An electrophotographic apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging roller disposed so as to come into contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a charging device operable to apply only a DC voltage to charge the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a support member, an undercoat layer over the support member, and a photosensitive layer over the undercoat layer and having a plurality of discrete recesses in the surface thereof. The undercoat layer contains zinc oxide particles and a binder resin. The undercoat layer has cavities therein, and the cavities account for 5.00% or less of the volume of the undercoat layer.

An electrophotographic apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging roller disposed so as to come into contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a charging device operable to apply only a DC voltage to charge the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a support member, an undercoat layer over the support member, and a photosensitive layer over the undercoat layer and having a plurality of discrete recesses in the surface thereof. The undercoat layer contains zinc oxide particles and a binder resin. The undercoat layer has cavities therein, and the cavities account for 5.00% or less of the volume of the undercoat layer.

A charging member is provided that has high charging ability and can prevent generation of abnormal discharge even under an environment at a low temperature and a low humidity. The charging member includes an electroconductive support, an electroconductive elastic layer and a surface layer. The electroconductive elastic layer contains electrically insulating domains such that at least a part of the electrically insulating domains is exposed on the surface of the electroconductive elastic layer. The surface layer contains a polymetalloxane having a structure represented by Structural Formula (a1), and M1 in Structural Formula (a1) and a carbon atom in a structural unit represented by Structural Formula (a2) are bonded through a linking group represented by Structural Formula (a3). ##STR00001##

A charging member is provided that has high charging ability and can prevent generation of abnormal discharge even under an environment at a low temperature and a low humidity. The charging member includes an electroconductive support, an electroconductive elastic layer and a surface layer. The electroconductive elastic layer contains electrically insulating domains such that at least a part of the electrically insulating domains is exposed on the surface of the electroconductive elastic layer. The surface layer contains a polymetalloxane having a structure represented by Structural Formula (a1), and M1 in Structural Formula (a1) and a carbon atom in a structural unit represented by Structural Formula (a2) are bonded through a linking group represented by Structural Formula (a3).

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