Electric Field and Wavelength Dependence of Charge Carrier Photogeneration in Soluble Poly(p-phenylenevinylene) Derivatives

The charge carrier photogeneration efficiency (η) of two poly(p-phenylenevinylene) derivatives is determined by emission-limited photoinduced xerographic discharge (XD). High efficiencies of up to 20 % at 100 V/μm are reported. The advantages of XD, for example, that the build up of space charge is prevented and problems associated with a second electrode can be circumvented, are also described. Photogeneration of charge carriers in conjugated polymers is of interest for applications in photoreceptors, photodiodes, and solar cells.