Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor characterized in comprising a resin layer containing a hardenable siloxane-based resin having a partial structure described below: ##STR1## wherein X represents a charge transportability providing group, which is a group bonding to Y in the formula via a carbon atom constituting said providing group, and Y represents at least a bivalent atom or group, excluding adjacent bonding atoms.

Abstract: An organic photoreceptor that includes:(a) a charge transport compound having the formula ##STR1## where n is an integer between 2 and 6, inclusive; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, independently, are an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, or an aryl group, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 combine with the nitrogen atom to form a ring;Y is a bond, a carbon atom, a --CR.sup.3 group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, or a cyclosiloxyl group;R.sup.3 is hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an aryl group; andX is a linking group having the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.m -- wherein m is an integer between 4 and 10, inclusive, and one or more of the methylene groups is optionally replaced by an oxygen atom, a carbonyl group, or an ester group;(b) a charge generating compound; and(c) an electroconductive substrate.

Abstract: This invention discloses novel surface release layers on temporary image receptors particularly suited to the requirements of liquid electrographic (both electrophotographic and electrostatic) printing on a variety of receptors. The inventive temporary image receptors are comprised of a surface release layer on a photoreceptive or dielectric substrate. The release layers are silicone copolymers which are chemically modified to improve imaging, drying or transfer performance when used in the simplified color electrophotography (SCE) or electrostatic printing processes.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an electrophotographic imaging member includingforming a charge generating layer,forming an undried charge transport layer coating by applying to the charge generating layer a solution selected from either or both the group consisting ofa solution including a charge transport molecule, a first film forming binder and at least a first solvent anda solution including a charge transporting polymer and at least a first solvent,forming an undried overcoat layer coating by applying to the undried charge transport layer coating an overcoat layer coating solution including a second film forming polymer and at least a second solvent, the charge transport molecule and first film forming polymer or either or both a charge transporting polymer being substantially insoluble in the second solvent and the second polymer being substantially insoluble in the first solvent,applying heat to both the undried charge transport layer coating and the undried overcoat layer coating to migrate the first solve

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member includinga substrate,a charge generating layer,a charge transport layer, andan overcoat layer includinga hole transporting hydroxy arylamine compound having at least two hydroxy functional groups,bis-(2-methyl-4-diethylaminophenyl)-phenylmethane anda cross linked polyamide film forming binder.A process for forming an overcoated imaging member is also disclosed.

Abstract: A photoreceptor fabrication method including: (a) depositing a charge generating layer; (b) depositing a first charge transport layer having a first charge carrier mobility value; and (c) depositing a second charge transport layer having a second charge carrier mobility value that is different from the first charge carrier mobility value; wherein steps (a), (b), and (c) occur in any order, wherein the difference in the first charge carrier mobility value and the second charge carrier mobility value is accomplished by:(i) wherein the first charge transport layer includes a first binder and a first charge transport material and the second charge transport layer includes a second binder and a second charge transport material, selecting the first binder to have a lesser solubility limit for the first charge transport material than the solubility limit of the second binder for the second charge transport material; or(ii) wherein the first transport layer includes a first polymeric compound composed of a first char

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member includinga supporting substrate,an undercoat layer,a charge generating layer comprisingphotoconductive pigment particles,film forming binder anda charge transport layer formed from a coating solution, the coating solution comprising charge transporting molecules, the charge transporting molecules comprising a major amount of a first charge transport molecule comprising an alkyl derivative of an arylamine and a minor amount of second transport molecule comprising an alkyloxy derivative of an arylamine.the charge generating layer being located between the substrate and the charge transport layer. A process for fabricating this imaging member is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for fabricating electrophotographic imaging members comprising providing a substrate with an exposed surface, simultaneously applying, from a coating die, two wet coatings to the surface, the wet coatings comprising a first coating in contact with the surface, the first coating comprising photoconductive particles dispersed in a solution of a film forming binder and a predetermined amount of solvent for the binder and a second coating in contact with the first coating, the second coating comprising a solution of a charge transporting small molecule and a film forming binder dissolved in a predetermined amount of solvent for the transport molecule and the binder, drying the two wet coatings to remove substantially all of the solvents to form a dry first coating having a thickness between about 0.

