Hierarchical self-assembly macroscopic level

Figure I Schematic representation of an example of hierarchical self-assembly at microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic levels. At the microscopic level, molecules assemble into supramolecular polymer-like assemblies. This involves conformational changes to the monomer units that themselves are complex molecules. The polymers assemble into bundles at mesoscopic levels that under appropriate conditions spontaneously align macroscopically along some preferred direction to form a uniaxial nematic liquid-crystalline phase (after Aggeli et al., 2001).

Both the molecular template and the self-assembly techniques presented above have limited control over the final shape of the solid, since this is generally obtained in the form of a powder, fibers, or thin films. It is possible, however, to control the shape and size of solids by combining the former techniques with techniques that restrict the volume in which the synthesis takes place. The final goal is to have control over the solids at the molecular as well as macroscopic level, in order to have in a single material properties emerging from several levels of scale. Such structures are referred to as hierarchical [2, 6]. 

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