This article describes the use of supramolecular chemistry to design low-dimensional nanostructures at surfaces. In particular, it discusses the design strategies of two types of low-dimensional supramolecular nanostructures: structures stabilized by hydrogen bonds and structures stabilized by metal-ligand co-ordination interactions. After providing an overview of hydrogen-bond systems such as 0D discrete clusters, 1D chains, and 2D open networks and close-packed arrays, the article considers metal-co-ordination systems. It also presents experimental results showing that both hydrogen bonds and metal co-ordination offer protocols to achieve unique nanostructured systems on 2D surfaces or interfaces. Noting that the conventional 3D supramolecular self-assembly has generated a vast number of nanostructures revealing high complexity and functionality, the article suggests that 2D approaches can be applied to substrates with different symmetries as well as physical and chemical properties.
Using DNA Self-assembly Design Strategies to Motivate Graph Theory Concepts
