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Supramolecular polymers are polymers in which the monomers are linked through non-covalent interactions such as coordination bonds, π-π interactions or hydrogen bonds.
Weaving purely organic molecular threads into two-dimensional patterns remains a formidable challenge. Now, driven by the formation of dative B–N bonds, a purely organic, two-dimensional and flawless woven polymer network has been prepared. In addition, free-standing monolayers of woven polymer nanosheets have been obtained through mechanical exfoliation.
Selection mechanisms were critical at the emergence of life and will also be important for the synthesis of life. Now, it has been shown that template-based copying controls the selection of unstable molecules in a chemically fuelled dynamic combinatorial library. Moreover, when encapsulated inside coacervate droplets, these mechanisms change the coacervate’s physical properties.
Existing methods for modulating artificial wrinkles with responsive erasure and regeneration behaviours are reliant on a network rearrangement mechanism. Here, the authors report a dually cross-linked mechanically interlocked network that can dissipate stress within the wrinkles by sliding without disrupting the network structure.
Adaptation transcends scale in both natural and artificial systems, but the factors driving the cause of this phenomenon are unclear. Herein, the authors describe the molecular requirements for adaptation and establish a link to rationalize adaptive behavior on a self-assembled level.
The covalent crosslinked structure of epoxy thermosets difficult their reprocessability and recyclability. Here, the authors report a method for developing closed loop recycling of strong and tough epoxy supramolecular thermosets constructed with hyperbranched topological structure in an energy-saving and easy-to-conduct way.
The concepts of multistep processes and regioselectivity — fundamental in covalent synthesis — have now been applied to the non-covalent synthesis of sequence-controlled multiblock supramolecular polymers.
Combining equilibrium self-assembly with coupling mechanisms defying Newton’s third law allows for the design of programmable, time-varying, self-organized assemblies mimicking living matter.
A doughnut-shaped microstructure with single-handed helical feature has been created via the combination of bottom-up self-assembly and top-down solution depositing processes.
From the realization of their true nature one hundred years ago to the latest approaches for structuring materials using molecular weaving, high-molecular-weight polymers still have much to offer society.