Generation of Maxwell displacement current from spread monolayers containing azobenzene

Abstract

The Maxwell displacement current generated from single fatty acid monolayers containing azobenzene by photoisomerization was investigated in the context of the phase diagram of monolayers on a water surface. Transient displacement-current pulses were found to be produced when successive isomerizations were induced in monolayers by irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light. In contrast, the displacement current was never generated in the so-called solid phase by the application of surface pressure or photoirradiation, probably because of the lack of free volume for the isomerizing chromophore in single monolayers and as well as the aggregation of molecules in the monolayer. The displacement current generated during monolayer compression was also investigated in connection with phase transitions.