Smalltalks "Self-assembly of two-dimensional nanomaterials"

Abstract: 

Two-dimensional materials (2DMs) are ultrathin nanomaterials with unique characteristics such as high surface-to-volume ratio, surface charge, shape, high degree of anisotropicity, and adjustable chemical functionality. In the last decade, 2DMs such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) have drawn significant attention, being considered as promising materials with the potential to change the world in many applications, for example, energy storage devices, semiconductors, sensors, etc. To utilize them  to fabricate practical and macroscopic devices on a large scale, there is a complementary need to controllably assemble these 2D building blocks into more sophisticated and hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) architectures. In this talk, I will firstly introduce the most popular ways (e.g., template-assisted methods) to create3D structures, for example, sophisticated and beautiful flower-like structures, 3D network structures, hollow spherical structures, by self-assembling 2D nanomaterials. I will also tell you why 3D assembling structures are needed. In the end, I will share with you a story about how we developed an innovative method to self-assemble 2D materials (graphene and MXene) into 3D hollow spheres and their outstanding performance for energy storage. Our method is very simple and can be scaled up for large-scale synthesis with great potential for practical applications.