Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus

A process cartridge comprising:

• An electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a surface layer containing particles and a binder resin,
• wherein the particles in the surface layer have a plurality of peaks in a number-based particle size distribution,
• wherein, when, among the peaks each having a peak top at 20 nm or more among the plurality of peaks, the peak having a highest frequency at the peak top is defined as a first peak, and the peak having a second highest frequency at the peak top after the first peak is defined as a second peak, and
• when, of the first peak and the second peak, the peak having a larger value of a particle diameter at the peak top is defined as a peak PEA,
• a particle diameter DA at the peak top of the peak PEA falls within a range of 80 nm or more and 300 nm or less,
• wherein, when, among the particles in the surface layer, the particles each having a particle diameter in a range of DA±20 nm are defined as particles PAA, and convex portions, which are derived from the particles PAA, and which each have a height in a range of 10 nm or more and 300 nm or less, are defined as convex portions CA, the convex portions CA are arranged on a surface of the surface layer,
• wherein, when the surface layer is viewed from above, an average value of distances between gravity centers of the convex portions CA is 150 nm or more and 500 nm or less, and a standard deviation of the distances between gravity centers of the convex portions CA is 250 nm or less, and
• wherein, when the surface layer is viewed from above, and when an area occupied by the particles on the surface of the surface layer is represented by S1 and an area occupied by portions except the particles is represented by S2, S1/(S1+S2) is 0.70 or more and 1.00 or less;
• and
• at least one means selected from the group consisting of:
• charging means;
• developing means;
• and cleaning means,
• the process cartridge integrally supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the at least one means, and being detachably attachable onto a main body of an electrophotographic apparatus.

An electrophotographic apparatus comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a surface layer containing particles and a binder resin,
• wherein the particles in the surface layer have a plurality of peaks in a number-based particle size distribution,
• wherein, when, among the peaks each having a peak top at 20 nm or more among the plurality of peaks, the peak having a highest frequency at the peak top is defined as a first peak, and the peak having a second highest frequency at the peak top after the first peak is defined as a second peak, and
• when, of the first peak and the second peak, the peak having a larger value of a particle diameter at the peak top is defined as a peak PEA,
• a particle diameter DA at the peak top of the peak PEA falls within a range of 80 nm or more and 300 nm or less,
• wherein, when, among the particles in the surface layer, the particles each having a particle diameter in a range of DA±20 nm are defined as particles PAA, and convex portions, which are derived from the particles PAA, and which each have a height in a range of 10 nm or more and 300 nm or less, are defined as convex portions CA, the convex portions CA are arranged on a surface of the surface layer,
• wherein, when the surface layer is viewed from above, an average value of distances between gravity centers of the convex portions CA is 150 nm or more and 500 nm or less, and a standard deviation of the distances between gravity centers of the convex portions CA is 250 nm or less, and
• wherein, when the surface layer is viewed from above, and when an area occupied by the particles on the surface of the surface layer is represented by S1 and an area occupied by portions except the particles is represented by S2, S1/(S1+S2) is 0.70 or more and 1.00 or less;
• and
• charging means, exposing means, developing means, and transfer means.