Stable, single-nanometer thin, and free-standing two-dimensional layers with controlled molecular architectures are desired for several applications ranging from (opto-)electronic devices to nanoparticle and single-biomolecule characterization. It is, however, challenging to construct these stable single molecular layers via self-assembly, as the cohesion of those systems is ensured only by in-plane bonds. We herein demonstrate that relatively weak noncovalent bonds of limited directionality such as dipole-dipole (-CN⋅⋅⋅NC-) interactions act in a synergistic fashion to stabilize crystalline monomolecular layers of tetrafunctional calixarenes. The monolayers produced, demonstrated to be free-standing, display a well-defined atomic structure on the single-nanometer scale and are robust under a wide range of conditions including photon and electron radiation. This work opens up new avenues for the fabrication of robust, single-component, and free-standing layers via bottom-up self-assembly.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6386556PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aav4489DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

free-standing layers
8
layers
5
supramolecular architectures
4
architectures molecularly
4
molecularly thin
4
thin robust
4
free-standing
4
robust free-standing
4
layers stable
4
stable single-nanometer
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!