Self-assembly of chiral amphiphiles with π-conjugated tectons

Self-assembly of chiral amphiphiles with π-conjugated tectons into one-dimensional helical nanostructures offers great potential applications in the biological, physical, and material sciences. In this review, the recent development of supramolecular self-assembly of chiral amphiphiles with π-conjugated tectons has been discussed on the basis of experimental exploration by elegantly utilizing cooperative noncovalent forces such as π-π stacking, hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bond and electrostatic interaction, and the potential applications of these self-assembled helical nanostructures in chiral recognition, asymmetric catalysis, electrical conduction, switchable interfaces and soft template for the fabrication of one-dimensional hard materials are described by a representative example. Meanwhile, some scientific and technical challenges in the development of supramolecular self-assembly of chiral amphiphiles with π-conjugated tectons are also presented. It is hoped that this review can summarize the strategies for self-assembling soft nanomaterials by using chiral amphiphiles with π-conjugated tectons, and also as a guideline for design functional nanomaterials for various potential applications.