Reversible Adsorption and Interfacial Photoisomerization of Azobenzene Surfactants Studied by QCM.

ABSTRACT: Photoresponsive surfactants offer a versatile approach for remotely controlling interfacial properties through light-triggered isomerization. Among them, azobenzene-based surfactants are particularly attractive due to their structural reversibility and stability under repeated irradiation. In this study, we investigate the dynamic adsorption and desorption behavior of the azobenzene-containing surfactant AzoC₆ at a glass-water interface under controlled UV and blue-light illumination. Using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements, we show that the interfacial mass change is governed by the isomeric composition in the bulk solution: the trans isomer exhibits strong adsorption, while the cis isomer is significantly less surface-active. We further quantify the

SUBMITTER: Umlandt M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12613797 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature