11 - From adsorbed dyes to optical materials

Abstract

Abstract Dyes adsorbed on clay minerals or intercalated into the interlayer spaces of clay minerals exhibit characteristic optical properties different from those in the solution and/or in the solid states. Among the origins of the characteristic properties of confined dyes, discussions in this chapter have been focused on specific microenvironments provided by the surface and/or interlayer space of clay minerals. By tuning the layer charge density of the host clay minerals and/or the dye loading, averaged distance between the confined dyes can be controlled. In addition, strong confinement of dyes on clay surface leads flattened molecular conformation and suppresses vibrational and translational motions. Owing to these factors, confined dyes exhibit improved photochemical and optical properties. Thus, the hybrid materials consisting of clay minerals and dyes are concluded to be promising candidates of future optoelectronics devices.