Polymer functionalization by luminescent supramolecular gels

In this review, we describe luminescent supramolecular gels that are formed by the self-assembly of low-molecular-weight compounds, focusing specifically on glutamide-based derivatives. We have developed various glutamides as supramolecular gel-forming compounds, and their unique features are characterized by the fact that most of the derivatives can form nanofibrils based on highly ordered aggregation in aqueous and organic solutions. The aggregated states are often accompanied by supramolecular functions. For example, when the glutamide has an optically functional group, such as a fluorophore, the produced aggregates show unique optical functions such as enhanced chirality (circular dichroism), fluorescence with a large Stokes shift and circularly polarized luminescence. Interestingly, these functions can be achieved in polymer-mixed systems. Because the glutamides form nanofibrillar networks even in polymers, the obtained polymer composites remain transparent because of low light scattering. Supramolecular functions are introduced in the presence of glutamide aggregates. This paper also describes polymer functionalization with glutamide-based supramolecular gels and their applications in light management technologies.