Hydrogen-Bonded Supramolecular Liquid Crystal Polymers: Smart Materials with Stimuli-Responsive, Self-Healing, and Recyclable Properties

Chem Rev. 2022 Mar 9;122(5):4946-4975. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00330. Epub 2021 Aug 24.

Abstract

Hydrogen-bonded liquid crystalline polymers have emerged as promising "smart" supramolecular functional materials with stimuli-responsive, self-healing, and recyclable properties. The hydrogen bonds can either be used as chemically responsive (i.e., pH-responsive) or as dynamic structural (i.e., temperature-responsive) moieties. Responsiveness can be manifested as changes in shape, color, or porosity and as selective binding. The liquid crystalline self-organization gives the materials their unique responsive nanostructures. Typically, the materials used for actuators or optical materials are constructed using linear calamitic (rod-shaped) hydrogen-bonded complexes, while nanoporous materials are constructed from either calamitic or discotic (disk-shaped) complexes. The dynamic structural character of the hydrogen bond moieties can be used to construct self-healing and recyclable supramolecular materials. In this review, recent findings are summarized, and potential future applications are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Hydrogen
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Liquid Crystals* / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Smart Materials*

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Smart Materials
  • Hydrogen