Multi-responsive self-assembly of polymeric-like building blocks nC12C6C12(Me)@nγ-CD: Vesicles, nanotubes and sheet crystal

Surfactant@cyclodextrin (CD) inclusions regarded as specific building blocks can form a single unit with a 1:1 ratio through host-guest interaction, and self-assemble into various nanostructures in aqueous solution. In this study, a polymeric-like building block, nC 12 C 6 C 12 (Me)@nγ-CD, is constructed by assembling e surfactant and γ-CD. This building block can assemble into well-defined nanostructures such as vesicles, nanotubes , and sheets in different concentrations. Due to the hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions to be the driving force of nC 12 C 6 C 12 (Me)@nγ-CD aggregates formation, the morphologies among vesicles, nanotubes , and sheets could be reversibly transformed by multiple stimulus such as temperature, solvent additives, and ions.