Multi-active photoconductive element having an aggregate charge generating layer

Claim 2

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, and comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 3

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 1 wherein said charge-transport layer comprises a polymeric binder and a p-type organic photoconductive charge-transport material.

Claim 4

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 1 wherein said charge-transport layer comprises a polymeric binder and an n-type organic photoconductive charge-transport material.

Claim 5

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer contiguous to a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer comprising a charge-transport material in solid solution with a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition insensitive to said activating radiation and free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 6

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer contiguous to a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer comprising a charge-transport material in solid solution with a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition insensitive to said activating radiation and free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 7

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 4 wherein said charge-transport material comprises a p-type organic photoconductive charge-transport material.

Claim 8

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 4 wherein said charge-transport material contained in said charge-generation layer comprises an n-type organic photoconductive charge-transport material.

Claim 9

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer having a dry thickness less than about 15 microns and comprising a continuous electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least on polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one thiapyrylium dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to radiation within the range of from about 520 to about 700 nm., capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said thiapyrylium dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition free from said co-crystalline complex and any pyrylium-type dye salt and comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material having a principal absorption band below about 475 nm. and capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 10

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer having a dry thickness less than about 15 microns and comprising a continuous electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least on polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one thiapyrylium dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to radiation within the range of from about 520 to about 700 nm., capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said thiapyrylium dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition free from said co-crystalline complex and any pyrylium-type dye salt and comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material having a principal absorption band below about 475 nm. and capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 11

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 7 wherein said charge-generation layer comprises an organic photoconductive charge-transport material in solid solution with said continuous phase, said transport material being electronically compatible with the transport material contained in said charge-transport layer.

Claim 12

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 7 wherein said charge-transport layer has a dry thickness greater than that of said charge-generation layer.

Claim 13

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 7 wherein said charge-transport layer has a dry thickness less than that of said charge-generation layer.

Claim 14

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer having a dry thickness within the range of from about 0.5 to about 15.0 microns and comprising a p-type organic photoconductive charge-transport material in solid solution with a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one thiapyrylium dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to radiation within the range of from about 520 to about 700 nm., capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said thiapyrylium dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition having a dry thickness within the range of from about 5 to about 200 times that of said charge-generation layer and free from said co-crystalline complex and any pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a p-type charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material having a principal absorption band below about 400 nm. and capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 15

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer having a dry thickness within the range of from about 0.5 to about 15.0 microns and comprising a p-type organic photoconductive charge-transport material in solid solution with a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one thiapyrylium dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to radiation within the range of from about 520 to about 700 nm., capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said thiapyrylium dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition having a dry thickness within the range of from about 5 to about 200 times that of said charge-generation layer and free from said co-crystalline complex and any pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a p-type charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material having a principal absorption band below about 400 nm. and capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 16

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 11 wherein said charge-transport material contained in said charge-generation layer and in said charge-transport layer is a p-type organic photoconductive selected from the group consisting of carbazole photoconductive materials, arylamine photoconductive materials, and polyarylalkane photoconductive materials.

Claim 17

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 11 wherein said charge-transport material contained in said charge-transport layer is a p-type arylamine organic photoconductor.

Claim 18

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 11 wherein said charge-transport material contained in said charge-transport layer is a p-type polyarylalkane photoconductor having the formula ##STR7## wherein J and E, which may be the same of different, represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group; and D and G, which may be the same or different represent substituted aryl groups having as a substituent thereof a group represented by the formula ##STR8## wherein R represents an unsubstituted aryl group or an alkyl substituted aryl group.

Claim 19

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 11 wherein said charge-transport material contained in said charge-transport layer is tritolylamine.

