Layered Double Hydroxides Used in the Construction of Photoisomeric Space for Organic Dye Molecules

Abstract The application of photoisomerization in the storage of electron energy, molecular actuators, and medical fields has attracted extensive attention. However, the difficult regulation of the photoisomeric process hinders its practical application. Here, we provide organic molecule (acid orange, AO7) with two different nano‐confined spaces by changing the interlayer spacing of layered double hydroxide (LDH). The obtained host‐guest AO7‐LDHs‐1 and AO7‐LDHs‐2 complexes show distinctly different photoisomeric behaviors. When the LDH spacing is 1.66 nm, the relative isomerization rate of AO7 is 34 %, while when the LDH spacing is 1.13 nm, the relative isomerization rate of AO7 is 13 %. This is because the isomerization rate of AO7 molecule can be reasonably controlled by the size of LDH nano‐microenvironment. This work provides a reference for the further study of the effect of nano‐space on the photoisomeric process of organic molecules.