Interfacial Nanoarchitectonics: Lateral and Vertical, Static and Dynamic

The exploration of nanostructures and nanomaterials is essential to the development of advanced functions. For such innovations, nandarchitectonics has been proposed as a novel paradigm of nanotechnology aimed at assembling, nanoscale structural units into predesigned configurations or arrangements. In this Feature Article, we provide an overview of several recent research works from the viewpoint of interfacial nanoarchitectonics with features developed in lateral directions or grown in vertical directions with construction on solid, static, or flexible dynamic surfaces. Lateral nanoarchitectonics at a static interface provides molecular organization by bottom-up nanoarchitectonics and can also be used to realize device integration by top-down nanoarchitectonics. In particular, in the latter case, the fabrication of novel devices, so-called atomic switches, are introduced as a demonstration of atomic-level electronics. Lateral nanoarchitectonics at dynamic interfaces is exemplified by 2D molecular patterning and molecular machine operation induced by macroscopic motion. The dynamic nature of interfaces enables us to operate molecular-sized machines by macroscopic mechanical stimuli such as our hand motion, which we refer to as hand-operated nanotechnology. Vertical nanoarchitectonics is mainly discussed in relation to layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. By using this,technique, we can assemble a variety of functional, materials in ultrathin film structures of defined thickness and layer sequence: The organization of biomolecules (or even living cells) within thin films and their integration With device structures is exemplified. Finally, the anticipated research directions of interfacial nanoarchitectonics are described.