Programmable sphere-tubule frameworks through supramolecular and supracolloidal assembly pathways

The dissertation focuses on the study of a series of new supracolloidal frameworks which can be specifically programmed by the use of tailored supramolecular bile salt derivatives (BSDs) anisotropic structures in combination with isotropic polymeric particles, without resorting to auxiliary functionalization of none the two species. With their high tunability and high repetibility these programmable frameworks could be seen as an innovative pathway for mere nanomaterial preparation and for a deeper understanding of supracolloidal interaction mechanisms among different colloidal units. Three important features can be remarked: 1. The innovative use of anisotropic supramolecular building blocks working as versatile tools for supracolloidal assemblies preparation: the introduction of these mixed systems, based on elementary units composed from isotropic and anisotropic particles, allows to bypass the state of the art constrain given, among the other things, by the need to induce the anisotropy of interaction with satellite chemical functionalizations on the particle surface, particularly influencing the range of geometries accessible and the preparation complexity. 2. The possibility to program the specific framework desired, choosing among a wide range of BSDs with an achieved and solid know-how of their self-assembly behavior and structural characteristics. 3. The possibility to have as outcome intriguing systems in a wide range of configurations possible: from core-corona assemblies to chirally (or non-chirally) decorated supramolecular tubules, from highly ordered frameworks with lattice properties to well-defined crystalline domains in a gel matrix.