Progress in synthetic 2D polymers obtained at the air/water interface

Abstract

Recent breakthroughs in the single crystal approach to synthetic 2D polymers have shifted the limelight onto these long-range ordered sheet-like polymers synthesized at the air/water interface, where one obtains them as laterally macroscopic monolayers without the need for exfoliation. The article presents the most recent monomers for this approach and shows an important analytical development in the field of structure elucidation as well as findings relevant to potential applications. The analytical development concerns an indirect method to establish crystallinity of 2D polymer monolayers based on a combination of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and a crystallization model. The more application-oriented aspects concern the use of ordered 1–1.5 nm thick monomer arrays for laser-triggered writing and for a novel type of lithography both based on a two-dimensional polymerization.