Epitaxial growth of molecular crystals on van der waals substrates for high-performance organic electronics

Excitons at the interface of 2D TMDs and molecular semiconductors

Van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) of vertically stacked two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals have been used to elicit intriguing phenomena stemming from strong electronic correlations, magnetic textures, and interlayer excitons spawned at the heterointerface. However, vdWHs comprised of heterointerfaces between these 2D atomic crystal lattices and molecular assemblies are emerging as equally intriguing platforms supporting properties to be harnessed for photovoltaic energy conversion, photodetection, spin-selective charge injection, and quantum emission. In this perspective, we summarize recent research examining exciton dynamics in heterostructures between semiconducting 2D transition metal dichalcogenides and molecular organic semiconductors. We discuss methods for assembly of these heterostructures, the nature of interlayer or charge-transfer excitons at transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD)-molecule interfaces, explicit exciton transfer between organics and TMDs, and other interfacial phenomena driven by the merger of these two material classes. We also suggest key new research directions extending the remit of these 2D atomic-molecular lattice heterointerfaces into the domains of condensed matter physics, quantum sensing, and energy conversion.

Anti-Ambipolar Heterojunctions: Materials, Devices, and Circuits

Anti-ambipolar heterojunctions are vital in constructing high-frequency oscillators, fast switches, and multivalued logic (MVL) devices, which hold promising potential for next-generation integrated circuit chips and telecommunication technologies. Thanks to the strategic material design and device integration, anti-ambipolar heterojunctions have demonstrated unparalleled device and circuit performance that surpasses other semiconducting material systems. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the achievements in the field of anti-ambipolar heterojunctions. First, the fundamental operating mechanisms of anti-ambipolar devices are discussed. After that, potential materials used in anti-ambipolar devices are discussed with particular attention to 2D-based, 1D-based, and organic-based heterojunctions. Next, the primary device applications employing anti-ambipolar heterojunctions, including anti-ambipolar transistors (AATs), photodetectors, frequency doublers, and synaptic devices, are summarized. Furthermore, alongside the advancements in individual devices, the practical integration of these devices at the circuit level, including topics such as MVL circuits, complex logic gates, and spiking neuron circuits, is also discussed. Lastly, the present key challenges and future research directions concerning anti-ambipolar heterojunctions and their applications are also emphasized.

Recent progress in emerging two-dimensional organic-inorganic van der Waals heterojunctions

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted significant attention in recent decades due to their exceptional optoelectronic properties. Among them, to meet the growing demand for multifunctional applications, 2D organic-inorganic van der Waals (vdW) heterojunctions have become increasingly popular in the development of optoelectronic devices. These heterojunctions demonstrate impressive capability to synergistically combine the favourable characteristics of organic and inorganic materials, thereby offering a wide range of advantages. Also, they enable the creation of innovative device structures and introduce novel functionalities in existing 2D materials, avoiding the need for lattice matching in different material systems. Presently, researchers are actively working on improving the performance of devices based on 2D organic-inorganic vdW heterojunctions by focusing on enhancing the quality of 2D materials, precise stacking methods, energy band regulation, and material selection. Therefore, this review presents a thorough examination of the emerging 2D organic-inorganic vdW heterojunctions, including their classification, fabrication, and corresponding devices. Additionally, this review offers profound and comprehensive insight into the challenges in this field to inspire future research directions. It is expected to propel researchers to harness the extraordinary capabilities of 2D organic-inorganic vdW heterojunctions for a wider range of applications by further advancing the understanding of their fundamental properties, expanding the range of available materials, and exploring novel device architectures. The ongoing research and development in this field hold potential to unlock captivating advancements and foster practical applications across diverse industries.

Surface-Guided Crystallization of Xanthine Derivatives for Optical Metamaterial Applications

Numerous bio-organisms employ template-assisted crystallization of molecular solids to yield crystal morphologies with unique optical properties that are difficult to reproduce synthetically. Here, a facile procedure is presented to deposit bio-inspired birefringent crystals of xanthine derivatives on a template of single-crystal quartz. Crystalline sheets that are several millimeters in length, several hundred micrometers in width, and 300-600 nm thick, are obtained. The crystal sheets are characterized with a well-defined orientation both in and out of the substrate plane, giving rise to high optical anisotropy in the plane parallel to the quartz surface, with a refractive index difference Δn ≈ 0.25 and a refractive index along the slow axis of n ≈ 1.7. It is further shown that patterning of the crystalline stripes with a tailored periodic grating leads to a thin organic polarization-dependent diffractive meta-surface, opening the door to the fabrication of various optical devices from a platform of small-molecule based organic dielectric crystals.

Revealing the key role of molecular packing on interface spin polarization at two-dimensional limit in spintronic devices

Understanding spinterfaces between magnetic metals and organic semiconductors is essential to unlock the great potentials that organic materials host for spintronic applications. Although plenty of efforts have been devoted to studying organic spintronic devices, exploring the role of metal/molecule spinterfaces at two-dimensional limit remains challenging because of excessive disorders and traps at the interfaces. Here, we demonstrate atomically smooth metal/molecule interfaces through nondestructively transferring magnetic electrodes on epitaxial grown single-crystalline layered organic films. Using such high-quality interfaces, we investigate spin injection of spin-valve devices based on organic films of different layers, in which molecules are packed in different manners. We find that the measured magnetoresistance and the estimated spin polarization increase markedly for bilayer devices compared with their monolayer counterparts. These observations reveal the key role of molecular packing on spin polarization, which is supported by density functional theory calculations. Our findings provide promising routes toward designing spinterfaces for organic spintronic devices.

