Macrocycles-assembled AIE supramolecular polymer networks

Supramolecular polymer networks (SPNs) possess abundant stimuli-responsive properties due to their reversible non-covalent assembly features, and could be used to build various smart materials. Meanwhile, aggregation-induced emission (AIE), a characteristic optical phenomenon, shows splendid prospect in a wide range of areas. The rapid development of AIE provides a novel chance for the functionalization of SPNs. In addition, macrocycles, each of them possessing their own unique merits, play a key role in constructing various functional supramolecular systems. Hence, the coalescence of macrocycle, AIE and SPNs into the macrocycle-assembled AIE-SPNs greatly expanded the properties and applications of this kind of supramolecular systems. Therefore, macrocycle-assembled AIE-SPNs have attracted more and more attentions. In this review, the mechanisms on self-assembly, AIE, stimuli-responses as well as host–guest interactions have been carefully summarized. Moreover, the structure-effect relationships including cavity size, non-covalent interaction, the type of macrocycles, structures of networks and structures of guest compounds have been discussed. The construction methods, properties and applications of macrocycles-assembled AIE-SPNs have been systematically introduced according to the type of macrocycles including crown ether, cyclodextrin, calixarene, cucurbit[n]uril, pillar[n]arene and other novel macrocycles. Moreover, the challenges and bright future of macrocycle-assembled AIE-SPNs also have been described.