JP5127991B1 - Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrophotographic photosensitive member that hardly causes image flow, a process cartridge having the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an electrophotographic apparatus are provided.
The surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member is formed of a plurality of recesses having a depth of 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less and a maximum opening diameter of 20 μm or more and 80 μm or less, and portions other than the recesses, and electrophotography at an arbitrary position of the surface of the photosensitive member, when placed a square area of one side 500 [mu] m, the area of the recesses in the square area of a side 500 [mu] m is at 10000 ² more 90000Myuemu ² or less, the area of the flat portion contained in a portion other than the recess There is 80000μm ² more 240000μm ² below.
[Selection figure] None

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic apparatus.

  Since an electric external force such as charging or cleaning or a mechanical external force is applied to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, durability against such external force (such as wear resistance) is required.

  In response to this requirement, conventionally, improved techniques such as using a highly wear-resistant resin (such as a curable resin) for the surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member have been used.

  On the other hand, a problem caused by increasing the wear resistance of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is image flow. In the image flow, the material used for the surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member deteriorates due to an oxidizing gas such as ozone or nitrogen oxide generated by charging of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, or electrophotography occurs due to moisture adsorption. It is considered that the cause is that the surface of the photoreceptor is lowered in resistance. The higher the abrasion resistance of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the more difficult the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is refreshed (removal of materials that cause image flow such as deteriorated materials and adsorbed moisture), resulting in image flow. It becomes easy to do.

  As a technique for improving image flow, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for providing a dimple-shaped recess on the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member by dry blasting or wet honing. According to Patent Document 1, by providing a plurality of dimple-shaped concave portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, it is possible to suppress image flow from the initial stage to about 5000 sheets.

  Patent Document 2 discloses that the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is provided with 76 to 1000 concave portions having an average major axis diameter of the opening larger than 3.0 μm and 14.0 μm or less per 100 μm square. There is disclosed a technique for maintaining good dot reproducibility from the initial stage to about 50,000 sheets even in a high humidity environment, that is, suppressing image flow.

  Patent Document 3 discloses an imaging member having a patterned surface.

Japanese Patent No. 3938209 JP 2007-233355 A JP 2011-22578 A

  However, with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement with respect to the image flow that occurs remarkably in the vicinity of the charging device, as well as relatively early image flow is suppressed. In addition, there is still room for improvement with respect to the image flow immediately after startup, which is likely to occur when the electrophotographic apparatus is left for several days in a high temperature and high humidity environment.

  Further, even with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is still room for improvement with respect to image flow that occurs remarkably in the vicinity of the charging device, and when the electrophotographic apparatus is left in a high temperature and high humidity environment for several days. There is still room for improvement in the image flow immediately after startup, which is likely to occur.

  Even with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3, it suppresses image flow that occurs near the charging device and image flow that occurs immediately after startup, which is likely to occur when an electrophotographic device is left for several days in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment. The effect to do was not fully obtained.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic photosensitive member that hardly causes image flow, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus having the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support,
The surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is formed of a plurality of recesses having a depth of 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less and an opening longest diameter of 20 μm or more and 80 μm or less, and a portion other than the recesses,
When placing the square area of a side 500μm at an arbitrary position of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the area of the recess in the square area of the one side 500μm is at 10000 ² more 90000Myuemu ² or less, contained in a portion other than the recess The electrophotographic photosensitive member is characterized in that the flat portion has an area of 80000 μm ² or more and 240000 μm ² or less.

The present invention also relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support.
Of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, at least a contact region with a cleaning member includes a plurality of recesses having a depth of 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less and a maximum opening diameter of 20 μm or more and 80 μm or less, and portions other than the recesses Formed,
When placing the square area of a side 500μm at an arbitrary position of the contact area between the cleaning member, the area of the recess in the square area of the one side 500μm is at 10000 ² more 90000Myuemu ² or less, contained in a portion other than the recess The electrophotographic photosensitive member is characterized in that the flat portion has an area of 80000 μm ² or more and 240000 μm ² or less.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a cleaning means having a cleaning member disposed in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally supported and detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus. Process cartridge.

  The present invention also includes the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a cleaning unit including a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a cleaning member disposed in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive unit. An electrophotographic apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrophotographic photosensitive member that hardly causes image flow, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus having the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

(A) And (B) is a figure which shows typically relations, such as a reference plane, a flat part, and a recessed part. (A)-(G) is a figure which shows the example of the shape of the opening part of the recessed part of the surface of an electrophotographic photoreceptor. (A)-(G) is a figure which shows the example of the cross-sectional shape of the recessed part of the surface of an electrophotographic photoreceptor. It is a figure which shows the example of the press-contact shape transfer processing apparatus for forming a recessed part in the surface of an electrophotographic photoreceptor. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a process cartridge having the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention. (A)-(D) are figures which show the mold used by the manufacture example of the electrophotographic photoreceptor. It is a figure which shows the example of fitting. It is a figure which shows the result of having performed cross-sectional observation of the surface layer vicinity of an electrophotographic photoreceptor. It is a figure which shows the example of a dry-type blasting apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating a narrow part.

  The feature of the present invention with respect to Patent Document 1 is that the ratio of the area of the flat portion on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is large. When a dimple-shaped recess is provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member using dry blasting or wet honing, particles are allowed to randomly collide with the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Of these, the ratio of the area of the flat portion is extremely small.

  Also, the feature of the present invention with respect to Patent Document 3 is that, as with the feature with respect to Patent Document 1, the ratio of the area of the flat portion on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is large.

  In addition, the feature of the present invention with respect to Patent Document 2 is that a concave portion having a longest opening diameter (major axis diameter) is provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and that the area ratio of the concave portion is small.

  In the present invention, the area of the recess is the area of the recess when the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is viewed from above, and means the area of the opening of the recess. The same applies to flat portions and convex portions.

  As a result of the study by the present inventors, a recess having a longest opening diameter (preferably a recess having a large opening shortest diameter) is sparsely arranged on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and among other portions than the recess In particular, it has been found that the effect of suppressing the image flow is dramatically improved by increasing the area of the flat portion.

  By sparsely arranging the recesses having the longest longest diameter, chattering of the cleaning blade is moderately suppressed, and a stable rubbing state between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade is created. At the same time, the pressure of the cleaning blade with respect to the recesses is relatively low, so that the pressure with respect to portions other than the recesses is relatively high. In addition to the concave portions where the pressure increases, the image flow causative substance adhering to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is increased by increasing the number of flat portions on which the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be efficiently refreshed. It becomes easy to be removed. The present inventors believe that the image flow suppression effect is dramatically improved by such a mechanism.

Specifically, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention is provided with a plurality of recesses having a depth of 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less and a maximum opening diameter of 20 μm or more and 80 μm or less. A plurality of recesses having a depth of 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less and an opening longest diameter of 20 μm or more and 80 μm or less are hereinafter also referred to as “specific recesses”. In the present invention, the specific concave portion has a side area of 500 μm on one side (area is 250,000 μm ² ) at an arbitrary position on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (that is, on one side of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member) be arranged 500μm square area of) the area of the particular recess in the square region of its side 500μm is to be 10000 ² more 90000Myuemu ² or less, is provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Alternatively, in the present invention, the specific recess is provided when a 500 μm square area (area: 250,000 μm ² ) is arranged at an arbitrary position in the contact area with the cleaning member on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor (that is, the electrophotographic photoreceptor). any position be placed a square area of one side 500μm in), such that the area of the particular recess in the square region of its side 500μm is 10000 ² more 90000Myuemu ² or less, the electrophotographic of surface contact area between the cleaning member Provided on the surface of the photoreceptor. When the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is a curved surface (for example, when the electrophotographic photosensitive member is cylindrical, the surface (circumferential surface) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is a curved surface curved in the circumferential direction). , “Disposing a square region (area: 250,000 μm ² ) having a side of 500 μm at an arbitrary position on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member” means a region that becomes a square in the plane when the curved surface is corrected to a plane ( This means that an area of 250,000 μm ² ) is arranged at an arbitrary position on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Similarly, “arranging a square region (area: 250,000 μm ² ) having a side of 500 μm at an arbitrary position in the contact region with the cleaning member on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member” means that when the curved surface is corrected to a flat surface, It means that a region (area is 250,000 μm ² ) that is square on the plane is arranged at an arbitrary position in the contact region with the cleaning member on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The same applies to a square region having a side of 10 μm, which will be described later.