Rubbing-free liquid crystal electro-optic device based on organic single-crystal rubrene

Liquid crystals (LCs) have been a vital component of modern communication and photonic technologies. However, traditional LC alignment on polyimide (PI) requires mechanically rubbing treatment to control LC orientation, suffering from dust particles, surface damage, and electrostatic charges. In this paper, LC alignment on organic single-crystal rubrene (SCR) has been studied and used to fabricate rubbing-free LC devices. A rubrene/toluene solution is spin-coated on the indium-tin-oxide (ITO) substrate and transformed thereafter to the orthorhombic SCR after annealing. Experimental result reveals that SCR-based LC cell has a homogeneous alignment geometry, the pretilt angle of LCs is low and the orientation of LCs is determined with capillary filling action of LCs. LC alignment on SCR performs a wider thermal tolerance than that on PI by virtue of the strong anchoring nature of LCs on SCR due to van der Waals and π-π electron stacking interactions between the rubrene and LCs. SCR-based LC cell performs a lower operation voltage, faster response time, and higher voltage holding ratio than the traditional PI-based LC cell. Organic SCR enables to play a role as weakly conductive alignment layer without rubbing treatment and offers versatile function to develop novel LC devices.

Commensurate Assembly of C60 on Black Phosphorus for Mixed-Dimensional van der Waals Transistors

2D crystals can serve as templates for the realization of new van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures via controlled assembly of low-dimensional functional components. Among available 2D crystals, black phosphorus (BP) is unique due to its puckered atomic surface topography, which may lead to strong epitaxial phenomena through guided vdW assembly. Here, it is demonstrated that a BP template can induce highly oriented assembly of C₆₀ molecular crystals. Transmission electron microscopy and theoretical analysis of the C₆₀ /BP vdW heterostructure clearly confirm that the BP template results in oriented C₆₀ assembly with higher-order commensurism. Lateral and vertical devices with C₆₀ /BP junctions are fabricated via a lithography-free clean process, which allows one to investigate the ideal electrical properties of pristine C₆₀ /BP junctions. Effective tuning of the C₆₀ /BP junction barrier from 0.2 to 0.5 eV and maximum on-current density higher than 10⁴  mA cm^-2 are achieved with graphite/C₆₀ /BP vertical vdW transistors. Due to the formation of high-quality C₆₀ film and the semitransparent graphite top-electrode, the vertical transistors show high photoresponsivities up to ≈100 A W^-1 as well as a fast response time under visible light illumination.

Heterointerface Engineering in Electromagnetic Absorbers: New Insights and Opportunities

Electromagnetic (EM) absorbers play an increasingly essential role in the electronic information age, even toward the coming "intelligent era". The remarkable merits of heterointerface engineering and its peculiar EM characteristics inject a fresh and infinite vitality for designing high-efficiency and stimuli-responsive EM absorbers. However, there still exist huge challenges in understanding and reinforcing these interface effects from the micro and macro perspectives. Herein, EM response mechanisms of interfacial effects are dissected in depth, and with a focus on advanced characterization as well as theoretical techniques. Then, the representative optimization strategies are systematically discussed with emphasis on component selection and structural design. More importantly, the most cutting-edge smart EM functional devices based on heterointerface engineering are reported. Finally, current challenges and concrete suggestions are proposed, and future perspectives on this promising field are also predicted.

Synthesis of Atomically Thin h-BN Layers Using BCl3 and NH3 by Sequential-Pulsed Chemical Vapor Deposition on Cu Foil

The chemical vapor deposition of hexagonal boron nitride layers from BCl₃ and NH₃ is highly beneficial for scalable synthesis with high controllability, yet multiple challenges such as corrosive reaction or by-product formation have hindered its successful demonstration. Here, we report the synthesis of polycrystalline hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) layers on copper foil using BCl₃ and NH₃. The sequential pulse injection of precursors leads to the formation of atomically thin h-BN layers with a polycrystalline structure. The relationship between growth temperature and crystallinity of the h-BN film is investigated using transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Investigation on the initial growth mode achieved by the suppression of precursor supply revealed the formation of triangular domains and existence of preferred crystal orientations. The possible growth mechanism of h-BN in this sequential-pulsed CVD is discussed.

Highly Sensitive and Ultrafast Organic Phototransistor Based on Rubrene Single Crystals

Rubrene single crystals have received a lot of attention for their great potential in electronic and wearable nanoelectronics due to their high carrier mobility and excellent flexibility. While they exhibited remarkable electrical performances, their intrinsic potential as photon detectors has not been fully exploited. Here, we fabricate a sensitive and ultrafast organic phototransistor based on rubrene single crystals. The device covers the ultraviolet to visible range (275-532 nm), and the responsivity and detectivity can reach up to ∼4000 A W^-1 and 10¹¹ jones at 532 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the response times are highly gate-tunable down to sub-90 μs, and the cutoff frequency is ∼4 kHz, which is one of the fastest organic material-based phototransistors reported so far. Equally important is that the fabricated device exhibits stable light detection ability even after 8 months, indicating great long-term stability and excellent environmental robustness. The results suggest that the high-quality rubrene single crystal may be a promising material for future flexible optoelectronics with its intrinsic mechanical flexibility.

Origin of Intense Luminescence from Supramolecular 2D Molecular Crystals

Luminescence enhancement in 2D molecular crystals (2D crystals) is promising for a variety of optical applications, yet the availability is limited because of unclear mechanism and inefficient design strategy of luminescence control. Herein, the room temperature phosphorescence from micron long molecular thin free-standing 2D crystals of a mono-cyclometalated Ir(III) complex designed at the water surface is reported. A large luminescence enhancement is observed from the 2D crystals at 300 K, which is comparable with the rigidified solution at 77 K suggesting room temperature phosphorescence origin of the luminescence. In situ synchrotron grazing incidence X-ray diffraction measurements determine the constituent centered rectangular unit cells with precise molecular conformation that promotes the formation of 2D crystals. The molecular crystal design leads to a reduced singlet-triplet energy gap (ΔE_ST ) and mixing of singlet-triplet states by spin-orbit coupling (SOC) for efficient intersystem crossing, which explains the phosphorescence origin at room temperature and luminescence enhancement. The supramolecular assembly process provides an elegant design strategy to realize room temperature phosphorescence from 2D crystals by rigid intermolecular interactions.

