Helical polymer self-assembly and chiral nanostructure formation

• Published in: Polymer chemistry Vol. 12; no. 13; pp. 1857 - 1897
• Main Authors: Scanga, Randall A, Reuther, James F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 07.04.2021
• Subjects: Circular polarization; Crystallization; Material properties; Morphology; Polymer chemistry; Polymers; Self-assembly
• ISSN: 1759-9954; 1759-9962
• DOI: 10.1039/d0py01558j

Since the pioneering efforts of Nolte, Okamoto and Green, the field of chiral helical polymers has made significant inroads. Here, we review recent advances made in the design, production and implementation of helical polymer systems. We examine the corresponding chiral nanoobjects derived from their self-assembly and detail their emergent properties as well as their potentials for the construction of new functional devices. We further note parallels and lessons to be learned from natural systems and discuss new directions and opportunities. Principles of homochiral evolution and hierarchical structuring derived from systematic study are presented. With a particular emphasis on methods for the controlled generation of chiral structures of predefined size and morphology, we review recent efforts to apply polymerization induced self-assembly (PISA) and crystallization driven self-assembly (CDSA) to helical polymers. Material properties including circularly polarized luminescence (CPLu), chemosensory detection, chiral discrimination, multi-stimuli responsiveness, chiral plasmonics, and magnetic and magneto-optical behaviours are discussed. This review surveys recent progress towards robust chiral nanostructure fabrication techniques using synthetic helical polymers, the unique inferred properties that these materials possess, and their intricate connection to natural, biological chirality.