Photoswitching in azobenzene self-assembled monolayers capped on zinc oxide: Nanodots vs nanorods

► ZnO nanodots and nanorods as scaffolds for organic inorganic hybrid materials. ► Functionalization of ZnO nanocrystals with a photochromic azobenzene ligand. ► We observe photoisomerization of azobenzenes grafted on the metal oxide surface. ► ZnO nanorods enable the formation of tightly packed azobenzene monolayers. ► Photoisomerization is less efficient on nanorods as compared to nanodots.