Binder Agent Research Articles

Tellurium Physical Development (TPD): A Dry Non-Silver Amplification Process

AbstractNon-silver amplification elements have been formulated which comprise a Te(n) or Te(lv) compound incorporated with a reducing agent in a polymeric binder. Such tellurium physical development (TPD) elements deposit elemental tellurium under the catalytic influence of Ag(O) and Pd(O) at temperatures in the range 100-185°c. Vacuum-deposited palladium nuclei have been used to show that a minimum catalyst size of 6 Pd atoms initiates the thermal TPD process. The use of the new amplification chemistry is illustrated in an imaging element incorporating an organic photoreductant as the photosensitive element.