Correlation between the Structure and Wettability of Photoswitchable Hydrophilic Azobenzene Monolayers on Silicon

• Published in: Langmuir Vol. 27; no. 15; pp. 9403 - 9412
• Main Authors: Pei, Xiaowei, Fernandes, Antony, Mathy, Bertrand, Laloyaux, Xavier, Nysten, Bernard, Riant, Olivier, Jonas, Alain M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 02.08.2011
• Subjects: Azo Compounds - chemical synthesis; Azo Compounds - chemistry; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Interfaces: Adsorption, Reactions, Films, Forces; Membranes, Artificial; Molecular Structure; Photochemistry; Physical chemistry of induced reactions (with radiations, particles and ultrasonics); Silicon - chemistry; Solid-liquid interface; Surface physical chemistry; Surface Properties; Water - chemistry; Wettability; Water; Monolayer; Composition; Correlation; Photoisomerization; X ray; Contact angle; Orientation; Density; Grafting; Wettability; Ultraviolet irradiation; Radiation effect; Reflectometry; Silicon; Structure; Dipole moment; Azobenzene

Photoresponsive monolayers of hydrophilically substituted azobenzenes have been prepared by reaction on aminosilane monolayers on silicon surfaces. Grafting densities in the 0.2–1.0 molecule/nm2 range were determined by X-ray reflectometry. The monolayers exhibit reversible photoisomerization, switc...