Photoluminescence quenching study of the photocarrier generation mechanism in a layered photoreceptor containing azo pigment

Photoluminescence of the carrier generation layer (CGL) in a layered photoreceptor was examined. We found that the photoluminescence of a single CGL comprised of a fluorenone-based azo pigment can be extrinsically quenched at 56% by overcoating the CGL with the carrier transport layer, irrespective of the electric field including the zero field. The quenching efficiency was found to be well in accordance with the photocarrier generation efficiency of the higher electric field, therefore the quenching of the photoluminescence is considered for making the precursors of photocarriers. The photoluminescence quenching mechanism is presumed to be based on the photoinduced electron transfer from the carrier transport material to the photoexcited carrier generation material.