Mode switching of a self-propelled camphor disk sensitive to the photoisomerization of a molecular layer on water.

A simple self-propelled motor on a 4-[[(dodecyloxy)benz-4-yl]azo]benzoic acid (DBA) molecular layer was investigated from the viewpoint of motor control depending on the molecular structure. The nature of the self-motion of a camphor disk on the DBA molecular layer changed depending on the surface pressure (π)-area (A) isotherm of DBA, which in turn changed by the photoisomerization between UV and green lights. The characteristic motion of the camphor disk is discussed in relation to the π-A isotherm of DBA, which changes depending on the photoisomerization as the driving force of motion.