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Directional non-covalent forces (primarily H-bonding) form the basis of structural evolution and incredibly elegant functions of biological systems. In the recent past, we have been engaged in studying H-bonding driven self-assembly of aromatic donor (D) and acceptor (A) chromophores (small molecules and macromolecules) with an aim to control their supramolecular organization by molecular engineering and correlating it with macroscopic properties. Systems those have been investigated include isolated D and A, D-π-A and D-σ-A type chromophores and also chromophore-conjugated amphiphilic macromolecules. We have shown by appropriate molecular engineering it is possible to gain precise control over their inter-chromophoric interaction (J- or H-aggregation), photophysical properties, mode of co-assembly (alternate or segregated assembly, parallel or anti-parallel stacking) and morphology (fibrillar gel, organic-nanotubes, vesicle, reverse-vesicle and micelle) both in organic and aqueous medium. Highlights of our recent findings in this area will be the topic of the presentation.
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