Azobenzenes: Photoswitching and Their Chemical Sensor Application

Abstract

Azobenzene is a well-known dye that undergoes fast trans-cis photoisomerization and has been widely studied and used in the development of organic functional materials. Due to its selective isomeric distribution in the excited state, azobenzene has been used as a photoswitch in the storage of information on a molecular level, photo-controllable catalysis, solar light harvesting, photo-pharmacology, optical-to-mechanical energy conversion, molecular electronic, and photonic devices. Furthermore, the characteristic and distinguishable photoelectronic properties of trans and cis azobenzene have been recently used in the sensing properties of different ions and the recognition of molecules. Here, we are going to review the recent literature where different intermolecular forces show the supramolecular properties under the stimuli of photo-light.