Supramolecular chirality in self-assembled nanofibers triggered by environmental change

Graphical abstract: Induction of supramolecular chirality in self-assembled nanofibers triggered by environmental changeSelf-assembled nanofibers that respond to external stimuli have been created by scientists at Seoul National University, South Korea.

The nanofibers undergo a reversible chiral–nonchiral transition triggered by heating or changes in solvent polarity. The supramolecular chirality of the nanofibers is caused by a conformational change of hydrophobic aromatic rods and reduction in the hydrodynamic volume of the ethylene oxide chains. Read the article for free until 21st November:

Zhegang Huang, Seong-Kyun Kang and Myongsoo Lee, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM12683K

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