Ultrasmooth Organic Films Via Efficient Aggregation Suppression by a Low-Vacuum Physical Vapor Deposition

Organic thin films with smooth surfaces are mandated for high-performance organic electronic devices. Abrupt nucleation and aggregation during film formation are two main factors that forbid smooth surfaces. Here, we report a simple fast cooling (FC) adapted physical vapor deposition (FCPVD) method to produce ultrasmooth organic thin films through effectively suppressing the aggregation of adsorbed molecules. We have found that thermal energy control is essential for the spread of molecules on a substrate by diffusion and it prohibits the unwanted nucleation of adsorbed molecules. FCPVD is employed for cooling the horizontal tube-type organic vapor deposition setup to effectively remove thermal energy applied to adsorbed molecules on a substrate. The organic thin films prepared using the FCPVD method have remarkably ultrasmooth surfaces with less than 0.4 nm root mean square (RMS) roughness on various substrates, even in a low vacuum, which is highly comparable to the ones prepared using conventional high-vacuum deposition methods. Our results provide a deeper understanding of the role of thermal energy employed to substrates during organic film growth using the PVD process and pave the way for cost-effective and high-performance organic devices.

Angstrom-Scale Spectroscopic Visualization of Interfacial Interactions in an Organic/Borophene Vertical Heterostructure

Two-dimensional boron monolayers (i.e., borophene) hold promise for a variety of energy, catalytic, and nanoelectronic device technologies due to the unique nature of boron-boron bonds. To realize its full potential, borophene needs to be seamlessly interfaced with other materials, thus motivating the atomic-scale characterization of borophene-based heterostructures. Here, we report the vertical integration of borophene with tetraphenyldibenzoperiflanthene (DBP) and measure the angstrom-scale interfacial interactions with ultrahigh-vacuum tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (UHV-TERS). In addition to identifying the vibrational signatures of adsorbed DBP, TERS reveals subtle ripples and compressive strains of the borophene lattice underneath the molecular layer. The induced interfacial strain is demonstrated to extend in borophene by ∼1 nm beyond the molecular region by virtue of 5 Å chemical spatial resolution. Molecular manipulation experiments prove the molecular origins of interfacial strain in addition to allowing atomic control of local strain with magnitudes as small as ∼0.6%. In addition to being the first realization of an organic/borophene vertical heterostructure, this study demonstrates that UHV-TERS is a powerful analytical tool to spectroscopically investigate buried and highly localized interfacial characteristics at the atomic scale, which can be applied to additional classes of heterostructured materials.

FFCASP: A Massively Parallel Crystal Structure Prediction Algorithm

A new algorithm called Fast and Flexible CrystAl Structure Predictor (FFCASP) was developed to predict the structure of covalent and molecular crystals. FFCASP is massively parallel and able to handle more than 200 atoms in the unit cell (in other terms, it allows global optimization around 100 individual parameters). It uses a global optimizer specialized for Crystal Structure Prediction (CSP) which combines particle swarm and simulated annealing optimizers. Three different molecular crystals, including diverse intermolecular interactions, namely, cytosine, coumarin, and pyrazinamide, have been selected to evaluate the performance of FFCASP. While cytosine polymorphs have been searched by employing two different force fields (a DFT-SAPT based intermolecular potential and generalized amber force field (GAFF)) up to Z = 16, only GAFF has been used both in coumarin and pyrazinamide polymorph searches up to Z = 4. For these three molecular crystals, FFCASP generated more than 20 000 crystal structures, and the unique ones have been further treated by DFT-D3. A combination of data mining and a machine learning approach was introduced to determine the unique structures and their distribution into different clusters, which ultimately gives an opportunity to retrieve the common features and relations between the resulting structures. There are two known experimental crystal structures of cytosine, and both were successfully located with FFCASP. Two of the reported crystal structures of coumarin have been reproduced. Similarly, in pyrazinamide, three known experimental structures have been rediscovered. In addition to finding the experimentally known structures, FFCASP also located other low-energy structures for each considered molecular crystals. These successes of FFCASP offer the possibility to discover the polymorphic nature of other important molecular crystals (e.g., drugs) as well.

Tailoring the Optical Response of Pentacene Thin Films via Templated Growth on Hexagonal Boron Nitride

The optoelectronic properties of organic thin films are strongly dependent on their molecular orientation and packing, which in turn is sensitive to the underlying substrate. Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and other van der Waals (vdW) materials are known to template different organic thin film growth modalities from conventional inorganic substrates such as SiO₂. Here, the morphology and temperature-dependent optical properties of pentacene films grown on hBN are reported. Pentacene deposited on hBN forms large-grain films with a molecular π-face-on orientation unlike the dendritic edge-on thin-film phase on SiO₂. Pentacene/hBN films exhibit a 40 meV lower free exciton emission than pentacene/SiO₂ and an unconventional emission energy temperature dependence. Time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) decay measurements show a long-lived signal in the π-face-on phase related to delayed emission from triplet-triplet fusion. This work demonstrates that growth on vdW materials provides a pathway for controlling optoelectronic functionality in molecular thin films.

Double Negative Differential Resistance Device Based on Hafnium Disulfide/Pentacene Hybrid Structure

Recently, combinations of 2D van der Waals (2D vdW) materials and organic materials have attracted attention because they facilitate the formation of various heterojunctions with excellent interface quality owing to the absence of dangling bonds on their surface. In this work, a double negative differential resistance (D-NDR) characteristic of a hybrid 2D vdW/organic tunneling device consisting of a hafnium disulfide/pentacene heterojunction and a 3D pentacene resistor is reported. This D-NDR phenomenon is achieved by precisely controlling an NDR peak voltage with the pentacene resistor and then integrating two distinct NDR devices in parallel. Then, the operation of a controllable-gain amplifier configured with the D-NDR device and an n-channel transistor is demonstrated using the Cadence Spectre simulation platform. The proposed D-NDR device technology based on a hybrid 2D vdW/organic heterostructure provides a scientific foundation for various circuit applications that require the NDR phenomenon.

