JPH11295913A - Electrophotographic photoreceptor and its production - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give a suitable conductivity to an intermediate layer, a protective layer, etc., by incorporating at least a conductive elastomer in a conductive layer. SOLUTION: An elastic modulus of the conductive layer is increased and a cracking of the conductive layer due to impact or temp. difference is prevented by dispersing at least a conductive elastomer in the conductive layer. A conductive agent is usable and a selection range is widened if the dispersibility to the elastomer is good even if the conductive agent has a bad dispensability to a binder resin since the conductive agent is once dispersed in the elastomer and than dispersed in the binder resin to be the protective layer. The elastomer is a high molecular material having a high elastic modulus, and the material exhibiting a rubber elasticity at nearby normal temp. is preferable, and the one having <=500 MPa Young's modulus is more preferable. As such a elastomer, for example, a diene based rubber and its hydrogenated product, an olefin based rubber, a halogen-containing rubber, etc., are exemplified.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member used for image formation such as a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, most of high-quality and high-speed image forming apparatuses are based on an electrophotographic system, and among them, photoconductor technology is one of the key points. I have.

An electrophotographic photoreceptor is manufactured by forming an optical semiconductor layer (photosensitive layer) on a substrate having good conductivity, and further comprises an intermediate layer (photosensitive layer) between the conductive substrate and the photosensitive layer. An undercoat layer) or a protective layer may be provided on the photosensitive layer. The purpose is to prevent black spots and other problems.However, it is necessary to provide these layers with appropriate conductivity, eliminate bias in charging, and prevent film peeling even during high-speed long-time use. is important.

For example, JP-A-59-84257 discloses a technique in which tin oxide particles are contained in a conductive intermediate layer together with titanium oxide particles. This technology has good conductivity, but has poor dispersibility, and contains titanium oxide particles with good dispersibility together with tin oxide, which tends to cause a rough surface of the conductive intermediate layer and cause image defects, and smoothes the conductive intermediate layer. I have to.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-36755 discloses that the particle size is 0.1.
A technique is disclosed in which particles having a size of 5 μm or more and particles having a particle size of less than 0.5 μm are contained in a conductive layer to prevent generation of moiré fringes.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-204059 discloses a technique in which tantalum-doped tin oxide particles are contained in a photoreceptor protective layer. However, tantalum-doped tin oxide is excellent in transparency, but has a problem in conductivity.
It is also conceivable to add antimony, but the conductivity is good, but the transparency is not preferable, and it is not always suitable for adding to the protective layer.

On the other hand, attempts have been made to reduce the particle size of the conductive agent in order to make the conductivity of the conductive layer uniform.

[0008]

According to the study of the present inventors, when the particle size of the conductive agent in the form of powder is reduced, the surface energy increases and the powder is easily aggregated. The conductive layer containing the agglomerated conductive agent partially increases conductivity and causes leakage of charged charges in this portion. The leaked portion of the charged charges causes image defects such as so-called white spots and black spots.

That is, agglomeration of the conductive agent causes micro-variation in the resistance value of the photosensitive member. The variation in the micro-resistance value is linked to the variation in the charge applied to the photoreceptor, and causes the toner image to be uneven in a highlight image. In particular, the present inventors have found that this problem becomes significant when the toner is reduced in particle size and high image quality is achieved.

As described above, even if titanium oxide or barium sulfate fine particles are added for the purpose of improving the dispersibility of the conductive agent, the effect is not sufficient and the transparency of the exposed surface of the photoreceptor is not sufficient. However, the exposure light is scattered by the particles and it is difficult to obtain high resolution, which is not preferable.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for imparting appropriate conductivity to an intermediate layer, a protective layer, and the like provided on an electrophotographic photosensitive member. It does not cause micro-resistance variations in the photoreceptor, has excellent transparency, has little variation in transparency, and cracks and peels off between conductive agents and layers even after long-term use at high speed. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor which does not cause any phenomena, causes less ghost due to residual potential, does not cause a decrease in image density, and does not cause an increase in fog, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems The present inventors have found that the conductive agent has a small particle size and good dispersibility, does not cause variations in the microscopic resistance value of the photosensitive member, and does not cause a failure. As a result of intensive studies to provide a method capable of forming an image, the present invention has been accomplished.

