Superamphiphiles based on charge transfer complex: controllable hierarchical self-assembly of nanoribbons.

We have demonstrated a hierarchical self-assembly of the nanoribbons on the basis of the concept of a superamphiphile. A viologen-containing surfactant (RV) and a water-soluble electron donor, 6,8-dihydroxypyrene-1,3-disulfonic acid disodium (DHP), are mixed in water to form a charge transfer complex (RV-DHP), functionalizing as a superamphiphile. RV-DHP can self-assemble in water to form single-layer nanoribbon at pH 9. Moreover, upon pH stimulus, the self-assembling nanostructure can be tunable reversibly between single-layer and multilayer nanoribbons. This study represents a new example of hierarchical self-assembly of one-dimensional nanostructures, which may find potential applications in the area of smart nanodevices.