Phthalocyanine crystal, production process therefor, and electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge and apparatus using the crystal

A process for producing a phthalocyanine crystal comprising a phthalocyanine compound and a substituted or unsubstituted condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compound, said process comprising subjecting a phthalocyanine compound to an acid pasting step including dissolving or dispersing the phthalocyanine compound in an acid which has been mixed with a substituted or unsubstituted condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compound.

A process for producing a phthalocyanine crystal comprising a phthalocyanine compound and a substituted or unsubstituted condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compound, said process comprising subjecting a phthalocyanine compound to an acid pasting step including dissolving or dispersing a phthalocyanine compound in an acid to form a mixture, and adding the mixture into a solution containing a substituted or unsubstituted condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compound.

A process for producing a phthalocyanine crystal comprising a phthalocyanine compound and a substituted or unsubstituted condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compound, said process comprising subjecting a crystal transformation step including milling a phthalocyanine compound within a solvent containing a substituted or unsubstituted condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compound.

An electrophotographic photosensitive member, comprising:

• an electroconductive support, and a photosensitive layer formed thereon, wherein said photosensitive layer contains a phthalocyanine crystal comprising a phthalocyanine compound and a substituted or unsubstituted condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compound.

A process cartridge, comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one means selected from the group consisting of charging means, developing means and cleaning means;
• said electrophotographic photosensitive member and said at least one means being integrally supported and detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic apparatus,
• wherein said electrophotographic photosensitive member comprises a support, and a photosensitive layer disposed on the support and containing a phthalocyanine compound which comprises a phthalocyanine compound and a substituted or unsubstituted condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compound.

An electrophotographic apparatus, comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and charging means, developing means and transfer means respectively disposed opposite to the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
• wherein said electrophotographic photosensitive member comprises a support, and a photosensitive layer disposed on the support and containing a phthalocyanine compound which comprises a phthalocyanine compound and a substituted or unsubstituted condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compound.