Abstract: A method for forming a low surface energy coating for electrophotographic photosensitive body substrates does not require performing a physical surface reforming treatment such as corona discharge, plasma treatment, and the like. The process comprises: forming on the substrate at least one polysiloxane coating material, (B), that has a water contact angle greater than the water contact angle of the substrate; and thereafter forming an outermost surface coating material, (A), on top of coating material (B). The water contact angle of coating material (B) is smaller than the water contact angle of coating material (A). Coating material (A) comprises finely divided silica and a resin of the formula RSiO.sub.3/2, wherein not less than 1 mol % and not more than 80 mol % of the R groups are fluorohydrocarbon groups of 3 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method of forming a color image comprising forming at least one color toner image on an electrophotographic light-sensitive element whose surface has releasability by an electrophotographic process, forming a peelable transfer layer on the electrophotographic light-sensitive element bearing the toner image by an electrodeposition coating method using thermoplastic resin grains each containing a resin (AH) having a glass transition point of from 10.degree. C. to 140.degree. C. or a softening point of from 35.degree. C. to 180.degree. C. and a resin (AL) having a glass transition point of not more than 45.degree. C. or a softening point of not more than 60.degree. C. and its glass transition point or softening point is at least 2.degree. C. lower than that of the resin (AH), transferring the toner image together with the transfer layer onto a primary receptor, and then transferring the toner image together with the transfer layer from the primary receptor onto a receiving material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photoreceptor includes the steps of consecutively forming a transparent conductive layer, a photoconductive layer, insulation layer and an electrode layer on a transparent support member, covering the electrode layer with a photo-setting dry film having a mask pattern therein, and sand-blasting the electrode layer and the insulation layer through the mask pattern to form an array of pores in the electrode layer and the insulation layer. A porous layer having a uniform thickness and uniform arrangement of pores can be obtained.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a charging unit, an image exposure unit, a reversal development unit, an image transfer unit, and an electrophotographic photoconductor including an electroconductive support and a photoconductive layer formed thereon, the photoconductive layer being provided by coating and drying a photoconductive layer formation liquid containing a solvent, with a change in the content of the solvent in the photoconductive layer dried being 10% or less 24 hours after the drying thereof.

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member comprising a charge generating layer comprising trigonal selenium particles and a charge transport layer, the charge transport layer includinga protonic acid or Lewis acid,a charge transporting small molecule,a film forming polymer, andpolyalkylene-block-polyethylene oxide.This imaging member may be fabricated using a suitable solvent for applying the charge transport layer.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrophotographic transfer image is disclosed which provides color images free from color shear, by which toner images are completely transferred onto a receiving material without being accompanied by degradation of image quality upon the transfer, and in which a light-sensitive element can be repeatedly used without throwing the light-sensitive element away after using it only once.A method and apparatus for forming an electrophotographic transfer image comprising forming a transfer layer containing a thermoplastic resin on the surface of an electrophotographic light-sensitive element which surface has releasability in the apparatus for forming an electrophotographic transfer image, forming a toner image by an electrophotographic process on the transfer layer, and heat-transferring the toner image together with the transfer layer onto a receiving material.

