Liquid Phase Epitaxial Growth and Optical Properties of Photochromic Guest-Encapsulated MOF Thin Film

The reversible photochromic molecule azobenzene was encapsulated into pores of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) using a modified liquid-phase epitaxial layer-by-layer method successfully. The obtained thin film not only has an oriented, homogeneous film with effective guest encapsulation but also has an isomerization between trans-and cis-azobenzene in MOF pores under UV and visible light irradiation. Furthermore, the photoluminescent property was studied for azobenzene loaded HKUST-1 thin film with different temperature. This facile preparation strategy and optical property of photochromic guest encapsulation into porous MOF thin film will provide the development. of new optical thin film materials possessing photoswitching and photoluminescent properties.