Self-assembly three dimensional aggregates

We have focused our work in non-covalent synthesis on two systems self-assembled, two-dimensional monolayers based on ordered structures of alkanethiolates chemisorbed on gold, and soluble three-dimensional aggregates held together by... 

Surfactant micelles and bilayers are the building blocks of most self-assembly structures. One can divide the phase structures into two main groups [1) (1) those that are built of limited or discrete self-assemblies, which may be characterized roughly as spherical, prolate or cylindrical. (2) Infinite or unlimited self-assemblies whereby the aggregates are connected over macroscopic distances in one, two or three dimensions. The hexagonal phase (see below) is an example of onedimensional continuity, the lamellar phase of two-dimensional continuity, whereas the bicontinuous cubic phase and the sponge phase (see later) are examples of three-dimensional continuity. Figure 3.8 illustrates these two types schematically. 

The objectives of this chapter are the following i) to briefly discuss a number of methods that have been demonstrated for the facile synthesis of spherical and nonspherical colloids with well-controlled sizes, shapes, and properties ii) to address experimental issues related to the self-assembly of spherical colloids into well-defined aggregates Hi) to demonstrate the potential of spherical colloids in producing three-dimensionally periodic lattices and iv) to assess a number of intriguing applications associated with periodic arrays of spherical colloids. 

When collagen IV prepared from the EHS tumor is incubated at 37°C, it self-assembles, forming aggregates containing polygonal structures. These lateral associations are stabilized by the interaction between the domain NCI and sites that occur along the triple helix and are separated from one another by about 100 nm (Tsilibary and Charonis, 1986). The additional possibility of lateral aggregation of the molecules would lead to a much more complex three-dimensional structure. 

Simard, M., Su, D., and Wuest, J. D., Use of hydrogen bonds to control molecular aggregation. Self-assembly of three-dimensional networks with large chambers, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 113, 4696-4698(1991). 

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