Soft-Matter Nanotubes: A Platform for Diverse Functions and Applications.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Soft-matter nanotubes (SMNTs) are tubular architectures formed by self-assembled organic molecules.
• They offer an alternative to hard-matter nanotubes, with tunable properties and diverse functionalities.
• Recent decades have seen significant advancements in designing and synthesizing SMNTs for specific applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the functions and applications of various soft-matter nanotubes (SMNTs).
• To highlight key contributions and advancements in SMNT research over the past decade.
• To categorize SMNT applications across chemical, physical, biological, and medical fields.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on self-assembled organic nanotubes.
• Analysis of fifteen different families of SMNTs.
• Categorization of functions and applications based on action fields (interior, wall, exterior, etc.).

Main Results:

• SMNTs exhibit diverse chemical applications, including material encapsulation and sensing.
• Physical functions include ferro-/piezoelectricity, energy storage/migration, and mechanical reinforcement.
• Biological and medical applications encompass artificial chaperones, transmembrane transport, drug delivery, and gene transfer.

Conclusions:

• Soft-matter nanotubes (SMNTs) present a versatile platform with broad applicability.
• Continued research into SMNTs promises further innovation in materials science and medicine.
• The review underscores the significant potential of SMNTs as functional materials and components.