US 4,175,959 AGranted

Precipitation of particulate trigonal selenium for use in electrophotography

AssigneeXerox Corporation

InventorsRonald E. Karam, David J. Swarthout

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Abstract

Disclosed is a method of forming finely divided photosensitive trigonal selenium particles which are submicron in size and generally spherical in shape. The method comprises forming an alkaline solution containing selenide and/or polyselenide ions, followed by the precipitation of finely divided trigonal selenium particles from said solution by the addition of an oxidizing agent to said alkaline solution. The trigonal selenium particles are formed into a binder layer photosensitive device by dispersing them with an organic resin in solution with an organic solvent which when applied to a substrate in a uniform layer, is heated to remove the solvent and form the device. Continued heat treatment of the device can result in enhancement of its ability to accept an electrostatic charge.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A method for the preparation of an electrostatographic photosensitive device which comprises:

(a) forming an alkaline solution containing selenide and/or polyselenide ions and hydroxyl ions wherein the hydroxyl ions are in stoichiometric excess;
(b) maintaining the solution at a temperature not in excess of 70.degree. C.;
(c) adding an oxidizing agent to the solution to oxidize the selenide and/or polyselenide ions to thereby form and precipitate elemental selenium, said addition being carried out at a rate sufficient to cause the precipitation of submicron, generally spherically shaped particles of trigonal selenium;
(d) separating the particles of trigonal selenium from the solution;
(e) dispersing the particles of trigonal selenium with an electrically active or insulating organic resin in a solvent to form a uniform dispersion;
(f) applying the dispersion to a substrate in an even layer;
(g) removing the solvent from the layer to form a smooth continuous binder layer of trigonal selenium dispersed in a matrix of the organic resin.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 05/753,957Filed 23 Dec 1976 · division
Priority: 21 Jun 1974
Granted: 27 Nov 1979
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

G03G 5/08
Photoconductive layers; Charge-generation layers or charge-transporting layers; Additives therefor; Binders therefor: characterised by the…
C01B 19/02
Selenium; Tellurium; Compounds thereof: elemental selenium or tellurium
G03G 5/085
Characterised by the photoconductive material being inorganic: and being incorporated in an inorganic bonding material, e.g. glass-like layers
C01P 2004/22
Extending in two dimensions, e.g. plate-like: with a polygonal circumferential shape