Planarinen

Planarinen is a class of two-dimensional synthetic polymers characterized by atomically thin, planar molecular sheets. The name derives from the root "planar" combined with the chemical suffix "-inen," reflecting its flat, sheet-like structure. Planarinens are distinct from inorganic two-dimensional materials in that their lattice is formed primarily from covalently bonded organic monomers arranged in extended conjugated networks.

Structurally, planarinen sheets exhibit long-range planar conjugation with periodic pores or channels whose size and chemistry can be tuned by monomer selection. Typical properties attributed to planarinen materials include high mechanical flexibility, tunable electrical conductivity ranging from insulating to semiconducting, chemical stability, and low areal mass. Electronic and optical behaviors are strongly anisotropic and depend on defect density and functionalization.

Synthesis routes reported for planarinen-like materials include bottom-up organic coupling on surfaces, templated polymerization within layered hosts, and solution-processing of pre-organized monomers. Challenges in manufacturing focus on controlling long-range order, minimizing defects, and achieving scalable, defect-free sheets suitable for device integration.

Potential applications that have attracted research interest include flexible electronics, transparent conductive coatings, selective membranes for gas and ion separations, and active layers in sensors and energy storage devices. Ongoing research addresses scalability, environmental stability, and lifecycle impacts, with attention to characterization techniques and integration with existing device architectures.