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Reversible Photoresponsive Molecular Alignment of Liquid Crystals at Fluid Interfaces with Persistent Stability
Author(s) -
Tian Tongtong,
Hu Qiongzheng,
Wang Yi,
Gao Yanan,
Yu Li
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201600095
Subject(s) - azobenzene , liquid crystal , ionic liquid , aqueous solution , pulmonary surfactant , electrolyte , materials science , work (physics) , interface (matter) , chemical engineering , molecule , nanotechnology , chemical physics , chemistry , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , physics , gibbs isotherm , electrode , engineering , catalysis , thermodynamics
This work demonstrates a noninvasive approach to control alignment of liquid crystals persistently and reversibly at fluid interfaces by using a photoresponsive azobenzene‐based surfactant dissolved in an ionic liquid (IL), ethylammonium nitrate (EAN). As the first report on the orientational behavior of LCs at the IL/LC interface, our study also expands current understanding of alignment control of LCs at the aqueous/LC interface by adding electrolytes into aqueous solutions. The threshold concentration for switching the optical responses of LCs can be changed just by simply manipulating the ratio of EAN to H 2 O. This work will inspire fundamental studies and novel applications of using the LC‐based imaging technique to investigate various chemical and biological events in ILs.