Pillar[5]arene-Based Resilient Supramolecular Gel with Dual-Stimuli Responses and Self-Healing Properties

Pillararene-based supramolecular gels represent a new type of soft matter due to the dynamic assembly and promising applications in biomaterials. However, few examples of these gel materials were previously reported on their remarkable elasticity and self-healing properties. To address this issue, we herein demonstrated a novel pillar[5]arene-based fluorescent supramolecular gel by using the two cooperative interactions. In our work, the host-guest complexation led first to the formation of a pillararene-based supramolecule, which was further polymerized with the monomer via UV initiation, resulting in strong cross-links for the gelation of this supramolecular system. The dynamic host-guest recognition enabled a quick self-healing process of the gel. In addition, this supramolecular gel also exhibits dual-stimuli responsive behaviors. We expect the current investigation to afford another avenue to robust bioinspired soft materials with macrocyclic functionality involved in the polymeric networks.