Ionic self-assembled supramolecular polymers: synthesis, properties and applications

Ionic self-assembled supramolecular polymers (IS-SPs), emerging as a class of dynamically tunable functional materials, are generated via ionic self-assembly driven primarily by electrostatic interactions (primarily electrostatic forces, hydrogen bonding, metal coordination, etc.). Over the past two decades, IS-SPs have garnered substantial research interest owing to their exceptional properties and broad application prospects. This review provides a systematic and critical overview of the recent advances in IS-SPs, with a particular focus on the rational design of building blocks, from small organic molecules to polymers, and their profound impact on the resulting materials' properties. By adjusting the chemical structure of the monomers and reaction conditions, precise control over the morphology, size, and properties of the polymers can be achieved. Furthermore, we highlight their emerging applications in drug delivery and sensing. Finally, the development trends and key challenges of IS-SPs are discussed, including the design of smart materials and the development of new functional materials, to promote their wider application in future technologies.