Photochemical Creation of Covalent Organic 2D Monolayer Objects in Defined Shapes via a Lithographic 2D Polymerization
ACS Nano, vol. 12: no. 11, pp. 11294-11306, Columbus, OH: American Chemical Society (ACS), 2018.
Dr. Payam Payamyar
Main content
Payam graduated in February 2015 and stayed with us as a postdoctoral fellow from March 2015 until October 2016.
Research Interests
Payam's PhD project is focused on characterization of covalent 2D Polymers. By making use of the uncorrugated surface of water, he prepares sheets that are laterally larger than 2D Polymers made within crystals. For doing so, he uses a photo-sensitive monomer with three-fold symmetry (M3) which is synthesized in the group (Fig. 1). Considering the amphiphilic nature of this molecule, it is possible to spread and compress few micrograms of it at the air/water interface in order to form an Archimedean pattern. This experiment is done on a Langmuir trough (Fig. 2). Shining light on the pre-organized pattern of the monomers results in a sheet-like polymer that can be transferred onto copper grids (Fig. 3). Payam uses various microscopy, spectroscopy and mechano-chemical analyses to evaluate the properties of the sheets and to understand different aspects of polymerization in two-dimensions.
His work is carried out in close contact with many dedicated collaborators and teachers whose help has immensely contributed to the progress of his research. A brief list of his collaborators includes the groups of Prof. Benjamin T. King, Prof. G. Wegner, Prof. Andreas Stemmer, Prof. Renato Zenobi, Prof. Joost VandeVondele, Prof. Paola Ceroni and Dr. Andreas Borgschulte.
Figure 3: SEM image of the covalent monolayer synthesized on Langmuir trough after photo-irradiation of an ensemble of M3 monomers. The bright grids are made of copper and serve to hold the polymer sheet. While the film is hanging from the grids, the rolled, ruptured parts help as a source of contrast
Publications
2D Polymer Synthesis by Photopolymerization at the Air-Water Interface
Reference Module in Chemistry, Molecular Sciences and Chemical Engineering, pp. 181-194, Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2017.
Ink-Free Reversible Optical Writing in Monolayers by Polymerization of a Trifunctional Monomer: Toward Rewritable "Molecular Paper"
Advanced Materials, vol. 29: no. 27, pp. 1701220, Weinheim: Wiley-VCH, 2017.
How the World Changes By Going from One- to Two-Dimensional Polymers in Solution
Macromolecular Rapid Communications, vol. 37: no. 20, pp. 1638-1650, Weinheim: Wiley, 2016.
Two-dimensional polymers: Concepts and perspectives
Chemical Communications, vol. 52: no. 1, pp. 18-34, Cambridge, U.K.: Royal Society of Chemistry, 2016.
Approaching two-dimensional copolymers: Photoirradiation of anthracene- And diaza-anthracene-bearing monomers in Langmuir monolayers
Macromolecular Rapid Communications, vol. 36: no. 2, pp. 151-158, Weinheim: Wiley, 2015.
Large-Area Alignment of Tungsten Oxide Nanowires over Flat and Patterned Substrates for Room-Temperature Gas Sensing
Angewandte Chemie. International Edition, vol. 54: no. 1, pp. 340-344, Weinheim: Wiley, 2015.
Large Area Synthesis of a Nanoporous Two-Dimensional Polymer at the Air/Water Interface
Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 137: no. 10, pp. 3450-3453, Washington, DC: American Chemical Society, 2015.
Minimally invasive characterization of covalent monolayer sheets using tip-enhanced raman spectroscopy
ACS Nano, vol. 9: no. 4, pp. 4252-4259, Columbus, OH: American Chemical Society, 2015.
Exploring the Grounds for Synthesis of 2D Polymers at the Air/Water Interface
Doctoral Thesis, Zürich, ETH-Zürich, 2015.