Abstract: An allyloxymethylatedpolyamide composition is disclosed, the allyloxymethylatedpolyamide being represented by Formulae I and II: ##STR1## wherein: n is a positive integer sufficient to achieve a weight average molecular weight between about 5000 and about 100,000,R is an alkylene unit containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms,between 1 and 99 percent of the R.sub.2 sites are --H, andbetween 1 and 99 percent of the R.sub.2 sites are --H, and the remainder of the R.sub.2 sites is between 25 percent and 99 percent --CH.sub.2 --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.w --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, whereinw is 1, 2 or 3,between 1 and 75 percent of the R.sub.2 sites are --CH.sub.2 --O--R.sub.5, andR.sub.5 is an alkyl unit containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and ##STR2## wherein: m is a positive integer sufficient to achieve a weight average molecular weight between about 5000 and about 100,000,R.sub.1 and R are independently selected from the group consisting of alkylene units containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms,between 1 and 99 percent of the R.sub.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive body has a charge generating layer and a charge transporting layer on a conductive substrate. The charge transporting layer contains a zinc carboxylate compound expressed by the following General Formula (I):(Ar--COO.sup.-)(R--COO.sup.-)Zn.sup.2+ [I]wherein:Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group andR is a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl groupA method for the manufacture of the electrophotographic photosensitive body is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a naphthoquinone derivative represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are as defined in the specification. An electrophotosensitive material containing this naphthoquinone derivative as an electron transferring material has high sensitivity.

Abstract: A film component having a) a haloelastomer with halogenated monomers, polyorganosiloxane monomers, or both halogenated and polyorganosiloxane monomers, and b) a doped metal oxide, preferably antimony doped tin oxide, dispersed therein, wherein the film component is useful as components in xerographic processes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cost effective method for manufacturing an electrophotographic-photosensitive-body comprising forming a photosensitive layer on the internal surface of a cylindrical mold, polymerizing a resin for a transparent substrate using a centrifugal casting method, and integrating the resin obtained with the photosensitive layer. The electrophotographic-photosensitive-body obtained may be used for an internally illuminating electrophotographic apparatus and that has an excellent printing performance.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoconductor includes a conductive substrate having a photoconductive film thereon. The photoconductive film includes a layer containing a charge transport agent and a phosphonite compound, which acts as an antioxidant. Preferably, the phosphonite compound is diarylarylphosphonite. The layer that contains the charge transport preferably contains from 0.005 to 10 weight % of diarylarylphosphonite. The diarylarylphosphonite is preferably a compound selected from the group consisting of bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phenylphosphonite, bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phenylphosphonite and bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl)phenylphosphonite.

Abstract: A photoreceptor includes a supporting substrate and an outer layer on the photoreceptor, the outer layer including silicone oil uniformly dispersed as vesicles in a continuous film forming polymer matrix. This photoreceptor is used in a xerographic copier/printer machine and contributes to a longer operating life of the machine by providing continuous lubrication, decreased friction and decreased wear of the interaction of the photoreceptor and other machine parts. This photoreceptor is prepared by incorporating silicone oil and at least one film forming polymer in at least one solvent, removing the solvent and forming a dried outer layer in which the silicone oil is phase separated from the other components of the top layer forming small vesicles which are uniformly dispersed in the continuous film forming polymer matrix.

Abstract: A photoconductor for internal irradiation electrophotography includes a substrate which is hollow, cylindrical, and transparent, and which is composed of a synthetic resin; an electroconductive layer which is provided on an outer surface of the substrate and which has a surface resistance of no higher than 2.times.10.sup.6 .OMEGA./square; a photosensitive layer which is composed of organic material, which is provided on the electroconductive layer, and which is dip coated from a liquid including an organic solvent; and a protective layer which is provided on an inner surface of the substrate, wherein the protective layer and the electroconductive layer are resistant to the organic solvent of the liquid for dip coating.

Abstract: There is provided an electrophotographic element and method of making the electrophotographic element comprising a conductive support, a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer, said electrophotographic element having thereon a protective layer of a fluorinated diamond-like carbon wherein the fluorine content of the outermost surface of the fluorinated diamond-like carbon layer is between about 25 and about 65 atomic percent based on the total composition of the outermost surface of the protective layer. The protective layer provides for a low surface energy coating having a long process lifetime without causing latent image spread or degradation of photosensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a substrate and a photosensitive layer thereupon, wherein a surface protecting layer of the photosensitive member contains a resin which is obtained by curing a curable organosilicon polymer and an organosilicon-modified positive hole transporting compound; a process-cartridge which has, in addition to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, at least one from among a primary charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning means placed into a housing, and which can be reversibly mounted to an image forming apparatus; and the image forming apparatus using the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member comprising a charge generating layer comprising trigonal selenium particles and a charge transport layer, the charge transport layer includinga protonic acid or Lewis acida charge transporting small molecule,a film forming polymer, andan additive selected from the group consisting of1-alkylpiperidene,triethylamine,a complex of 1-alkylpiperidene and a protonic acid or Lewis acid,a complex of triethylamine and a protonic acid or Lewis acid and mixtures thereof.This imaging member may be fabricated using a solvent for applying the charge transport layer.

