CHAPTER 4: Fabrication of Supramolecular Polymers

Supramolecular polymers are polymeric arrays of monomeric units that are connected together via highly directional and reversible noncovalent interactions, resulting in polymeric properties in solution and the bulk. Because of the dynamic nature of the noncovalent interactions, supramolecular polymers show distinct properties such as reversibility, self-healing, stimuli-responsiveness and good processability. Here, we provide an overview of the fabrication of supramolecular polymers. We introduce the driving forces for supramolecular polymerization, summarize the topological structures of supramolecular polymers, and highlight the methods and strategies for the fabrication of supramolecular polymers in a controllable manner. It is evident that supramolecular polymers based on noncovalent interactions are complementary to traditional polymer science and represent a new growth point by marrying supramolecular science with polymer science.