Special Issue on Smart Dynamic Supramolecular Interfaces

Introduction:

Materials science is entering a new era of intelligence, in which supramolecular materials combine dynamic reversibility, environmental responsiveness and functional integration to enable smart systems. Recent advances highlight their potential in adaptive adhesion, self-healing coatings and functional interfaces. Molecular recognition can regulate adhesion and deadhesion for underwater bonding and reversible bioelectronics, while dynamic covalent bonds and host-guest interactions extend the lifetime of coatings and devices.

Furthermore, supramolecular assembly enables tunable wetting, antifouling, lubrication and bioactivity, supporting antimicrobial surfaces, low-friction implants and cell-culture platforms. In particular, integration with artificial intelligence accelerates molecular design and interfacial property prediction. Particle self-assembly, interfacial sensing and phase separation provide precise routes to multiscale functional materials.

By integrating adhesion, catalysis, self-healing, lubrication, antifouling and sensing, smart dynamic supramolecular materials offer a basis for biomedical devices, smart coatings, soft robotics and sustainable interface technologies. This Special Issue of Supramolecular Materials presents recent breakthroughs and emerging directions in this field.

Topics Covered:

• Dynamic supramolecular adhesion and reversible bonding materials Adsorption and interfacial transport
• Self-healing supramolecular materials and smart coatings
• Supramolecular interfacial lubrication and low-friction systems
• Smart antifouling and bioactive supramolecular surfaces
• Molecular recognition-driven interfacial assembly and sensing
• Stimuli-responsive wetting and liquid-manipulating supramolecular surfaces
• Supramolecular particle self-assembly and hierarchical structure construction
• Interfacial phase separation and dynamic supramolecular systems
• Supramolecular catalysis and interfacial reaction regulation
• AI-driven supramolecular surface design and molecular recognition
• Dynamic adaptive interfacial materials and devices
• Supramolecular assembly-enabled multiscale functional interfaces

Important Deadline:

Submission deadline: 31 December 2026

Submission Instructions: 

Please read the [Guide for Authors] before submitting. All articles should be [submitted online], please select [Smart Dynamic Supramolecular Interfaces] on submission.

Guest Editors: 

Meng-jiao Cheng, ‌Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, chengmj@sjtu.edu.cn 

Bin Xue, ‌Nanjing University, China, xuebinnju@nju.edu.cn