In addition to the specific recess, a flat portion is provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention. In the present invention, when a square region having a side of 500 μm is arranged at an arbitrary position on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the area of the flat portion in the square region having a side of 500 μm is 80000 μm ² or more and 240000 μm ² or less. It is provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  The specific concave portion or flat portion on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be observed using a microscope such as a laser microscope, an optical microscope, an electron microscope, or an atomic force microscope.

As the laser microscope, for example, the following devices can be used.
Keyence Corporation ultra-deep shape measurement microscope VK-8550, ultra-deep shape measurement microscope VK-9000, ultra-deep shape measurement microscope VK-9500, VK-X200
Surface shape measuring system Surface Explorer SX-520DR model manufactured by Ryoka System Co., Ltd. Scanning confocal laser microscope OLS3000 manufactured by Olympus Corporation
Real color confocal microscope Oplitex C130 manufactured by Lasertec Co., Ltd.
As the optical microscope, for example, the following devices can be used.
Digital microscope VHX-500, digital microscope VHX-200 manufactured by Keyence Corporation
3D digital microscope VC-7700 manufactured by OMRON Corporation
As the electron microscope, for example, the following devices can be used.
Keyence 3D Real Surface View Microscope VE-9800, 3D Real Surface View Microscope VE-8800
Scanning Electron Microscope Conventional / Variable Pressure SEM manufactured by SII NanoTechnology Co., Ltd.
Scanning electron microscope SUPERSCAN SS-550 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation

As the atomic force microscope, for example, the following devices can be used.
KEYENCE nanoscale hybrid microscope VN-8000
Scanning Probe Microscope NanoNavi Station manufactured by SII Nano Technology Co., Ltd. Scanning Probe Microscope SPM-9600 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation

  The observation of the square area of 500 μm on one side and the observation of the square area of 10 μm on one side, which will be described later, may be performed at such a magnification that the square area of 500 μm on one side can be accommodated, or after partial observation at a higher magnification. A plurality of partial images may be connected using software.

  The determination (definition) of the specific recessed portion and the flat portion in a square region having a side of 500 μm will be described.

  First, the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is enlarged and observed with a microscope. For example, when the surface (circumferential surface) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is a curved surface curved in the circumferential direction as in the case where the electrophotographic photosensitive member is cylindrical, a cross-sectional profile of the curved surface is extracted and a curved line ( If the electrophotographic photosensitive member is cylindrical, an arc) is fitted. FIG. 7 shows an example of fitting. The example shown in FIG. 7 is an example when the electrophotographic photosensitive member is cylindrical. In FIG. 7, a solid line 701 is a cross-sectional profile of the surface (curved surface) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a broken line 702 is a curve fitted to the cross-sectional profile 701. The cross-sectional profile 701 is corrected so that the curve 702 becomes a straight line, and a surface obtained by extending the obtained straight line in the longitudinal direction (direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is used as a reference surface. Even when the electrophotographic photosensitive member is not cylindrical, the reference surface is obtained in the same manner as when the electrophotographic photosensitive member is cylindrical.

  The surface that is located 0.2 μm below the obtained reference surface and is parallel to the reference surface is the second reference surface, the surface that is 0.2 μm above the reference surface and is parallel to the reference surface is the third reference surface. To do. Of the square region having a side of 500 μm, a portion sandwiched between the second reference surface and the third reference surface is defined as a flat portion in the square region. A portion located above the third reference plane is defined as a convex portion in the square area. A portion located below the second reference plane is defined as a recess in the square area. The distance from the second reference plane to the lowest point of the recess is defined as the depth of the recess. Let the cross section of the recessed part by a 2nd reference plane be an opening part of a recessed part, and let the length of the longest line segment among the line segments which cross the opening part be the opening part longest diameter of a recessed part. The depth thus obtained is in the range of 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less and the longest diameter of the opening is in the range of 20 μm or more and 80 μm or less corresponds to the specific recess among the recesses. The depth of the specific recess in the present invention is preferably in the range of 1 μm to 5 μm. Further, the distance when the distance between two parallel lines sandwiching the opening of the recess is the shortest is the shortest diameter of the opening of the recess. In the present invention, the shortest opening diameter of the specific recess is preferably in the range of 20 μm or more and 80 μm or less.

  1A and 1B, reference plane 1-1, flat portion (a portion sandwiched between second reference surface 1-2 and third reference surface 1-3), recess 1-4 (specific recess) , The relationship between the convex portions 1-5 and the like is schematically shown. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional profiles after the above correction.

  2A to 2G show examples of the shape of the opening of the specific recess (the shape when the specific recess is viewed from above). Moreover, the example of the cross-sectional shape of a specific recessed part is shown to FIG. 3 (A)-(G).

  Examples of the shape of the opening of the specific recess include a circle, an ellipse, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a quadrangle, and a hexagon as shown in FIGS. Moreover, as a cross-sectional shape of a specific recessed part, as shown to FIG. 3 (A)-(G), what has edges, such as a triangle, a square, a polygon, the waveform which consists of a continuous curve, and a triangle , Quadrilaterals, polygonal edges partially or entirely deformed into curves, and the like.

  The plurality of specific recesses provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member may all have the same shape, the longest diameter of the opening, and the depth, or may have different shapes, the longest diameter of the opening, and the depth. It may be.

The specific recess may be formed on the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, or may be formed on a part of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. If a particular recess is formed on a portion of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, Ru specific recesses formed on the whole area of the contact area with at least a cleaning member.

  In the present invention, the flat portion provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member preferably has a certain size from the viewpoint of enhancing the removability of the image flow-causing substance, and the narrow flat portion (narrow portion) ) Is preferably small. Specifically, the ratio of the area of the narrow portion where the 10 μm side square region cannot be arranged among the flat portions in the 500 μm side square region arranged at an arbitrary position on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is It is preferably 30% or less with respect to the total area of the flat portion in a square region having a side of 500 μm.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a narrow portion. FIG. 10 shows an example of the shape when a part of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention is viewed from above. In FIG. 10, for ease of explanation, a case where all the portions that are not specific recesses are flat portions is taken as an example. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1001 denotes a specific concave portion on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, 1002 denotes a square region having a side of 10 μm arranged on the flat portion of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and 1003 denotes a narrow portion (black in the drawing). The part that is filled). The square region 1002 may be arranged in any direction on the flat portion as indicated by a broken-line square in the drawing. A portion where the square region 1002 cannot be arranged in any direction in the flat portion becomes a narrow portion 1003 in the flat portion.

