Functional Supramolecular Polymers

Supramolecular Polymers Explained

While polymers are constructed from chemically bonded units, supramolecular polymers arise through reversible linkages, such as hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. Recent advances in the field of supramolecular polymer science have moved from a fundamental understanding of assembly properties to the introduction of functionality, in order to exploit the particular features of this class of materials. Aida et al. (p. 813 ) review the specific features of supramolecular polymers that can lead to applications in a variety of fields, including: materials—in which processability and self-healing properties are of interest; biomedicine—in which the concerns are dynamic functionality and biodegradability; and hierarchical assembly and electronic systems—with an interest in unidirectionality of charge flow.