Abstract
The photoactive azobenzenes were intercalated into montmorillonite and beidellite in order to obtain a functional material responsive to UV radiation. The smectite modification involved two steps: (1) intercalation with alkylammonium salts, differing in alkyl chain length, and (2) co-intercalation with azobenzene or aminoazobenzene. The structure and chemistry of the obtained materials were thoroughly characterize with the means of XRD, FTIR, DTA/TG, UV–Vis methods and CHN elemental analysis. The mechanisms interpretation was supported with the molecular dynamics simulations. Photoresponse of the obtained materials was monitored through the observation of the basal spacing shifts upon UV radiation. The results proved that both the type of alkylammonium salt and the host mineral influenced heavily the efficiency of subsequent azobenzene intercalation as well as its photoactive behaviour. The evident and regular photoinduced basal spacing shifts were visible when the density of intercalated salts was low. This was achieved in the BId derivatives due to the low layer charge of the mineral. Also the shorter alkyl chain of the co-intercalated salt promoted larger photoresponses.
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