title: Reversible photoswitching of azobenzene-based monolayers physisorbed on a mica surface.
abstract: The formation of compact and large-scale self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) adsorbed on a mica surface has been achieved by insertion of alkyl chains on azobenzene derivatives, leading to strong intermolecular van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonding. The reversible photoswitching of monolayers was investigated by monitoring the variation of the thickness of the SAMs during the cis-trans isomerization of the azobenzene cores with an atomic force microscope (AFM). The absence of covalent bonds between molecules and substrate induces a molecular diffusion which leads to the complete isomerization of the molecules constituting the SAMs.
authors.affiliation: Institut FEMTO-ST, Université de Franche-Comté, CNRS, ENSMM, 32 Avenue de l'Observatoire, F-25044, Besancon cedex, France.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El Garah
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Palmino
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cherioux
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry*; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D001391:Azo Compounds; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C009850:azobenzene; C011934:mica