Self-Assembled Nanofibrillar Aggregates with Amphiphilic and Lipophilic Molecules

Summary: This article gives a review on self-assembled nanofibrillar aggregates such as helical, twisted ribbon-like and tubular forms, those are produced in aqueous bilayer membrane and organogel systems. Two common features necessary for the chemical structure that yields special morphology are a chiral carbon atom and moieties feasible for intermolecular interactions although there are some exceptions. In aqueous systems, a hydrophobic effect is also an essential driving force for molecular aggregates in aqueous solution systems but almost disappear in organic media. More positive intermolecular interactions play an important role in molecular aggregation in organic media. Hydrogen bonding interaction is especially effective and many organogelators are classified into this category. Some lipophilic peptides have been investigated not only as organogelators but also with respect to their self-assembling behaviors. This latter property gives them distinct advantages compared with conventional gel systems because the gels include highly-ordered structures supramolecular functions like aqueous lipid membranes through molecular orientation. This article also introduces applicability of the organogel system.