Au nanoparticle scaffolds modulating intermolecular interactions among the conjugated azobenzenes chemisorbed on curved surfaces: tuning the kinetics of cis–trans isomerisation

π–π Intermolecular interactions among adjacent conjugated azobenzenes chemisorbed on (non-)flat Au surfaces can be tuned by varying the curvature of the Au nanoparticles. Here we show that such interactions rule the thermal cis–trans isomerization kinetics, towards a better control on the azobenzene bistability for its optimal integration as a responsive material