The Photovoltaic Behavior of Organic Substances in Solution

Abstract

A number of organic compounds have been studied for a comparison of photovoltaic behavior and fluorescent properties. No definite correlation could be found between visual fluorescence and the photovoltaic response. The photopotentials were measured by using a platinum point as the irradiated electrode connected to a vacuum tube electrometer. The irradiated electrode is assumed to act as a collector in the ``space charge'' of the photoactive molecules. Both positive and negative photopotentials were obtained. Compounds possessing a carbonyl group adjacent to an aromatic nucleus invariably produced a positive photopotential.