Functional materials that respond to external stimuli are of major current interest. In particular, supramolecular systems that can interact with their surroundings, adapt to environmental changes and evolve with are even more fascinating, yet challenging. Combining the rich physico-chemical properties featured by metal centres with characteristics typical of classical organic polymers, metallopolymers or metallo-supramolecular polymers can be prepared, depending on their static versus dynamic structural features. Additionally, multiple and orthogonal functionalities can be encoded in their chemical structure affording materials with widespread potential applications to be employed as "smart" materials for advanced technologies. In this Concept article, selected examples of metal-containing polymers will be described demonstrating large potentialities of such systems for creating stimuli-responsive materials with special emphasis for those showing optical applications.
Keywords: adaptive materials; metallopolymers; self-healing; stimuli-responsive materials; supramolecular polymers.
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