Claim 20

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer contiguous to a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer having a dry thickness within the range of from about 0.5 to about 5.0 microns and comprising a p-type organic photoconductive charge-transport material in solid solution with a continuous electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one thiapyrylium dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to radiation within the range of from about 520 to about 700 nm., capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said thiapyrylium dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an electrically insulating organic composition having a dry thickness within the range of from about 10 to about 40 times that of said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer being free from said co-crystalline complex and any pyrylium-type dye salt and comprising as a p-type charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material having a principal absorption band below about 400 nm. and capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 21

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer contiguous to a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer having a dry thickness within the range of from about 0.5 to about 5.0 microns and comprising a p-type organic photoconductive charge-transport material in solid solution with a continuous electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one thiapyrylium dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to radiation within the range of from about 520 to about 700 nm., capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said thiapyrylium dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an electrically insulating organic composition having a dry thickness within the range of from about 10 to about 40 times that of said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer being free from said co-crystalline complex and any pyrylium-type dye salt and comprising as a p-type charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material having a principal absorption band below about 400 nm. and capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 22

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 16 wherein said charge-transport material contained in said charge-generation layer and in said charge-transport layer is a p-type organic photoconductive selected from the group consisting of carbazole photoconductive materials, arylamine photoconductive materials, and polyarylalkane photoconductive materials.

Claim 23

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 16 wherein said charge-transport material contained in said charge-transport layer is a p-type arylamine organic photoconductor.

Claim 24

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 16 wherein said charge-transport material contained in said charge-transport layer is a p-type polyarylalkane photoconductor having the formula ##STR9## wherein J and E, which may be the same or different, represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group; and D and G, which may be the same or different represent substituted aryl groups having as a substituent thereof a group represented by the formula ##STR10## wherein R represents an unsubstituted aryl group or an alkyl substituted aryl group.

Claim 25

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 16 wherein said charge-transport material contained in said charge-transport layer is tritolylamine.

Claim 26

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer contiguous to a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer having a dry thickness less than about 15.0 microns and comprising a p-type organic photoconductive charge-transport material having a principal absorption band below about 475 nm. in solid solution with a continuous electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one thiapyrylium dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation within the range of from about 520 nm. to about 700 nm., capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said thiapyrylium dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an electrically insulating organic composition having a dry thickness within the range of from about 10 to about 40 times that of said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer being free from said co-crystalline complex and any pyrylium-type dye salt, and comprising an electrically insulating polymeric binder and, in solid solution with said binder, a p-type organic photoconductive charge-transport material having a principal absorption band below about 475 nm. and capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 27

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer contiguous to a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer having a dry thickness less than about 15.0 microns and comprising a p-type organic photoconductive charge-transport material having a principal absorption band below about 475 nm. in solid solution with a continuous electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one thiapyrylium dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation within the range of from about 520 nm. to about 700 nm., capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said thiapyrylium dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an electrically insulating organic composition having a dry thickness within the range of from about 10 to about 40 times that of said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer being free from said co-crystalline complex and any pyrylium-type dye salt, and comprising an electrically insulating polymeric binder and, in solid solution with said binder, a p-type organic photoconductive charge-transport material having a principal absorption band below about 475 nm. and capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 28

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 21 wherein said p-type organic photoconductive material contained in said charge-generation layer and in said charge-transport layer is an arylamine organic photoconductor.

Claim 29

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 21 wherein said electrically insulating polymer phase of said charge-generation layer and the electrically insulating polymeric binder of said charge-transport layer comprise the same polymeric materials.

Claim 30

A photoconductive insulating element comprising (a) a conductive support, (b) a polymeric subbing layer overcoating said support, (c) a charge-generation layer overcoating said subbing layer, and (d) a charge-transport layer overcoating said generation layer, (i) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (1) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (2) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation adsorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (ii) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition in electrical contact with said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 31

A photoconductive insulating element comprising (a) a conductive support, (b) a polymeric subbing layer overcoating said support, (c) a charge-generation layer overcoating said subbing layer, and (d) a charge-transport layer overcoating said generation layer, (i) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (1) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (2) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation adsorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (ii) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition in electrical contact with said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 32

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 24 wherein said subbing layer has a dry thickness in the range of from about 0.1 to about 5 microns and comprises a film-forming polymer.

