3D continuous water nanosheet as a gyroid minimal surface formed by bicontinuous cubic liquid-crystalline zwitterions

J Am Chem Soc. 2012 Jul 18;134(28):11354-7. doi: 10.1021/ja304124w. Epub 2012 Jul 2.

Abstract

Co-organization of amphiphilic zwitterions and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide led to the formation of bicontinuous cubic liquid-crystalline structures having 3D continuous hydrophilic gyroid minimal surface. The gyroid surface, incorporating a small amount of water, provided extremely thin but macroscopically continuous water nanosheet with a thickness of approximately 5 Å. The water nanosheet functioned as alignment free proton conduction pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Ions
  • Nanostructures*
  • Phase Transition
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Ions
  • Water