Photo-stimuli responsive supramolecular materials using supramolecular machine

Abstract

Molecular recognition is essential for realizing functional supramolecular materials. Non-covalent host-guest interactions are an effective tool to introduce switching and functional properties into materials. This paper focuses on the photo responsive supramolecular actuators. These functions have been achieved by reversible bond formation with cyclodextrins (CDs). To prepare a supramolecular actuator using host-guest complexes, two approaches have been introduced. The first is the functionalization of a supramolecular gel actuator by changing the cross-linking density, and the second is the functionalization of a topological gel actuator by changing length of the cross-linking points. Both actuators exhibit contractive bending behavior. This paper summarizes advancements in supramolecular materials that function through the chemical mechanism of host-guest interactions and the physical mechanism of the sliding motion of ring molecules.