Precisely controlling the thickness of two-dimensional polymers (2DPs) is challenging. Now, crystalline monolayer and bilayer 2DPs are synthesized by embedding macrocyclic molecules in the polymer backbones to form mechanical bonds and provide control over the number of layers. This mechanical interlocking endows the synthetic bilayer with a high Young’s modulus.
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References
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This is a summary of: Yang, Y. et al. Mechanically interlocked monolayer and bilayer two-dimensional polymers with high elastic modulus. Nat. Synth. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-025-00930-4 (2025).
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Controlled synthesis of monolayer and bilayer two-dimensional polymers. Nat. Synth (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-025-00943-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-025-00943-z
