Abstract: We designed and synthesized  a novel imidazole ionic liquid crystal compound containing azobenzene group,    its structure was characterized by  ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance,  mass spectrum and infrared spectrum,  and its thermal properties  were characterized by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that compound  remains stable before 190 ℃,  the melting point is 142.96 ℃,  and the liquid crystal range is 124.37—134.04 ℃  upon cooling. The spherical texture of compound can be observed by using polarization microscope,  and confirmed to be the layered structure of compound by X-ray diffraction test. The photo-responsive time of compound  from trans to cis isomerization is 205 s when it is irradiated by ultraviolet light,   the photo-responsive time of compound from cis to trans isomerization is  595 s when it is irradiated by  visible light,  and the degree of trans-cis isomerization reaches 80.4%.

Key words: ionic liquid crystal,  , azobenzene,  , photo-responsive,  , isomerization