Monolayer self-assembly at liquid–solid interfaces: chirality and electronic properties of molecules at surfaces

The spontaneous formation of supramolecular assemblies at the boundary between solids and liquids is a process which encompasses a variety of systems with diverse characteristics: chemisorbed systems in which very strong and weakly reversible bonds govern the assembly and physisorbed aggregates which are dynamic thanks to the weaker interactions between adsorbate and surface. Here we review the interest and advances in the study of chiral systems at the liquid–solid interface, and also the application of this configuration for the study of systems of interest in molecular electronics, self-assembled from the bottom up.