Abstract: A photoconductive element comprising: an electrically conductive base; at least one active layer comprising an organic material, said at least one active layer being capable of charge generation and charge transport; and an outermost multilayer protective overcoat comprising at least one sol-gel layer and at least one outermost diamond-like carbon layer comprising fluorine.

Abstract: A flexible electrophotographic imaging member including a supporting substrate coated with at least one imaging layer including hole transporting material containing a hole transporting molecule dissolved or molecularly dispersed in a film forming binder and coated from a mixture of solvents including a low point boiling solvent and a small concentration of high boiling point solvent. Preferably, the flexible electrophotographic imaging member is free of an anticurl backing layer, the imaging member including a supporting substrate uncoated on one side and coated on the opposite side with at least a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer containing hole transporting material dissolved or molecularly dispersed in a film forming binder and coated from a mixture of solvents containing a low boiling point solvent and a small concentration of high boiling point solvent.

Abstract: A thin (<5 .mu.m) charge injection barrier layer is provided on a top surface of an inverse dual layer photoconductor using hole transport or on at least one surface of a single layer photoconductor or on an electrically conductive substrate of a conventional dual layer photoconductor using either hole transport or electron transport. The charge injection barrier layer comprises at least one terpolymer given by the formula ?A.sub.x B.sub.y C.sub.z !.sub.n, where A is a charge injection prohibitor to prevent leakage of charge from the surface, B is a solubility control moiety to control solubility of the polymer and its glass transition temperature, and C is an electron charge moiety for neutralizing surface charge. Each of the moieties A, B, and C contain a vinyl group. The value of x is at least about 0.01, y is within the range of about 0.01 to 0.3, and z is within the range of about 0.01 to 0.4, with the sum of x+y+z=1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a color image is disclosed which provide simply and stably color duplicates of high accuracy and high quality without color shear and color images excellent in storage stability. A method of forming color images comprising applying a compound (S) which contains a fluorine atom and/or silicon atom to the surface of electrophotographic light-sensitive element, forming a peelable transfer layer on the surface of electrophotographic light-sensitive element, forming at least one color toner image by an electrophotographic process on the transfer layer and transferring the toner image together with the transfer layer to a receiving material and an apparatus used therefor are disclosed.

Abstract: A composite web comprising a flexible first web having a first major surface, a second major surface, a first end and a second end, and a flexible second web having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first web being joined to the first end of the second web, and the first major surface comprising a tacky contact cleaning surface. This composite web may used to clean devices that contact the web prior to, during and subsequent to application of a coating to the web.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an electrophotographic imaging member including providing a supporting substrate, forming a charge generating layer on the substrate, applying a coating composition to the charge generating layer, the coating composition including a film forming charge transporting polymer dissolved in methylene chloride and a solvent selected from the group consisting of 1,2 dichloroethane, 1,1,2 trichloroethane or mixtures thereof, the charge transporting polymer having a backbone comprising active arylamine moieties along which charge is transported, and drying the coating to form a charge transporting layer.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an electrophotographic imaging member includingproviding a substrate coated with at least one photoconductive layer,applying a coating composition to the photoconductive layer by dip coating to form a wet layer, the coating composition comprising finely divided amorphous silica particles, a dihydroxy amine charge transport material, an aryl charge transport material that is different from the dihydroxy amine charge transport material, a crosslinkable polyamide containing methoxy groups attached to amide nitrogen atoms and a crosslinking catalyst, at least one solvent for the hydroxy amine charge transport material, aryl charge transport material that is different from the dihydroxy amine charge transport material and the crosslinkable polyamide, andheating the wet layer to crosslink the polyamide and remove the solvent to form a dry layer in which the dihydroxy amine charge transport material and the aryl charge transport material are molecularly dispersed in a crosslinked polyamide

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member is prepared by applying a charge generating layer to an underlying layer and drying the charge generating layer at ambient temperature.

