Hydrogen-bonded supramolecular crystal: A manual exoskeleton for bioentity

Engineering bioactive material allows scientists to access synergetic bionanoarchitectures and explore their newfangled applications. Hydrogen-bonded supramolecular crystals, such as hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs), are a class of burgeoning porous materials, orderly linked by discrete organic tectons. In the past three years, the attempt to engineer bioactive materials utilizing hydrogen-bonded supramolecular crystals has been conceptually verified and has received increasing attention at the intersection of chemistry, biological science, and materials science. In this perspective, we introduce this incipient yet useful supramolecular approach, with a special emphasis on the principles for the in situ growth of an HOF exoskeleton onto a bioentity, including enzymes, proteins, and large-sized cells. The practicability of the resultant biohybrids for biosensors, cell delivery, antibacterial treatments, and nanomotor applications is canvassed. In addition, we also discuss the challenges and the forward-looking directions. This perspective may provide timely nanotechnology to construct versatile bionic systems and inspire more interesting applications.