Halogen-bond-driven supramolecular assemblies of quaternary-ammonium-iodide-containing polymers in three phases

Abstract

Halogen bonding (XB) opens avenues to supramolecular assemblies. Here, we report XB-driven supramolecular assemblies of quaternary ammonium iodide (QAI)-containing polymers in three (solution, surface, and solid) phases. In the solution, QAI-containing block copolymers form unique self-assembly structures such as micrometer-sized giant vesicles (up to 5-μm diameter) and a 1-dimensional (1D) structure with multiple inter-vesicular linkages via XB. Exploiting the temperature dependence of XB strength, external molecules are successfully loaded and unloaded. On the surface, reversible XB crosslinking and decrosslinking of QAI-containing polymer brushes are achieved. The wettability of the polymer brush is finely tuned by the XB crosslinking density. In solid phase, QAI-containing monomers are co-crystalized (assembled) via XB. A polymer sheet is obtained via the solid-phase polymerization of the monomer co-crystal; the sheet enables capture and release of halogen-containing (XB-coordinating) guest molecules and thereby serves as an innovative host material. Giant vesicles and 1-dimensional assembly structure obtained via halogen bonding Temperature-responsive polymeric delivery carrier for loading external molecules Fine-tuning of polymer brush wettability by reversible halogen-bond crosslinking Polymeric host material of halogen-containing guests Le and Goto report halogen-bond-driven supramolecular self-assemblies of quaternary-ammonium-iodide-bearing polymers in three (solution, surface, and solid) phases, offering micrometer-sized vesicles and 1D structure, reversibly crosslinked polymer brushes on surfaces, and host material of halogen-containing guest molecules with tailored properties via halogen bonding.