  In addition, the ratio of the area of the narrow portion in the flat portion is preferably uniform to some extent on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member from the viewpoint of uniform removability of the image flow causing substance. Specifically, when the ratio of the area of the narrow portion is measured in each of the square areas of 500 μm on each side arranged at 50 arbitrary positions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the standard deviation (narrowness) of the 50 measured values is measured. The standard deviation of the part) is preferably 5% or less.

<Method of forming recesses on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor>
By pressing the mold having convex portions corresponding to the concave portions to be formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and performing shape transfer, the concave portions can be formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a press-contact shape transfer processing apparatus for forming concave portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
According to the press-contact shape transfer processing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, the mold 4-2 is continuously brought into contact with the surface (circumferential surface) and pressed while rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member 4-1, which is a workpiece. Accordingly, a concave portion or a flat portion can be formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 4-1.

  Examples of the material of the pressure member 4-3 include metal, metal oxide, plastic, and glass. Among these, stainless steel (SUS) is preferable from the viewpoint of mechanical strength, dimensional accuracy, and durability. The pressure member 4-3 is provided with a mold on its upper surface. Further, the mold 4-2 is applied to the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 4-1 supported by the support member 4-4 with a predetermined pressure by a support member (not shown) on the lower surface side and a pressure system (not shown). Can be contacted. Further, the support member 4-4 may be pressed against the pressure member 4-3 with a predetermined pressure, or the support member 4-4 and the pressure member 4-3 may be pressed against each other.

  The example shown in FIG. 4 is an example in which the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 4-1 is continuously processed while being driven or rotated by moving the pressing member 4-3. Further, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 4 is fixed by fixing the pressure member 4-3 and moving the support member 4-4, or by moving both the support member 4-4 and the pressure member 4-3. The surface of -1 can also be processed continuously.

  Note that it is preferable to heat the mold 4-2 and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 4-1, from the viewpoint of efficiently transferring the shape.

  Examples of molds include metal and resin films with fine surface processing, those patterned on the surface of silicon wafers, etc., resin films with fine particles dispersed, and resin films with fine surface shapes. The thing which gave metal coating etc. are mentioned.

  Moreover, it is preferable to install an elastic body between the mold and the pressure member from the viewpoint of making the pressure pressed against the electrophotographic photosensitive member uniform.

<Configuration of electrophotographic photoreceptor>
The electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention has a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support.

  Examples of the shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member include a cylindrical shape, a belt (endless belt) shape, and a sheet shape.

  The photosensitive layer may be a single-layer type photosensitive layer containing a charge transport material and a charge generation material in the same layer, or a charge generation layer containing a charge generation material and a charge transport layer containing a charge transport material. It may be a laminated type (functionally separated type) photosensitive layer separated. From the viewpoint of electrophotographic characteristics, a laminated photosensitive layer is preferred. Further, the laminated photosensitive layer may be a normal photosensitive layer in which the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer are laminated in this order from the support side, or a reverse layer in which the charge transport layer and the charge generation layer are laminated in this order from the support side. Type photosensitive layer. From the viewpoint of electrophotographic characteristics, a normal layer type photosensitive layer is preferred. In addition, the charge generation layer may have a stacked structure, and the charge transport layer may have a stacked structure.

  The support is preferably one that exhibits conductivity (conductive support). Examples of the material of the support include metals (alloys) such as iron, copper, gold, silver, aluminum, zinc, titanium, lead, nickel, tin, antimony, indium, chromium, aluminum alloy, and stainless steel. In addition, a metal support or a plastic support having a film formed by vacuum deposition using aluminum, an aluminum alloy, an indium oxide-tin oxide alloy, or the like can also be used. In addition, a support obtained by impregnating plastic or paper with conductive particles such as carbon black, tin oxide particles, titanium oxide particles, and silver particles, or a support made of conductive binder resin can also be used.

  The surface of the support may be subjected to cutting treatment, roughening treatment, alumite treatment, etc. for the purpose of suppressing interference fringes due to scattering of laser light.

  Conduction between the support and the undercoat layer or photosensitive layer (charge generation layer, charge transport layer), which will be described later, for the purpose of suppressing interference fringes due to scattering of laser light and covering scratches on the support. A layer may be provided.

  The conductive layer can be formed by applying a coating solution for a conductive layer obtained by dispersing carbon black, a conductive pigment, a resistance adjusting pigment or the like together with a binder resin, and drying the obtained coating film. it can. Moreover, you may add to the coating liquid for conductive layers the compound which carries out hardening polymerization by heating, ultraviolet irradiation, radiation irradiation, etc. A conductive layer in which a conductive pigment, a resistance adjusting pigment or the like is dispersed tends to have a roughened surface.

  The thickness of the conductive layer is preferably 0.2 μm or more and 40 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or more and 35 μm or less, and more preferably 5 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

  Examples of the binder resin used for the conductive layer include polymers of vinyl compounds such as styrene, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid ester, vinylidene fluoride, and trifluoroethylene, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyvinyl acetal. , Polycarbonate, polyester, polysulfone, polyphenylene oxide, polyurethane, cellulose resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, silicon resin, epoxy resin and the like.

  Examples of the conductive pigment and the resistance adjusting pigment include particles of metals (alloys) such as aluminum, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, silver, and stainless steel, and those obtained by depositing these on the surface of plastic particles. . It is also possible to use metal oxide particles such as zinc oxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide, antimony oxide, indium oxide, bismuth oxide, tin-doped indium oxide, antimony or tantalum-doped tin oxide. it can. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When two or more types are used in combination, they may be mixed, or may be in the form of a solid solution or fusion.

  Between the support or conductive layer and the photosensitive layer (charge generation layer, charge transport layer), improvement of adhesion of the photosensitive layer, improvement of coating property, improvement of charge injection from the support, electrical breakdown of the photosensitive layer An undercoat layer (intermediate layer) having a barrier function or an adhesive function may be provided for the purpose of protecting the film.

  The undercoat layer can be formed by applying a coating solution for an undercoat layer obtained by dissolving a resin (binder resin) in a solvent and drying the obtained coating film.

  Examples of the resin used for the undercoat layer include polyvinyl alcohol, poly-N-vinylimidazole, polyethylene oxide, ethyl cellulose, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, casein, polyamide, N-methoxymethylated 6 nylon, and copolymer nylon. , Glue, gelatin and the like.

  The thickness of the undercoat layer is preferably 0.05 μm or more and 7 μm or less, and more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 2 μm or less.

  Examples of the charge generating material used in the photosensitive layer include pyrylium and thiapyrylium dyes, phthalocyanine pigments having various central metals and various crystal forms (α, β, γ, ε, X type, etc.), and anthanthrone pigments. And dibenzpyrenequinone pigments, pyranthrone pigments, azo pigments such as monoazo, disazo, and trisazo, indigo pigments, quinacridone pigments, asymmetric quinocyanine pigments, and quinocyanine pigments. These charge generation materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Examples of the charge transport material used in the photosensitive layer include pyrene compounds, N-alkylcarbazole compounds, hydrazone compounds, N, N-dialkylaniline compounds, diphenylamine compounds, triphenylamine compounds, triphenylmethane compounds, pyrazoline compounds, styryl. Compounds and stilbene compounds.

  When the photosensitive layer is a laminated photosensitive layer, the charge generation layer is obtained by applying a charge generation layer coating solution obtained by dispersing a charge generation material together with a binder resin and a solvent, and applying the resulting coating film. It can be formed by drying. The charge generation layer may be a vapor generation film of a charge generation material.

  The mass ratio of the charge generation material and the binder resin is preferably in the range of 1: 0.3 to 1: 4.

  Examples of the dispersion treatment method include a method using a homogenizer, ultrasonic dispersion, ball mill, vibration ball mill, sand mill, attritor, roll mill, and the like.

