Enhancement of the electrophotographic properties of DLC coated OPC drums by oxygen addition

Diamond-like carbon films with high transmittance over 90% and hardness sub stantially higher than that of a organic photoconductor (OPC) were deposite d on OPC layers using a d.c.-remote plasma enhancement chemical vapor depos ition (RPECVD) system with a magnetic field imposed around the cathode. All the electrophotographic properties except residual potential were enhanced by DLC coating. The hardness and resistivity of the DLC film were also imp roved by adding oxygen to CH4 gas. However, the residual potential value ca n be reduced to 11.0 V which is acceptable even for high sensitivity laser printing, by using a CH4-20at.% O-2 gas mixture in the RPECVD for DLC coati ng. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.