Polyoxometalate-based electro- and photochromic dual-mode devices

Photochemical and gas adsorption studies of Keggin polyoxometalate functionalized porous melamine terephthaldehyde material

A compound containing a microporous melamine-terephthaldehyde framework is protonated by grinding with acetic acid, resulting in a mesoporous protonated melamine-terephthaldehyde network. The Keggin polyanion [PMo12O40]3- is then immobilized into this protonated melamine-terephthaldehyde network through a solid-state reaction. The polyanion interacts with the protonated microporous organic network through electrostatic interaction. Three different Keggin-melamine-terephthaldehyde materials were synthesized by varying the Keggin anion loading of 10 wt%, 15 wt% and 20 wt%. The Keggin-melamine-terephthaldehyde materials exhibit photochromism on irradiation with sunlight. The photochromism of the POM-organic hybrid material is due to reduction of the Keggin anion. The resulting blue reduced Keggin-melamine-terephthaldehyde materials are oxidized back by treatment with hydrogen peroxide. The N2, CO2 and H2 adsorption properties of all the synthesized materials, including protonated melamine-terephthaldehyde materials, were studied. The materials were characterized by IR, PXRD, DRS, TGA, EPR spectroscopy, and FESEM electron microscopy. The elemental composition was analysed with a CHN analyser and ICP-OES analysis.

Influence of surface and intermolecular interactions on the properties of supported polyoxometalates

Polyoxometalates (POMs) with localized radical or open-shell metal sites have the potential to be used as transformative electronic spin based molecular qubits (MQs) for quantum computing (QC). For practical applications, MQs have to be immobilized in electronically or optically addressable arrays which introduces interactions with supports as well as neighboring POMs. Herein, we synthesized Keggin POMs with both tungsten (W) and vanadium (V) addenda atoms. Ion soft landing, a highly-controlled surface modification technique, was used to deliver mass-selected V-doped POMs to different self-assembled monolayer surfaces on gold (SAMs) without the solvent, counterions, and contaminants that normally accompany deposition from solution. Alkylthiol, perfluorinated, and carboxylic-acid terminated monolayers were employed as representative model supports on which different POM-surface and POM-POM interactions were characterized. We obtained insights into the vibrational properties of supported V-doped POMs and how they are perturbed by interactions with specific surface functional groups using infrared reflection absorption and scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy, as well as tip enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Different functional groups on SAMs and nanoscale heterogeneity are both shown to modulate the observed spectroscopic signatures. Spectral shifts are also found to be dependent on POM-POM interactions. The electronic structure of the V-doped POMs was determined in the gas phase using negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy and on surfaces with scanning Kelvin probe microscopy. The chemical functionality and charge transfer properties of the SAMs are demonstrated to exert an influence on the charge state and electronic configuration of supported V-doped POMs. The geometric and electronic structure of the POMs were also calculated using density functional theory. Our joint experimental and theoretical findings provide insight into how V substitution as well as POM-surface and POM-POM interactions influence the vibrational properties of POMs.

A Cooperative Photoactive Class-I Hybrid Polyoxometalate With Benzothiadiazole-Imidazolium Cations

An organic–inorganic hybrid species based on the Wells–Dawson polyoxotungstate [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]⁶⁻ and novel fluorescent benzothiadiazole–imidazolium cations, [BTD-4,7-ImH]²⁺, has been synthesized. X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that the inorganic and organic components form a hydrogen-bonded superstructure and that the cations are revealed to be non-equivalent with varying degrees of rotation between the BTD and imidazolium rings due to competition between weak intra- and intermolecular interactions. The UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra indicate that the hybrid has a band gap of 3.13 eV, while the solid-state fluorescence properties of the cation are quenched in the hybrid material, suggesting the existence of electron transfer between the inorganic and organic components. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies of the polyoxometalate (POM) and BTD-4,7-ImH precursors, estimated through UV–vis absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry, indicate that electron transfer from the BTD cations to the POM may occur in the excited state.

Solvent mediated reversible solid state photochromism of {Mo72Fe30} Keplerate

When the yellow rhombohedral crystals of Keplerate [Mo72Fe30O252(CH3COO)12{Mo2O7(H2O)}2{H2Mo2O8(H2O)}(H2O)91]·150H2O (1), on wetting with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), are irradiated with sunlight, a remarkable reversible solid state photochromic behaviour is achieved with the formation of green coloured crystals (1red). The reduction of the {MoVI} centres to {MoV} is responsible for the observed colour change from yellow to dark green. Importantly, compound 1 can be activated towards photochromism only in the presence of the DMF solvent. The photochromic phenomenon displayed by Keplerate compound 1 is a classic example of sunlight activated solvent driven photoactivity.