  The charge transport layer can be formed by applying a charge transport layer coating solution obtained by dissolving a charge transport material and a binder resin in a solvent, and drying the obtained coating film. In addition, in the case where a charge transport material having film-forming properties is used alone, the charge transport layer can be formed without using a binder resin.

  Examples of the binder resin used for the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer include polymers of vinyl compounds such as styrene, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid ester, vinylidene fluoride, and trifluoroethylene, Examples include polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetal, polycarbonate, polyester, polysulfone, polyphenylene oxide, polyurethane, cellulose resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, silicon resin, and epoxy resin.

  The thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably 5 μm or less, and more preferably 0.1 to 2 μm.

  The thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably 5 to 50 μm, and more preferably 10 to 35 μm.

  Further, from the viewpoint of improving the durability of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is preferably composed of a crosslinked organic polymer.

  In the present invention, for example, the charge transport layer on the charge generation layer can be composed of a crosslinked organic polymer as the surface layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor. Further, a surface layer made of a crosslinked organic polymer can be formed on the charge transport layer on the charge generation layer as a second charge transport layer or a protective layer. In addition, the characteristics required for the surface layer composed of the crosslinked organic polymer are both the strength of the film and the charge transport capability. From this viewpoint, the charge transport material or the conductive particles and the crosslinkable monomer / It is preferable to form a surface layer using an oligomer.

  As the charge transport material, the above-described charge transport materials can be used. Examples of the crosslinkable monomer / oligomer include a compound having a chain polymerizable functional group such as an acryloyloxy group and a styryl group, and a compound having a sequentially polymerizable functional group such as a hydroxyl group, an alkoxysilyl group and an isocyanate group. Can be mentioned.

  Further, from the viewpoint of achieving both the strength of the film and the charge transport capability, it is more preferable to use a compound having both a charge transport structure (preferably a hole transport structure) and an acryloyloxy group in the same molecule.

  Examples of the crosslinking and curing method include a method using heat, ultraviolet rays, and radiation.

  The film thickness of the surface layer composed of the crosslinked organic polymer is preferably 0.1 to 30 μm, and more preferably 1 to 10 μm.

  Additives can be added to each layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor. Examples of additives include deterioration inhibitors such as antioxidants and ultraviolet absorbers, organic resin particles such as fluorine atom-containing resin particles and acrylic resin particles, and inorganic particles such as silica, titanium oxide, and alumina. It is done.

<Configuration of process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus>
FIG. 5 shows an example of an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a process cartridge having the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 of the present invention is driven to rotate around a shaft 2 at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in the arrow direction. The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined positive or negative potential by a charging unit 3 (primary charging unit: for example, a charging roller) during the rotation process. Subsequently, the exposure light (image exposure light) 4 irradiated from an exposure means (image exposure means) (not shown) is received. In this way, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the target image information is formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1.

  The present invention is particularly effective when a charging means using discharge is used.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 is then developed (regular development or reversal development) with toner (indeterminate toner or spherical toner) in the developing means 5 to form a toner image. A toner image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is transferred onto a transfer material by a transfer bias from a transfer unit (for example, a transfer roller) 6. At this time, the transfer material P is taken out from the transfer material supply means (not shown) between the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 and the transfer means 6 (contact portion) in synchronization with the rotation of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 and supplied. Sent. Further, a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the charge held in the toner is applied to the transfer means from a bias power source (not shown).

  The transfer material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, conveyed to the fixing means 8, and subjected to fixing processing of the toner image, whereby an electrophotographic apparatus is formed as an image formed product (print, copy). Printed out.

  The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 after the toner image is transferred is adhered to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 by the cleaning means 7 having a cleaning member (cleaning blade or the like) placed in contact (contacted) with the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. As a result, the surface is cleaned. Further, after being subjected to charge removal processing by pre-exposure light (not shown) from a pre-exposure means (not shown), it is repeatedly used for image formation. As shown in FIG. 5, when the charging unit 3 is a contact charging unit using a charging roller or the like, pre-exposure is not necessarily required.

  In the present invention, a plurality of constituent elements selected from the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, the charging means 3, the developing means 5, the cleaning means 7 and the like are housed in a container and integrally combined as a process cartridge. May be. The process cartridge may be configured to be detachable from the main body of an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer. In FIG. 5, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, the charging unit 3, the developing unit 5 and the cleaning unit 7 are integrally supported to form a cartridge, and the electrophotographic apparatus is used by using a guide unit 10 such as a rail of the electrophotographic apparatus main body. The process cartridge 9 is detachable from the main body.

  When the electrophotographic apparatus is a copying machine or a printer, the exposure light 4 is a reflected light or transmitted light from a manuscript, or a manuscript is read by a sensor, converted into a signal, laser beam scanning performed in accordance with this signal, LED array, Light emitted by driving a liquid crystal shutter array or the like.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to specific examples. In the examples, “part” means “part by mass”. Further, the electrophotographic photoreceptor is hereinafter simply referred to as “photoreceptor”. In all the following examples, the shape of the opening of the recess formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is a circle having the same longest opening diameter and shortest opening diameter.

(Example of photoconductor A-1 production)
An aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 30.7 mm and a length of 370 mm was used as a support (cylindrical support).

  Next, 60 parts of barium sulfate particles coated with tin oxide (trade name: Pastoran PC1, manufactured by Mitsui Kinzoku Mining Co., Ltd.), 15 parts of titanium oxide particles (trade name: TITANIX JR, manufactured by Teika Co., Ltd.), Resole type phenolic resin (trade name: Phenolite J-325, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc., solid content 70 mass%) 43 parts, silicone oil (trade name: SH28PA, Toray Dow Corning Co., Ltd. (former・ Toray Silicone Co., Ltd.) 0.015 parts, silicone resin particles (trade name: Tospearl 120, Momentive Performance Materials (formerly Toshiba Silicone Co., Ltd.)) 3.6 parts, 2-methoxy A conductive layer coating solution is prepared by placing 50 parts of -1-propanol and 50 parts of methanol in a ball mill and dispersing the mixture for 20 hours. Prepared. The conductive layer coating solution was dip-coated on a support, and the resulting coating film was heated at 140 ° C. for 1 hour to cure, thereby forming a conductive layer having a thickness of 15 μm.

  Next, 10 parts of copolymer nylon (trade name: Amilan CM8000, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) and methoxymethylated 6 nylon resin (trade name: Toresin EF-30T, Nagase ChemteX Corporation (former Teikoku Chemical Industry ( Co.))) 30 parts was dissolved in a mixed solvent of 400 parts of methanol / 200 parts of n-butanol to prepare an undercoat layer coating solution. This undercoat layer coating solution was dip-coated on the conductive layer, and the resulting coating film was dried at 100 ° C. for 30 minutes to form an undercoat layer having a thickness of 0.45 μm.

ポリビニルブチラール（商品名：エスレックＢＸ−１、積水化学工業（株）製）１０部、および、シクロヘキサノン６００部を、直径１ｍｍガラスビーズを用いたサンドミルに入れ、４時間分散処理した後、酢酸エチル７００部を加えることによって、電荷発生層用塗布液を調製した。この電荷発生層用塗布液を下引き層上に浸漬塗布し、得られた塗膜を１５分間８０℃で乾燥させることによって、膜厚０．１７μｍの電荷発生層を形成した。 Next, 20 parts of a crystalline hydroxygallium phthalocyanine crystal (charge generation material) having strong peaks at 7.4 ° and 28.2 ° with a Bragg angle 2θ ± 0.2 ° in CuKα characteristic X-ray diffraction, the following structural formula 0.2 part of a calixarene compound represented by (1),

10 parts of polyvinyl butyral (trade name: ESREC BX-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 600 parts of cyclohexanone were placed in a sand mill using glass beads having a diameter of 1 mm and dispersed for 4 hours. A coating solution for a charge generation layer was prepared by adding parts. The charge generation layer coating solution was dip-coated on the undercoat layer, and the resulting coating film was dried at 80 ° C. for 15 minutes to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.17 μm.

