Preparing organic nanotubes, useful e.g. in nanoelectronics or in biosensors, by adding specific hydroxycarboxylic acids, especially lithocholic, to basic aqueous solution

摘要

Preparation of organic nanotubes (A) in aqueous medium comprises adding a hydroxycarboxylic acid (I) to a basic aqueous solution of pH 12-14, preferably 12-13.5, then stirring the mixture for long enough to form stable (A) in the solution. Preparation of organic nanotubes (A) in aqueous medium comprises adding a hydroxycarboxylic acid of formula HO-R1-R2-COOH (I) to a basic aqueous solution of pH 12-14, preferably 12-13.5, then stirring the mixture for long enough to form stable nanotubes (A) in the solution. R1 = 17-20C polycyclic group containing fused rings; and R2 = 3-20C linear or branched alkylene. An Independent claim is also included for nanotubes (A) prepared from lithocholic acid, in aqueous medium.