Polycarbonate overcoats and binders for photoconductive layers and elements

Claim 2

A photoconductive layer comprising a photoconductor and a polycarbonate binder having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 3

The photoconductive layer of claim 1, wherein said pendant polar groups are selected from the group consisting of amide, sulfonamide, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and lactone.

Claim 4

A photoconductive layer comprising a photoconductor and a polycarbonate binder wherein from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate are represented by the structural formula ##STR7## wherein R 1 and R 2 , which are the same or different, are both arylene, or R 1 is ##STR8## and R 2 is ##STR9## wherein R 3 and R 4 are both hydrogen, or one of R 3 and R 4 is hydrogen and the other is methyl; and X is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR10## wherein: R 5 is hydrogen, aryl, or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 6 is arylene or alkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R 7 is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 8 is alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Z represents the atoms necessary to complete a lactone; and n is an integer from 1 to 2.

Claim 5

A photoconductive layer comprising a photoconductor and a polycarbonate binder wherein from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate are represented by the structural formula ##STR7## wherein R 1 and R 2 , which are the same or different, are both arylene, or R 1 is ##STR8## and R 2 is ##STR9## wherein R 3 and R 4 are both hydrogen, or one of R 3 and R 4 is hydrogen and the other is methyl; and X is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR10## wherein: R 5 is hydrogen, aryl, or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 6 is arylene or alkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R 7 is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 8 is alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Z represents the atoms necessary to complete a lactone; and n is an integer from 1 to 2.

Claim 6

A photoconductive layer comprising a photoconductor and a polycarbonate binder selected from the group consisting of: a. poly[4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-(1-carbamoylethylidene)diphenylene carbonate]; b. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); c. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-[N-methyl]carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]-diphenylene carbonate); d. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(5,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran-2-one-4-yl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); e. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-phthalidylidene carbonate); and f. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-1,2-diethyl-1,2-dihydroxyethylene-1,2-di-p-phenylene carbonate.

Claim 7

A photoconductive layer comprising a photoconductor and a polycarbonate binder selected from the group consisting of: a. poly[4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-(1-carbamoylethylidene)diphenylene carbonate]; b. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); c. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-[N-methyl]carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]-diphenylene carbonate); d. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(5,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran-2-one-4-yl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); e. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-phthalidylidene carbonate); and f. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-1,2-diethyl-1,2-dihydroxyethylene-1,2-di-p-phenylene carbonate.

Claim 8

The photoconductive layer of claims 1, 3 or 4, wherein pendant polar groups are attached to from 5 to 50 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 9

The photoconductive layer of claims 1, 3 or 4 wherein pendant polar groups are attached to from 8 to 20 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 10

The photoconductive layer of claims 1, 3 or 4 wherein said polycarbonate is cross-linked through its pendant polar groups.

Claim 11

The photoconductive layer of claim 7, wherein said polycarbonate is cross-linked through its pendant polar groups with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of aminoplast resins, formaldehydes, and dialdehydes.

Claim 12

The photoconductive layer of claims 1, 3 or 4 wherein said photoconductive layer is an aggregate photoconductive layer.

Claim 13

The photoconductive layer of claims 1, 3 or 4 wherein said photoconductive layer is an organic photoconductive layer.

Claim 14

The organic photoconductive layer of claim 10 wherein said organic photoconductive layer is a homogeneous organic photoconductive layer.

Claim 15

An electrophotographic element comprising an electrically conductive layer in electrical contact with a photoconductive layer which comprises a photoconductor and a polycarbonate binder having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 16

An electrophotographic element comprising an electrically conductive layer in electrical contact with a photoconductive layer which comprises a photoconductor and a polycarbonate binder having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 17

The electrophotographic element of claim 12 wherein said pendant polar groups are selected from the group consisting of amide, sulfonamide, carboxyl, hydroxyl and lactone.