Abstract: This invention is a photoconductive assembly comprising an electroconductive substrate, a photoconductive layer on a surface of the electroconductive substrate, and a release layer over the photoconductive layer wherein the release layer comprises a silicone polymer which has a bimodal distribution of chain lengths between cross-links.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor and process for preparing the same, the photoreceptor comprising a conductive substrate having thereon a photoconductive layer and a surface layer in this order, the photoconductive layer comprising amorphous silicon containing at least one of hydrogen and a halogen, and the surface layer comprising a dried and/or cured product under a reduced pressure of an inorganic or organic high molecular weight material containing fine particles of a conductive metal oxide dispersed therein.

Abstract: An overcoating for an electrophotographic imaging member includes an amorphous fluoropolymer overcoating layer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a dip coating method comprising: (a) shaping the widths of a plurality of hollow, flexible, endless substrates into an elongated shape and arranging the plurality of the elongated substrates into a configuration for dipping into a coating solution of a single coating vessel prior to (c); (b) dipping the plurality of the substrates having the elongated shape into a coating solution disposed in the coating vessel; and (c) raising the plurality of the substrates having the elongated shape from the coating solution, thereby resulting in coated substrates.

Abstract: A process for coating flexible belt seams including providing a flexible belt having an outwardly facing surface and a welded seam, forming a smooth liquid coating on the welded seam, the liquid coating comprising a film forming polymer and a fugitive liquid carrier in which the belt surface is substantially insoluble, and removing the fugitive liquid carrier to form a smooth solid coating on the seam.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor consists of an intermediate layer on a conductive substrate. A photosensitive bilayer is coated on the intermediate layer. The outermost layer if the photosensitive bilayer contains a combination of an ester phosphite antioxidant and a hindered phenol antioxidant. This organic photoreceptor has improved resistance to performance degradation and degradation in repetition characteristics from exposure to active gases (such as ozone). A method of producing the electrophotographic photoreceptor according to the invention is also taught.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a substrate, a light receiving layer having a photoconductive layer composed of a non-single crystal material containing silicon atoms as a matrix and having photoconductivity disposed on said substrate, and a surface protective layer disposed on said light receiving layer, characterized in that said surface protective layer comprises a metal oxide film formed by adjusting the surface of said light receiving layer to have a contact angle against water of 80.degree. or more, applying a sol liquid comprising an organometallic compound admixed with water, an alcohol and an acid onto the surface of said light receiving layer, and subjecting the resultant to heat treatment. An electrophotographic apparatus provided with said electrophotographic photosensitive member. A process for the production of said electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: Derivatives of diiminoquinilidines are useful as electron transport agents in electrophotography. The diiminoquinilidine derivatives are inexpensive materials, requiring only two steps to synthesize, have excellent solubility and compatibility with most binders due to the presence of long alkyl chains, and evidence high electron mobility.

Abstract: A member for electrically cooperating with a conductive support surface to attract charged toner particles from the surface towards the member is disclosed. The member comprises a conductive substrate capable of supporting a uniform bias potential thereon and at least one coating comprising a resilient elastomeric polyurethane.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a high sensitivity and stability and an excellent product quality stability without being affected by the production environment is disclosed, which comprises coating on a substrate a functional layer-forming coating solution containing a compound which undergoes polycondensation upon hydrolysis, adjusting a temperature of said substrate having the coated layer such that relationship (1) is satisfied, and then moistening said coated layer at a temperature of 30.degree. C. to 180.degree. C. in an atmosphere of a dew point of 25.degree. C. to 80.degree. C.:DP.ltoreq.ST.ltoreq.DP+40.degree. C. (1)wherein DP represents the dew point upon said moistening and ST represents the temperature of the substrate just before said moistening.

