Prospects in controlling morphology, dynamics and responsiveness of supramolecular polymers

Abstract

The programmed assembly of molecules into supramolecular polymers is of great interest for developing stimuli-responsive “smart” materials. Controlling the morphology, dynamics and responsiveness of such materials is essential for future applications. It, however, necessitates fundamental understanding of non-covalent forces that direct the ordering of molecules in complex environments. This paper highlights recent progress in the area and anticipates further directions.