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Precise molecular ordering in discotic monolayers through supramolecular nanoarchitectonics.
Himangshu Paul1, Priyanka Priyadarshani Samal1, Nishant Kumar1
1Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Patna-801106, India. anayak@iitp.ac.in.
Nanoscale
|February 19, 2026
Summary
Researchers engineered molecular alignment in thin films using supramolecular nanoarchitectonics. This strategy precisely controls molecular orientation for advanced organic electronic materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Organic Electronics
Background:
- Achieving ordered molecular monolayers is crucial for organic electronics.
- Disc-shaped molecules with aromatic cores and alkyl chains are challenging to order.
- Existing methods struggle with precise control over molecular orientation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a strategy for precise control over molecular ordering in monolayers.
- To demonstrate face-on or edge-on alignment using tailored self-assembly.
- To engineer cooperative dipolar alignment in 2D organic architectures.
Main Methods:
- Supramolecular nanoarchitectonics approach.
- Design of ambipolar amphiphilic heterocoronene derivatives.
- Tailored self-assembly pathways at interfaces.
- Surface-pressure and surface-potential isotherm analysis.
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements.
Main Results:
- Achieved precise control over molecular alignment (face-on vs. edge-on).
- Oxadiazole linkers created robust, hydrophilic, face-on oriented monolayers.
- Parent heterocoronene showed hydrophobic, edge-on alignment.
- Enhanced elastic modulus and surface potential in oxadiazole-functionalized monolayers.
- Demonstrated in-plane dipolar reorganization driven by mesoscopic restructuring.
Conclusions:
- Established a molecular design principle for cooperative dipolar alignment.
- Provided guidelines for nanoarchitectonic control in monomolecular films.
- Opened pathways for organic ferroelectrics, dipolar electronics, and quantum-responsive interfaces.
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