Chemical modification of 2D materials using molecules and assemblies of molecules

In this article, we discuss the recent progress on controlled structural modification of 2D materials by means of molecular functionalization, with a focus on scanning probe microscopy techniques for their characterization. For many practical applications of these novel materials, it is necessary to tune their electronic and optical properties, and molecule-based functionalization is a powerful approach to reach this. We discuss recent covalent and non-covalent approaches, for functionalization of graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorus, and hexagonal boron nitride. Nanostructuring approaches and their impact on 2D materials' properties are highlighted. [GRAPHICS]