Van der Waals Bound Organic/2D Insulator Hybrid Structures: Epitaxial Growth of Acene Films on hBN(001) and the Influence of Surface Defects

Combining 2D materials with functional molecular films enables the fabrication of van der Waals bound organic/inorganic hybrids that are of interest for future device architectures. Recently, the 2D dielectric hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has received particular attention since exfoliation allows the preparation of crystalline layers which have been utilized as ultrathin dielectrics in electronic devices. Here, we have studied the formation and structure of molecular films of the prototypical organic semiconductors pentacene (PEN) and perfluoropentacene (PFP) on hBN. Special attention was paid to the influence of substrate surface defects on the film formation by comparing molecular films that were grown on hBN substrates of various quality, including single crystals (representing the most ideal surface), briefly ion bombarded substrates, and exfoliated flakes. While X-ray diffraction (XRD) yields precise information about the crystalline structure of films grown on (large) single crystals, it is hardly applicable to analyze the films formed on exfoliated flakes because of their small size. Here, we demonstrate that in the case of flakes detailed structural analyses of the molecular films are possible by combining atomic force microscopy (AFM) with microspot UV/vis spectroscopy and optical polarization microscopy. On well-ordered hBN single crystal surfaces both acenes form very smooth and epitaxial crystalline films where molecules adopt a recumbent orientation (even in 100 nm thick films). By contrast, both materials adopt an upright molecular orientation and different polymorphs on defective hBN surfaces and reveal distinctly different film morphologies. On exfoliated flakes, PFP shows a film structure similar to that on the hBN single crystals, while PEN films exhibit a structure as on defective hBN substrates. In addition, a pronounced decoration of defect steps, which are probably created by the exfoliation process, was observed for PEN leading to the formation of tall and extended fibers where molecules adopt a recumbent orientation. The present study reveals different robustness in film growth on exfoliated hBN flakes for various molecules, which has to be considered in their device integration, especially with regard to their optoelectronic properties such as light absorption or charge transport, which depend critically on the molecular orientation and crystalline order.

Interface Engineering in Organic Field-Effect Transistors: Principles, Applications, and Perspectives

Heterogeneous interfaces that are ubiquitous in optoelectronic devices play a key role in the device performance and have led to the prosperity of today's microelectronics. Interface engineering provides an effective and promising approach to enhancing the device performance of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and even developing new functions. In fact, researchers from different disciplines have devoted considerable attention to this concept, which has started to evolve from simple improvement of the device performance to sophisticated construction of novel functionalities, indicating great potential for further applications in broad areas ranging from integrated circuits and energy conversion to catalysis and chemical/biological sensors. In this review article, we provide a timely and comprehensive overview of current efficient approaches developed for building various delicate functional interfaces in OFETs, including interfaces within the semiconductor layers, semiconductor/electrode interfaces, semiconductor/dielectric interfaces, and semiconductor/environment interfaces. We also highlight the major contributions and new concepts of integrating molecular functionalities into electrical circuits, which have been neglected in most previous reviews. This review will provide a fundamental understanding of the interplay between the molecular structure, assembly, and emergent functions at the molecular level and consequently offer novel insights into designing a new generation of multifunctional integrated circuits and sensors toward practical applications.

2D-Organic Hybrid Heterostructures for Optoelectronic Applications

The unique properties of hybrid heterostructures have motivated the integration of two or more different types of nanomaterials into a single optoelectronic device structure. Despite the promising features of organic semiconductors, such as their acceptable optoelectronic properties, availability of low-cost processes for their fabrication, and flexibility, further optimization of both material properties and device performances remains to be achieved. With the emergence of atomically thin 2D materials, they have been integrated with conventional organic semiconductors to form multidimensional heterostructures that overcome the present limitations and provide further opportunities in the field of optoelectronics. Herein, a comprehensive review of emerging 2D-organic heterostructures-from their synthesis and fabrication to their state-of-the-art optoelectronic applications-is presented. Future challenges and opportunities associated with these heterostructures are highlighted.

Ubiquitous energy conversion of two-dimensional molecular crystals

Two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals have triggered significant excitement due to their rich physics as well as potential industrial applications. The possibility of a molecular counterpart with scalable processability and superior performance is intriguing from both fundamental and applied perspectives. Here, we present the freestanding 2D molecular charge-transfer bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene-C₆₀ crystals prepared by a modified Langmuir-Blodgett method, with precisely controlled few-layer thickness and centimeter-scale lateral dimension. The interconversion of intrinsic excited process, the long-range ordering and anisotropic stacking arrangement of the molecular layered crystals generate external stimuli responsive behaviors and anisotropic spin-charge conversion with magnetic energy conversion ability, as well as a superior UV photosensitivity. Moreover, the 2D freestanding crystals demonstrate superior magneto-electrical properties. These results suggest that a new class of 2D atomically thin molecular crystals with novel electronic, optical and magnetic properties have great potential for spintronic, energy and sensor applications.

Organic crystalline materials in flexible electronics

Flexible electronics have attracted considerable attention recently given their potential to revolutionize human lives. High-performance organic crystalline materials (OCMs) are considered strong candidates for next-generation flexible electronics such as displays, image sensors, and artificial skin. They not only have great advantages in terms of flexibility, molecular diversity, low-cost, solution processability, and inherent compatibility with flexible substrates, but also show less grain boundaries with minimal defects, ensuring excellent and uniform electronic characteristics. Meanwhile, OCMs also serve as a powerful tool to probe the intrinsic electronic and mechanical properties of organics and reveal the flexible device physics for further guidance for flexible materials and device design. While the past decades have witnessed huge advances in OCM-based flexible electronics, this review is intended to provide a timely overview of this fascinating field. First, the crystal packing, charge transport, and assembly protocols of OCMs are introduced. State-of-the-art construction strategies for aligned/patterned OCM on/into flexible substrates are then discussed in detail. Following this, advanced OCM-based flexible devices and their potential applications are highlighted. Finally, future directions and opportunities for this field are proposed, in the hope of providing guidance for future research.

