Self-Assembled Monodisperse Steroid Nanotubes in Water

Abstract

Tubular structures of an elementary bile steroid derivative (see Figure and front cover) can be obtained in dilute aqueous suspensions. They exhibit quite monodisperse cross sections (52 nm diameter) with a large inner cylindrical cavity of 49 nm diameter. The tubules can be easily oriented, which is a promising property for the synthesis of bulk oriented materials.