Entropic Phase Transitions with Stable Twisted Intermediates of Bio-Inspired Self-Assembly.

摘要: Controlling the hierarchical process and capturing intermediate stage underlying bio-inspired self-assembly are pivotal for understanding their aggregation mechanism exploring possible applications. Herein, of a designed minimal lipopeptide was characterized, showing it to initially self-assemble narrow nanotwists, which then ripen wide finally transit hollow nanotubes. The supermolecular phase transitions were revealed be driven by entropic hydrophobic interactions, rather than common enthalpy-related contributions. transformation dynamics sufficiently slow enable detection characterization each stage, thus inducing stable extensive distributions twisted intermediates. findings allow an in-depth self-association building blocks provide new approach preparation superstructures unique morphologies.