および、ポリカーボネート（商品名：ユーピロンＺ４００、三菱エンジニアリングプラスチックス（株）製、ビスフェノールＺ型のポリカーボネート）１００部を、モノクロロベンゼン６００部／ジメトキシメタン２００部の混合溶剤に溶解させることによって、電荷輸送層用塗布液を調製した。この電荷輸送層用塗布液を電荷発生層上に浸漬塗布し、得られた塗膜を３０分間１００℃で乾燥させることによって、膜厚１５μｍの電荷輸送層を形成した。 Next, 70 parts of a compound represented by the following structural formula (2) (charge transporting material (hole transporting compound)),

Further, 100 parts of polycarbonate (trade name: Iupilon Z400, manufactured by Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd., bisphenol Z-type polycarbonate) is dissolved in a mixed solvent of 600 parts of monochlorobenzene / 200 parts of dimethoxymethane to thereby form a charge transport layer. A coating solution was prepared. The charge transport layer coating solution was dip coated on the charge generation layer, and the resulting coating film was dried at 100 ° C. for 30 minutes to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of 15 μm.

１，１，２，２，３，３，４−ヘプタフルオロシクロペンタン７０部、および、１−プロパノール７０部を上記混合溶剤に加えた。これをポリフロンフィルター（商品名：ＰＦ−０２０、アドバンテック東洋（株）製）で濾過することによって、第二電荷輸送層（保護層）用塗布液を調製した。この第二電荷輸送層用塗布液を電荷輸送層上に浸漬塗布し、得られた塗膜を大気中において１０分間５０℃で乾燥させた。その後、窒素中において加速電圧１５０ｋＶ、ビーム電流３．０ｍＡの条件で支持体（被照射体）を２００ｒｐｍで回転させながら、１．６秒間電子線を塗膜に照射した。なお、このときの電子線の吸収線量を測定したところ、１５ｋＧｙであった。引き続いて、窒素中において２５℃から１２５℃まで３０秒かけて昇温させ、塗膜の加熱を行った。電子線照射およびその後の加熱時の雰囲気の酸素濃度は１５ｐｐｍ以下であった。次に、大気中において２５℃まで塗膜を自然冷却し、大気中において３０分間１００℃で加熱処理を行うことによって、膜厚５μｍの第二電荷輸送層（保護層）を形成した。 Next, a mixed solvent of 20 parts of 1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclopentane (trade name: Zeolora H, manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd.) / 20 parts of 1-propanol was added to polyflon. The mixture was filtered with a filter (trade name: PF-040, manufactured by Advantech Toyo Co., Ltd.). Thereafter, 90 parts of a hole transporting compound represented by the following structural formula (3),

70 parts of 1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclopentane and 70 parts of 1-propanol were added to the mixed solvent. By filtering this with a polyflon filter (trade name: PF-020, manufactured by Advantech Toyo Co., Ltd.), a coating solution for a second charge transport layer (protective layer) was prepared. The coating solution for the second charge transport layer was dip coated on the charge transport layer, and the obtained coating film was dried at 50 ° C. for 10 minutes in the air. Thereafter, the coating film was irradiated with an electron beam for 1.6 seconds while rotating the support (object to be irradiated) at 200 rpm under the conditions of an acceleration voltage of 150 kV and a beam current of 3.0 mA in nitrogen. In addition, when the absorbed dose of the electron beam at this time was measured, it was 15 kGy. Subsequently, the temperature was raised from 25 ° C. to 125 ° C. over 30 seconds in nitrogen, and the coating film was heated. The oxygen concentration in the atmosphere during electron beam irradiation and subsequent heating was 15 ppm or less. Next, the coating film was naturally cooled to 25 ° C. in the air, and heat treatment was performed at 100 ° C. for 30 minutes in the air, thereby forming a second charge transport layer (protective layer) having a thickness of 5 μm.

  In this manner, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (an electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming the concave portion) before forming the concave portion on the surface was produced.

Formation of concave portion by mold press-fitting shape transfer A press-fitting shape transfer processing apparatus having a structure shown in FIG. 4 is generally used as a mold with a mold having the shape shown in FIG. 6A (in this example, the longest diameter (the convex portion on the mold). (The same applies hereinafter.) Xm: 50 μm, distance (interval) Y1: 64 μm, distance (interval) Y2: 77 μm, height H: 2.0 μm dome shape) Then, surface processing was performed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member formed before forming the concave portion. At the time of processing, the temperature of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the mold is controlled so that the surface temperature of the electrophotographic photosensitive member becomes 110 ° C., and the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the pressure member are pressed at a pressure of 3.0 MPa, The photosensitive member was rotated in the circumferential direction to form a recess on the entire surface (circumferential surface) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
Thus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a concave portion on the surface was produced. This electrophotographic photoreceptor is referred to as “photoreceptor A-1.”

-Observation of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member A-1) was magnified and observed with a laser microscope (manufactured by Keyence Corporation, trade name: VK-9500) with a 50 × lens. Then, the specific concave portion and the flat portion provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member were determined as described above. At the time of observation, adjustment was performed so that there is no inclination in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the circumferential direction was focused on the apex of the arc of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A square region having a side of 500 μm was obtained by connecting the enlarged images with an image connection application. Moreover, about the obtained result, image processing height data was selected with attached image analysis software, and the filter process was performed by the filter type median.

  By the above observation, the depth of the specific recess, the longest diameter and area of the opening, the area of the flat part, the ratio of the area of the narrow part in the flat part, the standard deviation thereof, and the like were obtained. The results are shown in Table 1.

  In addition, when the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member A-1) was observed by the same method as described above using another laser microscope (manufactured by Keyence Corporation, trade name: X-200), The same results as those obtained using the above-mentioned Laser Microscope Keyence Co., Ltd. (trade name: VK-9500) were obtained. In the following examples, a laser microscope (manufactured by Keyence Corporation, trade name: VK-9500) and a 50 × lens were used to observe the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member A-1).

(Production example of photoconductors A-2 to A-4)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, an electrophotographic photoreceptor was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, except that the mold shown in Table 1 was used as the mold. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on its surface is referred to as “photosensitive member A-2” to “photosensitive member A-4”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Example of production of photoconductor A-5)
In the production example of the photoconductor A-1, an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 84 mm and a length of 370 mm was used as the support (cylindrical support), and the mold shown in Table 1 was used as the mold. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in the production example. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having recesses on the surface is referred to as “photosensitive member A-5”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Production example of photoconductors A-6 to A-22)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, an electrophotographic photoreceptor was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, except that the mold shown in Table 1 was used as the mold. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on its surface is referred to as “photosensitive member A-6” to “photosensitive member A-22”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Production example of photoconductor A-23)
In the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, a conductive layer, an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer were formed on the support.

Next, a mixture obtained by mixing 10 parts of alumina particles (average particle diameter: 0.1 μm, trade name: LS-231, manufactured by Nippon Light Metal Co., Ltd.) and 90 parts of chlorobenzene was mixed with a high-pressure disperser. (Product name: Microfluidizer M-110EH, manufactured by Microfluidics) was subjected to dispersion treatment three times at a pressure of 600 kgf / cm ² . Furthermore, the dispersion liquid subjected to the dispersion treatment was filtered with a polyflon filter (trade name: PF-040, manufactured by Advantech Toyo Co., Ltd.) to prepare a dispersion liquid.

