Materials nanoarchitectonics at two-dimensional liquid interfaces

Abstract

Much attention has been paid to the synthesis of low-dimensional materials from small units such as functional molecules. Bottom-up approaches to create new low-dimensional materials with various functional units can be realized with the emerging concept of nanoarchitectonics. In this review article, we overview recent research progresses on materials nanoarchitectonics at two-dimensional liquid interfaces, which are dimensionally restricted media with some freedoms of molecular motion. Specific characteristics of molecular interactions and functions at liquid interfaces are briefly explained in the first parts. The following sections overview several topics on materials nanoarchitectonics at liquid interfaces, such as the preparation of two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks, and the fabrication of low-dimensional and specifically structured nanocarbons and their assemblies at liquid–liquid interfaces. Finally, interfacial nanoarchitectonics of biomaterials including the regulation of orientation and differentiation of living cells are explained. In the recent examples described in this review, various materials such as molecular machines, molecular receptors, block-copolymer, DNA origami, nanocarbon, phages, and stem cells were assembled at liquid interfaces by using various useful techniques. This review overviews techniques such as conventional Langmuir–Blodgett method, vortex Langmuir–Blodgett method, liquid–liquid interfacial precipitation, instructed assembly, and layer-by-layer assembly to give low-dimensional materials including nanowires, nanowhiskers, nanosheets, cubic objects, molecular patterns, supramolecular polymers, metal-organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks. The nanoarchitecture materials can be used for various applications such as molecular recognition, sensors, photodetectors, supercapacitors, supramolecular differentiation, enzyme reactors, cell differentiation control, and hemodialysis.

Zero-to-one (or more) nanoarchitectonics: how to produce functional materials from zero-dimensional single-element unit, fullerene

“…Please do not adjust margins Please do not adjust margins media appropriate for the fabrication of two-dimensional materials. 44 This idea can be applied to the preparation of fullerene-based two-dimensional nanoarchitectures. For example, fabrication of two-dimensional hexagonal nanosheets of C 60 molecules was first found by Sathish and Miyazawa who prepared C 60 hexagon nanosheets at the interface between toluene and isopropyl alcohol.…”

Progress in Molecular Nanoarchitectonics and Materials Nanoarchitectonics

“…Interfacial environments between two immiscible liquids would give encountering opportunities for molecular components with different solvent affinities. These situations are well suited to nanoarchitect two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) [ 99 , 100 , 101 ] and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) [ 102 , 103 , 104 ]. Drastic changes of component solubilities at liquid-liquid interfaces are used for materials nanoarchitectonics through liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation.…”

Molecular Architectonics‐Guided Fabrication of Superhydrophobic and Self‐Cleaning Materials

“…Tailoring the molecular assembly of scrupulously designed small functional molecules brings about hierarchical or unitary structures. [ 22,42,58–61 ] Both hierarchical or unitary structures may lead to the formation of superhydrophobic and self‐cleaning surfaces. [ 62 ] Not all artificially fabricated superhydrophobic surfaces show self‐cleaning effect, rather only those exhibit desired CAH and tilt angle values.…”