Photoconductive polymers applications

Nowadays, polymeric photoconductors may be used in electrophotography, microfilms, photothermoplastic recording, spatial light modulators, and nonlinear elements. The combination of photosensitivity with high quality electrical and mechanical properties permits the use of such materials in optoelectronics, holography, laser recording and information processes. The applications of the various types of polymers were reported in the final parts of the relevant items in the earlier sections. Here, we will briefly analyze the common features of photoconductive polymer applications. The separate questions of each type have been dealt with in some books and papers [3, 11, 14, 329]. 

In general, the polymers with polyconjugated systems of double and triple bonds are photoconductive in the UV and at least part of the visible range. In some cases the photoresponse extends to the near infrared range. Although their usefulness in practical applications has been many times suggested, the results have been more or less disappointing. The main problems still remain difficult synthesis, in most cases poorly identified structure, and with few exceptions insolubility and intractability of the polymers. The direct comparison with poly(N-vinyl carbazole) and other photoconductive polymers is not possible for lack of comparative data. 

A number of other unsaturated poiyhydrocarbons have practical applications. These include poiy(phenyl acetylene) and poly((E,E)-[6.2]paracyclophane-1,5-diene), which have been studied as photoconducting polymers. The thermal decomposition of polyacetylenes and of poly((E,E)-[6.2]paracyclophane-1,5-diene) generates fragments summarized in Table 7.1.8 [19]. 

Major polymer applications safety glass interlayer (automotive windshields), control of light, heat and sound in construction glass, bulletproof glass, adhesives and sealants, binders for rocket propellant, photoconductive papers, magnetic tapes, powder coating, wood sealers and primers, inks, ceramic binders, dry toners, wash primers, composite fiber binders... 

Since 1992 when the first edition of the Handbook of Polymer Synthesis was published a number of new applications for photoconductive polymers or, to put it correct, charge transport materials, have appeared. The most successful development are organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) whieh right now enter the market as bright displays for cellular phones and ear radios. Other imortant areas are organie field effect transistors, solar cells and lasers. 

Besides the application of photoconductive polymers in photocopiers these materials are also widely used in laser printers in the last years. The third area in which photoconductors are applied is the manufacturing of electrophotographic printing plates. 

However, the discovery that exposure to light could increase substantially the electrical conductivity of this polymer, i.e. it is said to be photoconductive, has led to important new applications, particularly in xerography. 

The main application today for poly(vinyl carbazole) arises out of its photoconductivity and is in electrostatic dry copying machines. The polymer is applied from solution in thin film (10-15 p.m) layers onto a conductive substrate. 

Another interesting applications area for fullerenes is based on materials that can be fabricated using fullerene-doped polymers. Polyvinylcarbazole (PVK) and other selected polymers, such as poly(paraphcnylene-vinylene) (PPV) and phenylmethylpolysilane (PMPS), doped with a mixture of Cgo and C70 have been reported to exhibit exceptionally good photoconductive properties [206, 207, 208] which may lead to the development of future polymeric photoconductive materials. Small concentrations of fullerenes (e.g., by weight) lead to charge transfer of the photo-excited electrons in the polymer to the fullerenes, thereby promoting the conduction of mobile holes in the polymer [209]. Fullerene-doped polymers also have significant potential for use in applications, such as photo-diodes, photo-voltaic devices and as photo-refractive materials. 

New applications (e.g. demand for fluorescent, pearlescent and other brilliant pigments introduction of photoconductive elements in polymer-based electro-optical devices)... 

A very common and useful approach to studying the plasma polymerization process is the careful characterization of the polymer films produced. A specific property of the films is then measured as a function of one or more of the plasma parameters and mechanistic explanations are then derived from such a study. Some of the properties of plasma-polymerized thin films which have been measured include electrical conductivity, tunneling phenomena and photoconductivity, capacitance, optical constants, structure (IR absorption and ESCA), surface tension, free radical density (ESR), surface topography and reverse osmosis characteristics. So far relatively few of these measurements were made with the objective of determining mechanisms of plasma polymerization. The motivation in most instances was a specific application of the thin films. Considerable emphasis on correlations between mass spectroscopy in polymerizing plasmas and ESCA on polymer films with plasma polymerization mechanisms will be given later in this chapter based on recent work done in this laboratory. 

Polymers with saturated bonds, heteroatoms, heterostructures and poly-conjugated ones are available now as photosensitive materials. Really one cannot expect a single mechanism to be reponsible for photoconductivity in so many diverse systems. However, there are a lot of verified factors which permit us to explain the main features of the photoconductive processes in polymers. The status and prospects of the application of polymeric photoconductors as prospective new electronic materials will be also analyzed for various types of photoconductors. 

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