Next, 70 parts of the compound having the structure represented by the structural formula (2), 100 parts of polycarbonate (trade name: Iupilon Z400, manufactured by Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics), 200 parts of the dispersion, 400 parts of monochlorobenzene, And the coating liquid for 2nd electric charge transport layers (protective layer) was prepared by mixing 200 parts of dimethoxymethane. The coating solution for the second charge transport layer is spray-coated on the charge transport layer, and the obtained coating film is dried at 130 ° C. for 20 minutes to form a second charge transport layer (protective layer) having a thickness of 5 μm. did.
In this way, an electrophotographic photosensitive member before formation of the recess was produced.

  Thereafter, the mold shown in Table 1 was used as a mold, and other than that, a recess was formed on the entire surface (peripheral surface) of the electrophotographic photoreceptor before formation of the recess in the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1. The electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on the surface thus obtained is referred to as “photosensitive member A-23”.

  The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Production example of photoconductor A-24)
In the production example of photoconductor A-1, photoconductor A- was used except that an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 24 mm and a length of 260.5 mm was used as the support (cylindrical support) and the mold shown in Table 1 was used as the mold. In the same manner as in Production Example 1, an electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on the surface is referred to as “photosensitive member A-24”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Production example of photoconductor A-25)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, an electrophotographic photoreceptor was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, except that the mold shown in Table 1 was used as the mold. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on its surface is referred to as “photosensitive member A-25”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Production example of photoconductor A-26)
In the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, a conductive layer, an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer were formed on the support.
Next, after forming a concave portion on the surface of the charge transport layer using the mold shown in Table 1 as a mold, a second charge transport layer (protection layer) having a thickness of 2 μm is formed in the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1. Layer).
Thus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a concave portion on the surface was produced. This electrophotographic photosensitive member is designated as “photosensitive member A-26”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Production example of photoconductor A-27)
In the production example of photoconductor A-1, photoconductor A- was used except that an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 30 mm and a length of 260.5 mm was used as the support (cylindrical support) and the mold shown in Table 1 was used as the mold. In the same manner as in Production Example 1, an electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on the surface is referred to as “photosensitive member A-27”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Production example of photoconductors A-28 to A-30)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, the mold shown in Table 1 is used as a mold, and the temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and the mold is controlled so that the surface temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor becomes the temperature shown in Table 1 during processing. Except that, an electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photosensitive member A-1. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on its surface is referred to as “photosensitive member A-28” to “photosensitive member A-30”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Production example of photoconductor A-31)
In the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, a conductive layer, an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer were formed on the support.
Next, after forming a concave portion on the surface of the charge transport layer using the mold shown in Table 1 as a mold, a second charge transport layer (protection layer) having a thickness of 2 μm is formed in the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1. Layer).
Thus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a concave portion on the surface was produced. This electrophotographic photosensitive member is designated as “photosensitive member A-31”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Production example of photoconductor A-32)
In the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, a conductive layer, an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer were formed on the support.

Next, 0.5 part of fluorine atom-containing resin (trade name: GF-300, manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.) as a dispersant is added to 1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclo. Polytetrafluoroethylene (trade name: Lubron L-2, Daikin) as a lubricant after dissolving in a mixed solvent of 30 parts of pentane (trade name: Zeolora H, manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd.) and 30 parts of 1-propanol 10 parts of Kogyo Co., Ltd.) was added. This was put into a high-pressure disperser (trade name: Microfluidizer M-110EH, manufactured by Microfluidics, USA), and subjected to dispersion treatment four times at a pressure of 600 kgf / cm ² . This was filtered with a polyflon filter (trade name: PF-040, manufactured by Advantech Toyo Co., Ltd.) to obtain a lubricant dispersion. Thereafter, 90 parts of the hole transporting compound represented by the structural formula (3), 70 parts of 1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclopentane and 70 parts of 1-propanol were lubricated. It was added to the agent dispersion. By filtering this with a polyflon filter (trade name: PF-020, manufactured by Advantech Toyo Co., Ltd.), a coating solution for a second charge transport layer (protective layer) was prepared. The coating solution for the second charge transport layer was dip coated on the charge transport layer, and the obtained coating film was dried at 50 ° C. for 10 minutes in the air. Thereafter, the coating film was irradiated with an electron beam for 1.6 seconds while rotating the support at 200 rpm under the conditions of an acceleration voltage of 150 kV and a beam current of 3.0 mA in nitrogen. In addition, when the absorbed dose of the electron beam at this time was measured, it was 15 kGy. Subsequently, the temperature was raised from 25 ° C. to 125 ° C. over 30 seconds in nitrogen, and the coating film was heated. The oxygen concentration in the atmosphere during electron beam irradiation and the subsequent heat curing reaction was 15 ppm or less. Next, the coating film was naturally cooled to 25 ° C. in the air, and heat treatment was performed at 100 ° C. for 30 minutes in the air, thereby forming a second charge transport layer (protective layer) having a thickness of 5 μm.
In this way, an electrophotographic photosensitive member before formation of the recess was produced.

  Thereafter, the mold shown in Table 1 was used as a mold, and other than that, a recess was formed on the entire surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor before formation of the recess in the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1. The electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on the surface thus obtained is referred to as “photosensitive member A-32”.

  The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

  Further, when the cross section of the vicinity of the second charge transport layer, which is the surface layer of the photoreceptor A-32, was observed, as shown in FIG. Concave portions corresponding to the surface of the transport layer (interface between the charge transport layer and the second charge transport layer) were also formed. Photoconductors A-1 to A-31, and photoconductors B-1 to B-10, photoconductors C-1 to C-3, photoconductor D-1, and photoconductors E-1 to E- described later. 15, not only the surface of the second charge transport layer but also the surface of the charge transport layer was formed in the photoreceptor E-17 and the photoreceptors E-18 to E-25. Also. A recess as shown in FIG. 8B was formed on the surface of the photoreceptor A-32. A white line rectangle in FIG. 8B is a square region having a side of 500 μm.

(Production example of photoconductor A-33 to photoconductor A-80)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, the mold shown in Tables 1 to 3 was used as a mold, and the surface temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor was changed to the temperatures shown in Tables 1 to 3 during processing. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photosensitive member A-1, except that the temperature was controlled. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive members having concave portions on the surface are designated as “photosensitive member A-33” to “photosensitive member A-80”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Tables 1-3.

(Example of photoconductor B-1 production)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 84 mm and a length of 370 mm is used as a support (cylindrical support), and a random shape (error diffusion method (Floyd & Steinberg) having a shape shown in FIG. 6B is used as a mold. The electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photosensitive member A-1, except that a mold (details are shown in Table 4) in which convex portions were arranged was used. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having recesses on the surface is referred to as “photosensitive member B-1”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 4.

(Production example of photoconductors B-2 to B-6)
In the manufacture example of the photoreceptor A-1, a mold (details are shown in Table 4) in which random convex portions (by an error diffusion method (Floyd & Steinberg method)) having a shape shown in FIG. An electrophotographic photoreceptor was produced in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on its surface is referred to as “photosensitive member B-2” to “photosensitive member B-6”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 4.

