Organic two-dimensional crystals (O2DCs), typically composed of π-conjugated building blocks, represent a class of synthetic layered polymeric materials that exhibit extended in-plane π-conjugation and/or interlayer electronic couplings. O2DCs comprise a broad class of 2D polymers/supramolecular polymers, 2D conjugated polymers or covalent-organic frameworks, and 2D conjugated metal-organic frameworks, which are synthesized either directly as a monolayer to few-layer nanosheets or as bulk crystals that are exfoliatable. O2DCs exhibit customizable topological structures and layer-dependent physical and chemical properties, providing a versatile material platform for exploring intriguing electronic and quantum phenomena. In the first part of my talk, I will present novel 2D polymerization methods together with design strategies aimed at achieving efficient 2D conjugation in specific 2D conjugated polymers, such as 2D poly(arylenevinylene)s and 2D poly(benzimidazobenzophenanthroline)-ladder-type structures. These 2D conjugated polymers provide a material platform for realizing high intrinsic carrier mobilities, which is crucial for future organic opto-electronic and spintronic devices. In the next part, I will present our recent progress in 2D conjugated metal-organic framework materials, highlighting their unique electronic and magnetic properties, quantum states, and applications in MOFtronics and beyond. In the following part, I will discuss on-water surface chemistry as a potent synthetic platform for O2DCs and their van der Waals heterostructures. A major focus will be on the surfactant-monolayer-assisted interfacial synthesis (SMAIS) method, which is now known for its high efficiency in the programmable arrangement of precursor monomers on the water surface and subsequent controlled 1D/2D polymerization. The distinct 2D crystal structures that offer tailorable conjugated building blocks and conjugation lengths, tunable pore sizes and thicknesses, and remarkable electronic structures, make these O2DCs highly promising for the electronic and quantum communities.  

Organic two-dimensional crystals (O2DCs), typically composed of π-conjugated building blocks, represent a class of synthetic layered polymeric materials that exhibit extended in-plane π-conjugation and/or interlayer electronic couplings. O2DCs comprise a broad class of 2D polymers/supramolecular polymers, 2D conjugated polymers or covalent-organic frameworks, and 2D conjugated metal-organic frameworks, which are synthesized either directly as a monolayer to few-layer nanosheets or as bulk crystals that are exfoliatable. O2DCs exhibit customizable topological structures and layer-dependent physical and chemical properties, providing a versatile material platform for exploring intriguing electronic and quantum phenomena. In the first part of my talk, I will present novel 2D polymerization methods together with design strategies aimed at achieving efficient 2D conjugation in specific 2D conjugated polymers, such as 2D poly(arylenevinylene)s and 2D poly(benzimidazobenzophenanthroline)-ladder-type structures. These 2D conjugated polymers provide a material platform for realizing high intrinsic carrier mobilities, which is crucial for future organic opto-electronic and spintronic devices. In the next part, I will present our recent progress in 2D conjugated metal-organic framework materials, highlighting their unique electronic and magnetic properties, quantum states, and applications in MOFtronics and beyond. In the following part, I will discuss on-water surface chemistry as a potent synthetic platform for O2DCs and their van der Waals heterostructures. A major focus will be on the surfactant-monolayer-assisted interfacial synthesis (SMAIS) method, which is now known for its high efficiency in the programmable arrangement of precursor monomers on the water surface and subsequent controlled 1D/2D polymerization. The distinct 2D crystal structures that offer tailorable conjugated building blocks and conjugation lengths, tunable pore sizes and thicknesses, and remarkable electronic structures, make these O2DCs highly promising for the electronic and quantum communities.