An electrophotographic photosensitive member capable of maintaining a charging ability during repeated use is provided. An electrophotographic photosensitive member having a support, a conductive layer, a photosensitive layer and a protective layer in this order, wherein the protective layer contains a binding resin and a metal oxide particle, the metal oxide particle has a core and a coating layer, the core and the coating layer each contain titanium oxide, and the coating layer further includes niobium.

Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member that suppresses an image defect resulting from its support and is reduced in long-term potential fluctuation. The electrophotographic photosensitive member is an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a support having a cylindrical shape and a photosensitive layer formed on the support, wherein the support has a surface formed of Al and/or an Al alloy, and wherein the IR peak area ratio A of the surface of the support determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy satisfies the following condition: A≥0.50 where the IR peak area ratio A represents a ratio a/z of a peak area “a” in the range of from 1,016 cm.sup.−1 or more to 1,130 cm.sup.−1 or less to a peak area “z” in the range of from 650 cm.sup.−1 or more to 1,130 cm.sup.−1 or less.

An electrophotographic photosensitive member having: a support with a cylindrical shape; and a photosensitive layer, in which the support has a surface formed of Al and/or an Al alloy, and the surface of the support includes Al crystal grains having (α) plane having {001} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°, (β) plane having {101} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°, and (γ) plane having {111} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°, a ratio of an area occupied by Al crystal grains having (γ) to the total area of the surface of the support is 10% or less, and a ratio of an area occupied by any one of Al crystal grains having (α) and Al crystal grains having (β) is 60% or more.

Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member that can suppress the surface direction unevenness of an output image throughout repeated image formation. The electrophotographic photosensitive member is an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a support having a cylindrical shape and a photosensitive layer formed on the support, wherein the support contains at least one of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and wherein when an area at the maximum frequency calculated from the area distribution curve of the aluminum crystal grains of the surface of the support is represented by A (μm.sup.2) and the half-width of the highest peak in the area distribution curve is represented by B (μm.sup.2), the support satisfies the following formula (1):

B/A≤1.0   (1).

A photoconductive drum includes an elongated support element with a shaped charge generation layer. The layer extends from the support element at various thicknesses along a length thereof. Thicker charge generation portions provides denser optical densities compared to thinner portions allowing tailoring the photoconductive drum to compensate for imperfect optical scanning systems. A charge transport layer overcoats the charge generation layer. Optionally, an oxidation layer underlies the charge generation layer as does a protective overcoat overlying the charge transport layer. Various thicknesses and shapes of the charge generation layer are also disclosed.

An electrophotographic photosensitive member capable of maintaining a charging ability during repeated use is provided. An electrophotographic photosensitive member having a support, a conductive layer, a photosensitive layer and a protective layer in this order, wherein the protective layer contains a binding resin and a metal oxide particle, the metal oxide particle has a core and a coating layer, the core and the coating layer each contain titanium oxide, and the coating layer further includes niobium.

An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes: a conductive substrate; an undercoating layer that contains inorganic particles surface-treated with a surface treatment agent, and is provided in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the conductive substrate; and a photosensitive layer provided on the undercoating layer, wherein, with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the conductive substrate, a proportion of an area being in contact with the inorganic particles is from 82% to 91%.

Shaping a photoconductive drum includes preparing a dispersion having a charge generation composition and dipping an elongated support element into the dispersion. Withdrawing from the dispersion portions of the support element at different speeds results in different thicknesses of charge generation composition on the support element. Faster withdrawal results in thicker charge generation composition than does slower withdrawal. Portions with thicker composition provide denser optical densities compared to thinner composition allowing tailoring the photoconductive drum to compensate for imperfect optical scanning systems. Coating the support element with a charge transport layer occurs next, then curing. Oxidation of the support element may occur prior to application of the charge generation composition. A protective overcoat may also exist over the charge transport layer.

A photoconductive drum includes an elongated support element with a shaped charge generation layer. The layer extends from the support element at various thicknesses along a length thereof. Thicker charge generation portions provides denser optical densities compared to thinner portions allowing tailoring the photoconductive drum to compensate for imperfect optical scanning systems. A charge transport layer overcoats the charge generation layer. Optionally, an oxidation layer underlies the charge generation layer as does a protective overcoat overlying the charge transport layer. Various thicknesses and shapes of the charge generation layer are also disclosed.

A method for producing a metal cylinder includes preparing a metal slug having a surface adjusted so that the crystal grain diameter at a depth of 10 m from the surface is smaller than that at a depth of 100 m from the surface, and the crystal grain diameter at a depth of 10 m from the surface is 30 m or more and 120 m or less; and forming a cylinder by impact pressing of the metal slug having the surface as a bottom.