(Production example of photoconductor B-7)
In the manufacturing example of the photoreceptor A-24, a mold (details are shown in Table 4) in which random convex portions (by the error diffusion method (Floyd & Steinberg method)) having a shape shown in FIG. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photosensitive member A-24 except for the above. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on its surface is referred to as “photosensitive member B-7”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 4.

(Production example of photoconductor B-8)
In the manufacture example of the photoreceptor A-1, a mold (details are shown in Table 4) in which random convex portions (by an error diffusion method (Floyd & Steinberg method)) having a shape shown in FIG. An electrophotographic photoreceptor was produced in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having recesses on the surface is referred to as “photosensitive member B-8”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 4.

(Production example of photoconductor B-9 to photoconductor B-10)
In the manufacture example of the photoreceptor A-1, a mold (details are shown in Table 4) in which random convex portions (by an error diffusion method (Floyd & Steinberg method)) having a shape shown in FIG. An electrophotographic photoreceptor was produced in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive members having concave portions on the surface are designated as “photosensitive member B-9” to “photosensitive member B-10”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 4.

(Production example of photoreceptors C-1 to C-3)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, a mold having a region having a different arrangement of the convex portions at a pitch of 500 μm having a shape shown in FIG. 6C (the convex portion of the A region: longest diameter Xm, distance (interval) Y1, The distance (interval) Y2, the convex portion of the B region: the longest diameter Xm, the distance (interval) Y3, and the distance (interval) Y4 are arranged as shown in Table 5. Details are shown in Table 5. Produced an electrophotographic photoreceptor in the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive members having concave portions on the surface are referred to as “photosensitive member C-1” to “photosensitive member C-3”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 5.

(Example of photoconductor D-1 production)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, a mold in which convex portions having different longest diameters as shown in FIG. 6D are arranged as a mold (first convex portion: longest diameter Xm: 70 μm, distance (interval). Y1: 126 μm, distance (interval) Y2: 149 μm, second convex portion: longest diameter Xm: 50 μm, distance (interval) Y3: 90 μm, distance (interval) Y4: 107 μm. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photosensitive member A-1, except that the composition was used. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on its surface is referred to as “photosensitive member D-1.”
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 6.

(Evaluation of actual electrophotographic photosensitive member)
Example 1
Photoreceptor A-1 is mounted on a cyan station of a modified machine of an electrophotographic apparatus (copier) (trade name: iR-ADV C7055) manufactured by Canon Inc., which is an evaluation apparatus, and tested and evaluated as follows. Went.
First, under the environment of 30 ° C./80% RH, the conditions of the charging device and the image exposure device are set so that the dark portion potential (Vd) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is −700 V and the light portion potential (Vl) is −200 V. The initial potential of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was adjusted.
Next, a polyurethane rubber cleaning blade having a hardness of 77 ° was set so that the contact angle was 28 ° and the contact pressure was 30 g / cm with respect to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. With the electrophotographic photoreceptor heater (drum heater) turned off, 50000 images of 5% image evaluation charts were continuously output at 30 ° C / 80% RH, and the power was turned off. The sample was left in a 30 ° C./80% RH environment for 3 days.
After being left for 3 days, the electrophotographic apparatus was started up, and an image of 1 dot-1 space with an A4 horizontal output resolution of 600 dpi was formed, and the image density in the vicinity of the charging device and the image reproducibility of the entire A4 were evaluated as follows. . The results are shown in Table 7.
A: In the vicinity of the charging device, there is no dot disturbance or scattering (that is, no image flow), and the image reproducibility is good.
B: In the vicinity of the charging device, a slight dot disturbance is observed when magnified, but there is no scattering, and the image reproducibility is good for other portions.
C: In the vicinity of the charging device, the dots are slightly disturbed or scattered when magnified, but the image reproducibility is good for other portions.
D: Disturbance and scattering of dots occur in the vicinity of the charging device when magnified, but the image reproducibility is good for other portions.
E: Whitening occurs on the image in the vicinity of the charging device, and the image reproducibility is slightly low in other portions.

(Examples 2-384)
Except that the electrophotographic photosensitive member shown in Tables 7 to 16 was used and the hardness and settings (contact angle and contact pressure) of the cleaning blade were shown in Tables 7 to 16, the same as in Example 1. An actual evaluation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was performed. The results are shown in Tables 7-16.

(Examples 1001 to 1020)
An electrophotographic apparatus (POD machine) manufactured by Canon Inc. (trade name: image PRESS C7000VP (corona charging method)) was used as the evaluation apparatus (the electrophotographic photosensitive member is mounted on the cyan station) and electrophotographic photosensitive member. An actual evaluation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the materials shown in Table 17 were used and the hardness and settings (contact angle and contact pressure) of the cleaning blade were as shown in Table 17. Went. The results are shown in Table 17.

(Examples 2001 to 2019)
An electrophotographic apparatus (laser beam printer) manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Co. (trade name: Color LaserJet Enterprise CP4525dn) was used as an evaluation apparatus (the electrophotographic photosensitive member is mounted on the cyan station), and the evaluation environment and left for 3 days. The environment was changed from 30 ° C./80% RH environment to 35 ° C./85% RH environment, the continuous output number of evaluation charts was changed from 50,000 to 10,000, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member shown in Table 18 was used. The actual evaluation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hardness and settings (contact angle and contact pressure) of the cleaning blade were as shown in Table 18. The results are shown in Table 18.

(Examples 3001 to 3009)
As an evaluation apparatus, a modified machine of an electrophotographic apparatus (laser beam printer) (trade name: LaserJet Enterprise P3015dn) manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Co. is used (the electrophotographic photosensitive member is mounted on a cyan station), and an evaluation environment and a three-day standing environment. Was changed from a 30 ° C./80% RH environment to a 35 ° C./85% RH environment, the continuous output number of the evaluation chart was changed from 50,000 to 10,000, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member shown in Table 19 was used. The actual evaluation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the hardness and settings (contact angle and contact pressure) of the cleaning blade were as shown in Table 19. The results are shown in Table 19.

(Example of photoconductor E-1 production)
In the same manner as the photoconductor A-1, a conductive layer, an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer, and a second charge transport layer (protective layer) are formed on the support to form an electrophotographic photosensitive film before forming a recess. The body was made.

  Next, dry blasting was performed using a dry blasting apparatus having a configuration shown in FIG. 9 to form a plurality of dimple-shaped recesses on the entire surface (circumferential surface) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. In FIG. 9, 101 is an injection nozzle for particles (abrasive particles) 105, 102 is a nozzle fixing jig for fixing the injection nozzle 101, 103 is an air (compressed air) introduction path, and 104 is A path for guiding the particles (abrasive particles) 105 stored in the container to the injection nozzle 101, 105 is a particle (abrasive particles), 106 is a workpiece support member for supporting the workpiece 107, 107 Is a workpiece (an electrophotographic photosensitive member on which a concave portion is formed on the surface), 108 is an injection nozzle support member for supporting the injection nozzle 101, and 109 is an injection nozzle fixing treatment for fixing the injection nozzle 101. It is a tool.

  Thus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a concave portion on the surface was produced. This electrophotographic photosensitive member is designated as “photosensitive member E-1.”

-Dry blasting conditions Particles (abrasive particles): spherical glass beads with an average particle size of 30 μm (trade name: UB-01L, union)
Air (compressed air) spraying pressure: 0.343 MPa (3.5 kgf / cm ² ) Injection nozzle moving speed: 430 mm / s (in the direction of the up and down arrows in FIG. 9)
Work rotation speed: 288 rpm (direction of rotation arrow in FIG. 9)
The distance between the discharge port of the injection nozzle and the workpiece: 100 mm
Particle (abrasive particle) discharge angle: 90 °
Supply amount of particles (abrasive particles): 200 g / min
Number of times of blasting: one way × 2 times After dry blasting, particles (abrasive particles) remaining on the peripheral surface of the workpiece were removed by blowing compressed air.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 20.