Growth of two-dimensional materials on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)

With its atomically smooth surface yet no dangling bond, chemical inertness and high temperature sustainability, the insulating hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) can be an ideal substrate for two-dimensional (2D) material growth and device measurement. In this review, research progress on the chemical growth of 2D materials on h-BN has been summarized, such as chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam epitaxy of graphene and various transition metal dichalcogenides. Further, stacking of the as-grown 2D materials relative to h-BN, thermal expansion matching between the deposited materials and h-BN, electrical property of 2D materials on h-BN have been discussed in detail.

Charge injection and transport properties of large area organic junctions based on aryl thin films covalently attached to a multilayer graphene electrode

The quantum interaction between molecules and electrode materials at molecule/electrode interfaces is a major ingredient in the electron transport properties of organic junctions. Driven by the coupling strength between the two materials, it results mainly in the broadening and energy shift of the interacting molecular orbitals. Using new electrode materials, such as the recently developed semi-conducting two-dimensional nanomaterials, has become a significant advancement in the field of molecular/organic electronics that opens new possibilities for controlling the interfacial electronic properties and thus the charge injection properties. In this article, we report the use of atomically thin two-dimensional multilayer graphene films as the base electrode in organic junctions with a vertical architecture. The interfacial electronic structure dominated by the covalent bonding between bis-thienyl benzene diazonium-based molecules and the multilayer graphene electrode has been probed by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and the results are compared with those obtained on junctions with standard Au electrodes. Room temperature injection properties of such interfaces have also been explored by electron transport measurements. We find that, despite strong variations of the density of states, the Fermi energy and the injection barriers, both organic junctions with Au base electrodes and multilayer graphene base electrodes show similar electronic responses. We explain this observation by the strong orbital coupling occurring at the bottom electrode/bis-thienyl benzene molecule interface and by the pinning of the hybridized molecular orbitals.

Two-dimensional semiconductor transition metal based chalcogenide based heterostructures for water splitting applications

Recent research and development is focused in an intensive manner to increase the efficiency of solar energy conversion into electrical energy via photovoltaics and photo-electrochemical reactions.

Millimeter-Sized Two-Dimensional Molecular Crystalline Semiconductors with Precisely Defined Molecular Layers via Interfacial-Interaction-Modulated Self-Assembly

The newly emerging field in organic electronics is to control the molecule-substrate interface properties at a two-dimensional (2D) limit via interfacial interactions, which paves the way for driving the molecular assembly for highly ordered 2D molecular crystalline films with precise molecular layers and large-area uniformity. Here, by exploiting molecule-substrate van der Waals (vdW) interactions, we demonstrate thermally induced self-assembly of 2D organic crystalline films exhibiting well-defined molecular layer number over a millimeter-sized area. The organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with bilayer films show excellent electrical performance with a maximum mobility of 12.8 cm² V^-1 s^-1. Moreover, we find that the monolayer films can act as interfacial molecular templates to construct heterojunctions with well-balanced ambipolar transport behaviors. The capability of thermally induced self-assembly of 2D molecular crystalline films with controllable molecular layers and scale-up coverage opens up a way for realizing complicated electronic applications, such as lateral heterojunctions and superlattices.

Recent Progress and Future Prospects of 2D-Based Photodetectors

Conventional semiconductors such as silicon- and indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs)-based photodetectors have encountered a bottleneck in modern electronics and photonics in terms of spectral coverage, low resolution, nontransparency, nonflexibility, and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) incompatibility. New emerging two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and their hybrid systems thereof, however, can circumvent all these issues benefitting from mechanically flexibility, extraordinary electronic and optical properties, as well as wafer-scale production and integration. Heterojunction-based photodiodes based on 2D materials offer ultrafast and broadband response from the visible to far-infrared range. Phototransistors based on 2D hybrid systems combined with other material platforms such as quantum dots, perovskites, organic materials, or plasmonic nanostructures yield ultrasensitive and broadband light-detection capabilities. Notably the facile integration of 2D photodetectors on silicon photonics or CMOS platforms paves the way toward high-performance, low-cost, broadband sensing and imaging modalities.

Molecules on rails: friction anisotropy and preferential sliding directions of organic nanocrystallites on two-dimensional materials

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are envisaged as ultra-thin solid lubricants for nanomechanical systems. So far, their frictional properties at the nanoscale have been studied by standard friction force microscopy. However, lateral manipulation of nanoparticles is a more suitable method to study the dependence of friction on the crystallography of two contacting surfaces. Still, such experiments are lacking. In this study, we combine atomic force microscopy (AFM) based lateral manipulation and molecular dynamics simulations in order to investigate the movements of organic needle-like nanocrystallites grown by van der Waals epitaxy on graphene and hexagonal boron nitride. We observe that nanoneedle fragments - when pushed by an AFM tip - do not move along the original pushing directions. Instead, they slide on the 2D materials preferentially along the needles' growth directions, which act as invisible rails along commensurate directions. Further, when the nanocrystallites were rotated by applying a torque with the AFM tip across the preferential sliding directions, we find an increase of the torsional signal of the AFM cantilever. We demonstrate in conjunction with simulations that both, the significant friction anisotropy and preferential sliding directions are determined by the complex epitaxial relation and arise from the commensurate and incommensurate states between the organic nanocrystallites and the 2D materials.

