Photoinduced H-aggregation of cationic dyes on metal-oxide surfaces via light activated molecular migration

and ZnO) via photoactivated surface migration of these dyes. Our research widely expands the scope of photoinduced surface molecular migration to the conventional dyes and metal-oxide surfaces, and also demonstrates that the photoinduced molecular assembly provides a photochromic function. It is noteworthy that high aggregates, which are difficult to form in the dark, can be formed by the photoinduced surface migration of excited dyes.