biostudies-literatureLiu JMinistry of Higher Education, MalaysiaUniversiti Teknologi MARA, MalaysiaEuropean Research CouncilEPRSCInstitute for Translational NeuroscienceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council3105-3109https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5575522biostudies-literatureUnknown55(18)The success of exploiting cucurbit[<i>n</i>]uril (CB[<i>n</i>])-based molecular recognition in self-assembled systems has sparked a tremendous interest in polymer and materials chemistry. In this study, polymerization in the presence of host-guest complexes is applied as a modular synthetic approach toward a diverse set of CB[8]-based supramolecular hydrogels with desirable properties, such as mechanical strength, toughness, energy dissipation, self-healing, and shear-thinning. A range of vinyl monomers, including acrylamide-, acrylate-, and imidazolium-based hydrophilic monomers, could be easily incorporated as the polymer backbones, leading to a library of CB[8] hydrogel networks. This versatile strategy explores new horizons for the construction of supramolecular hydrogel networks and mJournal of polymer science. Part A, Polymer chemistryToward a versatile toolbox for cucurbit[<i>n</i>]uril-based supramolecular hydrogel networks through <i>in situ</i> polymerization.PMC5575522ASPiRe, 240629EP/G060649/1240629EP/F0355351Liu JSoo Yun Tan CScherman OALan YfalseToward a versatile toolbox for cucurbit[<i>n</i>]uril-based supramolecular hydrogel networks through <i>in situ</i> polymerization.The success of exploiting cucurbit[<i>n</i>]uril (CB[<i>n</i>])-based molecular recognition in self-assembled systems has sparked a tremendous interest in polymer and materials chemistry. In this study, polymerization in the presence of host-guest complexes is applied as a modular synthetic approach toward a diverse set of CB[8]-based supramolecular hydrogels with desirable properties, such as mechanical strength, toughness, energy dissipation, self-healing, and shear-thinning. A range of vinyl monomers, including acrylamide-, acrylate-, and imidazolium-based hydrophilic monomers, could be easily incorporated as the polymer backbones, leading to a library of CB[8] hydrogel networks. This versatile strategy explores new horizons for the construction of supramolecular hydrogel networks and m2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Sep2025-04-18T19:36:25.176Z2019-03-27T02:54:50ZS-EPMC55755222893197010.1002/pola.28667