Image storage based on the photo-induced ionic conductivity jump of polymer films containing azobenzene liquid crystal

Abstract

Photochromic phase transition of azobenzene liquid crystal (1) leads to drastic ionic-conductivity enhancement (image storage) of (1) containing polymer composite film, which easily compensates for surface charges loaded by corona charging, thereby allowing electrostatic image formation based on the surface potential difference between the photo-irradiated and unirradiated regions on the film.