Nanochannels for supramolecular organisation of dyes

The supramolecular organisation of molecules, complexes or clusters is a fruitful concept for the design of systems exhibiting specific macroscopic properties. The encapsulation of guest species into the pores or channels of host materials presents a challenging approach to the preparation of novel chemical and optical materials. Zeolite L has been shown to be an ideal host for the supramolecular organisation of organic dyes. A new hierarchy of structural ordering can be achieved by either arranging the zeolite L crystals into densely packed, oriented monolayers or by interfacing them to the environment via molecules bound to the edges of the crystals. These concepts are reviewed here, as well as some potential applications.