Photoresponsive behavior of azobenzene hybrid materials

The trans-cis-trans isomerization process for a series of azobenzene hybrid materials has been studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The photoisomerization process is mainly independent of the position and chemical nature of the substituents. The kinetics of the thermal back reaction for the azo-hybrids depend strongly on the chemical nature of the substituent and substitution pattern, with thermal relaxation rate constant ranging from 3.29×10-5 to 6.49×10-2 s-1. The photoresponsive properties can be tune up by changing substituent nature and position on the azo-chromophore. These photoresponsive hybrid materials are optimal molecules for storage data applications and for designing fast optical switching devices.