Free-standing, single-bilayer-thick polymeric nanosheets via spatially confined polymerization

Polymeric nanosheets organized by molecular building blocks bearing specifically oriented reactive groups provide abundant and versatile strategies for tailoring structure and chemical functionality periodically over extended length scales that complement graphene. Here we report the bulk synthesis of free-standing polymeric nanosheets via spatially confined polymerization from an elaborate 2D supramolecular system composed of two liquid-crystalline lamellar bilayer membranes of a self-assembled nonionic surfactant--dodecylglyceryl itaconate (DGI)--sandwiched by a water layer. By employing a covalent polymerization on the lamellar bilayer membranes, single-bilayer-thick (4.2 nm), and large area (greater than 100 μm(2)) polymeric nanosheets of bilayer membranes are achieved. The polymeric nanosheets could serve as a well-defined 2D platform for post-functionalization for producing advanced hybrid materials by introducing the reactions on the hydroxyl groups at the head of DGI on the outer surfaces.