Crystal Engineering - in Two Dimensions

In Two Dimensions

The study and formation of 2D architectures (i.e., molecularly thick architectures) has rapidly emerged as a branch of engineering with molecules. The formation (often referred as molecular self-assembly depending on its deposition process) of such architectures lies in the use of solid interfaces to create adsorbed monolayers. Such monolayers may feature spatial crystallinity in an investigated time-window, thus the terminology of 2D crystal engineering is well suited. However the dynamic and wide range of monolayer morphologies ranging from amorphous to network structures have made of the term (2D) supramolecular engineering a more accurate term. Specifically, supramolecular engineering refers to "(The) design (of) molecular units in such way that a predictable structure is obtained" or as "the design, synthesis and self-assembly of well-defined molecular modules into tailor-made supramolecular architectures".