Abstract:
An electrophotographic photosensitive member improved in cleaning performance and having a good image reproducibility, even in its long-term service, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus which have the electrophotographic photosensitive member are provided. The electrophotographic photosensitive member has, on the surface of its photosensitive layer, has a plurality of depressed portions which are independent from one another, and, where the major-axis diameter of each depressed portion is represented by Rpc and the depth that shows the distance between the deepest part of each depressed portion and the opening thereof is represented by Rdv, the depressed portions each have a ratio of depth to major-axis diameter, Rdv/Rpc, of from more than 1.0 to 7.0 or less.
Abstract:
An electrophotographic photosensitive member is disclosed which is excellent in cleaning performance, has improved durability, and suppresses image defects in various environments. The electrophotographic photosensitive member has a support and a photosensitive layer provided on the support. Depressed portions independent of one another are formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member so that the number of the depressed portions per 100 µm square is 76 or more and 1,000 or less. The openings of the depressed portions have an average major axis diameter of more than 3.0 µm and 14.0 µm or less.
Abstract:
An electrophotographic apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member; charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member including a charging member supplied with a voltage and disposed in contact with the photosensitive member so as to form a nip with the photosensitive member to charge the photosensitive member; exposure means; developing means; and transfer means. The photosensitive member includes a surface layer containing a charge-transporting material having an oxidation potential of 0.4 - 1.0 volt. Charging promoter particles are present at the nip between the photosensitive member and the charging member to injection-charge the photosensitive member. Because of the selection of the charge-transporting material and the presence of the charging promoter particles, the photosensitive member can be effectively injection-charged.