Polymer self-assembly can prepare various shapes and sizes of pores, making it widely used. The complexity and diversity of biomolecules make them a unique class of building blocks for precise assembly. They are particularly suitable for the new generation of biomaterials integrated with life systems as they possess inherent characteristics such as accurate identification, self-organization, and adaptability. Therefore, many excellent methods developed have led to various practical results. At the same time, the development of advanced science and technology has also expanded the application scope of self-assembly of synthetic polymers. By utilizing this technology, materials with unique shapes and properties can be prepared and applied in the field of tissue engineering. Nanomaterials with transparent and conductive properties can be prepared and applied in fields such as electronic displays and smart glass. Multi-dimensional, controllable, and multi-level self-assembly between nanostructures has been achieved through quantitative control of polymer dosage and combination, chemical modification, and composite methods. Here, we list the classic applications of natural- and artificially synthesized polymer self-assembly in the fields of biomedicine and materials, introduce the cutting-edge technologies involved in these applications, and discuss in-depth the advantages, disadvantages, and future development directions of each type of polymer self-assembly.

Coating technology, as a part of surface engineering, has shown remarkable potential in future industrial applications. With the continuous development and improvement of coating technology, coatings have gradually become an indispensable part of industrial manufacturing, possessing various excellent properties and characteristics, such as superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning, enhanced biological antibacterial properties, and improved corrosion resistance. Intelligent coatings are not only rigid barriers between substrates and the environment but also coatings designed to respond to the environment and improve coating life or achieve certain special functions through this response. Biomimetics is a discipline that studies the structure, function, and behavior of living organisms and applies them to engineering design. Combining bionics with intelligent coating materials can not only improve the performance and functionality of intelligent coatings but also create more intelligent coating materials. This paper includes advanced superhydrophobic intelligent coatings, anticorrosion intelligent coatings, biological antibacterial intelligent coatings, and other intelligent coatings with specific functions. We also provide a detailed overview of the preparation methods and technologies of various representative intelligent coatings, as well as their properties and applications, which will offer some valuable references for the development direction of future intelligent coatings.

Photonic crystals, which are important functional materials, are formed by the periodic arrangement of materials with different dielectric constants that have photonic bandgaps and localization properties. Their preparation methods are primarily physical and chemical. Physical methods include mechanical drilling, layer-by-layer stacking, and precision processing. Chemical methods primarily involve colloidal self-assembly methods. Various colloidal crystal self-assembly methods have been reported, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Photonic crystals have important applications in many fields, such as optical communications, information technology, energy, biomedicine, and sensors, including high-performance optical fiber fabrication, photonic chip development, and solar cell efficiency enhancement. This paper reviews the latest progress in the preparation of photonic crystals using physical and self-assembly methods. Currently, the preparation and application of photonic crystals have made significant achievements; however, there are still challenges in terms of preparation accuracy, efficiency, cost, and application integration technology. With the future development of science and technology, breakthroughs are expected in novel structural development, preparation process optimization, and cross-field integration, which will continue to promote the progress of photonic crystals and social development.

Silica microspheres (SMs) must possess the performances of desirable monodispersity, narrow particle size distribution, and high sphericity for preparing photonic crystals (PCs) and other materials such as microspheres reference material, etc. We have adopted the techniques of increasing reactant concentration and raising the temperature to improve the synthesis rate of SMs, gaining inspiration from the formation mechanism of ice crystals. SMs with uniform particle sizes (polydispersity index less than 0.05) and good spherical features were fabricated through homogeneous nucleation. The mathematical relationship between particle sizes of SMs and reactant concentrations is further fitted. High accuracy of the regression equation is verified by an F-test and verification experiment. Highly ordered PCs (the stacking fault is about 1.5%, and the point defect is about 10⁻³) with dense stacked opal structures have been obtained by self-assembly of SMs. In addition, highly ordered PCs (the stacking fault is about 3%, and the point defect is about 10⁻³) with non-dense packed opal structure and inverse opal structure were successfully prepared. PCs of inverse opal structure were used to examine their response characteristics to identify ethanol, exhibiting good performance. Our research may provide significant inspiration for the development of other sorts of microspheres.

Lanthanide/transition metal-doped luminescent materials are advanced materials with broad application potential. This type of material achieves control and optimization of luminescence performance by introducing lanthanide/transition metal ions into the host material and utilizing its unique electronic structure and optical properties. Luminescent materials are suitable for optical communication devices, biological imaging, and photodetectors. The combination of lanthanide/transition metals with various matrix materials provides a new platform for creating new chemical and physical properties in materials science and device applications. In this paper, we summarize the latest progress in the research of lanthanide/transition metal-doped luminescent materials and explain their roles in biological imaging, sensing, and optoelectronic applications. It starts with various synthesis techniques and explores how to cleverly incorporate rare earth/transition metals into various matrices, thereby endowing them with unique properties. Then, the advantages and disadvantages of each synthesis technique are discussed. Subsequently, the focus will be on functional strategies and their applications. Finally, strategies for lanthanide/transition metal ion-doped luminescent materials to address challenges are proposed, and insights from each section are summarized.

Responsive photonic crystals, as a class of intelligent photonic materials that can generate optical signals in response to external stimuli including temperature, pH, humidity, electric fields, magnetic fields, and specific molecules, exhibit great application potential in sensing and detection, drug delivery, environmental monitoring, and other fields. This is attributed to their unique tunable photonic band gaps and visual sensing characteristics. In this paper, we systematically review the main preparation methods, including the sol–gel method, photolithography, electrochemical deposition, self-assembly, and 3D printing, and compare the advantages and limitations of each method in terms of key performance indicators, cost, applicable material systems, and scalability for large-scale production. The design strategies of photonic crystals based on different response mechanisms are discussed in detail, revealing the structure–activity relationship between external stimuli and the modulation of photonic band gaps. Meanwhile, the typical applications of responsive photonic crystals in the sensing field are comprehensively summarized, with an emphasis on the latest advances in biomedical sensing, environmental monitoring, and intelligent detection. Finally, in view of the current challenges facing responsive photonic crystals, future development directions are prospected, which provides a reference for promoting the translation of responsive photonic crystals from laboratory research to industrial applications.