Identified as one of the key issues of nanoscience which has potential to shape future scientific research, self-assembly is the most promising approach to make breakthroughs in nanoelectronics, spintronics, and molecular nanotechnology.

Focusing on this dynamic new field, “Self-assembly of nanostructures and nanomaterials II” explores the physics of nanostructures and nanomaterials, new synthesis approaches, properties dependent on size, shape and composition and also:

• large-scale patterning obtained by spontaneous structuring as well as local probe nanopatterning;
• theoretical and experimental understanding of the formation, evolution and organization of nanoscale systems;
• fundamental and new issues in nucleation, crystal growth, surface and interface atomistic mechanisms and electronic structure;
• optical, electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties representative of the self-assembled systems and novel properties induced by low-dimensional nanostructures; and the latest advances in the field.

This Thematic Series covers the synthesis and fabrication of inorganic and organic nanostructures and nanomaterials, as well as their properties and applications. Various manuscripts are also dedicated to the fundamentals of self-assembly with regard to crystal growth, nanopatterning, nanocharacterization and quantum properties, encompassing chemical processing and lithographic techniques for the synthesis and self-organization of 0-D, 1-D, and 2-D nanostructures, as well as special nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, nanomembranes, graphene and ordered mesoporous oxides. Finally, new insights into short-term and future/futuristic device applications are also revealed.