Self-Assembled Monolayers for Advanced Energy Conversion Technologies

This paper presents a concise review of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) as molecular platforms for interfacial modifiers in energy conversion devices. SAMs offer precise control over interfacial energetics, charge transport, dipole orientation, and mechanical stability─key factors that influence the performance and stability of these systems. Focusing on developments from the past five years, we synthesize recent progress across four major energy conversion technologies that leverage SAMs: photovoltaic, triboelectric, thermoelectric, and piezoelectric devices. By illustrating how SAM-driven interfacial control has enabled these advances, this Review underscores the growing importance of SAMs as versatile and foundational tools in next-generation energy conversion technologies.