Interfacial molecular assembly and surface patterning

Based on a brief review of the traditional surface patterning research, thi s article introduces the recent progress in the research on surface pattern ing via molecular self-assembly. Because the size scale of molecular self-a ssemblies is in the range of 1-100 nm, the method of molecular self-assembl y can easily lead to the construction of ordered structures in nanometer sc ale, and thus break through the size limit of traditional lithography. Some novel ways of molecular self-assembly for surface patterning are particula rly introduced in this review, including supramolecular architecture at int erface, chemisorption of dendron thoils, and surface aggregation of bolafor m amphiphiles. Provided that we know more and more about the basic principl es governing the surface morphology, it is believed that interfacial molecu lar assembly would be a very competitive supramolecular technique, and a po tential application in many fields such as surface property adjustment, org anic patterned devices, surface molecular recognition, and combinatorial ch emistry is greatly anticipated.