One-Dimensional Assembly on Two-Dimensions: AuCN Nanowire Epitaxy on Graphene for Hybrid Phototransistors

The van der Waals epitaxy of functional materials provides an interesting and efficient way to manipulate the electrical properties of various hybrid two-dimensional (2D) systems. Here we show the controlled epitaxial assembly of semiconducting one-dimensional (1D) atomic chains, AuCN, on graphene and investigate the electrical properties of 1D/2D van der Waals heterostructures. AuCN nanowire assembly is tuned by different growth conditions, although the epitaxial alignment between AuCN chains and graphene remains unchanged. The switching of the preferred nanowire growth axis indicates that diffusion kinetics affects the nanowire formation process. Semiconducting AuCN chains endow the 1D/2D hybrid system with a strong responsivity to photons with an energy above 2.7 eV, which is consistent with the bandgap of AuCN. A large UV response (responsivity ∼10⁴ A/W) was observed under illumination using 3.1 eV (400 nm) photons. Our study clearly demonstrates that 1D chain-structured semiconductors can play a crucial role as a component in multifunctional van der Waals heterostructures.

Molecular chemistry approaches for tuning the properties of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors, such as ultrathin layers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), offer a unique combination of electronic, optical and mechanical properties, and hold potential to enable a host of new device applications spanning from flexible/wearable (opto)electronics to energy-harvesting and sensing technologies. A critical requirement for developing practical and reliable electronic devices based on semiconducting TMDs consists in achieving a full control over their charge-carrier polarity and doping. Inconveniently, such a challenging task cannot be accomplished by means of well-established doping techniques (e.g. ion implantation and diffusion), which unavoidably damage the 2D crystals resulting in degraded device performances. Nowadays, a number of alternatives are being investigated, including various (supra)molecular chemistry approaches relying on the combination of 2D semiconductors with electroactive donor/acceptor molecules. As yet, a large variety of molecular systems have been utilized for functionalizing 2D TMDs via both covalent and non-covalent interactions. Such research endeavours enabled not only the tuning of the charge-carrier doping but also the engineering of the optical, electronic, magnetic, thermal and sensing properties of semiconducting TMDs for specific device applications. Here, we will review the most enlightening recent advancements in experimental (supra)molecular chemistry methods for tailoring the properties of atomically-thin TMDs - in the form of substrate-supported or solution-dispersed nanosheets - and we will discuss the opportunities and the challenges towards the realization of novel hybrid materials and devices based on 2D semiconductors and molecular systems.

Supramolecular Assemblies on Surfaces: Nanopatterning, Functionality, and Reactivity

Understanding how molecules interact to form large-scale hierarchical structures on surfaces holds promise for building designer nanoscale constructs with defined chemical and physical properties. Here, we describe early advances in this field and highlight upcoming opportunities and challenges. Both direct intermolecular interactions and those that are mediated by coordinated metal centers or substrates are discussed. These interactions can be additive, but they can also interfere with each other, leading to new assemblies in which electrical potentials vary at distances much larger than those of typical chemical interactions. Earlier spectroscopic and surface measurements have provided partial information on such interfacial effects. In the interim, scanning probe microscopies have assumed defining roles in the field of molecular organization on surfaces, delivering deeper understanding of interactions, structures, and local potentials. Self-assembly is a key strategy to form extended structures on surfaces, advancing nanolithography into the chemical dimension and providing simultaneous control at multiple scales. In parallel, the emergence of graphene and the resulting impetus to explore 2D materials have broadened the field, as surface-confined reactions of molecular building blocks provide access to such materials as 2D polymers and graphene nanoribbons. In this Review, we describe recent advances and point out promising directions that will lead to even greater and more robust capabilities to exploit designer surfaces.

Hexagonal Boron Nitride Functionalized with Au Nanoparticles-Properties and Potential Biological Applications

Hexagonal boron nitride is often referred to as white graphene. This is a 2D layered material, with a structure similar to graphene. It has gained many applications in cosmetics, dental cements, ceramics etc. Hexagonal boron nitride is also used in medicine, as a drug carrier similar as graphene or graphene oxide. Here we report that this material can be exfoliated in two steps: chemical treatment (via modified Hummers method) followed by the sonication treatment. Afterwards, the surface of the obtained material can be efficiently functionalized with gold nanoparticles. The mitochondrial activity was not affected in L929 and MCF-7 cell line cultures during 24-h incubation, whereas longer incubation (for 48, and 72 h) with this nanocomposite affected the cellular metabolism. Lysosome functionality, analyzed using the NR uptake assay, was also reduced in both cell lines. Interestingly, the rate of MCF-7 cell proliferation was reduced when exposed to h-BN loaded with gold nanoparticles. It is believed that h-BN nanocomposite with gold nanoparticles is an attractive material for cancer drug delivery and photodynamic therapy in cancer killing.

Protection of Molecular Microcrystals by Encapsulation under Single-Layer Graphene

Microcrystals composed of the conjugated organic molecule perylene can be encapsulated beneath single-layer graphene using mild conditions. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy images show that the graphene exists as a conformal coating on top of the crystal. Raman spectroscopy indicates that the graphene is only slightly perturbed by the underlying crystal, probably due to strain. The graphene layer provides complete protection from a variety of solvents and prevents sublimation of the crystal at elevated temperatures. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements do not detect any quenching of the perylene emission by the graphene layer, although nonradiative energy transfer within a few nanometers of the crystal-graphene interface cannot be ruled out. The ability to encapsulate samples on a substrate under a graphene monolayer may provide a new way to access and interact with the organic crystal under ambient conditions.

