Square-Micrometer-Sized, Free-Standing Organometallic Sheets and Their Square-Centimeter-Sized Multilayers on Solid Substrates

Bifacial Dye Membranes: Ultrathin and Free-Standing although not Being Covalently Bound

Layers of aligned dyes are key to photo-driven charge separation in dye sensitized solar cells, but cannot be exploited as rectifying membranes in photocatalysis to separate half-cells because they are not sufficiently stable. While impressive work on the fabrication of stable noncovalent membranes has been recently demonstrated, these membranes are inherently suffering from non-uniform orientation of the constituting dyes. To stabilize layers made from uniformly assembled and aligned dyes, they can be covalently cross-linked via functional groups or via chromophores at the expense of their optical properties. Here stable membranes from established dyes are reported that do not need to be elaborately functionalized nor do their chromophores need to be destroyed. These membranes are free-standing, although being only non-covalently linked. To enable uniform dye-alignment, Langmuir layers made from linear, water-insoluble dyes are used. That water-soluble charge transfer dyes adsorb onto and intercalate into the Langmuir layer from the aqueous subphase, thus yielding free-standing, molecularly thin membranes are demonstrated. The developed bifacial layers consist almost entirely of π-conjugated units and thus can conduct charges and can be further engineered for optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications.

Mechanics of free-standing inorganic and molecular 2D materials

The discovery of graphene has triggered a great interest in inorganic as well as molecular two-dimensional (2D) materials. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the mechanical characterization of free-standing 2D materials, such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), transition metal-dichalcogenides, MXenes, black phosphor, carbon nanomembranes (CNMs), 2D polymers, 2D metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Elastic, fracture, bending and interfacial properties of these materials have been determined using a variety of experimental techniques including atomic force microscopy based nanoindentation, in situ tensile/fracture testing, bulge testing, Raman spectroscopy, Brillouin light scattering and buckling-based metrology. Additionally, we address recent advances of 2D materials in a variety of mechanical applications, including resonators, microphones and nanoelectromechanical sensors. With the emphasis on progress and challenges in the mechanical characterization of inorganic and molecular 2D materials, we expect a continuous growth of interest and more systematic experimental work on the mechanics of such ultrathin nanomaterials.

Recent development of two-dimensional metal-organic framework derived electrocatalysts for hydrogen and oxygen electrocatalysis

Developing efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts with unique nanostructures is of great significance for improved electrocatalytic reactions, including the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted recent attention because of their unique dimension-related properties, such as ultrathin thickness, large specific surface area, and abundant accessible active sites that can act as good precursors for the derivation of a variety of nanocomposites as active materials in electrocatalysis and energy-related devices. In this review, we present recent developments in 2D MOF-derived nanomaterials for hydrogen and oxygen reactions in overall water-splitting and rechargeable Zn-air batteries. The advantages of various synthetic strategies are summarized and discussed in detail. Finally, we discuss the main challenges and future perspectives of the development of 2D MOF-derived electrocatalysts.

A Tetrakis(terpyridine) Ligand-Based Cobalt(II) Complex Nanosheet as a Stable Dual-Ion Battery Cathode Material

Inspired by the flexibility of the bottom-up approach in terms of selecting molecular components and thus tailoring functionalities, a terpyridine derivative (1,2,4,5-tetrakis(4-(2,2':6',2″-terpyridyl)phenyl)benzene) (Tetra-tpy) is synthesized and coordinated with Co(II) ion to self-assemble into a nanosheet Co-sheet by a facile interface-assisted synthesis. The bis(terpyridine)-Co(II) complex nanosheet formed not only shows good stability, but also features the layered structure and rich electrochemical activity inherited from the embedded Co(terpyridine)₂ motif. Thus, Co-sheet can serve as a cathode material for a dual-ion battery prototype, which exhibits a high utilization of redox-active sites, good cycling stability, and rate capability, thus expanding the potential application of this kind of easily prepared metal-complex nanosheets in the field of energy storage.

