pH-Dependent Assembly of Three POM-Based Host–Guest Compounds Constituted by Keggin Polyoxoanions and 4,4′-Bipyridines

{BW12O40} Hybrids Modified by in Situ Synthesized Rigid Ligand with Supercapacitance and Photocatalytic Properties

Organic rigid ligand-modified polyoxometalate-based materials possess complex and diverse structures, promising electrochemical energy storage properties and outstanding photocatalytic capabilities. Hence, two new [BW₁₂O₄₀]^5-(abbreviated as {BW₁₂O₄₀})-based inorganic-organic hybrids [{Cu(en)₂(H₂O)}][{Cu(pdc)(en)}{Cu(en)₂}(BW₁₂O₄₀)]·2H₂O (1) and [{Cu^I₅(pz)₆(H₂O)₄}(BW₁₂O₄₀)] (2) (pdc = 2-picolinate, en = ethylenediamine, pz = pyrazine) were successfully synthesized through a hydrothermal method. Among them, pdc and pz were obtained by in situ transformation from 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (H₂ pydc) and 2,3-pyrazinedicarboxylic acid (H₂pzdc), respectively. In compound 1, the {BW₁₂O₄₀} clusters as an intermediate junction connect with {Cu(pdc)(en)}{Cu(en)₂} and {Cu(en)₂(H₂O)} to form monomers, which in turn form supramolecular chains, sheets, and space network via hydrogen bonding. The {BW₁₂O₄₀} clusters are packed into copper-pyrazine frameworks in compound 2, and a unique polyoxometalate-based metal organic frameworks (POMOFs) structure with a new topology of {12}₂{6.12³.14²}₂{6².12.14².18}{6².12³.16}{6}₆ is formed via covalent bonds. When used as electrode materials for supercapacitors, the values of specific capacitance are 651.56 F g^-1 for 1-GCE and 584.43 F g^-1 for 2-GCE at a current density of 2.16 A g^-1 and good cycling stability (90.94%, 94.81% of the initial capacity after 5000 cycles at 15.12 A g^-1, respectively). The kinetic analysis reveals that surface capacitance plays a major role. Furthermore, both compounds can effectively degrade Rhodamine B (RhB) and Methylene blue (MB), showing the outstanding photocatalytic performance.

Synthesis of Micro- and Nanoparticles in Sub- and Supercritical Water: From the Laboratory to Larger Scales

The use of micro- and nanoparticles is gaining more and more importance because of their wide range of uses and benefits based on their unique mechanical, physical, electrical, optical, electronic, and magnetic properties. In recent decades, supercritical fluid technologies have strongly emerged as an effective alternative to other numerous particle generation processes, mainly thanks to the peculiar properties exhibited by supercritical fluids. Carbon dioxide and water have so far been two of the most commonly used fluids for particle generation, the former being the fluid par excellence in this field, mainly, because it offers the possibility of precipitating thermolabile particles. Nevertheless, the use of high-pressure and -temperature water opens an innovative and very interesting field of study, especially with regards to the precipitation of particles that could hardly be precipitated when CO2 is used, such as metal particles with a considerable value in the market. This review describes an innovative method to obtain micro- and nanoparticles: hydrothermal synthesis by means of near and supercritical water. It also describes the differences between this method and other conventional procedures, the most currently active research centers, the types of particles synthesized, the techniques to evaluate the products obtained, the main operating parameters, the types of reactors, and amongst them, the most significant and the most frequently used, the scaling-up studies under progress, and the milestones to be reached in the coming years.