Molecular Self-assembly - Two-dimensional Monolayers

Two-dimensional Monolayers

The spontaneous assembly of a single layer of molecules at interfaces is usually referred to as two-dimensional self-assembly. Early direct proofs showing that molecules can assembly into higher-order architectures at solid interfaces came with the development of scanning tunneling microscopy and shortly thereafter. Eventually two strategies became popular for the self-assembly of 2D architectures, namely self-assembly following ultra-high-vacuum deposition and annealing and self-assembly at the solid-liquid interface. The design of molecules and conditions leading to the formation of highly-crystalline architectures is considered today a form of 2D crystal engineering at the nanoscopic scale.