Fabrication of nanotubules and microspheres from the self-assembly of amphiphilic monochain stearic acid derivatives.

A series of amphiphilic monochain derivatives of stearic acid, CH(3)(CH(2))(16)CONH(CH(2))(n)NH(2) (n = 2, 3, 4, 6), CH(3)(CH(2))(16)CONH(CH(2))(2)S(2)(CH(2))(2)NH(2), and [CH(3)(CH(2))(16)CONH](2)(CH(2))(2), are synthesized, and their self-assembly behaviors have been investigated in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE). In addition to the concentration of the compound in DCE, the number of methylene units in hydrophilic segments play a crucial role in determining the final morphology of self-assembling structures from nanotubules with 20 nm inner diameter to microspheres with an average diameter of 20 μm. The external texture of the microsphere is also influenced by the number of methylene units in the hydrophilic segment. The microspheres formed by highly ordered aggregation of nanobelts show high thermal stability. The particular processes and causations have been expatiated.