(Production Examples of Photoconductors E-2 to E-9 and E-17)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, the mold shown in Table 20 is used as a mold, and the temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and the mold is controlled so that the surface temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor becomes the temperature shown in Table 20 during processing. Except that, an electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photosensitive member A-1. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive members having concave portions on the surface are referred to as “photosensitive member E-2” to “photosensitive member E-9” and “photosensitive member E-17”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 20.

(Production example of photoconductors E-10 to E-11)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-5, the mold shown in Table 20 is used as a mold, and the temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and the mold is controlled so that the surface temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor becomes the temperature shown in Table 20 during processing. Except that, an electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photosensitive member A-5. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on its surface is referred to as “photosensitive member E-10” to “photosensitive member E-11”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 20.

(Production example of photoconductors E-12 to E-13)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-24, the mold shown in Table 20 is used as a mold, and the temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and the mold is controlled so that the surface temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor becomes the temperature shown in Table 20 during processing. Except that, an electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photosensitive member A-24. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on its surface is referred to as “photosensitive member E-12” to “photosensitive member E-13”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 20.

(Production Examples of Photoconductors E-14 to E-15)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-27, the mold shown in Table 20 is used as a mold, and the temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and the mold is controlled so that the surface temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor becomes the temperature shown in Table 20 during processing. An electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photosensitive member A-27 except that. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on its surface is referred to as “photosensitive member E-14” to “photosensitive member E-15”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 20.

(Production example of photoconductor E-16)
As in the case of the photoreceptor A-1, a conductive layer, an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer, and a second charge transport layer (protective layer) are formed on the support, and the surface has no recess. A photographic photoreceptor was prepared. This electrophotographic photosensitive member is designated as “photosensitive member E-16”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 20.

(Production example of photoconductors E-18 to E-25)
In the production example of the photoreceptor A-1, the mold shown in Table 20 is used as a mold, and the temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and the mold is controlled so that the surface temperature of the electrophotographic photoreceptor becomes the temperature shown in Table 20 during processing. In addition, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is rotated in the circumferential direction while pressing the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the pressure member at a pressure of 2.5 MPa to form a recess on the entire surface (peripheral surface) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Produced an electrophotographic photoreceptor in the same manner as in the production example of the photoreceptor A-1. The obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member having concave portions on its surface is referred to as “photosensitive member E-18” to “photosensitive member E-25”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 20.

(Production example of photoconductor E-26)
In the same manner as the photoreceptor A-1, a conductive layer, an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer were formed on the support.

Next, 1.5 parts of acrylic polyol (trade name: JONCRYL-587, manufactured by Johnson Polymers), 2.1 parts of melamine resin (trade name: CYMEL-303, manufactured by Cytec Industries), N, N, N as charge transport components ', N'-tetrakis-[(4-hydroxymethyl) phenyl] -biphenyl-4,4'-diamine (THM-TBD) 1.16 parts / N, N'-diphenyl-N, N'-di (3 -Hydroxyphenyl) -terphenyl-diamine (DHTER) 1.93 parts, and acid catalyst (trade name: Nacure 5225, manufactured by King Chemical Industries) 0.05 part in 10.9 parts of 1-methoxy-2-propanol By dissolving, a coating solution for the second charge transport layer (protective layer) was prepared. Before dip-coating the coating solution for the second charge transport layer on the charge transport layer and curing the obtained coating film, the mold shown in Table 20 was used, and the surface temperature of the coating film was set to room temperature (25 ° C.). In the state kept, the shape of the mold was transferred to the surface of the coating film. Next, a second charge transport layer (protective layer) having a film thickness of 6 μm was formed by thermosetting at 140 ° C. for 40 minutes.
Thus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a concave portion on the surface was produced. This electrophotographic photosensitive member is designated as “photosensitive member E-26”.
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor was observed in the same manner as in Production Example of the photoreceptor A-1. The results are shown in Table 20.

(Comparative Examples 1-25)
The electrophotographic photosensitive member is the same as in Example 1 except that the electrophotographic photosensitive member shown in Table 21 is used and the hardness and setting (contact angle and contact pressure) of the cleaning blade are as shown in Table 21. The actual machine was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 21.

(Comparative Examples 26-27)
The electrophotographic photosensitive member is the same as in Example 1001 except that the electrophotographic photosensitive member shown in Table 21 is used and the hardness and settings (contact angle and contact pressure) of the cleaning blade are as shown in Table 21. The actual machine was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 21.

(Comparative Examples 28-29)
The electrophotographic photosensitive member is the same as in Example 2001 except that the electrophotographic photosensitive member shown in Table 21 is used and the hardness and setting (contact angle and contact pressure) of the cleaning blade are as shown in Table 21. The actual machine was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 21.

(Comparative Examples 30-31)
The electrophotographic photosensitive member is the same as in Example 3001, except that the electrophotographic photosensitive member shown in Table 21 is used and the hardness and setting (contact angle and contact pressure) of the cleaning blade are as shown in Table 21. The actual machine was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 21.

(Comparative Examples 32-85)
Except that the electrophotographic photosensitive member shown in Tables 21 to 23 was used and the hardness and setting (contact angle and contact pressure) of the cleaning blade were as shown in Tables 21 to 23, the same as in Example 1 An actual evaluation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was performed. The results are shown in Tables 21-23.

Claims (8)

In an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support,
The surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is formed of a plurality of recesses having a depth of 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less and an opening longest diameter of 20 μm or more and 80 μm or less, and a portion other than the recesses,
When placing the square area of a side 500μm at an arbitrary position of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the area of the recess in the square area of the one side 500μm is at 10000 ² more 90000Myuemu ² or less, contained in a portion other than the recess The electrophotographic photosensitive member is characterized in that the area of the flat portion is 80000 μm ² or more and 240000 μm ² or less.   The ratio of the area of the narrow portion where the 10 μm square area cannot be arranged in the flat area in the 500 μm square area is 30% or less with respect to the total area of the flat area in the 500 μm square area. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1.   When the ratio of the area of the narrow portion is measured in a square region having a side of 500 μm arranged at an arbitrary 50 locations on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the standard deviation of 50 measured values is 5% or less. Item 3. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to Item 2. In an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support,
Of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, at least a contact region with a cleaning member includes a plurality of recesses having a depth of 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less and a maximum opening diameter of 20 μm or more and 80 μm or less, and portions other than the recesses Formed,
When placing the square area of a side 500μm at an arbitrary position of the contact area between the cleaning member, the area of the recess in the square area of the one side 500μm is at 10000 ² more 90000Myuemu ² or less, contained in a portion other than the recess The electrophotographic photosensitive member is characterized in that the area of the flat portion is 80000 μm ² or more and 240000 μm ² or less.   The ratio of the area of the narrow portion where the 10 μm square area cannot be arranged in the flat area in the 500 μm square area is 30% or less with respect to the total area of the flat area in the 500 μm square area. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 4.   A standard deviation of 50 measurement values is 5% or less when the area ratio of the narrow portion is measured in each of a square region having a side of 500 μm arranged at an arbitrary 50 locations of the contact area with the cleaning member. Item 6. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to Item 5.   The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a cleaning unit having a cleaning member disposed in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally supported and detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus. A process cartridge characterized by being.   7. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, and a cleaning unit comprising a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a cleaning member disposed in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising:

Images