Reversible work function changes induced by photoisomerization of asymmetric azobenzene dithiol self-assembled monolayers on gold
- Physics Department, Blk S12, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117542 (Singapore)
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8565 (Japan)
- Department of Electronic Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midoriku, Yokohama 226-8502 (Japan)
We measured reversible changes in the work function ({delta}{phi}{sub Au}) of gold substrates modified by asymmetric azobenzene dithiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) following photoisomerization and thermal recovery of the azo unit. The azobenzene derivative SAMs were photoisomerized to cis form by UV irradiation. {delta}{phi}{sub Au} was monitored in real time during thermal recovery to trans form by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy using a synchrotron light source. Changing the substituted functional group in the p{sup '} position of the azobenzene from electron donating to electron withdrawing resulted in opposite responses of {delta}{phi}{sub Au} against photoisomerization. Hence, a direct correlation between {delta}{phi}{sub Au} and changes in molecular dipole moments was obtained.
- OSTI ID:
- 21124099
- Journal Information:
- Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 93, Issue 8; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2969468; (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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