LED-induced photoactivity of self-supporting chitosan-azobenzene films for light energy harvesting/storage
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Date
2025
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Abstract
In this report, we conducted the synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of chitosan-azobenzene films using the solvent evaporation method. The samples were characterized through thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy, and ultraviolet‒visible spectroscopy. The main goal of this study was to investigate the photoactivity of chitosan-azobenzene films utilizing LED light as a radiation source. Remarkably, employing both ultraviolet and visible light allowed us to witness the photoisomerization phenomenon of azobenzene, i.e., the direct process (trans → cis), in the films. Moreover, we investigated the reverse process (cis → trans) in the absence of light. Interestingly, this step can be executed in darkness, indicating zero energy demand for this phase of the process. The results indicated that these self-supporting materials are capable of harvesting and storing light energy.
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Keywords
Chitosan films, Energy storage, Photoactivity