Claim 18

An electrophotographic element comprising an electrically conductive layer in electrical contact with a photoconductive layer which comprises a photoconductor and a polycarbonate binder wherein from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate are represented by the structural formula ##STR11## wherein R 1 and R 2 , which are the same or different, are both arylene, or R 1 is ##STR12## and R 2 is ##STR13## wherein R 3 and R 4 are both hydrogen, or one of R 3 and R 4 is hydrogen and the other is methyl; and X is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR14## wherein: R 5 is hydrogen, aryl, or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 6 is arylene or alkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R 7 is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 8 is alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Z represents the atoms necessary to complete a lactone; and n is an integer from 1 to 2.

Claim 19

An electrophotographic element comprising an electrically conductive layer in electrical contact with a photoconductive layer which comprises a photoconductor and a polycarbonate binder wherein from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate are represented by the structural formula ##STR11## wherein R 1 and R 2 , which are the same or different, are both arylene, or R 1 is ##STR12## and R 2 is ##STR13## wherein R 3 and R 4 are both hydrogen, or one of R 3 and R 4 is hydrogen and the other is methyl; and X is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR14## wherein: R 5 is hydrogen, aryl, or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 6 is arylene or alkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R 7 is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 8 is alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Z represents the atoms necessary to complete a lactone; and n is an integer from 1 to 2.

Claim 20

An electrophotographic element comprising an electrically conductive layer in electrical contact with a photoconductive layer comprising a photoconductor and a polycarbonate binder selected from the group consisting of: a. poly[4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-(1-carbamoylethylidene)diphenylene carbonate]; b. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); c. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-[N-methyl]carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); d. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(5,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran-2-one-4-yl)-ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); e. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-phthalidylidene carbonate); and f. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-1,2-diethyl-1,2-dihydroxyethylene-1,2-di-p-phenylene carbonate).

Claim 21

An electrophotographic element comprising an electrically conductive layer in electrical contact with a photoconductive layer comprising a photoconductor and a polycarbonate binder selected from the group consisting of: a. poly[4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-(1-carbamoylethylidene)diphenylene carbonate]; b. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); c. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-[N-methyl]carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); d. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(5,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran-2-one-4-yl)-ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); e. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-phthalidylidene carbonate); and f. poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-1,2-diethyl-1,2-dihydroxyethylene-1,2-di-p-phenylene carbonate).

Claim 22

The electrophotographic element of claims 12, 14 or 15, wherein said polycarbonate is cross-linked through its pendant polar groups.

Claim 23

The electrophotographic element of claim 16, wherein said polycarbonate is cross-linked through its pendant polar groups with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of aminoplast resins, formaldehydes, and dialdehydes.

Claim 24

The electrophotographic element of claims 12, 14 or 15 wherein pendant polar groups are attached to from 5 to 50 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 25

An electrophotographic element comprising: a. an electrically conductive layer; b. a photoconductive layer superposed on and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive layer; and c. an overcoat superposed on said photoconductive layer, said overcoat comprising a polycarbonate having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 26

An electrophotographic element comprising: a. an electrically conductive layer; b. a photoconductive layer superposed on and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive layer; and c. an overcoat superposed on said photoconductive layer, said overcoat comprising a polycarbonate having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 27

The electrophotographic element of claim 19 wherein said polycarbonate overcoat is cross-linked through its pendant polar groups.

Claim 28

The electrophotographic element of claim 19 wherein said polycarbonate overcoat is cross-linked through its pendant polar groups with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of aminoplast resins, formaldehydes, and dialdehydes.

Claim 29

An electrophotographic element comprising: a. an electrically conductive layer; b. a photoconductive layer as described in claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 superposed on and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive layer; and c. an overcoat superposed on said photoconductive layer, said overcoat comprising a polycarbonate having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 30

An electrophotographic element comprising: a. an electrically conductive layer; b. a photoconductive layer superposed on and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive layer; and c. an overcoat superposed on said photoconductive layer, said overcoat comprising a polycarbonate having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate, said pendant polar groups being selected from the group consisting of amide, sulfonamide, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and lactone.

Claim 31

An electrophotographic element comprising: a. an electrically conductive layer; b. a photoconductive layer superposed on and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive layer; and c. an overcoat superposed on said photoconductive layer, said overcoat comprising a polycarbonate having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate, said pendant polar groups being selected from the group consisting of amide, sulfonamide, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and lactone.

