Morphological Control of Gold Nanoparticle Aggregates via Photoisomerization of Azobenzene Liquid Crystals

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles having a monolayer of azobenzene liquid crystals (LCs) were synthesized and their aggregation structures on solid surfaces were observed. The gold nanoparticles formed a single-particle layer on bare mica and mica with a polyimide layer. We demonstrated that the morphology of the gold nanoparticle aggregates could be controlled by UV light irradiation at 366 nm; the mass transfer of gold nanoparticles from the exposed area to the nonexposed area was induced by the isomerization of azobenzene LC molecules.