Abstract
The intercalation of an amphiphilic cationic azobenzene derivative into the interlayer space of clays has been conducted by the ion exchange reactions between clays and p-(ω-trimethylammoniopentyloxy)-p'-(dodecyloxy) azobenzene bromide. The X-ray diffraction and the elemental analysis results indicated that the dye cations were intercalated into the interlayer space of clays. The spectral properties as well as the X-ray diffraction results have revealed that the adsorbed azo dye cations form J-aggregates in the interlayer space. The intercalated azo dyes exhibit reversible trans-to-cis photoisomerization by UV and visible light irradiation.