Creation of a two-dimensional polymer and graphene heterostructure

van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures generated by stacking of graphene with other two-dimensional (2D) crystalline sheets have produced a new class of "designer" materials which shows great promise for nanoscience and nanotechnology. However, the 2D sheets are obtained either from nature or synthesized by high-energy procedures, which preclude the design of their structures as well as properties from molecular design on demand. Here, we introduced a rationally designed 2D polymer (one-monomer unit thick, freestanding network composed of periodically linked monomers) as a component for heterostructure construction, and created a 2D polymer-graphene heterostructure. The heterostructure has a high chemical stability, and could be thermally stable up to 400 °C. In the heterostructure, the 2D polymer doped graphene without changing its intrinsic structure, leading to the enhancement of its electric conductivity by a factor of ∼2.5. This piece of work opens the door to tune the properties of graphene heterostructures with rational design for specific applications.

Photochemical Creation of Covalent Organic 2D Monolayer Objects in Defined Shapes via a Lithographic 2D Polymerization

In this work we prepare Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers with a trifunctional amphiphilic anthraphane monomer. Upon spreading at the air/water interface, the monomers self-assemble into 1 nm-thin monolayer islands, which are highly fluorescent and can be visualized by the naked eye upon excitation. In situ fluorescence spectroscopy indicates that in the monolayers, all the anthracene units of the monomers are stacked face-to-face forming excimer pairs, whereas at the edges of the monolayers, free anthracenes are present acting as edge groups. Irradiation of the monolayer triggers [4 + 4]-cycloadditions among the excimer pairs, effectively resulting in a two-dimensional (2D) polymerization. The polymerization reaction also completely quenches the fluorescence, allowing to draw patterns on the monomer monolayers. More interestingly, after transferring the monomer monolayer on a solid substrate, by employing masks or the laser of a confocal scanning microscope, it is possible to arbitrarily select the parts of the monolayer that one wants to polymerize. The unpolymerized regions can then be washed away from the substrate, leaving 2D macromolecular monolayer objects of the desired shape. This photolithographic process employs 2D polymerizations and affords 1 nm-thin coatings.

Coordination nanosheets (CONASHs): strategies, structures and functions

Nanosheets, which are two-dimensional polymeric materials, remain among the most actively researched areas of chemistry and physics this decade. Generally, nanosheets are inorganic materials created from bulk crystalline layered materials and have fascinating properties and functionalities. An emerging alternative is molecule-based nanosheets containing organic molecular components. Molecule-based nanosheets offer great diversity because their molecular, ionic, and atomic constituents can be selected and combined to produce a wide variety of nanosheets. The present article focuses on coordination nanosheets (CONASHs), a class of molecule-based nanosheets comprising organic ligand molecules and metal ions/atoms in a framework linked with coordination bonds. Following the Introduction, Section 2 describes CONASHs, including their definition, design, synthetic procedures, and characterisation techniques. Section 3 introduces various examples of CONASHs, and Section 4 explores their functionality and possible applications. Section 5 describes an outlook for the research field of CONASHs.

Two-dimensional light-emitting materials: preparation, properties and applications

We review the recent development in two-dimensional (2D) light-emitting materials and describe their preparation methods, optical/optoelectronic properties and applications.

Two-dimensional metal–organic framework nanosheets: synthesis and applications

Synthesis and applications of two-dimensional metal–organic framework nanosheets and their composites are summarized.

