Soft material nanoarchitectonics at interfaces: molecular assembly, nanomaterial synthesis, and life control

Abstract

A new conceptual paradigm that combines nanotechnology and other research disciplines, called “nanoarchitectonics”, has been established. Nanoarchitectonics can be achieved with contributions of atomic/molecular level manipulation, chemical synthesis/modification, self-organization/self-assembly, field-controlled arrangement, material fabrication, and bio-related techniques together with advanced knowledge and skills in nanoscience and nanotechnology. In particular, the dynamic nature of the nanoarchitectonics concept accords with soft material functionalization. Therefore, the nanoarchitectonics concept provides rational strategies to create functional materials with deep relations with molecular system designs that are especially useful for the development of novel functions of soft materials. In this review article, recent research efforts on soft material nanoarchitectonics at interfacial media are mainly focused. The presented examples are classified according to the following processes: (i) from molecules to two-dimensional material systems at the air–water interface; (ii) from interfacial assembly to hierarchical nanostructures with layer-by-layer assembly; (iii) from interfacial assembly to hierarchical nanostructures at the liquid–liquid interface; (iv) from material systems to life control at the interface.