Claim 33

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 24 wherein said subbing layer comprises an electrical barrier layer.

Claim 34

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 24 wherein said subbing layer has a dry thickness in the range of from about 0.1 to about 5 microns and comprises a film-forming polymer comprising a polymerized blend of monomers or prepolymers containing at least 60 percent by weight of vinylidene chloride.

Claim 35

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 24 wherein said subbing layer comprises a hydrophobic, film-forming polymer and has a dry thickness in the range of from about 0.1 to about 5 microns, said polymer being free of any acid-containing groups and comprising a polymerized blend of monomers or prepolymers, each possessing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups.

Claim 36

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 25 wherein said polymer is a polyester.

Claim 37

A photoconductive insulating element comprising (a) a conductive support, (b) a polymeric subbing layer overcoating said support, (c) a charge-transport layer overcoating said subbing layer, and (d) a charge-generation layer overcoating said transport layer, (i) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (1) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (2) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (ii) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition in electrical contact with said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer being free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 38

A photoconductive insulating element comprising (a) a conductive support, (b) a polymeric subbing layer overcoating said support, (c) a charge-transport layer overcoating said subbing layer, and (d) a charge-generation layer overcoating said transport layer, (i) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (1) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (2) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (ii) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition in electrical contact with said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer being free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 39

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 30 wherein said subbing layer has a dry thickness in the range of from about 0.1 to about 5 microns and comprises a film-forming polymer.

Claim 40

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 30 wherein said subbing layer comprises an electrical barrier layer.

Claim 41

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 30 wherein said subbing layer has a dry thickness in the range of from about 0.1 to about 5 microns and comprises a film-forming polymer comprising a polymerized blend of monomers or prepolymers containing at least 60 percent by weight of vinylidene chloride.

Claim 42

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 30 wherein said subbing layer comprises a hydrophobic, film-forming polymer and has a dry thickness in the range of from about 0.1 to about 5 microns, said polymer being free of any acid-containing groups and comprising a polymerized blend of monomers or prepolymers, each possessing one or more polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups.

Claim 43

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 31 wherein said polymer is a polyester.

Claim 44

A photoconductive insulating element comprising (a) a conductive support, (b) a charge-generation layer overcoating said support, and (c) a charge-transport layer overcoating said generation layer, (i) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (1) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (2) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (ii) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition in electrical contact with said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 45

A photoconductive insulating element comprising (a) a conductive support, (b) a charge-generation layer overcoating said support, and (c) a charge-transport layer overcoating said generation layer, (i) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (1) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (2) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (ii) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition in electrical contact with said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 46

A photoconductive insulating element comprising (a) a conductive support, (b) a charge-generation layer overcoating said support, and (c) a charge-transport layer overcoating said generation layer, (i) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (1) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (2) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (ii) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition in electrical contact with said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 47

A photoconductive insulating element comprising (a) a conductive support, (b) a charge-generation layer overcoating said support, and (c) a charge-transport layer overcoating said generation layer, (i) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (1) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (2) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (ii) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition in electrical contact with said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 48

In an electrophotographic process wherein an electrostatic charge pattern is formed by a photoconductive insulating element, the improvement wherein said photoconductive insulating element used to form said charge pattern is a photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 37.

Claim 49

A photoconductive insulating element comprising (a) a conductive support, (b) a charge-transport layer overcoating said support, and (c) a charge-generation layer overcoating said transport layer, (i) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (1) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (2) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (ii) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition in electrical contact with said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer being free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 50

A photoconductive insulating element comprising (a) a conductive support, (b) a charge-transport layer overcoating said support, and (c) a charge-generation layer overcoating said transport layer, (i) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (1) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (2) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, the particulate, co-crystalline complex of said discontinuous phase having a size of about 0.01 to about 25 microns, said charge generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (ii) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition in electrical contact with said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer being free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 51

A photoconductive insulating element comprising (a) a conductive support, (b) a charge-transport layer overcoating said support, and (c) a charge-generation layer overcoating said transport layer, (i) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (1) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (2) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (ii) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition in electrical contact with said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer being free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 52

A photoconductive insulating element comprising (a) a conductive support, (b) a charge-transport layer overcoating said support, and (c) a charge-generation layer overcoating said transport layer, (i) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed therein a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (1) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (2) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (ii) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition in electrical contact with said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer being free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, said charge-transport layer comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 53

In an electrophotographic process wherein an electrostatic charge pattern is formed by a photoconductive insulating element, the improvement wherein said photoconductive insulating element used to form said charge pattern is a photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 40.

