Hierarchical self-assembly of p-terphenyl derivative with dumbbell-like amphiphilic and rod-coil characteristics

As water is gradually added, a p-terphenyl derivative with dumbbell-like amphiphilic and rod-coil characteristics can hierarchically self-assemble to metastable rectangle columns architecting sheets first and then to stable quasi-hexagonal columns architecting rolled sheets, and finally to rod-like nanostructures in MeOH/H2O solution. Interestingly, the formed sheet, rolled sheet, and nanorod possess blue-light emitting property.

Graphical abstractA p-terphenyl derivative hierarchically self-assembles to metastable rectangle columns constructing sheets first and then to stable quasi-hexagonal columns constructing rolled-up sheets, and finally to rod-like nanostructures in MeOH/H2O solution.Download full-size image