Electrophotographic photoreceptor and image forming apparatus using the photoreceptor

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an electrophotographic photoreceptor;
• a charger configured to charge the electrophotographic photoreceptor;
• a light irradiator configured to irradiate the photoreceptor with light to form an electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic photoreceptor;
• an image developer comprising a developer configured to develop the electrostatic latent image with the developer comprising a toner to form a toner image on the electrophotographic photoreceptor;
• a transfer configured to transfer the toner image onto a receiving material;
• a fixer configured to fix the toner image on the receiving material, and
• a lubricant applicator comprising a lubricant configured to apply the lubricant on the surface of the photosensitive layer;
• wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor comprises a photosensitive layer on an electroconductive substrate, and wherein nitrate ion is present on a surface of the photosensitive layer in an amount of from 50 to 300 μg/m2 and the lubricant is present on the surface of the photosensitive layer,
• wherein the lubricant comprises a fatty acid metal salt comprising a zinc atom;
• wherein a ratio of the number of zinc atoms to the number of carbon atoms at the surface of the photosensitive layer is from 0.01 to 0.1.

A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a housing;
• and
• an electrophotographic photoreceptor contained in the housing,
• wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor comprises a photosensitive layer on an electroconductive substrate, and wherein nitrate ion is present on a surface of the photosensitive layer in an amount of from 50 to 300 μg/m2;
• wherein a fatty acid metal salt comprising a zinc atom is further present on the surface of the photosensitive layer;
• and
• wherein a ratio of the number of zinc atoms to the number of carbon atoms at the surface of the photosensitive layer is from 0.001 to 0.1.