Unlocking Cryogenic Self-Assembly of Lyotropic Liquid Crystals: A Molecular Perspective From Short-Range to Long-Range Scales.

ABSTRACT: Achieving the self-assembly of lamellar liquid crystals (LLCs) at sub-zero temperatures and elucidating their structure-assembly interplay are crucial for understanding cryobiological processes and facilitating cryogenic soft materials; however, this remains a formidable challenge. Herein, six alkyl alkanolamide amphiphiles are designed, and their self-assembly behavior in 1,2-propanediol/water cosolvent is investigated from 80 to -20 °C. The hydrocarbon chain length exerts a significant influence on self-assembly behavior at both short-range and long-range scales. Amphiphiles with hydrocarbon chains shorter than C16 (i.e., the number of carbon atom is 16) exhibit limited solubility and cannot form LLCs at low temperatures, while longer chains enhance cryo-solubility and self-assembly capa

SUBMITTER: Guo W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12677639 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature