Organic amphiphilic molecules. Self-assemblies with modulated morphology and dimensionality

Abstract

Small organic amphiphilic molecules represent a family of very useful compounds for the preparation of highly organized supramolecular arquitectures. The non-covalent interaction between these molecules results in the formation of ensembles with modulated morphology, dimensionality or even chirality, depending upon the nature of the constitutive hydrophilic and hydrophobic fragments. On the other hand, small changes in the chemical structure or in external factors allow the interconversion of such supramolecular assemblies. The chemical nature of the amphiphilic building blocks can be efficiently applied in the preparation of new materials that have been utilized for biotechnological purposes or in the fabrication of optoelectronic devices.