Adv Polym Sci (2013) 262: 363–388
DOI: 10.1007/12_2013_250
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Published online: 27 October 2013
Aqueous Supramolecular Polymers Based
on Aromatic Amphiphiles: Rational Design,
Complexity, and Functional Materials
Boris Rybtchinski
Abstract Self-assembled polymeric nanoscale systems that are robust yet adaptive
are of primary importance for fabricating multifunctional stimuli-responsive nanomaterials. Noncovalent interactions in water can be strong, and biological systems
exhibit excellent robustness and adaptivity. Synthetic amphiphiles can also result in
robust assemblies in water. Can we rationally design water-based noncovalent polymers? Can we program them to perform useful functions that rival covalent materials?
We review here advancements related to these questions, focusing on aromatic selfassembly in aqueous media. Regarding functional materials, we present examples from
our work on water-based recyclable noncovalent membranes, which can be used for
size-selective separations of nanoparticles and biomolecules. These systems introduce
the paradigm of noncovalent nanomaterials as a versatile and environmentally friendly
alternative to covalent materials. We also address emerging rational design principles
for creating 1D, 2D, and 3D functional nanoarrays hierarchically assembled from welldefined molecular units in aqueous media, enabling new synthetic strategies for
fabricating complex water-based materials.
Keywords Hydrophobic interactions Á Membranes Á Noncovalent materials Á
Perylene diimides Á Self-assembly - water
I dedicate this review to the memory of my friend and colleague, Prof. Michael Bendikov, whose
untimely passing is a great loss to those who knew and loved him, and to the entire Chemistry
Community. Michael was a great man and a great scientist. His passion for chemistry will always
be an inspiration.
B. Rybtchinski (*)
Department of Organic Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
e-mail: boris.rybtchinski@weizmann.ac.il
DOI: 10.1007/12_2013_250
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Published online: 27 October 2013
Aqueous Supramolecular Polymers Based
on Aromatic Amphiphiles: Rational Design,
Complexity, and Functional Materials
Boris Rybtchinski
Abstract Self-assembled polymeric nanoscale systems that are robust yet adaptive
are of primary importance for fabricating multifunctional stimuli-responsive nanomaterials. Noncovalent interactions in water can be strong, and biological systems
exhibit excellent robustness and adaptivity. Synthetic amphiphiles can also result in
robust assemblies in water. Can we rationally design water-based noncovalent polymers? Can we program them to perform useful functions that rival covalent materials?
We review here advancements related to these questions, focusing on aromatic selfassembly in aqueous media. Regarding functional materials, we present examples from
our work on water-based recyclable noncovalent membranes, which can be used for
size-selective separations of nanoparticles and biomolecules. These systems introduce
the paradigm of noncovalent nanomaterials as a versatile and environmentally friendly
alternative to covalent materials. We also address emerging rational design principles
for creating 1D, 2D, and 3D functional nanoarrays hierarchically assembled from welldefined molecular units in aqueous media, enabling new synthetic strategies for
fabricating complex water-based materials.
Keywords Hydrophobic interactions Á Membranes Á Noncovalent materials Á
Perylene diimides Á Self-assembly - water
I dedicate this review to the memory of my friend and colleague, Prof. Michael Bendikov, whose
untimely passing is a great loss to those who knew and loved him, and to the entire Chemistry
Community. Michael was a great man and a great scientist. His passion for chemistry will always
be an inspiration.
B. Rybtchinski (*)
Department of Organic Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
e-mail: boris.rybtchinski@weizmann.ac.il