The object of the present invention is achieved by adopting the following constitution.

[1] An electrophotographic photosensitive member having a conductive layer on a conductive substrate, wherein the conductive layer contains at least a conductive elastomer.

[2] The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to [1], wherein the conductive layer is formed by dispersing conductive elastomer fine particles in a resin binder.

[3] The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to [2], wherein the conductive elastomer fine particles are obtained by dispersing conductive fine particles in an elastomer resin.

[4] The conductive layer is provided between the conductive substrate and the photosensitive layer. [1]
The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to [2] or [3].

[5] The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to [1], [2] or [3], wherein the conductive layer is provided on a surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

[6] A conductive layer is provided on a conductive substrate,
A method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member, characterized in that the conductive layer contains at least a conductive elastomer.

As described above, the technology of the conductive intermediate layer and the protective layer has been disclosed.
In the conductive layer, a powdery conductive agent was dispersed in a binder resin and then cured. Binder resin is a good conductive substrate, charge generation layer (CGL), charge transport layer (CTL)
In consideration of the adhesiveness with the binder resin used in the above, a limited binder resin had to be used.

The types of conductive agents that can be dispersed in limited binder resins are very limited, and even conductive agents that are excellent in conductivity, transparency, etc., cannot be used in most cases. Met.

Acrylic resin, phenol resin and polyamide resin mainly used for the conductive layer of the photoreceptor have a high hardness but a low elastic modulus and tend to crack upon impact. In particular, a belt photoreceptor and a low-cost drum photoreceptor having a thin base are thin and have a small heat capacity, the temperature of the surface of the photoreceptor is easily changed in a short time, and cracks are easily caused by deformation due to thermal expansion. .

However, the present inventors infer that, by dispersing the elastomer as in the present invention, the elastic modulus of the conductive layer is increased, and cracking of the conductive layer due to shrinkage due to impact or temperature difference can be prevented.

Further, since the conductive agent is once dispersed in the elastomer and then dispersed in the binder resin to form the conductive layer, even if the conductive agent has poor dispersibility in the binder resin,
If the conductive agent has good dispersibility in the elastomer,
It can be considered that the conductive agent can be used, and the selection range of the conductive agent has become extremely wide. This method has made it possible in particular to use water-soluble conductive agents.

In the present invention, the elastomer is a high-molecular substance having high elasticity and usually shows rubber elasticity at around normal temperature. More preferably, those having a Young's modulus of 500 MPa or less are good.

The elastomer is not particularly limited in structure as long as it has the above Young's modulus, and examples thereof include the following.

Diene rubber and its hydrogenated product (for example, N
R, IR, epoxidized natural rubber, SBR, BR (high cis and low cis BR), NBR, hydrogenated NBR, hydrogenated SBR), olefin rubber (eg, ethylene propylene rubber (EPDM, EPM), maleic acid) Modified ethylene propylene rubber (M-EPM), butyl rubber (II
R), isobutylene and aromatic vinyl or diene monomer copolymer, acrylic rubber (ACM), ionomer), halogen-containing rubber (for example, Br-IIR, Cl-II)
R, bromide of isobutylene paramethylstyrene copolymer (Br-IPMS), chloroprene rubber (CR), hydrin rubber (CHR, CHC), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), chlorinated polyethylene (CM), maleic acid-modified chlorine Polyethylene (M-CM)), silicone rubber (eg, methyl vinyl silicone rubber, dimethyl silicone rubber, methyl phenyl vinyl silicone rubber), sulfur-containing rubber (eg, polysulfide rubber), fluoro rubber (eg, vinylidene fluoride rubber) Fluorinated vinyl ether rubber, tetrafluoroethylene-propylene rubber, fluorinated silicone rubber, fluorinated phosphazene rubber), thermoplastic elastomer (for example, styrene elastomer, olefin elastomer, poly) It may be mentioned ester elastomers, urethane elastomers, polyamide-based elastomer) and the like.

