In recent times, significant attention has been paid to the development of functional coordination polymer gels (CPGs) from rationally designed low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) and metal ions. Coordination of metal ions to LMWGs provides an opportunity to emulate metal based redox, optical, electronic and magnetic properties in soft CPG materials. The metal-LMWG interactions allow controlled growth of CPGs with different nanostructures such as fibers, tubes, rings, ribbons and vesicles. Furthermore, the nanoscale periodicity of metal ions and LWMGs in CPGs is of paramount importance for different optoelectronic applications. The easy processability and dynamic nature of CPGs are explored for application in diverse fields, including drug-delivery, gas storage, optoelectronics, chemo-sensing, self-healing, etc. Also, by taking advantage of dynamic metal-ligand coordination bonds various stimuli-responsive multi-functional CPGs are developed. In this feature article, we cover important examples of newly developed CPGs, which show potential applications in different fields.

A new blue emissive gelator has been synthesized and its self-assembly with TbIII and EuIII results in coordination polymer gels, which show tunable emission based on stoichiometric control over LMWG:TbIII:EuIII.

The process of assembling astutely designed, well-defined metal-organic cube (MOC) into hydrogel by using a suitable molecular binder is a promising method for preparing processable functional soft materials. Here, we demonstrate charge-assisted H-bonding driven hydrogel formation from Ga3+-based anionic MOC ((Ga8(ImDC)12)12−) and molecular binders, like, ammonium ion (NH4+), N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine, guanidine hydrochloride and β-alanine. The morphology of the resulting hydrogel depends upon the size, shape and geometry of the molecular binder. Hydrogel with NH4+ shows nanotubular morphology with negative surface charge and is used for gel-chromatographic separation of cationic species from anionic counterparts. Furthermore, a photo-responsive luminescent hydrogel is prepared using a cationic tetraphenylethene-based molecular binder (DATPE), which is employed as a light harvesting antenna for tuning emission colour including pure white light. This photo-responsive hydrogel is utilized for writing and preparing flexible light-emitting display.

Bandgap engineering in donor–acceptor conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) is a potential way to increase the solar‐energy harvesting towards photochemical water splitting. Here, the design and synthesis of a series of donor–acceptor CMPs [tetraphenylethylene (TPE) and 9‐fluorenone (F) as the donor and the acceptor, respectively], F0.1CMP, F0.5CMP, and F2.0CMP, are reported. These CMPs exhibited tunable bandgaps and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water. The donor–acceptor CMPs exhibited also intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) absorption in the visible region (λmax=480 nm) and their bandgap was finely tuned from 2.8 to 2.1 eV by increasing the 9‐fluorenone content. Interestingly, they also showed emissions in the 540–580 nm range assisted by the energy transfer from the other TPE segments (not involved in charge‐transfer interactions), as evidenced from fluorescence lifetime decay analysis. By increasing the 9‐fluorenone content the emission color of the polymer was also tuned from green to red. Photocatalytic activities of the donor–acceptor CMPs (F0.1CMP, F0.5CMP, and F2.0CMP) are greatly enhanced compared to the 9‐fluorenone free polymer (F0.0CMP), which is essentially due to improved visible‐light absorption and low bandgap of donor–acceptor CMPs. Among all the polymers F0.5CMP with an optimum bandgap (2.3 eV) showed the highest H2 evolution under visible‐light irradiation. Moreover, all polymers showed excellent dispersibility in organic solvents and easy coated on the solid substrates.

For some professionally, vocationally, or technically oriented careers, curricula delivered in higher education establishments may focus on teaching material related to a single discipline. By contrast, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary teaching (MITT) results in improved affective and cognitive learning and critical thinking, offering learners/students the opportunity to obtain a broad general knowledge base. Chemistry is a discipline that sits at the interface of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) subjects (and those aligned with or informed by STEMM subjects). This article discusses the significant potential of inclusion of chemistry in MITT activities in higher education and the real-world importance in personal, organizational, national, and global contexts. It outlines the development and implementation challenges attributed to legacy higher education infrastructures (that call for creative visionary leadership with strong and supportive management and administrative functions), and curriculum design that ensures inclusivity and collaboration and is pitched and balanced appropriately. It concludes with future possibilities, notably highlighting that chemistry, as a discipline, underpins industries that have multibillion dollar turnovers and employ millions of people across the world.