Noncovalent Aqua Materials Based on Perylene Diimides

ConspectusMost robust functional organic materials are currently based on polymers. These materials exhibit high stability, but once formed they are difficult to modify, adapt to their environment, and recycle. Materials based on small molecules that are held together by noncovalent interactions can offer an alternative to conventional polymer materials for applications that require adaptive and stimuli-responsive features. However, it is challenging to engineer macroscopic noncovalent materials that are sufficiently robust for practical applications.This Account summarizes progress made by our group towards the development of noncovalent “aqua materials” based on well-defined organic molecules. These materials are uniquely assembled in aqueous media, where they harness the strength of hydrophobic and π–π interactions between large aromatic groups to achieve robustness. Despite their high stability, these supramolecular systems can dynamically respond to external stimuli. We discuss design principles, fun...