Electric Field-Induced Isomerization of Azobenzene containing mixed Self-Assembled Monolayers by Atomic Force Microscopy
Date
2021-08
Authors
Dhungana, Anish
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Abstract
Azobenzene is the organic compound that undergoes a reversible transformation from the thermodynamically stable trans (E) to cis (Z) form via light, external electric field, and heat. Due to this property of Azobenzene can be used in motor sensors, optical storage applications, and motor actuators. The transformation due to light is called photoisomerization. While the photoisomerization of Azobenzene in the solution and gas phase has been well understood, Azobenzene anchored to a solid substrate is not as well
understood due to complexity arising from their surrounding environment such as steric hindrance and excitonic coupling between azobenzene molecules. Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) of Azobenzene is the technique to immobilize the azobenzene molecule by attaching the azobenzene containing molecule with thiol group(-SH), in which sulfur covalentely bonds with Au. This work investigates the photoisomerization
of Azobenzene containing mixed self-assembled monolayers (mSAMs) on template stripped gold/Si/SiO2. We were able to successfully prepare azobenzene-containing mSAMs on template stripped gold, as validated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Using Atomic Force topography measurements, photoisomerization of the azobenzene molecules is observed.
Description
Keywords
Azobenzene, Atomic force microscopy
Citation
Dhungana, A. (2021). <i>Electric field-induced isomerization of azobenzene containing mixed self-assembled monolayers by atomic force microscopy</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.