H-aggregation and Photo-responsive Behavior of Azobenzene Polyelectrolyte Containing DR-19

摘要

Recently, azo polymers have attracted considerable attention due to their potential uses in various optical applications [1-2]. One of the most important and well-known properties of aromatic azo compounds is the photochemical trans-cis isomerization induced by UV or visible light [3-4]. To fully understand the structure-property relationship, various types of azo polymers have been synthesized, and their photoresponsive behavior has been studied [5-8]. An interesting class of synthetic surfactants involves photoresponsive amphiphiles, particularly those with azobenzene units in the tails. Tram-azobenzenes can be isomerized into their cis isomers by UV light with high yields (up to 80% cis isomer) and without decomposition. The reverse isomerization can be realized either thermally or upon irradiation with visible light.