Exploring the Multifunctionality of a Novel Long-Chain Amidoamine Amphiphile.

In this review, we demonstrate that the practical applications of a novel long-chain amidoamine derivative with a simple molecular structure (C18AA) are equivalent to or higher in number than those of supramolecules with complex molecular structures. Molecular assemblies of C18AA exhibit distinctive thermal responsiveness; namely, C18AA can form a gel with apolar organic solvents, while O/W emulsions of C18AA act as a heat-induced gelator that undergoes a phase transition from solution to gel upon heating. We also show that C18AA emulsions containing a quaternary ammonium salt develop an iridescent color over a specific temperature range. Further, molecular assemblies of C18AA serve as high-performance soft templates for the preparation of shape-controlled metal nanocrystals such as ultrathin Au nanowires and Pd nanowires.