Au nanoparticle scaffolds modulating intermolecular interactions among the conjugated azobenzenes chemisorbed on curved surfaces: tuning the kinetics of cis-trans isomerisation

pi-pi Intermolecular interactions among adjacent conjugated azobenzenes chemisorbed on (non-) flat Au surfaces can be tuned by varying the curvature of the Au nanoparticles. Here we show that such interactions rule the thermal cis-trans isomerization kinetics, towards a better control on the azobenzene bistability for its optimal integration as a responsive material.