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member includes a charge generating layer, a charge transport layer and an interphase region. The interphase region includes a mixture of a charge generating material and a charge transport material, in intimate contact, and may be formed, for example, by applying a charge transport material prior to drying or curing an underlying charge generating layer to produce an interphase structure that is different from the charge generating and charge transport layers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for forming a photosensitive imaging member to be subjected to light of a specific wavelength comprising: depositing a charge generating layer on a substrate, depositing a charge transport layer on the charge generating layer, wherein there is variation in the thickness of the transport layer, and controlling during the deposition of the charge generating layer the thickness of the generating layer as a way to substantially suppress the optical interference effects at the wavelength of illumination due to the variation in the thickness of the transport layer, wherein the thickness of the generating layer is controlled to enable the imaging member to exhibit an optical absorption modulation which is effective for substantially suppressing the optical interference effects.

Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging member having a perylene-containing charge generating layer is prepared by forming a dispersion of a perylene charge generating material in an acetate solvent and applying the dispersion to an electrophotographic imaging member layer by solution coating. An imaging member is prepared by forming an interphase region between a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a cylindrical device comprising having at least one distinct outer layer comprising providing a preformed rigid cylindrical support drum having a predetermined outer circumference, a first end and a second end, providing a flexible belt having an inner circumference at least about 0.05 percent smaller than the outer circumference of the support drum, circumferentially expanding the belt with a flowing fluid under pressure until the circumference of the inner surface of the belt adjacent the first end is stretched to a new dimension at least about 0.

Abstract: An inverse dual-layer organic photoconductor comprising a charge generation layer (CGL) formed on top of a charge transport layer (CTL), in turn formed on a substrate such as a web (drum) or subbing layer, is disclosed, in which the CGL includes a flexible polymer having a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) of less than about 120.degree. C. as the binder for a charge generation species and in which the CTL includes a rigid polymer having a T.sub.g of greater than about 120.degree. C. as the binder for a charge transport species. The CTL is coated onto the substrate, using a non-chlorinated solvent. The CGL is coated onto the CTL, also using a non-chlorinated solvent, under conditions so as to form a diffused region at the boundary of the CGL and CTL. This type of photoconductor yields extremely low noise, exceptionally high-speed and excellent stable charging/discharging performance in the xerography process at room temperature and elevated temperature.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a luminescent screen assembly on an interior surface of a faceplate panel 12 for a color CRT 10 includes the steps of uniformly applying a solution of a material to form an organic conductive (OC) layer and overcoating the OC layer with a solution to form an organic photoconductive (OPC) layer, on the interior surface of the faceplate panel. The OPC layer 34 is conditioned by directing a stream of dry gas thereon to warm the OPC layer to a preheat temperature, while maintaining the panel at a panel temperature less than the preheat temperature. The OPC layer is exposed to IR radiation to rapidly increase the temperature of the OPC layer to a curing temperature, greater than the preheat temperature, to remove some of the volatilizable constituents from the OPC layer, without substantially increasing the temperature of the panel.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising the steps of forming a photoconductive layer on a conductive substrate in a reaction chamber, and after the photoconductive layer is formed, forming a surface protection layer on the photoconductive layer by introducing into the reaction chamber a gaseous mixture comprising (i) a first component, fluorohydrocarbon gas, and (ii) a second component silicon, hydride gas, or a hydrocarbon gas and/or hydrogen gas and decomposing the gaseous mixture by glow discharge, wherein the surface protection layer thus formed comprises amorphous silicon carbide when the second component is a silicon hydride gas or amorphous carbon when the second component is a hydrocarbon gas and/or hydrogen gas. The surface protection layer exhibits sufficient hardness to protect the photoconductive layer from frictional scratches and other related damage.