Fast, reversible, and general photomechanical motion in single crystals of various azo compounds using visible light.

Bushuyev, Oleksandr S; Singleton, Thomas A; Barrett, Christopher J · Adv Mater · 2013

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Pseudostilbene-type single crystals exhibit ubiquitous, fast, and reversible photomechanical motion under visible-light irradiation. Push-pull substituents impart extremely rapid switching using just one wavelength of light by shortening the lifetime of the cis-form. This results in a bending motion in the microsecond regime. The influence of crystal density, thickness, and molecular orientation on optimization of the photomechanical effect is investigated.