUOR® 2028 in a small bench top attritor (model 01A). The mixture was stirred for about one minute so as to wet the fluorinated carbon. A polymer binder, VITON® GF (45 g) was then added and the resulting mixture was attrited for 30 minutes. A curative package (2.25 g VC-50, 0:9 g Maglite-D and 0.2 G Ca(OH)2) and a stabilizing solvent (10 g methanol) were then introduced and the resulting mixture was further mixed for another 15 minutes. After filtering the steel shot through a wire screen, the dispersion was collected in a polypropylene bottle. The resulting dispersion was then coated onto KAPTON® substrates within 2-4 hours using a Gardner Laboratory coater. The coated layers were air-dried for approximately two hours and then step heat cured in a programmable oven. The heating sequence was as follows: (1) 65oC for 4 hours, (2) 93oC for 2 hours, (3) 144oC for 2 hours, (4) 177oC for 2 hours, (5) 204oC for 2 hours and (6) 232oC for 16 hours. This resulted in a VITON® GF layer containing 30% by weight ACCUFLUOR® 2028. The dry thickness of the layers was determined to be approximately 3 mil (∼ 75 µm). The surface resistivity of the cured VITON GF® layers was measured by a Xerox Corporation in-house testing apparatus consisting of a power supply (Trek 601C Coratrol), a Keithy electrometer (model 610B) and a two point conformable guarded electrode probe (15 mm spacing between the two electrodes). The field applied for the measurement was 500 V/cm and the measured current was converted to surface resistivity based on the geometry of the probe. The surface resistivity of the layer was determined to be ∼ 1 x 10 9 ohm/sq. The volume resistivity of the layer was determined by the standard AC conductivity technique. The surface of the VITON GF® was coated directly onto a stainless steel substrate, in the absence of an intermediate layer. An evaporated aluminum thin film (300 A) was used as the counter electrode. The volume resistivity was found to be approximately 1 x 10 9 ohm-cm at an electric field of 1500 V/cm. Surprisingly, the resistivity was found to be insensitive to changes in temperature in the range of 20°C to 150oC, and to changes in relative humidity in the range of 20% to 80%, and to the intensity of applied electric field (up to 2,000 V/cm). Furthermore, no hysteresis (memory) effect was seen after the layer was cycled to higher electric fields (>104 V/cm). Example II A number of resistive layers were prepared using various percentages by weight of ACCUFLUOR® 2028 and ACCUFLUOR® 2010 following the procedures described in Example I. These layers were found to exhibit very similar electric properties as the layers in Example 1 when measured following the same procedures. The data is summarized in Table I. Resistivity Data of Fluorinated Carbon in VITON® GF (field ∼1500 V/cm) Fluorinated Carbon Loading (% by weight) Surface Resistivity (ohm/sq) Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm) ACCUFLUOR® 2028 35 1.7 x 10 7 ∼ 1.6 x 10 8 ACCUFLUOR® 2028 25 1.0 x 10 10 ∼6 x 10 11 ACCUFLUOR® 2028 20 8.9 x 10 11 ∼2 x 10 13 ACCUFLUOR® 2010 30 8.3 x 10 4 ACCUFLUOR® 2010 10 1.9 x 10 5 ACCUFLUOR® 2010 5 4.1 x10 5 ACCUFLUOR® 2010 3.5 4.5 x 10 6 ACCUFLUOR® 2010 3 1.7 x 10 8 Example III A number of resistive layers were prepared using the dispersing and coating procedure as described in Example I, with the exception that a mixture of various percentages by weight of various types of ACCUFLUOR®s were mixed with VITON® GF. The compositions of the ACCUFLUOR®/VITON® GF layers and the surface resistivity results are summarized in Table 2. Fillers in VITON® GF Surface Resistivity (%) (ohm/sq) 2% ACCUFLUOR® 2010 4.5 × 10 11 15% ACCUFLUOR® 2028 2.5% ACCUFLUOR® 2010 1.0 x 10 9 15% ACCUFLUOR® 2028 3% ACCUFLUOR® 2010 5.4 x 10 9 5% ACCUFLUOR® 2028 3% ACCUFLUOR® 2010 6.4 x 10 9 10% ACCUFLUOR® 2028 3% ACCUFLUOR® 2010 1.3 x 10 10 15% ACCUFLUOR® 2028 3.5% ACCUFLUOR® 2010 2 x 10 9 5% ACCUFLUOR® 2028 3.5% ACCUFLUOR® 2010 7.2 × 10 9 15% ACCUFLUOR® 2028 Example IV Resistive layers of 25% by weight of ACCUFLUOR® in VITON® GF were prepared according to the procedures described in Example I. However, instead of performing a post-curing at 232oC for 16 hours, the post-curing was performed for 9 hours, 26 hours, 50 hours, 90 hours and 150 hours, respectively. The surface resistivity results are shown in Table 3. Post-curing Time Surface Resistivity (ohm/sq) 9 hours 5.5 x 10 10 26 hours 8.8 x 10 9 50 hours 1.8 x 10 9 90 hours 7.3 x 10 7 150 hours 7.2 x 10 6 Example V Coating dispersions containing different concentrations of ACCUFLUOR® 2010 in VlTON® GF were prepared using the attrition procedures given in Example I. These dispersions were then air-sprayed onto KAPTON® substrates. The layers (-0.06 mm (2.5 mil)) were air-dried and post-cured using the procedure outlined in Example I. The surface resistivity results are summarized in Table 4 below. The percentages are by weight. ACCUFLUOR® 2010 Loading in VITON® GF (%) Surface Resistivity (ohm/sq) 6 % 1.6 x 10 12 7 % 7.0 x 10 8 8 % 8.5 x 10 7 10 % 6.2 x 10 6 20 % 1. 