Claim 54

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, and comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 55

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, and comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 56

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer having a dry thickness less than about 15 microns and comprising a continuous electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one thiapyrylium dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to radiation within the range of from about 520 to about 700 nm., capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said thiapyrylium dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition free from said co-crystalline complex and any pyrylium-type dye salt and comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material having a principal absorption band below about 475 nm. and capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 57

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer having a dry thickness less than about 15 microns and comprising a continuous electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one thiapyrylium dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to radiation within the range of from about 520 to about 700 nm., capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said thiapyrylium dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition free from said co-crystalline complex and any pyrylium-type dye salt and comprising as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material having a principal absorption band below about 475 nm. and capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 58

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer contiguous to a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer having a dry thickness within the range of from about 0.5 to about 5.0 microns and comprising a continuous electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one thiapyrylium dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to radiation within the range of from about 520 to about 700 nm., capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said thiapyrylium dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an electrically insulating organic composition having a dry thickness within the range of from about 10 to about 40 times that of said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer being free from said co-crystalline complex and any pyrylium-type dye salt and comprising as a p-type charge-transport material an organic arylamine or polyarylalkane photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 59

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer contiguous to a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer having a dry thickness within the range of from about 0.5 to about 5.0 microns and comprising a continuous electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one thiapyrylium dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to radiation within the range of from about 520 to about 700 nm., capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said thiapyrylium dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an electrically insulating organic composition having a dry thickness within the range of from about 10 to about 40 times that of said charge-generation layer, said charge-transport layer being free from said co-crystalline complex and any pyrylium-type dye salt and comprising as a p-type charge-transport material an organic arylamine or polyarylalkane photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 60

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, and containing as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material comprising a metallo-organic material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 61

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, and containing as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material comprising a metallo-organic material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 62

A photoconductive insulating element as defined in claim 45 wherein said charge-generation layer has a dry thickness within the range of from about 0.5 to about 5.0 microns and said pyrylium-type dye salt employed in said co-crystalline complex comprises a thiapyrylium dye salt, and wherein said charge-transport layer has a dry thickness within the range of from about 10 to about 40 times that of said charge-generation layer.

Claim 63

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polycarbonate polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polycarbonate polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, and comprising (i) an electrically insulating polycarbonate polymer and (ii) as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.

Claim 64

A photoconductive insulating element having at least two layers comprising a charge-generation layer in electrical contact with a charge-transport layer, (a) said charge-generation layer comprising a continuous, electrically insulating polycarbonate polymer phase and dispersed in said continuous phase a discontinuous phase comprising a finely-divided, particulate co-crystalline complex of (i) at least one polycarbonate polymer having an alkylidene diarylene group in a recurring unit and (ii) at least one pyrylium-type dye salt, said co-crystalline complex, upon exposure to activating radiation for said complex, capable of generating and injecting charge carriers into said charge-transport layer, said charge-generation layer having a maximum radiation absorption at a wavelength at least about 10 nm. different from the wavelength of maximum absorption of said pyrylium-type dye salt solubilized with said alkylidene diarylene group-containing polymer in a homogeneous composition, (b) said charge-transport layer being an organic composition free from said co-crystalline complex and said pyrylium-type dye salt, and comprising (i) an electrically insulating polycarbonate polymer and (ii) as a charge-transport material an organic photoconductive material capable of accepting and transporting injected charge carriers from said charge-generation layer.