Hierarchical construction of self-assembled low-dimensional molecular architectures observed by using scanning tunneling microscopy.

This tutorial review is intended to reflect the progress in constructing functional low-dimensional molecular nanostructures on surfaces through hierarchical self-assembly processes. Hierarchical assembly can be characterized as a multilevel process, and represented by categories depending on symmetry characteristics and the nature of intermolecular interactions. Various approaches have been explored in order to gain knowledge on tailoring hierarchical assembly characteristics, driving mechanisms and designing principles. The advances in hierarchical assembly structures could benefit the efforts towards constructing well-defined molecular architectures, which are important to the development of novel material properties and molecular devices.