Free-Standing 2D Hexagonal Aluminum Nitride Dielectric Crystals for High-Performance Organic Field-Effect Transistors

The existence of defects and traps in a transistor plays an adverse role on efficient charge transport. In response to this challenge, extensive research has been conducted on semiconductor crystalline materials in the past decades. However, the development of dielectric crystals for transistors is still in its infancy due to the lack of appropriate dielectric crystalline materials and, most importantly, the crystal morphology required by the gate dielectric layer, which is also crucial for the construction of high-performance transistor as it can greatly improve the interfacial quality of carrier transport path. Here, a new type of dielectric crystal of hexagonal aluminum nitride (AlN) with the desired 2D morphology of combing thin thickness with large lateral dimension is synthesized. Such a suitable morphology in combination with the outstanding dielectric properties of AlN makes it promising as a gate dielectric for transistors. Furthermore, ultrathin 2,6-diphenylanthracene molecular crystals with only a few molecular layers can be prepared on AlN crystal via van der Waals epitaxy. As a result, this all-crystalline system incorporating dielectric and semiconductor crystals greatly enhances the overall performance of a transistor, indicating the importance of minimizing defects and preparing high-quality semiconductor/dielectric interface in a transistor configuration.

When 2D Materials Meet Molecules: Opportunities and Challenges of Hybrid Organic/Inorganic van der Waals Heterostructures

van der Waals heterostructures, composed of vertically stacked inorganic 2D materials, represent an ideal platform to demonstrate novel device architectures and to fabricate on-demand materials. The incorporation of organic molecules within these systems holds an immense potential, since, while nature offers a finite number of 2D materials, an almost unlimited variety of molecules can be designed and synthesized with predictable functionalities. The possibilities offered by systems in which continuous molecular layers are interfaced with inorganic 2D materials to form hybrid organic/inorganic van der Waals heterostructures are emphasized. Similar to their inorganic counterpart, the hybrid structures have been exploited to put forward novel device architectures, such as antiambipolar transistors and barristors. Moreover, specific molecular groups can be employed to modify intrinsic properties and confer new capabilities to 2D materials. In particular, it is highlighted how molecular self-assembly at the surface of 2D materials can be mastered to achieve precise control over position and density of (molecular) functional groups, paving the way for a new class of hybrid functional materials whose final properties can be selected by careful molecular design.

Organic semiconductor crystals

A comprehensive overview of organic semiconductor crystals is provided, including the physicochemical features, the control of crystallization and the device physics.

Highly mobile charge-transfer excitons in two-dimensional WS2/tetracene heterostructures

Charge-transfer (CT) excitons at heterointerfaces play a critical role in light to electricity conversion using organic and nanostructured materials. However, how CT excitons migrate at these interfaces is poorly understood. We investigate the formation and transport of CT excitons in two-dimensional WS₂/tetracene van der Waals heterostructures. Electron and hole transfer occurs on the time scale of a few picoseconds, and emission of interlayer CT excitons with a binding energy of ~0.3 eV has been observed. Transport of the CT excitons is directly measured by transient absorption microscopy, revealing coexistence of delocalized and localized states. Trapping-detrapping dynamics between the delocalized and localized states leads to stretched-exponential photoluminescence decay with an average lifetime of ~2 ns. The delocalized CT excitons are remarkably mobile with a diffusion constant of ~1 cm² s^-1. These highly mobile CT excitons could have important implications in achieving efficient charge separation.

Charge Transfer Exciton and Spin Flipping at Organic-Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide Interfaces

Two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMD) can be combined with other materials such as organic small molecules to form hybrid van der Waals heterostructures. Because of different properties possessed by these two materials, the hybrid interface can exhibit properties that cannot be found in either of the materials. In this work, the zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc)-molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) interface is used as a model system to study the charge transfer at these interfaces. It is found that the optically excited singlet exciton in ZnPc transfers its electron to MoS₂ in 80 fs after photoexcitation to form a charge transfer exciton. However, back electron transfer occurs on the time scale of ∼1-100 ps, which results in the formation of a triplet exciton in the ZnPc layer. This relatively fast singlet-triplet transition is feasible because of the large singlet-triplet splitting in organic materials and the strong spin-orbit coupling in TMD crystals. The back electron transfer would reduce the yield of free carrier generation at the heterojunction if it is not avoided. On the other hand, the spin-selective back electron transfer could be used to manipulate electron spin in hybrid electronic devices.

Rotational superstructure in van der Waals heterostructure of self-assembled C60 monolayer on the WSe2 surface

Hybrid van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures composed of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials and self-assembled organic molecules are promising systems for electronic and optoelectronic applications with enhanced properties and performance. Control of molecular assembly is therefore paramount to fundamentally understand the nucleation, ordering, alignment, and electronic interaction of organic molecules with 2D materials. Here, we report the formation and detailed study of highly ordered, crystalline monolayers of C₆₀ molecules self-assembled on the surface of WSe₂ in well-ordered arrays with large grain sizes (∼5 μm). Using high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we observe a periodic 2 × 2 superstructure in the C₆₀ monolayer and identify four distinct molecular appearances. Using vdW-corrected ab initio density functional theory (DFT) simulations, we determine that the interplay between vdW and Coulomb interactions as well as adsorbate-adsorbate and adsorbate-substrate interactions results in specific rotational arrangements of the molecules forming the superstructure. The orbital ordering through the relative positions of bonds in adjacent molecules creates a charge redistribution that links the molecule units in a long-range network. This rotational superstructure extends throughout the self-assembled monolayer and opens a pathway towards engineering aligned hybrid organic/inorganic vdW heterostructures with 2D layered materials in a precise and controlled way.

Probing charge transfer between molecular semiconductors and graphene

The unique density of states and exceptionally low electrical noise allow graphene-based field effect devices to be utilized as extremely sensitive potentiometers for probing charge transfer with adsorbed species. On the other hand, molecular level alignment at the interface with electrodes can strongly influence the performance of organic-based devices. For this reason, interfacial band engineering is crucial for potential applications of graphene/organic semiconductor heterostructures. Here, we demonstrate charge transfer between graphene and two molecular semiconductors, parahexaphenyl and buckminsterfullerene C₆₀. Through in-situ measurements, we directly probe the charge transfer as the interfacial dipoles are formed. It is found that the adsorbed molecules do not affect electron scattering rates in graphene, indicating that charge transfer is the main mechanism governing the level alignment. From the amount of transferred charge and the molecular coverage of the grown films, the amount of charge transferred per adsorbed molecule is estimated, indicating very weak interaction.

