Issue 17, 2015

Advances in single chain technology

Abstract

The recent ability to manipulate and visualize single atoms at atomic level has given rise to modern bottom-up nanotechnology. Similar exquisite degree of control at the individual polymeric chain level for producing functional soft nanoentities is expected to become a reality in the next few years through the full development of so-called “single chain technology”. Ultra-small unimolecular soft nano-objects endowed with useful, autonomous and smart functions are the expected, long-term valuable output of single chain technology. This review covers the recent advances in single chain technology for the construction of soft nano-objects via chain compaction, with an emphasis in dynamic, letter-shaped and compositionally unsymmetrical single rings, complex multi-ring systems, single chain nanoparticles, tadpoles, dumbbells and hairpins, as well as the potential end-use applications of individual soft nano-objects endowed with useful functions in catalysis, sensing, drug delivery and other uses.

Graphical abstract: Advances in single chain technology

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
09 Mar 2015
First published
01 Jun 2015
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015,44, 6122-6142

Author version available

Advances in single chain technology

M. Gonzalez-Burgos, A. Latorre-Sanchez and J. A. Pomposo, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, 44, 6122 DOI: 10.1039/C5CS00209E

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