A "Phase Separation" Molecular Design Strategy Towards Large-Area 2D Molecular Crystals.

2D molecular crystals (2DMCs) have attracted considerable attention because of their unique optoelectronic properties and potential applications. Taking advantage of the solution processability of organic semiconductors, solution self-assembly is considered an effective way to grow large-area 2DMCs. However, this route is largely blocked because a precise molecular design towards 2DMCs is missing and little is known about the relationship between 2D solution self-assembly and molecular structure. A "phase separation" molecular design strategy towards 2DMCs is proposed and layer-by-layer growth of millimeter-sized monolayer or few-layer 2DMCs is realized. High-performance organic phototransistors are constructed based on the 2DMCs with unprecedented photosensitivity (2.58 × 107 ), high responsivity (1.91 × 104 A W-1 ), and high detectivity (4.93 × 1015 Jones). This "phase separation" molecular design strategy provides a guide for the design and synthesis of novel organic semiconductors that self-assemble into large-area 2DMCs for advanced organic (opto)electronics.