Anomalous Ambipolar Transport of Organic Semiconducting Crystals via Control of Molecular Packing Structures

Organic crystals deposited on 2-dimensional (2D) van der Waals substrates have been widely investigated due to their unprecedented crystal structures and electrical properties. van der Waals interaction between organic molecules and the substrate induces epitaxial growth of high quality organic crystals and their anomalous crystal morphologies. Here, we report on unique ambipolar charge transport of a "lying-down" pentacene crystal grown on a 2D hexagonal boron nitride van der Waals substrate. From in-depth analysis on crystal growth behavior and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy measurement, it is revealed that the pentacene crystal at the initial growth stage have a lattice-strained packing structure and unique energy band structure with a deep highest occupied molecular orbital level compared to conventional "standing-up" crystals. The lattice-strained pentacene few layers enable ambipolar charge transport in field-effect transistors with balanced hole and electron field-effect mobilities. Complementary logic circuits composed of the two identical transistors show clear inverting functionality with a high gain up to 15. The interesting crystal morphology of organic crystals on van der Waals substrates is expected to attract broad attentions on organic/2D interfaces for their electronic applications.

Tunable two-dimensional interfacial coupling in molecular heterostructures

Two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures are of considerable interest for the next generation nanoelectronics because of their unique interlayer coupling and optoelectronic properties. Here, we report a modified Langmuir-Blodgett method to organize two-dimensional molecular charge transfer crystals into arbitrarily and vertically stacked heterostructures, consisting of bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF)/C₆₀ and poly(3-dodecylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3DDT)/C₆₀ nanosheets. A strong and anisotropic interfacial coupling between the charge transfer pairs is demonstrated. The van der Waals heterostructures exhibit pressure dependent sensitivity with a high piezoresistance coefficient of -4.4 × 10^-6 Pa^-1, and conductance and capacitance tunable by external stimuli (ferroelectric field and magnetic field). Density functional theory calculations confirm charge transfer between the n-orbitals of the S atoms in BEDT-TTF of the BEDT-TTF/C₆₀ layer and the π* orbitals of C atoms in C₆₀ of the P3DDT/C₆₀ layer contribute to the inter-complex CT. The two-dimensional molecular van der Waals heterostructures with tunable optical-electronic-magnetic coupling properties are promising for flexible electronic applications.Two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures are of interest due to their unique interlayer coupling and optoelectronic properties. Here authors develop a Langmuir-Blodgett method to organize charge transfer molecular heterostructures with externally tunable conductance and capacitance and broadband photoresponse.

Molecular Arrangement and Charge Transfer in C60/Graphene Heterostructures

Charge transfer at the interface between dissimilar materials is at the heart of electronics and photovoltaics. Here we study the molecular orientation, electronic structure, and local charge transfer at the interface region of C₆₀ deposited on graphene, with and without supporting substrates such as hexagonal boron nitride. We employ ab initio density functional theory with van der Waals interactions and experimentally characterize interface devices using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electronic transport. Charge transfer between C₆₀ and the graphene is found to be sensitive to the nature of the underlying supporting substrate and to the crystallinity and local orientation of the C₆₀. Even at room temperature, C₆₀ molecules interfaced to graphene are orientationally locked into position. High electron and hole mobilities are preserved in graphene with crystalline C₆₀ overlayers, which has ramifications for organic high-mobility field-effect devices.

Recent progress in van der Waals heterojunctions

Following the development of many novel two-dimensional (2D) materials, investigations of van der Waals heterojunctions (vdWHs) have attracted significant attention due to their excellent properties such as smooth heterointerface, highly gate-tunable bandgap, and ultrafast carrier transport. Benefits from the atom-scale thickness, physical and chemical properties and ease of manipulation of the heterojunctions formulated by weak vdW forces were demonstrated to indicate their outstanding potential in electronic and optoelectronic applications, including photodetection and energy harvesting, and the possibility of integrating them with the existing semiconductor technology for the next-generation electronic and sensing devices. In this review, we summarized the recent developments of vdWHs and emphasized their applications. Basically, we introduced the physical properties and some newly discovered phenomena in vdWHs. Then, we emphatically presented four classical vdWHs and some novel heterostructures formed by vdW forces. Based on their unique physical properties and structures, we highlighted the applications of vdWHs including in photodiodes, phototransistors, tunneling devices, and memory devices. Finally, we provided a conclusion on the recent advances in vdWHs and outlined our perspectives. We aim for this review to serve as a solid foundation in this field and to pave the way for future research on vdW-based materials and their heterostructures.

Free-Standing Single-Molecule Thick Crystals Consisting of Linear Long-Chain Polymers

Organic two-dimensional (2D) crystals are fundamentally important for development of future devices. Despite that more than a half of man-made products contain polymers, 2D crystals consisting of long linear chains have yet to be explored. Here we report on the fabrication of 2D polyaniline (PANI) crystals via rational electrochemical polymerization followed by liquid-phase exfoliation. The 2D PANI is molecularly thin (∼0.8 nm) and composed of PANI chains with a number-average molecular weight of ∼31 000. The chains are parallel to each other with the benzene rings standing almost vertically to the surface, implying a face-to-face arrangement of the neighboring chains held together by abundant π-π interactions augmented with hydrogen bonds. The 2D PANI can be readily transferred to various solid surfaces and exhibit interesting electrical and optical properties, suggesting that they would be potentially useful in photoelectronic devices and other applications.

Passivation of Black Phosphorus via Self-Assembled Organic Monolayers by van der Waals Epitaxy

An effective passivation approach to protect black phosphorus (BP) from degradation based on multi-scale simulations is proposed. The self-assembly of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride monolayers via van der Waals epitaxy on BP does not break the original electronic properties of BP. The passivation layer thickness is only 2 nm. This study opens up a new pathway toward fine passivation of BP.