In the present invention, the conductive fine particles are preferably amorphous. The term amorphous here means CuKα.
Has a broad scattering band with a half-width of 5 or more having an apex at a Bragg angle 2θ value of 20 ° or more and 70 ° or less by X-ray diffraction using X-rays, and a crystalline diffraction at a 2θ value of 70 ° C or more. It may have a line. In this case, the strongest intensity among the crystalline diffraction lines preferably observed at a 2θ value of 70 ° or more has the highest diffraction line intensity at the apex of a broad scattering band observed at a 2θ value of 20 ° or more and 70 ° or less. Preferably it is 500 times or less, more preferably 100 times or less.

The conductive fine particles preferably have a volume resistivity of 1 × 10 ⁸ Ω · cm or less, more preferably 1 × 10 ⁵ Ω · cm or less.

The conductivity is measured as follows.
By applying a pressure of 100 kg / cm ^{2 to} the sample, a disc-shaped pellet having a diameter of 4 cm and a thickness of 0.2 cm is formed. The resistance (Ω · cm) of this pellet is
P (Mitsubishi Yuka) was used for the measurement.

Since the conductive fine particles used in the present invention are in a colloidal state at the time of production, they are naturally dried to form a powder, and the X-ray diffraction and the conductivity of the powder sample are measured.

In the present invention, the metal oxide is not limited to, but is preferably, for example, ZnO, TiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , In ₂ O ₃ , Si ₂
O ₂ , MgO, BaO, MoO ₃ , V ₂ O _{5 and the} like can be mentioned. Among these, ZnO, TiO ₂ and SnO ₂ are particularly preferred, and the most preferred is a colloid of SnO ₂ (tin oxide).

In the present invention, since particles having a diameter of 1 to 100 nm are dispersed in a stable state, this size is called a colloidal dimension. The dispersed state is referred to as a colloidal state.

As described above, the present invention preferably employs a colloidal metal oxide sol as the conductive agent. The method for producing a colloidal metal oxide of the present invention comprises a method of producing a dispersion by dispersing ultrafine particles of a metal oxide (for example, tin oxide) in a suitable solvent, and a method of decomposing a metal compound soluble in a solvent in a solvent. Any method such as a manufacturing method can be adopted.

When the compatibility of the solvent of the metal oxide dispersion liquid during the production with the protective colloid binder is poor, the solvent is replaced with a solvent suitable for dispersing in the binder. Alternatively, a compound capable of stably dispersing the metal oxide sol is appropriately added, and the metal oxide ultrafine particles are dried and separated together with the added compound by heating to 300 ° C. or lower, preferably 200 ° C. or lower, and further 150 ° C. or lower. To disperse in water or water mixed with other solvents.

Examples of the tin compound used in the method for producing from the decomposition reaction of a tin compound soluble in a solvent in a solvent include a compound containing an oxo anion such as K ₂ SnO ₃ .3H ₂ O and a compound such as SnCl ₄ . water-soluble halide, R _'2 S
having the structure of nR ₂ , R ₃ SnX, R ₂ SnX ₂ (C
H ₃ ) ₃ SnCl. (Pyridine), (C ₄ H ₉ ) ₂ Sn (O
CC ₂ H ₅₎ organometallic compounds such as _{2, Sn (SO 4) 2} · 2
Oxo salts such as H ₂ O can be mentioned.

After dissolving a tin compound soluble in these solvents in a solvent, a tin oxide sol is produced by a physical method such as heating and pressurizing, or a chemical method such as oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis. Alternatively, a tin oxide sol is produced via an intermediate.
For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 35-6616 discloses that SnCl ₄
Dissolve in 00 volumes of distilled water to precipitate stannic hydroxide, then add aqueous ammonia to make it slightly alkaline, dissolve the precipitate, and heat until ammonia odor disappears to produce colloidal tin oxide sol. A method is described.

Examples of the solvent include water, alcoholic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol; ether solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and diethyl ether; aliphatic organic solvents such as hexane and heptane;
Various solvents can be used depending on the tin compound, such as aromatic organic solvents such as benzene and pyridine, but water and alcohols are preferred.

