Host-guest interaction-mediated aqueous polymerization-induced self-assembly and construction of functional materials

Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) has emerged as an efficient and facile technique for the preparation of block copolymer nano-assemblies. However, traditional aqueous PISA is often limited to specific monomer/solvent systems due to the poor solubility and dispersibility of hydrophobic monomers in the aqueous phase. By introducing supramolecular host-guest recognition interactions, the inherent supramolecular solubilization and dynamic reversibility not only enable the aqueous PISA of hydrophobic monomers but also endow the method with distinct green and sustainable characteristics. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in host-guest interaction-mediated aqueous PISA. We first elucidate the underlying polymerization and self-assembly mechanisms, followed by an analysis of the governing principles for morphology evolution and control, covering diverse structures such as nanotubes, nanosheets, monodisperse particles, and complex hierarchical architectures. Furthermore, this review highlights the innovative applications of functional materials derived from these systems in fields including colloidal photonic crystals, photothermal therapy, catalytic supports, and drug delivery. Finally, we discuss the outlook for broader and more intelligent applications of PISA-based functional materials in the future.