Synthesis and mechanical exfoliation of imine-linked two-dimensional conjugated polymers

For the first time, we report the synthesis of imine-linked crystalline conjugated covalent organic frames and their mechanical exfoliation into 2D sheets with thicknesses of 3-40 nm. Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy have been used to characterize the exfoliated 2D polymer sheets. Electrical measurements have shown that the exfoliated 2D polymer sheets can be conductive after thermal and electrical annealing.