Synthesis and Characterization of Self-Assembling Amphiphilic Aromatic Amide Dendrons

The sub-micrometer and micrometer-scale self-assembled structures of a series of amphiphilic dendrons constructed from the building blocks of aromatic amide, triethylene glycol, and octadecyl groups were evaluated. The dendrons from the first to the third generations were prepared by a straightforward synthesis. Self-assembling study of the dendrons was carried out by the characterization of the films prepared by casting from the solutions using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The solution of the first generation amphiphilic dendron provided the dot-like or fibrous structures with a diameter of several hundred nanometers. The hexagonally arranged open pores of approximately 1.1- 1.4 μm were formed by casting the solution of the second and the third generation amphiphilic dendrons under a moist air flow.