A self-healing supramolecular polymer gel with stimuli-responsiveness constructed by crown ether based molecular recognition

Abstract

A cross-linked supramolecular polymer network gel was prepared by orthogonal self-assembly of two homoditopic monomers and a metallic cross-linker. The gel is transparent and free-standing, which not only shows an interesting gel–sol transition in response to quadruple-stimuli, but also exhibits self-healing properties, as can be seen by the naked eye and as evidenced by rheological characterization. These unique features are all due to the dynamically reversible host–guest complexation and good mechanical properties of the cross-linked polymer network. Therefore, these fascinating properties make this supramolecular gel an unprecedentedly intelligent material.