| Affiliation: | 1. South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 P.R. China Department of Polymer Science, College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325-3909 USA;2. Department of Polymer Science, College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325-3909 USA;3. South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 P.R. China |
| Abstract: | Hierarchical structures are important for transferring and amplifying molecular functions to macroscopic properties of materials. In this regard, rodlike molecules have emerged as one of the most promising molecular building blocks to construct functional materials. Although the self-assembly of conventional molecules containing rodlike components generally results in nematic or layered smectic phases, due to the preferred parallel arrangements of rodlike components, extensive efforts have revealed that rational molecular design provides a versatile platform to engineer rich self-assembled structures. Herein, first successes achieved in polyphilic liquid crystals and rod–coil block systems are summarized. Special attention is paid to recent progress in the conjugation of rodlike building blocks with other molecular building blocks through the molecular Lego approach. Rod-based giant surfactants, sphere–rod conjugates, and dendritic rodlike molecules are covered. Future perspectives of the self-assembly of molecules containing rodlike components are also provided. |