According to this method, it is possible to add a compound containing an element other than the tin compound soluble in the solvent during the production, for example, a fluorine-containing compound or a metal which can take a trivalent or pentavalent coordination number. Compounds can be introduced.

As the fluorine-containing compound soluble in a solvent,
Either ionic fluoride or covalent fluoride may be used, and metal fluorides such as K ₂ TiF ₆ , HF, KHF ₂ Sb, and F ₃ MoF ₆ and fluoro complex anions such as NH ₄ MnF ₃ and NH ₄ BiF ₄ may be used. Compounds to be produced, BrF ₃ , SF ₄ , SF
Inorganic molecular fluorides such as ₆ , CF ₃ I, CF ₃ OOH, P
Organic fluorine compounds such as (CF ₃ ) ₃ can be exemplified. Further, when the solvent is water, a combination of a fluorine-containing compound and a nonvolatile acid, such as a combination of CaF ₂ and sulfuric acid, can also be used.

Examples of the metal compound which can take a trivalent or pentavalent coordination number soluble in a solvent include Al, Ca, In, and Tl.
Or a group V element such as P, As, Sb, Bi, etc. Nb, V, which can take a trivalent or pentavalent coordination number
A group of compounds containing a transition metal such as Ti, Cr, Mo, Fe, Co, and Ni.

[0042] As the conductive fine particle content of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is preferably 5 to 500 mg / m ^2, particularly preferably 10 to 350 mg / m ^2. The weight ratio of the metal oxide to the binder is preferably from 1/300 to 100/1,
More preferably, it is 10 vol% or more. 10 vol%
It is known that in the state where the conductive particles are added, percolation transition occurs when the conductive particles are dispersed in the insulator matrix, and the conductivity in the layer rapidly increases.

The electrophotographic photosensitive member to which the present invention can be applied is not particularly limited. However, a typical one is an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a conductive layer and a photosensitive layer provided on the surface of a conductive substrate. In order to provide the conductive layer and the photosensitive layer, a conventionally used method is widely used. I can do it.

That is, in addition to the widely used metal base such as aluminum itself constituting the conductive base,
A conductive layer may be formed on an insulating substrate such as plastic. Examples of the method include a method of depositing or sputtering a metal or metal oxide such as aluminum or ITO (indium tin oxide), and a method of coating a conductive resin with a mixture of ITO or alumina conductive fine particles and a resin. Formation is a typical example.

In the formation of the photosensitive layer, an inorganic photoconductor layer may be formed by vapor deposition or the like, but an organic photoconductor layer, in particular, a function-separated type containing both a charge transport material and a charge generation material, may be used. In particular, it is preferable to form by applying an organic photoreceptor of a type in which each is separately laminated.

The charge generation layer (CGL) is formed by dispersing a charge generation material (CGM) in a binder resin as required. Examples of CGM include metal or metal-free phthalocyanine compounds, azo compounds such as bisazo compounds and trisazo compounds, squarium compounds, azurenium compounds, perylene compounds, indico compounds, quinacridone compounds, polycyclic quinone compounds, cyanine dyes, xanthene dyes, Examples include, but are not limited to, charge transfer complexes comprising poly-N-vinylcarbazole and trinitrofluorenone. These may be used as a mixture of two or more as necessary.

As the binder resin usable for the charge generation layer, for example, polystyrene resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyacryl resin, polymethacryl resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, Epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, polyphenol resins, polyester resins, polyalkyd resins, polycarbonate resins, polysilicone resins, polymelamine resins, and copolymer resins containing two or more of the repeating units of these resins, for example, vinyl chloride-acetic acid Vinyl copolymer resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride copolymer resin, and high-molecular organic semiconductor such as poly-N-vinyl carbazole,
And the like, but are not limited thereto. Among the above, when the imidazole perylene compound is used as the CGM, a preferred binder is polyvinyl butyral resin, and a preferred binder when using TiOPc is a polysilicone resin and a polyvinyl butyral resin, or a mixture of both. No.

The charge transport layer (CTL) is composed of a charge transport material (CTM) alone or together with a binder resin. Examples of the CTM include carbazole derivatives, oxazole derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, thiazole derivatives, thiadiazole derivatives, triazole derivatives, imidazole derivatives, imidazolone derivatives, imidazolidine derivatives, bisimidazolidine derivatives, styryl compounds, hydrazone compounds, pyrazoline derivatives, and oxazolone. Derivatives, benzimidazole derivatives, quinazoline derivatives, benzofuran derivatives, acridine derivatives,
Phenazine derivatives, aminostilbene derivatives, triarylamine derivatives, phenylenediamine derivatives, stilbene derivatives, benzidine derivatives, poly-N-vinylcarbazole, poly-1-vinylpyrene, poly-9-vinylanthracene, but are not limited thereto. Not necessarily. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

As the binder resin usable for the charge transport layer, for example, a polycarbonate resin, a polyacrylate resin, a polyester resin, a polystyrene resin,
Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer resin, polymethacrylate resin, and styrene-methacrylate copolymer resin.

Further, in order to reduce the fatigue deterioration upon repeated use or to improve the durability, each of the layers of the photoreceptor is provided with a conventionally known antioxidant, ultraviolet absorber, electron-accepting substance, An environment-dependent reducing agent such as a modifier and a plasticizer can be added in an appropriate amount as needed.

Further, for the purpose of improving the durability and taking measures against failure, a non-photosensitive layer such as an intermediate layer (undercoat layer) containing a polyamide resin or the like and a protective layer may be provided as necessary.

Next, the photoreceptor of the present invention can be widely applied to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method using an electrophotographic system.

[0053]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to examples, but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In the text, “parts” means “parts by weight”.

Example 1 A photoreceptor 1 was prepared as follows.

(1) Synthesis of tin oxide sol 65 g of stannic chloride hydrate was mixed with a water / ethanol mixed solution 2
000 cc to obtain a homogeneous solution.

Next, the coprecipitate produced by boiling this is taken out by decantation and washed with distilled water many times. After confirming that there is no reaction of chlorine ions by dropping silver nitrate into the distilled water from which the precipitate has been washed, distilled water is added to the washed precipitate to make the total volume 2000 cc. Further, 40 cc of 30% aqueous ammonia was added, heated in an aqueous solution, and concentrated to obtain a colloidal sol dispersion having a solid content of 8%.

The gel dispersion of (1) was spray-dried with a spray drier to obtain tin oxide fine particles.

The fine particles were converted to X using CuKα radiation.
When measured by the X-ray diffraction method, the black angle 2θ value was 20 °.
A broad scattering band with a peak at 70 ° from was observed. The crystallite size determined based on the measurement result is 2 nm
Showed typical amorphous characteristics.

(2) A photoreceptor was manufactured with the following configuration.

[Conductive Substrate] An aluminum cylinder substrate (diameter 30 mm, length 260 mm) was used.

[Conductive undercoat layer] Preparation of latex liquid (according to JP-A-9-138479) First liquid n-butyl acrylate 10 wt% t-butyl acrylate 35 wt% styrene 27 wt% 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate 28 wt% 2nd liquid n-butyl acrylate 40 wt% styrene 20 wt% glycidyl methacrylate 40 wt% copolymer latex liquid (solid content 30%) Tin oxide sol synthesized with (1) A latex liquid was prepared by mixing the first liquid and the second liquid at a volume ratio of 35:15:50.

The latex contains 15 vol of tin oxide sol.
By containing 1% or more, preferably 40% by volume or more, the conductive elastomer fine particles can be made conductive.

Preparation of Conductive Fine Particles Latex fine particles having an average particle size of 0.5 μm were prepared from the above latex liquid by a spray drying method. The volume resistivity of the fine particles was 1 × 10 ⁶ Ω · cm.

After the latex liquid is dried and solidified, fine particles can be produced by a pulverizing method.

[Conductive Undercoat Layer] A solution composed of the following materials was prepared.

