From Flatland to Spaceland: Higher Dimensional Patterning with Two-Dimensional Materials.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Surface Engineering

Background:

• Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials offer unique properties not achievable with traditional bulk materials.
• Creating three-dimensional (3D) architectures from 2D materials unlocks novel functionalities.
• Existing methods for 3D structure fabrication are limited in scope and application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review emerging techniques for fabricating 3D structures from 2D nanomaterials.
• To highlight methods for creating complex out-of-plane surface topographies and patterned architectures.
• To explore the potential of these techniques for various applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of four key techniques: wrinkling/crumpling of sheets, encapsulation by nanosheet shells, origami/kirigami for programmed curvature, and 3D printing of 2D material suspensions.
• Focus on methods yielding periodic textures and patterns.
• Discussion of graphene and graphene oxide as primary building blocks, with consideration for other 2D materials and heterostructures.

Main Results:

• Demonstration of diverse methods for transforming 2D materials into 3D forms.
• Identification of techniques for precise control over surface topography and material architecture.
• Graphene-based approaches show significant promise for complex 3D nanostructures.

Conclusions:

• Emerging 3D fabrication techniques offer an alternative to conventional materials synthesis.
• These methods are expected to drive innovation in composites, stretchable electronics, energy storage, chemical barriers, and biomaterials.
• Further research into alternative 2D materials and heterostructures will expand the possibilities of 3D nanomaterial architectures.