Gold nanoparticle catalysis of the cis–trans isomerization of azobenzene

Abstract

Ablated, "pseudo-naked" gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) catalyze the cis-trans isomerization of substituted azobenzenes. para-Substitution was found to affect the rate of isomerization, suggesting the participation of AuNP-mediated electron transfer in the isomerization mechanism.