On the Improved Photoconductivity of Poly-N-vinylcarbazole Treated Photochemically with Polyhalogenated Hydrocarbons

Abstract

Photoconductivity and spectroscopic properties of poly-N-vinylcarbazole (containig or not containing a small amount of monomer) treated photochemically with polyhalogenated hydrocarbons have been investigated. The absorption spectra of dyes formed by the photoreaction varied with the monomer content in the polymer. The treated polymers exhibited a markedly sensitized photoconductivity both in the ultra-violet and the visible regions. Lower sensitivity was observed for a mixture of non-sensitized polymer and the photochemical products from monomer and polyhalide.
In the treated polymers, photocurrents in the visible region were larger when the negative electrode was illuminated than when the positive electrode was illuminated. However, those in the ultra-violet region were larger when the positive electrode was illuminated, as well as in the untreated polymers.