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Abstract
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Azobenzenes are well known photochromic dyes capable of trans–cis isomerization. The photochromic reactions of these compounds in the interlayer space of Na-montmorillonite have been extensively investigated and the photochromic behavior has been found to be different from that observed in solutions or other solid matrixes. 1,2
In this work, we synthesized a series of variable alkyl chain length cationic azobenzene derivatives (AZ+) in order to intercalate of cationic azo dyes into the interlayer space of montmorillonite due to its high surface area and high cation exchange capacity.The intercalation conducted by the conventional ion exchange method. The successful preparation of nanocomposite was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The increase in the basal spacing of montmorillonite 8.67 Å to 16.98 Å shows that cations were successfully incorporated into the interlayer space. Thermogravimetric analyses confirm that the thermal stability of the intercalated cationic azo dye (AZ+) is greater than that of the pure form before intercalation. Also, investigated of photochemical behaviors of AZ+-montmorillonite showed that the cationic azo dye isomerized effectively in the interlayer space of montmorillonite.
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