Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
Published on: February 7, 2017
Solvent effect on the self-assembled structure of an amphiphilic perylene diimide derivative
Xin Yang1, Xiaohe Xu, Hai-Feng Ji
1Department of Chemistry, Institute for Micromanufacturing, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana 71272, USA.
Abstract:
An amphiphilic electron-deficient (n-type) perylene diimide has been synthesized and characterized. The diimide contains a hydrophobic long chain on one end and a hydrophilic ethoxy chain on the other. The self-assembly of this molecule in polar and nonpolar solvents has been demonstrated by concentration- and temperature-dependent absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. Analysis of the spectral change for the aggregates shows typical J-aggregates for structures precipitated from polar solvents and H-aggregates for structures precipitated from nonpolar solvents. SEM and TEM micrographs and a suggested packing scheme, compatible with the formation of nanostrips in nonpolar solvents and nanofibers in polar solvents, are presented.
Related Concept Videos
Solvating Effects
Solubility
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules, atoms, and/or ions)...
Entropy and Solvation
Leveling Effect
Leveling Effect and Non-Aqueous Acid-Base Solutions
The Leveling Effect of a Solvent
A generic acid (HA) reacts with the generic base (B-) to yield the corresponding conjugate base (A-) and conjugate acid (HB):
Micelles