Exfoliation of two-dimensional polymer single crystals into thin sheets and investigations of their surface structure by high-resolution atomic force microscopy

The acid-assisted wet-chemical and the adhesive-tape induced micromechanical exfoliation of differently sized single crystals of a 2D polymer (approx. 20 μm and 100 μm) is shown to result in thin sheet stacks. Tuning of the thickness is achieved via duration and frequency of the exfoliation, respectively. A color code is established that correlates interference colors of sheet stacks on SiO₂(300 nm)/Si as observed under an optical microscope with their thicknesses measured by atomic force microscopy. This facilitates reliable monitoring of the exfoliation and quick identification of sheet stacks of a desired thickness. Furthermore, high resolution atomic force microscopy is applied to investigate the surfaces of starting crystals and both wet-chemically and micromechanically exfoliated sheet stacks aiming at exploring whether exfoliation proceeds with preservation of surface periodicity and with a low frequency of sheet rupturing. These investigations also aimed at uncovering possible point defects and domain (grain) boundaries in the surfaces. It appears that all investigated objects have a high molecular scale perfection and that both exfoliation methods proceed mild enough to largely preserve the molecular structure of the 2D polymer including the not covalently bonded template molecules being part of the crystal packing.

Coordination Nanosheets Based on Terpyridine-Zinc(II) Complexes: As Photoactive Host Materials

Photoluminescent coordination nanosheets (CONASHs) comprising three-way terpyridine (tpy) ligands and zinc(II) ions are created by allowing the two constitutive components to react with each other at a liquid/liquid interface. Taking advantage of bottom-up CONASHs, or flexibility in organic ligand design and coordination modes, we demonstrate the diversity of the tpy-zinc(II) CONASH in structures and photofunctions. A combination of 1,3,5-tris[4-(4'-2,2':6',2″-terpyridyl)phenyl]benzene (1) and Zn(BF₄)₂ affords a cationic CONASH featuring the bis(tpy)Zn complex motif (1-Zn), while substitution of the zinc source with ZnSO₄ realizes a charge-neutral CONASH with the [Zn₂(μ-O₂SO₂)₂(tpy)₂] motif [1-Zn₂(SO₄)₂]. The difference stems from the use of noncoordinating (BF₄^-) or coordinating and bridging (SO₄^2-) anions. The change in the coordination mode alters the luminescence (480 nm blue in 1-Zn; 552 nm yellow in 1-Zn₂(SO₄)₂). The photophysical property also differs in that 1-Zn₂(SO₄)₂ shows solvatoluminochromism, whereas 1-Zn does not. Photoluminescence is also modulated by the tpy ligand structure. 2-Zn contains triarylamine-centered terpyridine ligand 2 and features the bis(tpy)Zn motif; its emission is substantially red-shifted (590 nm orange) compared with that of 1-Zn. CONASHs 1-Zn and 2-Zn possess cationic nanosheet frameworks with counteranions (BF₄^-), and thereby feature anion exchange capacities. Indeed, anionic xanthene dyes were taken up by these nanosheets, which undergo quasi-quantitative exciton migration from the host CONASH. This series of studies shows tpy-zinc(II) CONASHs as promising potential photofunctional nanomaterials.

Recent Advances in Ultrathin Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials

Since the discovery of mechanically exfoliated graphene in 2004, research on ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials has grown exponentially in the fields of condensed matter physics, material science, chemistry, and nanotechnology. Highlighting their compelling physical, chemical, electronic, and optical properties, as well as their various potential applications, in this Review, we summarize the state-of-art progress on the ultrathin 2D nanomaterials with a particular emphasis on their recent advances. First, we introduce the unique advances on ultrathin 2D nanomaterials, followed by the description of their composition and crystal structures. The assortments of their synthetic methods are then summarized, including insights on their advantages and limitations, alongside some recommendations on suitable characterization techniques. We also discuss in detail the utilization of these ultrathin 2D nanomaterials for wide ranges of potential applications among the electronics/optoelectronics, electrocatalysis, batteries, supercapacitors, solar cells, photocatalysis, and sensing platforms. Finally, the challenges and outlooks in this promising field are featured on the basis of its current development.

