Artificial Phospholipids with a Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline Azobenzene Moiety: Photo-induced Phase Transition Behavior of the Lyotropic Mesophases

Abstract

In our previous study, we have designed and prepared stimuli-responsive artificial phospholipid derivatives with an electric field-responsive m esogenic moiety. These phospholipid derivatives show lyotropic liquid crystalline (LC) behavior in water. The LC arraignment is dynamically controlled after applying a direct current potential. The purpose of the present study is to investigate lyotropic liquid-crystalline behavior of photoresponsive artificial phospholipids having a thermotropic liquid-crystalline azobenzene moiety. The photo-induced phase transition behavior has been characterized by synchrotron radiation small-angle X-ray scattering.