Cooperative light-induced molecular movements of highly ordered azobenzene self-assembled monolayers

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Jun 12;104(24):9937-42. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0703748104. Epub 2007 May 29.

Abstract

Photochromic systems can convert light energy into mechanical energy, thus they can be used as building blocks for the fabrication of prototypes of molecular devices that are based on the photomechanical effect. Hitherto a controlled photochromic switch on surfaces has been achieved either on isolated chromophores or within assemblies of randomly arranged molecules. Here we show by scanning tunneling microscopy imaging the photochemical switching of a new terminally thiolated azobiphenyl rigid rod molecule. Interestingly, the switching of entire molecular 2D crystalline domains is observed, which is ruled by the interactions between nearest neighbors. This observation of azobenzene-based systems displaying collective switching might be of interest for applications in high-density data storage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Silicates / chemistry
  • Azo Compounds / chemistry
  • Azo Compounds / metabolism*
  • Azo Compounds / radiation effects*
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Kinetics
  • Light*
  • Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling
  • Models, Molecular
  • Platinum / chemistry
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Aluminum Silicates
  • Azo Compounds
  • Platinum
  • Gold
  • azobenzene
  • mica