Open AccessNano-thin 2D Soft Materials – Design Principles and Prospects
Author(s) -
Mykhailo Vybornyi,
Hao Yu,
Robert Häner
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chimia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2673-2424
pISSN - 0009-4293
DOI - 10.2533/chimia.2019.468
Subject(s) - supramolecular chemistry , nanotechnology , soft materials , nano , materials science , nanometre , soft matter , self assembly , work (physics) , energy transfer , polymerization , engineering physics , chemistry , mechanical engineering , polymer , physics , engineering , molecule , chemical engineering , composite material , colloid , organic chemistry
Established less than a decade ago, the fascinating field of two-dimensional (2D) soft materials is advancing continuously towards widespread recognition. After demonstrating the feasibility of obtaining nano-thin supramolecular sheets and morphologically related tubular objects, considerable efforts are being undertaken to explore the functional potential of soft nanosheets. Self-assembly is a major tool for the controlled formation of nanometre-sized 2D objects. In this account, we share our current understanding of the structural requirements to direct the self-assembly of water-soluble, negatively charged oligomers in 2D. The discussion covers some promising areas of utilization such as the reporting of weak mechanical perturbations, the assembly of light-harvesting antennae, the transfer of excitation energy and the polymerization of pre-organized assemblies. The systems presented in this work illustrate the potential of 2D supramolecular materials as complementary systems to their covalent counterparts.