Three-Legged 2,2'-Bipyridine Monomer at the Air/Water Interface: Monolayer Structure and Reactions with Ni(II) Ions from the Subphase

The behavior of compound 2 [1,3,5-tri(2,2'-bipyridin-5-yl)benzene] with three bipyridine units arranged in a star geometry is investigated in the presence and absence of Ni(ClO₄)₂. Its properties at the air-water interface as well as after transfer onto a solid substrate are studied by several techniques including Brewster angle microscopy, X-ray reflectivity, neutron reflectivity, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and atomic force microscopy combined with optical microscopy. It is found that compound 2 within the monolayers formed stays almost vertical at the interface and that at high Ni²⁺/2 (Ni²⁺/2 = 4000, 20'000) ratios two of the three bipyridine units of 2 are complexed, resulting in supramolecular sheets that are likely composed of arrays of linear metal-organic complexation polymers.

Wafer-sized multifunctional polyimine-based two-dimensional conjugated polymers with high mechanical stiffness

One of the key challenges in two-dimensional (2D) materials is to go beyond graphene, a prototype 2D polymer (2DP), and to synthesize its organic analogues with structural control at the atomic- or molecular-level. Here we show the successful preparation of porphyrin-containing monolayer and multilayer 2DPs through Schiff-base polycondensation reaction at an air-water and liquid-liquid interface, respectively. Both the monolayer and multilayer 2DPs have crystalline structures as indicated by selected area electron diffraction. The monolayer 2DP has a thickness of∼0.7 nm with a lateral size of 4-inch wafer, and it has a Young's modulus of 267±30 GPa. Notably, the monolayer 2DP functions as an active semiconducting layer in a thin film transistor, while the multilayer 2DP from cobalt-porphyrin monomer efficiently catalyses hydrogen generation from water. This work presents an advance in the synthesis of novel 2D materials for electronics and energy-related applications.

Synthetic Two-Dimensional Materials: A New Paradigm of Membranes for Ultimate Separation

Microporous membranes act as selective barriers and play an important role in industrial gas separation and water purification. The permeability of such membranes is inversely proportional to their thickness. Synthetic two-dimensional materials (2DMs), with a thickness of one to a few atoms or monomer units are ideal candidates for developing separation membranes. Here, groundbreaking advances in the design, synthesis, processing, and application of 2DMs for gas and ion separations, as well as water desalination are presented. This report describes the syntheses, structures, and mechanical properties of 2DMs. The established methods for processing 2DMs into selective permeation membranes are also discussed and the separation mechanism and their performances addressed. Current challenges and emerging research directions, which need to be addressed for developing next-generation separation membranes, are summarized.

MasterChem: cooking 2D-polymers

This review summarized the current state-of-the-art in the field of synthetic 2D-polymers showing different routes to prepare these polymers and their physical properties.

Two-dimensional polymers: concepts and perspectives

The emerging class of 2D polymers is explored from physicochemical, synthetic, and analytical viewpoints. Prospects for their properties are provided.

Free-Standing Monolayer Two-Dimensional Supramolecular Organic Framework with Good Internal Order

Utilizing dynamic self-assembly and self-sorting to obtain large-area, molecularly precise monolayered structures represents a promising approach toward two-dimensional supramolecular organic frameworks (2D SOF) or 2D supramolecular polymers. So far, related approaches suffer from small domain sizes, fragility and weak long-range internal order. Here we report on the self-assembly of a host-guest enhanced donor-acceptor interaction, consisting of a tris(methoxynaphthyl)-substituted truxene spacer, and a naphthalene diimide substituted with N-methyl viologenyl moieties as donor and acceptor monomers, respectively, in combination with cucurbit[8]uril as host monomer toward monolayers of an unprecedented 2D SOF. Featuring orthogonal solubility, the participating molecules self-assemble at a liquid-liquid interface, yielding exceptionally large-area, insoluble films, which were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and optical microscopy to be monolayers with a thickness of 1.8 nm, homogeneously covering areas up to 0.25 cm(2), and featuring the ability to be free-standing over holes of 10 μm(2). Characterization with ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering allowed for confirmation of a successful complexation of all three monomers toward an internal long-range order and gave indications to an expected hexagonal superstructure. Our results extend the existing variety of two-dimensional soft nanomaterials by a versatile supramolecular approach, whereas the possibility of varying the functional monomers is supposed to open adaptability to different applications like membranes, sensors, molecular sieves, and optoelectronics.

