Abstract
Molecular characterization of azobenzene derivatives LB films (i.e., 'Command Surfaces') and alignment behaviors of liquid crystals regulated by the LB films have been studied by attenuated total reflection (ATR) / infrared (IR), polarized IR spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. The obtained ATR spectra show that the orientation changes have taken place between the cis and trans photo-isomerization in the LB films. Comparisons of the molecular structure of the films and photo-regulational efficiency with respect to introduced ratio of the azobenzene unit as against poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) are also investigated. In this study, we describe molecular structural alternation of photo-isomers in the LB films and the effect of contact angle for the low introduced ratio derivative shows contrary with respect to the isomerization.
