Light-induced switching of 1,3-diazabicyclo-[3.1.0]hex-3-enes on gold nanoparticles

The fabrication of hybrid nanoassemblies involving sulfure-modified photochromic derivatives (SMPDs) on the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was carried out to investigate the influence of AuNPs surface plasmons on the SMPDs photoisomerization. The size of the AuNPs obtained was <30 nm in average diameter. Upon irradiation by alternating UV and Vis light, a reversible photochemical isomerization along with bathochromic shift in the absorption band takes place on the surface of the AuNPs in analogy with free SMPDs in solutions. Furthermore, in some cases a significant quenching of photochromic reactivity was observed due to the excited energy transfer from the photochromic molecules to the AuNPs core.