Mechanical and optical properties of ultralarge flakes of a metal-organic framework with molecular thickness

The isolation of 2D-materials is already a success for graphene, graphene oxide, boron nitride and a few clays or metal chalcogenides, however despite the fact that some of them show very interesting physical properties, they lack useful functionalities. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are multifunctional materials showing a wide range of physical and chemical properties that can be structurally designed by suitable selection of their building-blocks. This strategy may allow the production of layers with a variety of useful electronic and molecular recognition functionalities. Herein we isolate 2D-MOF flakes with areas of hundreds of square microns and an excellent control of the molecular thickness (from single up to ca. 50 layers). The samples exhibit such good photoluminescence and mechanical properties as to allow free-standing characterization of few layers' flakes.

Two-dimensional soft nanomaterials: a fascinating world of materials

The discovery of graphene has triggered great interest in two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials for scientists in chemistry, physics, materials science, and related areas. In the family of newly developed 2D nanostructured materials, 2D soft nanomaterials, including graphene, Bx Cy Nz nanosheets, 2D polymers, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and 2D supramolecular organic nanostructures, possess great advantages in light-weight, structural control and flexibility, diversity of fabrication approaches, and so on. These merits offer 2D soft nanomaterials a wide range of potential applications, such as in optoelectronics, membranes, energy storage and conversion, catalysis, sensing, biotechnology, etc. This review article provides an overview of the development of 2D soft nanomaterials, with special highlights on the basic concepts, molecular design principles, and primary synthesis approaches in the context.

Structure-determining step in the hierarchical assembly of peptoid nanosheets

Organic two-dimensional nanomaterials are of growing importance, yet few general synthetic methods exist to produce them in high yields and to precisely functionalize them. We previously developed an efficient hierarchical supramolecular assembly route to peptoid bilayer nanosheets, where the organization of biomimetic polymer sequences is catalyzed by an air-water interface. Here we determine at which stages of assembly the nanoscale and atomic-scale order appear. We used X-ray scattering, grazing incidence X-ray scattering at the air-water interface, electron diffraction, and a recently developed computational coarse-grained peptoid model to probe the molecular ordering at various stages of assembly. We found that lateral packing and organization of the chains occurs during the formation of a peptoid monolayer, prior to its collapse into a bilayer. Identifying the structure-determining step enables strategies to influence nanosheet order, to predict and optimize production yields, and to further engineer this class of material. More generally, our results provide a guide for using fluid interfaces to catalytically assemble 2D nanomaterials.

Self-Assembly of Conjugated Units Using Metal-Terpyridine Coordination

Due to their inherently dynamic natures and fascinating photoluminescent/photoelectronic properties, coordination compounds of metal ions and conjugated terpyridine ligands have attracted considerable attention as functional materials for a variety of potential applications. In this feature article, a summary of recent work toward the development of one- (1D), two- (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular polymers, networks, and metallomacrocycles based on zinc metal ion coordination of conjugated units bearing terpyridine ligands is presented, and it is shown how it fits within the overall framework of work in this field. Here, a sequential study from terpyridines as basic building blocks to their zinc-coordinated supramolecular 1D polymers, 2D macrocycles, and 2D and 3D networks is developed. These networks are compared with respect to their thermal stabilities, molecular organization, and linear and nonlinear optical properties. This work opens new prospects for the development of supramolecular chemistry of terpyridines and other transition metal ions, and also their application in future optoelectronic devices.