Claim 32

The electrophotographic element of claim 23 wherein said polycarbonate overcoat is cross-linked through its pendant polar groups.

Claim 33

The electrophotographic element of claim 23 wherein said polycarbonate overcoat is cross-linked through its pendant polar groups with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of aminoplast resins, formaldehydes, and dialdehydes.

Claim 34

An electrophotographic element comprising: a. an electrically conductive layer; b. a photoconductive layer as described in claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 superposed on and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive layer; and c. an overcoat superposed on said photoconductive layer, said overcoat comprising a polycarbonate having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate, said pendant polar groups being selected from the group consisting of amide, sulfonamide, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and lactone.

Claim 35

An electrophotographic element comprising: a. an electrically conductive layer; b. a photoconductive layer superposed on and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive layer; and c. an overcoat superposed on said photoconductive layer, said overcoat comprising a polycarbonate wherein from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate are represented by the structural formula ##STR15## wherein R 1 and R 2 , which are the same or different are both arylene, or R 1 is ##STR16## and R 2 is ##STR17## wherein R 3 and R 4 are both hydrogen, or one of R 3 and R 4 is hydrogen and the other is methyl; and X is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR18## wherein: R 5 is hydrogen, aryl, or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 6 is arylene or alkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R 7 is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 8 is alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Z represents the atoms necessary to complete a lactone; and n is an integer from 1 to 2.

Claim 36

An electrophotographic element comprising: a. an electrically conductive layer; b. a photoconductive layer superposed on and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive layer; and c. an overcoat superposed on said photoconductive layer, said overcoat comprising a polycarbonate wherein from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate are represented by the structural formula ##STR15## wherein R 1 and R 2 , which are the same or different are both arylene, or R 1 is ##STR16## and R 2 is ##STR17## wherein R 3 and R 4 are both hydrogen, or one of R 3 and R 4 is hydrogen and the other is methyl; and X is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR18## wherein: R 5 is hydrogen, aryl, or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 6 is arylene or alkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R 7 is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 8 is alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Z represents the atoms necessary to complete a lactone; and n is an integer from 1 to 2.

Claim 37

The electrophotographic element of claim 27 wherein said polycarbonate overcoat is cross-linked through its pendant polar groups.

Claim 38

The electrophotographic element of claim 27 wherein said polycarbonate overcoat is cross-linked through its pendant polar groups with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of aminoplast resins, formaldehydes, and dialdehydes.

Claim 39

An electrophotographic element comprising: a. an electrically conductive layer; b. a photoconductive layer as described in claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 superposed on and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive layer; and c. an overcoat superposed on said photoconductive layer, said overcoat comprising a polycarbonate wherein from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate are represented by the structural formula ##STR19## wherein R 1 and R 2 , which may be the same or different, are arylene, or R 1 is ##STR20## and R 2 is ##STR21## wherein R 3 and R 4 are both hydrogen, or one of R 3 and R 4 is hydrogen and the other is methyl; and X is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR22## wherein: R 5 is hydrogen, aryl, or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 6 is arylene or alkylene having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R 7 is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R 8 is alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Z represents the atoms necessary to complete a lactone; and n is an integer from 1 to 2.

Claim 40

An electrophotographic element comprising: a. an electrically conductive layer; b. a photoconductive layer superposed on and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive layer; and c. an overcoat superposed on said photoconductive layer, said overcoat comprising a polycarbonate selected from the group consisting of: (i) poly[4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-(1-carbamoylethylidene)diphenylene carbonate]; (ii) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); (iii) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-[N-methyl]carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); (iv) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(5,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran-2-one-4-yl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); (v) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-phthalidylidene carbonate); and (vi) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-1,2-diethyl-1,2-dihydroxyethylene-1,2-di-p-phenylene carbonate).

Claim 41

An electrophotographic element comprising: a. an electrically conductive layer; b. a photoconductive layer superposed on and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive layer; and c. an overcoat superposed on said photoconductive layer, said overcoat comprising a polycarbonate selected from the group consisting of: (i) poly[4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-(1-carbamoylethylidene)diphenylene carbonate]; (ii) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); (iii) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-[N-methyl]carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); (iv) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(5,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran-2-one-4-yl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); (v) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-phthalidylidene carbonate); and (vi) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-1,2-diethyl-1,2-dihydroxyethylene-1,2-di-p-phenylene carbonate).

