Photoinjection of hydrogen in Ag- and Cu-halides

For the first time photo-initiated injection of hydrogen was carried out into Ag- and Cu- halides (AgCl, AgI, Ag4RbI5, CuCl)- the materials which are very important for investigations of the photographic process. To carry out the photoinjection of hydrogen into the halides a double-layer structure was used. Onto a quarts substrate two thin films were evaporated one after the other: the first one-a silver or copper halide film, and the second one-an amorphous WO3 thin film. The film double-layer structure was illuminated by W-light from the side of the WO3 film. The role of a hydrogen Source was played by specially selected organic molecules previously adsorbed on the WO3 surface Hydrogen atoms detached from the adsorbed molecules under light illumination, diffused first into the WO3 film and then, afterwards, migrated into the halide layer. Hence, illumination of the halide surface was accompanied by injection of hydrogen atoms released from the organic molecules adsorbed on the WO3 surface.