Multistimuli-responsive supramolecular gels: design rationale, recent advances, and perspectives

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular chemistry
• Materials science

Background:

• Multistimuli-responsive supramolecular gels (MRSGs) are advanced materials with potential applications in molecular motors, sensors, and drug delivery.
• Current MRSGs require faster and smarter responses to various stimuli like pH, redox reagents, and ligands.
• The design principles and structure-property relationships of MRSGs are not yet fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of recent advancements in the synthesis and design of MRSGs.
• To highlight the challenges and knowledge gaps in understanding MRSG behavior.
• To inspire the development of novel MRSGs with predictable stimuli-responsive properties.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on MRSG synthesis and characterization.
• Analysis of structure-property relationships in existing supramolecular gelators.
• Discussion of gelation pathways and design strategies for new MRSGs.

Main Results:

• Recent progress in synthesizing MRSGs with enhanced responsiveness to multiple stimuli.
• Identification of a lack of understanding in MRSG design rules and structure-gelation behavior relationships.
• Exploration of how insights into gelation pathways can guide the design of novel MRSGs.

Conclusions:

• Further research into the design rules and spatial structure-gelation behavior is needed for MRSG development.
• Understanding gelation pathways is key to creating MRSGs with predictable stimuli-responsive abilities.
• Advancements in MRSGs are critical for upgrading various functional devices.