Nanochannels: Hosts for the Supramolecular Organization of Molecules and Complexes

Nanochannels have been used as hosts for supramolecular organization for a large variety of guests. The possibilities for building complex structures based on 2D and especially 3D nanochannel hosts are larger than those based on 1D nanochannel hosts. The latter are, however, easier to understand and to control. They still give rise to a rich world of fascinating objects with very distinguished properties. Important changes are observed if the channel diameter becomes smaller than 10 nm. The most advanced guest–nanochannel composites have been synthesized with nanochannels bearing a diameter of about 1 nm. Impressive complexity has been achieved by interfacing these composites with other objects and by assembling them into specific structures. This is explained in detail. Guest–nanochannel composites that absorb all light in the right wavelength range and transfer the electronic excitation energy via FRET to well-positioned acceptors offer a unique potential for developing FRET-sensitized solar cells, lumi...