1 x 10 5 Example VI A resistive layer of 30% ACCUFLUOR® 2028 in VITON® GF was prepared according to the procedures described in Example I, with the exception that 4.5 g of curative VC-50 was used. The surface resistivity of the layer was measured using the techniques outlined in Example 1 and was found to be approximately 5.7 x 10 9 ohm/sq. Example VII A coating dispersion was prepared by first adding a solvent (200 g of methyl ethyl ketone), a steel shot (2,300 g) and 2.4 g of ACCUFLUOR® 2028 in a small bench top attritor (model 01A). The mixture was stirred for about one minute so as to wet the fluorinated carbon with the solvent. A polymer binder, VITON® GF (45 g), was then added and the resulting mixture was attrited for 30 minutes. A curative package (0.68 g DIAK 1 and 0.2 g Maglite Y) and a stabilizing solvent (10 g methanol) were then introduced and the mixture was further mixed for about 15 minutes. After filtering the steel shot through a wire screen, the fluorinated carbon/VITON® GF dispersion was collected in a polypropylene bottle. The dispersion was then coated onto KAPTON® substrates within 2-4 hours using a Gardner laboratory coater. The coated layers were first air-dried for approximately two hours and then heat cured in a programmable oven. The heating sequence was: (1) 65°C for 4 hours, (2) 93°C for 2 hours, (3) 144°C for 2 hours, (4) 177°C for 2 hours, (5) 204°C for 2 hours and (6) 232°C for 16 hours. A resistive layer (∼ 0.07 mm (3 mil)) consisting of 5% by weight ACCUFLUOR® 2028 in VITON® GF was formed. The surface resistivity of the layer was measured according to the procedures of Example I and was found to be approximately 1 x 10 8 ohm/sq. Example VIII A resistive layer of 5% by weight ACCUFLUOR® 2028 in VITON® GF was prepared according to the procedures in Example VII, with the exception that 1.36 g of DIAK 1 was used as the curative. The surface resistivity of the layer was measured at 1 x 10 5 ohm/sq. Example IX A coating dispersion was prepared by first adding a solvent (200 g of methyl ethyl ketone), a steel shot (2,300 g) and 1.4 g of ACCUFLUOR® 2028 in a small bench top attritor (model 01A). The mixture was stirred for about one minute so that the fluorinated carbon became wet. A polymer binder. VITON® GF (45 g), was then added and the resulting mixture was attrited for 30 minutes. A curative package (1.36 g DIAK 3 and 0.2 g Maglite Y) and a stabilizing solvent (10 g methanol) were then introduced and the resulting mixture was further mixed for another 15 minutes. After filtering the steel shot through a wire screen, the fluorinated carbon/VITON® GF dispersion was collected in a polypropylene bottle. The dispersion was then coated onto KAPTON® substrates within 2-4 hours using a Gardner Laboratory coater. The coated layers were first air-dried for approximately 2 hours and then heat cured in a programmable oven. The heat curing sequence was: (1) 65°C for 4 hours, (2) 93°C for 2 hours, (3) 144°C for 2 hours. (4) 177°C for 2 hours, (5) 204°C for 2 hours and (6) 232°C for 16 hours. A resistive layer (∼0.07mm) ( 3 mil) consisting of 3% ACCUFLUOR® 2028 in VITON® GF was formed. The surface resistivity of the layer was approximately 8 × 10 6 ohm/sq. Example X Resistive layers of 5% ACCUFLUOR® 2028 in VITON® GF were prepared using the dispersion and coating procedures as outlined in Example VII, with the exception that the curing times and the curing temperatures were changed. The surface resistivities of these layers are summarized in Table 5. Curing Temperature (°C) Curing time (hours) Surface Resistivity (ohm/sq) 232 2 3.6 x 10 8 232 4.5 1.2x 10 8 232 8 1.0 x 10 8 195 2 1.9 x 10 10 195 4.5 6.0 x 10 9 195 8 7.7 x 10 9 195 23 3.4 x 10 9 175 4.5 5.2 x 10 10 175 23 2.0 x 10 10 149 8 5.2 x 10 11 149 23 2.3 x 10 11 Example XI Resistive layers of 3% by weight ACCUFLUOR® 2028 in VITON® GF were prepared using the dispersion and coating procedures as described in Example IX, with the exception that the curing times and the curing temperatures were changed. The surface resistivities of these layers are summarized in Table 6. Curing Temperature (°C) Curing Time (hours) Surface Resistivity (ohm/sq) 235 2.5 8.1 x 10 6 235 6 8.0 x 10 6 235 8 8.0 x 10 6 175 2.5 6.6 x 10 8 175 6 4 x 10 8 175 24 8.8 x 10 7 149 2.5 1.2 x 10 10 149 6 7.5 x 10 9 149 8.5 6.1 x 10 9 149 24 2.5 x 10 9 Example XII An intermediate transfer belt of an fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer resistive layer can be fabricated in the following manner. A coating dispersion containing ACCUFLUOR® 2028 and VITON® GF in a weight ratio of 1 to 3 can be prepared according to the procedures outlined in Examples I and II above. An approximately 0.07 mm (3 mil) thick ACCUFLUOR®/VITON® resistive layer can then be prepared by web-coating the dispersion onto a resistive KAPTON® substrate (available from DuPont and having a surface resistivity of about 10 10 ohm/sq). The coated layer can then be dried and cured using the conditions outlined in Example I. The surface resistivity of the ACCUFLUOR®/VITON® layer is estimated to be about 10 10 ohm/sq) and the hardness is estimated to be about 85 Shore A. Example XIII A coating dispersion containing ACCUFLUOR® 2028, ACCUFLUOR® 2010, and VITON® GF in a weight ratio of 2:3:95 can be prepared according to the procedures outlined in Example I. An approximately 0.07 mm (3 mil) thick ACCUFLUOR®/VITON® layer can be prepared by web-coating the dispersion onto a resistive KAPTON® substrate (available from DuPont and having a surface resistivity of about 10 10 ohm/sq). The coated layer can then be dried and cured using the process described in Example I. The resulting film can be used as an intermediate transfer belt The surface resistivity of the ACCUFLUOR®/VITON® layer is estimated to be about 10 10 ohm/sq) and the hardness is estimated to be about 65 Shore A. Example XIV A multilayer intermediate transfer belt consisting of a DuPont resistive KAPTON® substrate having thereon an ACCUFLUOR®/VITON® resistive layer having thereon a silicone outer layer can be prepared by web-coating a silicone layer onto the layers prepared in Examples XII and XIII. After coating, the silicone layer can be dried and the entire layered structure can be cured at 120°C for 3 hours, 177°C for 4 hours and finally, 232°C for 2 hours. The multilayer intermediate transfer belts can be particularly suitable for application in liquid xerography.

Claims: A resistive toner image transfer component comprising at least one fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer layer (30). The resistive toner image transfer component of claim 1, wherein the fluorinated carbon is present in said layer (30) in an amount of from 1 to 30 percent by weight based on the weight of total solids. The resistive toner image transfer component of claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluorinated carbon has a fluorine content of from 10 to 30 weight percent based on the weight of fluorinated carbon, and a carbon content of from 90 to 70 weight percent based on the weight of fluorinated carbon. The resistive toner image transfer component of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluorinated carbon is represented by the formula CF x , wherein x represents the number of fluorine atoms and is a number of from 0.02 to 1.5. The resistive toner image transfer component of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fluoroelastomer is selected from the group consisting of a) copolymers of vinylidenefluoride, hexafluoropropylene and tetrafluoroethylene, b) terpolymers of vinylidenefluoride, hexafluoropropylene and tetrafluoroethylene, and c) tetrapolymers of vinylidenefluoride, hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoroethylene and a cure site monomer. The resistive toner image transfer component of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fluoroelastomer is present in the layer (30) in an amount of from 70 to 99 percent by weight based on the weight of total solids. The resistive toner image transfer component of any of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a polyimide substrate (32), wherein said fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer layer (30) is in contact with said polyimide substrate (32). The resistive toner image transfer component of claim 7, wherein said polyimide substrate (32) contains a filler selected from the group consisting of carbon black, graphite and metal oxides. The resistive toner image transfer component of any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an outer silicone release layer (33) positioned on said fluorinated carbon filled fluoroelastomer layer (30). An apparatus for forming images on a recording medium comprising the resistive toner image transfer component of any of claims 1 to 9.

Inventors: ABKOWITZ MARTIN A, FERGUSON ROBERT M, LAW KOCK-YEE, MAMMINO JOSEPH, TARNAWSKYJ IHOR W, ABKOWITZ, MARTIN A., FERGUSON, ROBERT M., LAW, KOCK-YEE, MAMMINO, JOSEPH, TARNAWSKYJ, IHOR W.
Applicants: XEROX CORP, XEROX CORPORATION
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G03G15
IPC codes: G03G7, B29D29, G03G15, B29K27