Claim 42

The electrophotographic element of claim 31 wherein said polycarbonate overcoat is cross-linked through its pendant polar groups.

Claim 43

The electrophotographic element of claim 31 wherein said polycarbonate overcoat is cross-linked through its pendant polar groups with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of aminoplast resins, formaldehydes, and dialdehydes.

Claim 44

An electrophotographic element comprising: a. an electrically conductive layer; b. a photoconductive layer as described in claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 superposed on and in electrical contact with said electrically conductive layer; and c. an overcoat superposed on said photoconductive layer, said overcoat comprising a polycarbonate selected from the group consisting of: (i) poly[4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-(1-carbamoylethylidene)diphenylene carbonate]; (ii) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); (iii) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(2-[N-methyl]carbamoylethyl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); (iv) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-[1-(5,5-dimethyltetrahydrofuran-2-one-4-yl)ethylidene]diphenylene carbonate); (v) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-4,4'-phthalidylidene carbonate); and (vi) poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene-co-1,2-diethyl-1,2-dihydroxyethylene-1,2-di-p-phenylene carbonate).

Claim 45

In an electrophotographic process comprising the steps of: (a) electrostatically charging a photoconductive layer which is in electrical contact with an electrically conductive layer; (b) exposing portions of said photoconductive layer to irradiation to form an electrostatic latent image on a surface of said photoconductive layer; and (c) contacting said surface with a toner composition to form a visible image on said surface, the improvement wherein: said photoconductive layer comprises a photoconductor and a binder, and said binder comprises a polycarbonate having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 46

In an electrophotographic process comprising the steps of: (a) electrostatically charging a photoconductive layer which is in electrical contact with an electrically conductive layer; (b) exposing portions of said photoconductive layer to irradiation to form an electrostatic latent image on a surface of said photoconductive layer; and (c) contacting said surface with a toner composition to form a visible image on said surface, the improvement wherein: said photoconductive layer comprises a photoconductor and a binder, and said binder comprises a polycarbonate having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 47

In an electrophotographic process comprising the steps of: (a) electrostatically charging an electrophotographic element comprising a photoconductive layer interposed between and in electrical contact with an electrically conductive layer and a protective overcoat; (b) exposing portions of said electrophotographic element to irradiation to form an electrostatic latent image on a surface of said element; and (c) contacting said surface with a toner composition to form a visible image on said surface, the improvement wherein: said overcoat comprises a polycarbonate having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 48

In an electrophotographic process comprising the steps of: (a) electrostatically charging an electrophotographic element comprising a photoconductive layer interposed between and in electrical contact with an electrically conductive layer and a protective overcoat; (b) exposing portions of said electrophotographic element to irradiation to form an electrostatic latent image on a surface of said element; and (c) contacting said surface with a toner composition to form a visible image on said surface, the improvement wherein: said overcoat comprises a polycarbonate having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonate.

Claim 49

In an electrophotographic process comprising the steps of: (a) electrostatically charging an electrophotographic element comprising a photoconductive layer interposed between and in electrical contact with an electrically conductive layer and a protective overcoat; (b) exposing portions of said electrophotographic element to irradiation to form an electrostatic latent image on a surface of said element; and (c) contacting said surface with a toner composition to form a visible image on said surface, the improvement wherein: said photoconductive layer comprises a photoconductor and a binder, and said binder and said overcoat comprise the same or different polycarbonates having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonates.

Claim 50

In an electrophotographic process comprising the steps of: (a) electrostatically charging an electrophotographic element comprising a photoconductive layer interposed between and in electrical contact with an electrically conductive layer and a protective overcoat; (b) exposing portions of said electrophotographic element to irradiation to form an electrostatic latent image on a surface of said element; and (c) contacting said surface with a toner composition to form a visible image on said surface, the improvement wherein: said photoconductive layer comprises a photoconductor and a binder, and said binder and said overcoat comprise the same or different polycarbonates having pendant polar groups attached to from about 1 to 100 percent of the recurring units of said polycarbonates.