The goal of this experiment is to determine and control the size, shape and stability of self-assembled discotic amphiphiles in water. For aqueous based supramolecular polymers such level of control is very difficult. We apply a strategy using both repulsive and attractive interactions. The experimental techniques applied to characterize this system are broadly applicable.
Besenius, P., de Feijter, I., Sommerdijk, N. A., Bomans, P. H., Palmans, A. R. A. Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water. J. Vis. Exp. (66), e3975, doi:10.3791/3975 (2012).