Latex fine particles prepared in (1) 30 parts Titanium oxide particles 10 parts Phenol resin 10 parts Silicone oil 0.001 parts Methanol / methyl cellosolve = 1/1 20 parts The above solution was treated with the above-mentioned solution having a diameter of 30 mm and a length of 260 mm. An aluminum cylinder substrate was applied by an immersion method, and heated at 140 ° C. for 30 minutes to form a conductive layer having a thickness of 15 μm.

The volume resistivity of the conductive layer is 1 × 10 ¹² Ω · cm.
Met.

[Resin undercoat layer (second undercoat layer having a thickness of 0.5 μm)] 10 parts of alcohol-soluble polyamide resin (Amilan CM-8000 manufactured by Toray) methoxymethylated 6 nylon resin (Toresin EF- manufactured by Teikoku Science) 30T) 30 parts methanol / butanol 150 parts / 150 parts were applied by a dipping method.

[Photosensitive layer] A photosensitive layer was prepared with the following composition.

Charge generation layer (CGL film thickness: 0.2 μm) Oxytitanium phthalocyanine 4 parts Polyvinyl butyral (Eslec BM-2 manufactured by Sekisui Chemical) 2 parts Cyclohexanone 80 parts Methyl ethyl ketone 115 parts was applied by an immersion method.

Charge transport layer (CTL thickness 18 μm) Amino compound 8 parts Polycarbonate resin (Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Iupilon Z-200) 10 parts Monochlorobenzene / dichloromethane 30 parts / 30 parts was applied by a dipping method.

[Protective Layer] Latex fine particles prepared in (1) 200 parts Acrylic monomer 60 parts 2,4-diethylthioxanthone (photopolymerization initiator) 12 parts Toluene 600 parts were mixed and dispersed by a sand mill for 96 hours. .

This solution was applied on the CTL by a spray method, dried, and then irradiated with ultraviolet rays at a light intensity of 500 mW / cm for 20 seconds using a high-pressure mercury lamp to form a 4 μm protective layer.

The volume resistivity of the protective layer is 3 × 10 ¹² Ω · cm.
Met.

Comparative Example 1 To the conductive undercoat layer of Example 1, 10 parts of tin oxide particles were added instead of the latex fine particles, and 100 parts of tin oxide particles were added to the protective layer instead of the latex fine particles. Otherwise, a photoconductor was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1.

Performance Evaluation [Bending Test] Samples were prepared by applying the conductive undercoat layers of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 on a PET film to the same thickness as above. Attach this to the bending tester,
The bending operation was continuously repeated 200 times, and the state of the film thereafter was observed.

Example 1: Two cracks occurred in 10 cm squares Comparative Example 1: 30 cracks occurred in 10 cm squares, and a part of the film surface was peeled off.

[Actual photo test] The photoconductors of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 produced as described above were set on a laser printer (KL-2010 manufactured by Konica), and the state of the photoconductor after 10,000 prints was visually observed. The result was as follows.

Example 1: There is no difference from the initial stage Comparative Example 1: Several small cracks have occurred.

In the image of the photoreceptor of Comparative Example 1 as photographed by the printer, an image defect which was considered to be caused by a crack was observed.

[0081]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for imparting an appropriate conductivity to an intermediate layer or a protective layer provided on an electrophotographic photosensitive member. It does not cause micro-resistance variations in the photoreceptor, is excellent in transparency, has little variation in transparency, and cracks and peels between conductive agents and layers even after high-speed long-term use. No drop phenomenon is seen, little ghosting due to residual potential, lower image density,
It is possible to provide an electrophotographic photosensitive member that does not cause an increase in fog and a method for manufacturing the same.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic photosensitive member having a conductive layer on a conductive substrate, wherein the conductive layer contains at least a conductive elastomer. 2. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein said conductive layer is formed by dispersing conductive elastomer fine particles in a resin binder. 3. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 2, wherein the conductive elastomer fine particles are obtained by dispersing conductive fine particles in an elastomer resin. 4. The conductive layer according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layer is provided between the conductive substrate and the photosensitive layer.
The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the above. 5. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layer is provided on a surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 6. A method for producing an electrophotographic photoreceptor, wherein a conductive layer is provided on a conductive substrate, and the conductive layer contains at least a conductive elastomer.