DNA and proteins are exquisite examples of polymers that possess a precise composition, length, and sequence. These linear polymers fold or self-assemble into well-defined higher-order structures that can bind molecules and catalyze reactions. Non-covalent interactions, including hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions, and van der Waals forces—introduced at precise locations along the polymer chain—drive the self-assembly of these polymers. Wholly synthetic polymers which show the same level of precision are not possible, even using controlled polymerization techniques. However, synthetic polymers can be supramolecularly engineered to introduce supramolecular functionalities at precise locations of a polymer chain, such as at the polymer termini or at the interface between two polymer blocks of a diblock copolymer. The Nelson group focuses on synthesizing and characterizing supramolecular polymeric materials comprised of well-defined self-assembling polymers for patterning applications.
