Abstract
Studies have been made of spectroscopic and photophysical properties of poly (N-vinylindole) (PVI) which has been patented as a photoreceptor material in electrophotography. Spectroscopic data have proved that PVI prepared by the radical polymerization of N-vinylindole contains the indoline moiety formed during the polymerization process. Unique photophysical processes have been found for PVI which involve both singlet and triplet energy transfers that occur, respectively, to the extent of 100% between the indole and indoline chromophores. The occurrence of the 100% double energy transfers is concluded as due to the proximity effect of pendant chromophores along the polymer chain. The results indicate that PVI should be used as an elecron transport material rather than a hole transport material since the indoline group, which is more electron-donating than the indole group, will act as a deep trap of holes. It is suggested that poly (N-vinyl-2-methylindole) which does not contain the indoline group should be used for the hole transport.
