Crystal structure of an azo Fe-complex used as a charge control agent and its electrical properties

摘要

The title compound (azo Fe-complex) is a well-known charge-control agent (CCA) used widely in electrophotography. Structure analysis as well as electrical measurements has been carried out in the present study in order to support our charge control mechanism that is based upon local heating and charge transfer through conductive channels at the "toner/carrier" contact. Methanol or acetone-solvated single crystals were isolated from solution in methanol or acetone, respectively. The former is found to crystallize in space group of P-1 while P2_1/n in the latter crystal. The electrical conductivity of these crystals increases exponentially with temperature and the value around 100 °C is two-three orders of magnitude higher than that of room temperature.