Advanced Molecular Self-Assemblies Facilitated by Simple Molecules

Abstract

Advanced materials are often based on smart molecular self-assemblies that either respond to external stimuli or have hierarchical structures. Approaches to this goal usually stem from complicated molecular design and difficult organic synthesis. In this invited feature article, we demonstrate that desired molecular self-assemblies can be made conveniently by introducing simple functional molecules into amphiphilic systems. We show that upon introducing specific small molecules which serve as responders, modulators, or even building blocks, smart supramolecular architectures can be achieved which avoid complicated organic synthesis. We expect that this could be a general and economical way to produce advanced materials in the near future.

How Does the Surface Charge of Ionic Surfactant and Cholesterol Forming Vesicles Control Rotational and Translational Motion of Rhodamine 6G Perchlorate (R6G ClO4)?

“…13,27,30 Ventosa and coworkers reported the detailed mechanisms regarding the formation of vesicles in aqueous solution of cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with increasing cholesterol content. 27 Very recently, we have characterized cholesterol-induced vesicle formation in aqueous solution of 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C 16 mim]Cl) and benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride (BHDC). 30 However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no such report related to micelle−vesicle transition in common anionic surfactant solution with the addition of cholesterol.…”

Co-assembly of helical β3-peptides: a self-assembled analogue of a statistical copolymer

“…Strategies to encode the target structure in the building blocks range from simple amphiphiles that yield micellar assemblies [5][6][7][8] to supramolecular binding motifs that implement specific and geometrically defined docking sites [9,10]. The latter requires building blocks with inherent, stable geometries that can be chemically modified without altering the core structure [2].…”

Molecular insights into the pH-induced self-assembly of CTAB/PPA system

“…-COOH, -NRH 2+ , -NR 2 H + ) [12]. Another is introducing pH-responsive molecules into the original self-assembling systems [13]. These two strategies have a common characteristic: the functional groups can lose or receive protons to realize the changes on physical and chemical properties when the environmental pH value is changed.…”

“…From the second method presented above, we know that adding pH-responsive molecules into a CTAB system could endow the original CTAB assemblies pH-responsive characteristic and better prospect in applications [13].…”