Supramolecular gels applications

Such control over the mechanical strength of the supramolecular gel network is of particular interest for applications in cell culture, particularly in stem cell research because the elastic modulus of cell substrates has been found to dictate the differentiation pathways chosen by mesenchymal stem cells [57]. 

In this chapter, we have tried our best to summarize different examples of the pillararene-based supramolecular polymers shown in the published journals so far. It is worth mentioning that many of these examples have been beyond the simple construction of supramolecular polymers. These outstanding researches are focusing on stimuli-responsive polymers, supramolecular gels, molecular devices, and the modification of polymeric materials. However, more functions and applications of pillararene-based supramolecular polymers need to be explored in the future. On the other hand, most supramolecular polymers discussed in this chapter are based on pillar[5]arenes, which is attributed to the facile synthesis of pillar[5]arenes when compared with other pillar[n]arenes. Therefore, the research on supramolecular polymers based on other pillar[n]arenes, especially pil-lar[6]arenes, will also be a challenge. 

Hirst, A.R., Escuder, B. and Miravet, J.F. and Smith, D.K. (2008) High-tech applications of self-assembling supramolecular nanostructured gel-phase materials from regenerative medicine to electronic devices. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 47 (42), 8002-8018. 

In addition to mesostructured metal oxide molecular sieves prepared through supramolecular assembly pathways, clays, carbon molecular sieves, porous polymers, sol-gel and imprinted materials, as well as self-assembled organic and other zeolite-like materials, have captured the attention of materials researchers around the globe. Clays, zeolites and sol-gel materials are still very popular because of their extensive and expanding applications in catalysis and separation science. Novel carbons and polymers of ordered porous structures have been synthesized. There are almost unlimited opportunities in the synthesis of new organic materials of desired structural and surface properties via self-assembly or imprinting procedures. 

The methods of soft chemistry include sol-gel, electrochemical, hydrothermal, intercalation and ion-exchange processes. Many of these methods are employed routinely for the synthesis of ceramic materials. - There have been recent reviews of the electrochemical methods, intercalation reactions, and the sol-gel technique. The sol-gel method has been particularly effective with wide-ranging applications in ceramics, catalysts, porous solids and composites and has given rise to fine precursor chemistry. Hydrothennal synthesis has been employed for the synthesis of oxidic materials under mild conditions and most of the porous solids and open-framework structures using organic templates are prepared hydro-thermally. The advent of supramolecular chemistry has started to make an impact on synthesis, mesoporous solids being well known examples. ... 

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