Mechanochemistry in polymers with supramolecular mechanophores

Abstract

Mechanochemistry is a burgeoning field of materials science. Inspired by nature, many scientists have looked at different ways to introduce weak bonds into polymeric materials to impart them with function and in particular mechanoresponsiveness. In the following sections, the incorporation of some of the weakest bonds, i.e. non-covalent bonds, into polymeric solids is being surveyed. This review covers sequentially π-π interactions, H-bonding and metal-ligand coordination bonds and tries to highlight some of the advantages and limitations of such systems, while providing some key perspective of what may come next in this tantalizing field.