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Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

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Stimuli-responsive supramolecular polymers in aqueous solution.

Xiang Ma¹, He Tian

¹Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, East China University of Science & Technology , Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.

Accounts of Chemical Research

|March 28, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers are developing novel supramolecular polymers in water using host-guest chemistry. These stimuli-responsive materials offer tunable properties for advanced applications.

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Area of Science:

Supramolecular Chemistry
Polymer Science
Materials Science

Background:

Supramolecular polymers are formed via noncovalent interactions.
They offer tunable properties and stimuli-responsiveness.
Aqueous supramolecular polymers are crucial for biocompatible materials.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advances in stimuli-responsive supramolecular polymers in aqueous solution.
To focus on host-guest interactions for polymer construction.
To explore diverse noncovalent interactions and their applications.

Main Methods:

Construction of supramolecular polymers using cyclodextrins (CDs), cucurbiturils (CBs), and calixarenes.
Utilizing hydrophobic effects, electrostatic interactions, and metal-ligand coordination.
Investigating stimuli-responsive behaviors (pH, photo, redox).

Main Results:

Demonstrated stimuli-responsive supramolecular polymers via hydrophobic effects of CDs.
Highlighted CB-based polymers with pH and photo-responsive properties.
Reviewed calixarene-based polymers with redox-responsive association/dissociation.

Conclusions:

Supramolecular polymers in water offer versatile functionalization.
Host-guest interactions provide effective control over polymer assembly and properties.
Future work should focus on improving efficiency, reversibility, and functionality.