Skip to main content
Article
Swimming Photochromic Azobenzene Single Crystals in Triacrylate Solution
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B
  • Kenneth Milam
  • Garrett O'Malley
  • Namil Kim
  • Dmitry Golovaty, The University Of Akron
  • Thein Kyu, The University of Akron
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-21-2010
Abstract

Self-motion of a growing single crystal of azobenzene chromophore in triacrylate solution (TA) is investigated in relation to the solid−liquid phase diagram bound by the solidus and liquidus lines. Upon thermal quenching from the isotropic melt to the crystal + liquid gap, various single crystals develop in a manner dependent on concentration and supercooling depth. During the crystal growth, TA solvent is rejected from the growing faceted fronts, enriching with TA in close proximity to the crystal−solution interface. The concentration gradient that formed as the result of TA expulsion induces convective flows in the solution and generates spatial variability of surface tension usually responsible for Marangoni effect. Either or both of these phenomena may have contributed to the observed self-motion including swimming, sinking, and floating of the azobenzene rhomboidal crystal in TA solution. A stationary rhomboidal crystal is also shown to swim upon irradiation with the UV light because of a mechanical torque generated by the trans−cis isomerization. Judging from the sinking or floating behavior of the azobenzene crystal, it may be inferred that the nucleation occurs at the solution−air interface.

Citation Information
Kenneth Milam, Garrett O'Malley, Namil Kim, Dmitry Golovaty, et al.. "Swimming Photochromic Azobenzene Single Crystals in Triacrylate Solution" The Journal of Physical Chemistry B Vol. 114 Iss. 23 (2010) p. 7791 - 7796
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/thein_kyu/39/