Study On The Preparation Of Diamond-like Carbon Films Deposited On Photosensitive Drums

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films were deposited on biological substrates by self-made radio-frequency magnetron plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF magnetron PECVD) device in this paper. The probe profilometer, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis spectrophotometer and friction-wear spectrometer were used to characterize the film thickness, composition, structure, morphology, roughness, transmittance and friction performance for the study of DLC films’structure and properties under different technological parameters. The results showed that DLC films were well prepared on biological glasses with the reaction gas of C4H10 and the carrier gas of Ar by the method of RF-PECVD. And DLC films deposited by basic vacuum of 9.8×10-3Pa, RF input power of 600W, C4H10/Ar of 1.5/25 and deposition time of 2 mins, had the appropriate thickness, smooth surface, small roughness, high sp3 bond content and optical transmittance as well as the excellent tribological properties. So this technological parameter was regarded as the optimized one.Wrap a layer of PET on the outer surface of OPC drum, and then deposite DLC films on PET as a transitional experiment with the method of spin coating under different deposition times (Other technological parameters were the same as the optimized one). Results showed that DLC films deposited on PET appeared slightly yellow, which may be caused by the impurities; but its adhesion strength was much higher than the adhesion strength of DLC films deposited on biological glasses. The spinning deposition time should be controlled in 3-6mins when the rotational speed is 16s/rpm. Then deposite DLC films on the non-gear side and gear side surface of OPC drums with the method of half coated spin coating and test their friction performances with homemade friction tester. The results showed that the most vulnerable part of OPC drum was the uncoated commutation portion; second, no matter which side of OPC drums were coated (non-gear or gear side), the friction life of OPC drums with the deposition of DLC films under different deposition times could be increased to 2-3 times, indicating DLC films had significant friction reduce effect; third, sample 8-3 OPC drum with a deposition time of 6mins showed a stable increase of friction life, which was about 3 times.At last, deposite DLC films on both non-gear side and gear side surface of OPC drums with the method of half coated spin coating under the deposition time of 6 mins and then test the service life of the drums with a laser printer. The results showed that the pages printed by OPC drums with DLC films were clear, non-defect and the same with the pages printed by a new OPC drum, meaning DLC films would not affect the print quality of a laser printer; second, the ink of the text became lighter after printing 3000 copies, indicating some of the photoconductive materials were wore off, leading to a deterioration of its photographic performance and finally causing a lighter text; third, the service life of OPC drums with DLC films on both non-gear side and gear side were increased to more than 2 times, indicating the successful application of DLC films deposited on photosensitive drums.