Light-responsive self-assembly of a cationic azobenzene surfactant at high concentration.

Blayo, Camille; Kelly, Elaine A; Houston, Judith E; Khunti, Nikul; Cowieson, Nathan P; Evans, Rachel C · Soft Matter · 2020

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The formation of high-concentration mesophases by a cationic azobenzene photosurfactant is described for the first time. Using a combination of polarised optical microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering, optically anisotropic, self-assembled structures with long-range order are reported. The mesophases are disrupted or lost upon UV irradiation.