Monolayers

A monolayer is a single, one-atom- or one-molecule-thick layer of material, often found at the interface of two different substances, like air and liquid. In biology, for instance, cell membranes are a type of monolayer, as they consist of a thin layer of lipids that separate the inside of a cell from its environment. In materials science, researchers create monolayers of substances like graphene for use in electronics or sensors. The unique properties of monolayers often arise from their thinness, leading to interesting behaviors that differ from bulk materials.