Synthesis and properties of polysulfide-containing supramolecular polymers

Abstract Polymeric materials are essential but typically petroleum-derived. Elemental sulfur, produced in excess during refining, remains underutilized despite 7 million tons stockpiled annually. Transforming this surplus into sulfur-based polymers supports sustainability and enables unique properties beyond carbon polymers. Conventional sulfur polymerization requires high temperatures, yielding unstable, poorly soluble products. This review highlights supramolecular sulfur polymers, where weak noncovalent interactions drive self-assembly, providing improved stability, solubility, and functionality, offering a promising route to sustainable, high-value polymeric materials.