How self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules can generate complexity in the nanoscale

Abstract

Abstract Given the importance of nanomaterials and nanostructures in modern technology, in the past decades much effort has been directed to set up efficient bottom up protocols for the piloted self-assembly of molecules. However, molecules are generally disinclined to adopt the desired structural organization because they behave according to their own specific intermolecular interactions. Thus, only some selected classes of chemical compounds are capable to lead to useful self-assembled structures. Amphiphiles, simultaneously possessing polar and apolar moieties within their molecular architecture, can give a wide scenario of possible intermolecular interactions: polar–polar, polar–apolar, apolar–apolar interactions, eventual directional H-bonds, steric hindrance and so on. This peculiarity efficiently triggers the possibility of originating complex behavior, i.e. the formation of interacting structures at hierarchical length-scales characterized by emerging and specific properties and functions. However, if one places in a becher the molecules constituting a living cell, he does not observe the formation of a living cell even after vigorous and prolonged stirring and/or heating. This consideration suggests that the building up of complex structures is not only an affair of molecular structure, system composition and self-assembling processes but additional subtle features can contribute to the overall process. The aim of this contribution is to furnish to the reader a panoramic view of this exciting problematic clarifying what is meant with the concept of complexity and how the rich world of amphiphilic molecules are employed for obtaining complex nanostructure-based systems with novel characteristics for applications in nanotechnology. While the literature is full of contributions focusing on specific aspects of self-assembly and complexity, the present work constitutes an easy to read critical point of view which tries to interact with the imagination of readers hopefully leading to the discovery of novel aspects and interconnections and ultimately stimulating new ideas and research.