The structure and properties of carbon nanomaterials depends on the spatial arrangement of graphene layers, which are the basic anisotropic building blocks of all graphenic carbons. Unique carbon nanomaterials can be synthesized by systematic assembly of disk or plate-like molecular precursors followed by covalent capture and carbonization. The new materials made possible by this route include vertically aligned graphene layer arrays (VAGLAs), which have potential applications as graphenenanoribbons, polarizing thin films, superhydrophilic surfaces, high-rate Li-ion battery electrodes, and Z-directional nanopore membranes.

Molecular approaches are also key to understanding the biological response to carbon nanomaterials. The second part of the talk will address the fundamental processes occurring at carbon nanotube surfaces in biological environments, including biomolecular adsorption, catalysis of antioxidant destruction, metal ion release, and the interaction with lipid bilayers leading to internalization or frustrated endocytosis.