Redox-switchable supramolecular polymers for responsive self-healing nanofibers in water

Self-healing nanomaterials that respond to new stimuli sources are attractive. In particular, redox potential is one of the most universal and convenient stimuli in nature. Here we report utilization of ferrocene- and cyclodextrin-terminated monomers to form water-soluble AA-BB-type supramolecular polymers on the basis of host–guest interactions of ferrocene (Fc) and cyclodextrin (CD). These noncovalent polymers can further hierarchically assemble into one-dimensional supramolecular nanofiber architectures. The electrochemical-responsive Fc–CD host–guest connections endow these nanofibers with unique self-degradable and -healable features under redox potential control. Moreover, different redox conditions can exactly regulate the self-repairable rates of these nanostructures. It is anticipated that this supramolecular polymer model would open up a way for redox-tunable one-dimensional nanomaterials.