ABSTRACT
Two-dimensional molecular assemblies that involve monolayers (monomer aggregates) and polymer membranes are expected to be promising nano soft-materials. Monolayers formed as monomer assemblies are of particular importance because of the following characteristics: (1) thickness can be controlled by monolayer level in nanometer scale; (2) functionalized monolayers can be stacked, and designing stratified layers is relatively easy; (3) no covalent bond formation is necessary to assemble the monomer molecules to form a monolayer, and the monolayer construction employs a “force balance” between some physical parameters, such as in-plane hydrophobic interactive force and interlayer interactive force. Since the monolayer formation requires no covalent bonds among the monomers, monolayer fabrication has two major benefits: production energy can be reduced, and resource compounds can be recycled after use with low energy. Very recently, therefore, these two benefits have been recognized in terms of new materials science and energetic interests. As for polymer layers, the interlayer interaction depends on noncovalent bonds, while the monomer molecules in the polymer layer are covalently bonded.
