Supramolecular polymers with their energy-tunable noncovalent bonds among structural units have inherent potential to form highly ordered but dynamic structures. The possibility of programming interactions in these systems through self-assembly enables design of materials that respond rapidly to external stimuli, dissolve or melt into monomeric liquids for limited life cycles that avoid pollution, and reversible changes in structure and function. On the other hand, covalent polymers with their rich array of known architectures form mechanically robust soft materials but only with limited recycling capacity and limited ability to structurally morph reversibly. Thus in the second century for polymers, a useful strategy for innovation in soft materials could involve the chemical integration of covalent and supramolecular polymers. The concept of “hybrid bonding polymers” (HBPs) in which both components coexist is proposed in this lecture and illustrated with several specific examples. Covalent and noncovalent polymerizations in systems to be described can occur simultaneously, sequentially, or independently. HBPs have led us to discover supramolecular strategies to catalyze covalent polymerization, novel biomaterials, and robotic materials that emulate living matter.

Hybrid bonding polymers: Integration of covalent and noncovalent bonds

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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