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Updated: Nov 21, 2025

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
Published on: August 2, 2012
The recent progress of synergistic supramolecular polymers: preparation, properties and applications
Yufeng Huo1, Zhenfeng He1, Chao Wang2
1School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China. hezf@nuc.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Supramolecular polymers have the combined properties of both traditional polymers and supramolecules. They are generally formed via the self-assembled polymerization driven noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, metal coordination, and host-guest interaction between building blocks. The driving force for the formation of supramolecular polymers has changed from single noncovalent interactions to multiple noncovalent interactions. The advantages of multiple noncovalent interactions driving the formation of supramolecular polymers are reviewed from four aspects: polymer construction, the enhancement of bonding strength, properties and topological structure. The applications are illustrated with detailed examples including self-healing, drug delivery, bioimaging, biomedicine, environmental sensing and electronics.
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