Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, electrophotographic apparatus, and method of producing electrophotographic photosensitive member

A process cartridge, comprising:

• at least one unit selected from the group consisting of a charging unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit and a cleaning unit;
• the process cartridge integrally supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive member and the at least one unit, and being detachably attachable to a main body of an electrophotographic apparatus;
• the electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a surface layer, the surface layer comprising a fluorine atom-containing resin particle, a binder material and a polymer A, wherein
• polymer A is obtained by polymerizing a composition comprising compounds according to formulae (1), (2) and (3)
• where R11 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,
• R12 represents a single bond, a methylene group or an ethylene group,
• Rf1s independently represent a perfluoroalkylene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a perfluoroalkylidene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms,
• Rf2 represents a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms,
• “n” represents an integer of 1 to 3, and when “n” represents 2 or 3, “n” Rf1s may be identical to or different from each other,
• R21 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,
• Y represents a divalent organic group,
• Z represents a polymer moiety,
• R31 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and
• R32 represents a cyano group.

An electrophotographic apparatus, comprising:

• a charging unit;
• an exposing unit;
• a developing unit;
• a transfer unit;
• and
• an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a surface layer, the surface layer comprising a fluorine atom-containing resin particle, a binder material and a polymer A, wherein
• polymer A is obtained by polymerizing a composition comprising compounds according to formulae (1), (2) and (3)
• where R11 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,
• R12 represents a single bond, a methylene group or an ethylene group,
• Rf1s independently represent a perfluoroalkylene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a perfluoroalkylidene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms,
• Rf2 represents a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms,
• “n” represents an integer of 1 to 3, and when “n” represents 2 or 3, “n” Rf1s may be identical to or different from each other,
• R21 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,
• Y represents a divalent organic group,
• Z represents a polymer moiety,
• R31 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and
• R32 represents a phenyl group, a cyano group.

A method of producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a surface layer, the method comprising the steps of:

• preparing a coating liquid comprising (i) a fluorine atom-containing resin particle, (ii) at least one member selected from the group consisting of a binder material and a raw material for the binder material, and (iii) a polymer A obtained by copolymerizing compounds according to formulae (1), (2) and (3);
• and
• forming the surface layer by forming a coating film of the coating liquid, and drying and/or curing the coating film
• where R11 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,
• R12 represents a single bond, a methylene group or an ethylene group,
• Rf1s independently represent a perfluoroalkylene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a perfluoroalkylidene group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms,
• Rf2 represents a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms,
• “n” represents an integer of 1 to 3, and when “n” represents 2 or 3, “n” Rf1s may be identical to or different from each other,
• R21 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,
• Y represents a divalent organic group,
• Z represents a polymer moiety,
• R31 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and
• R32 represents a cyano group.