The supramolecular crosslinking of polymer chains in water by specific, directional and dynamic non-covalent interactions has led to the development of novel supramolecular polymeric hydrogels. These aqueous polymeric networks constitute an interesting class of soft materials exhibiting attractive properties such as stimuli-responsiveness and self-healing arising from their dynamic behaviour and that are crucial for a wide variety of emerging applications. We present here a critical review summarising the formation of dynamic polymeric networks through specific non-covalent interactions, with a particular emphasis on those systems based on host–guest complex formation, as well as the characterisation of their physical characteristics. Aqueous supramolecular chemistry has unlocked a versatile toolbox for the design and fine-tuning of the material properties of these hydrogels (264 references).

Over the last few decades, the demand of polymeric structures with well‐defined features of different size, dimension, and functionality has increased from various application areas, including microelectronics, biotechnology, tissue engineering, and photonics, among others. The ability of light to control over space and time physicochemical processes is a unique tool for the structuring of polymeric materials, opening new avenues for technological progress in different fields of application. This article gives an overview of various photochemical reactions in polymers, photosensitive materials, and structuring techniques making use of light, and highlights most recent advances, emerging opportunities, and relevant applications.