Creating new supramolecular materials by architecture of three-dimensional nanocrystal fiber networks.

The architecture of three-dimensional interconnecting self-organized nanofiber networks from separate needlelike crystals of L-DHL (lanosta-8,24-dien-3beta-ol:24,25-dihydrolanosterol = 56:44) in di-isooctylphthalate has been achieved for the first time, on the basis of the completely new concept of branching creation by additives (branching promoters). [In this work, an additive, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer (EVACP), is used at a concentration of several 10 ppm.] We demonstrate that this novel technique enables us to produce previously unknown self-supporting supramolecular functional materials with tailormade micro- or nanostructures, possessing significantly modified macroscopic properties, by utilizing materials thus far considered to be "useless".