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Light-enhanced liquid-phase exfoliation and current photoswitching in graphene–azobenzene composites

Author

Listed:
  • Markus Döbbelin

    (Nanochemistry Laboratory, ISIS & icFRC, Université de Strasbourg & CNRS)

  • Artur Ciesielski

    (Nanochemistry Laboratory, ISIS & icFRC, Université de Strasbourg & CNRS)

  • Sébastien Haar

    (Nanochemistry Laboratory, ISIS & icFRC, Université de Strasbourg & CNRS)

  • Silvio Osella

    (Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, University of Mons)

  • Matteo Bruna

    (Cambridge Graphene Centre, University of Cambridge)

  • Andrea Minoia

    (Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, University of Mons)

  • Luca Grisanti

    (Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, University of Mons)

  • Thomas Mosciatti

    (Nanochemistry Laboratory, ISIS & icFRC, Université de Strasbourg & CNRS)

  • Fanny Richard

    (Nanochemistry Laboratory, ISIS & icFRC, Université de Strasbourg & CNRS)

  • Eko Adi Prasetyanto

    (Laboratory of Supramolecular Biomaterials and Chemistry, ISIS & icFRC, Université de Strasbourg & CNRS)

  • Luisa De Cola

    (Laboratory of Supramolecular Biomaterials and Chemistry, ISIS & icFRC, Université de Strasbourg & CNRS)

  • Vincenzo Palermo

    (ISOF-CNR)

  • Raffaello Mazzaro

    (IMM-CNR Sezione di Bologna
    Università di Bologna)

  • Vittorio Morandi

    (IMM-CNR Sezione di Bologna)

  • Roberto Lazzaroni

    (Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, University of Mons)

  • Andrea C. Ferrari

    (Cambridge Graphene Centre, University of Cambridge)

  • David Beljonne

    (Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials, University of Mons)

  • Paolo Samorì

    (Nanochemistry Laboratory, ISIS & icFRC, Université de Strasbourg & CNRS)

Abstract

Multifunctional materials can be engineered by combining multiple chemical components, each conferring a well-defined function to the ensemble. Graphene is at the centre of an ever-growing research effort due to its combination of unique properties. Here we show that the large conformational change associated with the trans–cis photochemical isomerization of alkyl-substituted azobenzenes can be used to improve the efficiency of liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite, with the photochromic molecules acting as dispersion-stabilizing agents. We also demonstrate reversible photo-modulated current in two-terminal devices based on graphene–azobenzene composites. We assign this tuneable electrical characteristics to the intercalation of the azobenzene between adjacent graphene layers and the resulting increase in the interlayer distance on (photo)switching from the linear trans-form to the bulky cis-form of the photochromes. These findings pave the way to the development of new optically controlled memories for light-assisted programming and high-sensitive photosensors.

Suggested Citation

  • Markus Döbbelin & Artur Ciesielski & Sébastien Haar & Silvio Osella & Matteo Bruna & Andrea Minoia & Luca Grisanti & Thomas Mosciatti & Fanny Richard & Eko Adi Prasetyanto & Luisa De Cola & Vincenzo P, 2016. "Light-enhanced liquid-phase exfoliation and current photoswitching in graphene–azobenzene composites," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11090
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11090
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