Electrophotographic photoconductor, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an electrophotographic photoconductor,
• a charging unit configured to charge a surface of the electrophotographic photoconductor,
• an exposing unit configured to expose the surface of the electrophotographic photoconductor to form a latent electrostatic image,
• a developing unit configured to develop the latent electrostatic image using a toner to form a visible image, and
• a transfer unit configured to transfer the visible image onto a recording medium,
• wherein the electrophotographic photoconductor comprises a support, at least an intermediate layer, and a photosensitive layer, the intermediate layer and photosensitive layer being laid in this order over the support,
• wherein the intermediate layer consists of an amorphous oxide semiconductor, and
• wherein the amorphous oxide semiconductor comprises at least indium, zinc, and gallium.

A process cartridge detachably mounted on a main body of an image forming apparatus, the process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photoconductor, and
• a developing unit configured to develop a latent electrostatic image formed on the electrophotographic photoconductor using a toner to form a visible image,
• wherein the electrophotographic photoconductor comprises a support, at least an intermediate layer, and a photosensitive layer, the intermediate layer and photosensitive layer being laid in this order over the support,
• wherein the intermediate layer consists of an amorphous oxide semiconductor, and
• wherein the amorphous oxide semiconductor comprises at least indium, zinc, and gallium.