A Novel Aggregation State of Amphiphile: Spherular Crystal

When the amphiphile single-chain aza crown ethers crystallize from its melt, a novel aggregation statespheruliteis observed. Distinguished from the others, this spherulite has hierarchical structures:  the spherulite consists of the solid cylinders, and the cylinder is composed of the bilayer of the amphiphilic molecules. This is a good example of molecular architecture, and the discovery will promote study on self-assembly and self-organization of amphiphile in the future.