Photoconductivity and dark conductivity studies of (MgO-ZnO) mixed system

Abstract

The photoconductivity and dark conductivity of (20% MgO-80% ZnO) mixed system in polystyrene binder layer have been studied and compared with (50% MgO-50% ZnO) and ZnO samples. For (20% MgO-80% ZnO) and (50% MgO-50% ZnO) samples, the dark current is found to be space charge limited at higher voltages. The photocurrent shows non-Ohmic behaviour at lower voltages and tends to saturation at higher voltages. For 100% ZnO system at higher voltages the photocurrent does not show any saturation effect and the dark current becomes linear. The change in photocurrent versus intensity curve from superlinear to sublinear indicates the presence of sensitizing centres near to the valence band and the existence of an exponential trap distribution in (20% MgO-80% ZnO) and (50% MgO-50% ZnO) samples. For 100% ZnO system, the photocurrent versus intensity curve changes from sublinear to linear indicating the presence of exponential trap distribution. Photocurrent decays more rapidly with increasing percentage of MgO in the mixed system. The X-ray diffraction pattern of these samples do not show formation of solid solutions.