Concentric hollow multi-hexagonal platelets from a small molecule

Abstract

The creation of well-defined hollow two-dimensional structures from small organic molecules, particularly those with controlled widths and numbers of segments, remains a formidable challenge. Here we report the fabrication of the well-defined concentric hollow two-dimensional platelets with programmable widths and numbers of segments through constructing a concentric multiblock two-dimensional precursor followed by post-processing. The fabrication of concentric multi-hexagons two-dimensional platelets is realized by the alternative heteroepitaxial growth of two donor-acceptor molecules. Upon ultraviolet irradiation, one of the two donor-acceptor molecules can be selectively oxidized by singlet oxygen generated during the process, and the oxidized product becomes more soluble due to increased polarity. This allows for selective removal of the oxidized segments simply by solvent dissolution, yielding hollow multiblock two-dimensional structures. The hollow two-dimensional platelets can be utilized as templates to lithograph complex electrodes with precisely controlled gap sizes, thereby offering a platform for examining the optoelectronic performance of functional materials.