Work

Photo-alignment kinetics of azobenzene in the nanopores of the metal-organic framework HKUST-1

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Azobenzene molecules in the pores of metal-organic frameworks can be aligned by polarized light. To use this effect for an opto-optical switch in data processing, it needs to be enhanced and its kinetics must be understood. Here, we study the switching kinetics in detail which is enabled by a six-fold increase in switching contrast reached by 2-step azobenzene loading process. We observe bi-exponential behaviour over time and correlate it with a rate-equation model. The bi-exponential behavior of the switching with non-polarized light proofs that the azobenzene molecules align into the propagation direction of the light, in addition to the already demonstrated alignment perpendicular to the polarization plane. The quantitative description of alignment also reveals realistic options for improving the switching contrast.

Source: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A Chemistry

DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2025.116855

Authors: T. Koehler, F. Marlow

Institutions: Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, University of Duisburg-Essen

Language: English

Topic: Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,470

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft