PHOTOVOLTAIC PROPERTIES OF AZO-COMPOUNDS CONTAINING THE THIAZOLE GROUP

Thiazole-containing azo compounds were synthesized and their photovoltaic properties investigated using a sandwich cell with Al and Ag electrodes. Rectification characteristics were observed in dark current and photocurrent for all compounds. The action spectrum of the photocurrent shows an antibatic correlation with the absorption spectrum for most of the compounds, except for two compounds which have a symbiotic correlation when illuminated through an Ag electrode. This difference between the action spectra is discussed in terms of the Hammett constants of the electron-donating group in the azo compounds and the oxygen molecules adsorbed on the surface. The effects of substituent groups on the photovoltaic output are also discussed.