Facile synthesis of large-area ultrathin two-dimensional supramolecular nanosheets in water

Synthesizing large-area ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures in aqueous media has received considerable increasing attention but remains a big challenge. Herein, we report a facile method for the synthesis of two unprecedented large-area ultrathin 2D supramolecular nanosheets via ionic self-assembly in water. Upon consideration of electrostatic interaction and repulsive effect, deprotonated tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) or Fe(III) tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine chloride (TCPP(Fe)) as connection vertex and protonated bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether (BDMAEE) unit as bridging edge connect with each other to form few-layer 2D nanosheet with a thickness of ~ 1.8–1.9 nm, while the lateral size can close to one hundred micrometers. Moreover, the well-dispersed 2D TCPP(Fe)-BDMAEE with heme-like active center displays intrinsic peroxidase-like catalytic activity, which can be used to detect hydrogen peroxide. The present facile strategy highlights new opportunities in constructing large-area ultrathin 2D supramolecular nanomaterials and paves the avenue to expand their potential applications.