Protonation-Induced Enhanced Optical-Light Photochromic Properties of an Inorganic-Organic Phosphomolybdic Acid/Polyaniline Hybrid Thin Film

A phosphomolybdic acid/polyaniline (PMoA/PANI) optical-light photochromic inorganic/organic hybrid thin film was successfully synthesized by protonation between the the multiprotonic acid phosphomolybdic acid (H₃PO₄·12MoO₃) and the conductive polymer polyaniline. The stable Keggin-type structure of PMoA was maintained throughout the process. Protonation and proton transfer successfully transformed the quinone structure of eigenstate PANI into the benzene structure of single-polarized PANI in the PMoA/PANI hybridized thin film, and proton transfer transformed the benzene structure of single-polarized PANI back to the quinone structure of eigenstate PANI in the PMoA/PANI hybrid thin film, as verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The average distribution of PMoA/PANI was observed by atom force microscopy (AFM). Interestingly, protonation of PMoA caused PANI to trigger transformation of the quinone structure into the single-polarized benzene structure, which enhanced the electron delocalization ability and vastly enhanced the maximum light absorption of the PMoA/PANI hybrid thin film as confirmed by density functional theory (DFT), electrochemistry, and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) studies. Under optical-light illumination, the pale-yellow PMoA/PANI hybrid thin film gradually turned deep blue, thus demonstrating a photochromic response, and reversible photochromism was also observed in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or oxygen (O₂). After 40 min of optical-light illumination, 36% of the Mo⁵⁺ species in PMoA was photoreduced via a protonation-induced proton transfer mechanism, and this proton transfer resulted in a structural change of PANI, as observed by XPS, generating a dominant structure with high maximum light absorption of 3.46, when compared with the literature reports.

The Future of Layer-by-Layer Assembly: A Tribute to ACS Nano Associate Editor Helmuth Möhwald

Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is a widely used tool for engineering materials and coatings. In this Perspective, dedicated to the memory of ACS Nano associate editor Prof. Dr. Helmuth Möhwald, we discuss the developments and applications that are to come in LbL assembly, focusing on coatings, bulk materials, membranes, nanocomposites, and delivery vehicles.

Charge transport through redox active [H7P8W48O184]33- polyoxometalates self-assembled onto gold surfaces and gold nanodots

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are redox-active molecular oxides, which attract growing interest for their integration into nano-devices, such as high-density data storage non-volatile memories. In this work, we investigated the electrostatic deposition of the negatively charged [H7P8W48O184]33- POM onto positively charged 8-amino-1-octanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) preformed onto gold substrates or onto an array of gold nanodots. The ring-shaped [H7P8W48O184]33- POM was selected as an example of large POMs with high charge storage capacity. To avoid the formation of POM aggregates onto the substrates, which would introduce variability in the local electrical properties, special attention has to be paid to the preformed SAM seeding layer, which should itself be deprived of aggregates. Where necessary, rinsing steps were found to be crucial to eliminate these aggregates and to provide uniformly covered substrates for subsequent POM deposition and electrical characterizations. This especially holds for commercially available gold/glass substrates while these rinsing steps were not essential in the case of template stripped gold of very low roughness. Charge transport through the related molecular junctions and nanodot molecule junctions (NMJs) has been probed by conducting-AFM. We analyzed the current-voltage curves with different models: electron tunneling though the SAMs (Simmons model), transition voltage spectroscopy (TVS) method or molecular single energy level mediated transport (Landauer equation) and we discussed the energetics of the molecular junctions. We concluded to an energy level alignment of the alkyl spacer and POM lowest occupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs), probably due to dipolar effects.

Molecular signature of polyoxometalates in electron transport of silicon-based molecular junctions

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are unconventional electro-active molecules with a great potential for applications in molecular memories, providing efficient processing steps onto electrodes are available. The synthesis of the organic-inorganic polyoxometalate hybrids [PM11O39{Sn(C6H4)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C(C6H4)N2}]3- (M = Mo, W) endowed with a remote diazonium function is reported together with their covalent immobilization onto hydrogenated n-Si(100) substrates. Electron transport measurements through the resulting densely-packed monolayers contacted with a mercury drop as a top electrode confirms their homogeneity. Adjustment of the current-voltage curves with the Simmon's equation gives a mean tunnel energy barrier ΦPOM of 1.8 eV and 1.6 eV, for the Silicon-Molecules-Metal (SMM) junctions based on the polyoxotungstates (M = W) and polyoxomolybdates (M = Mo), respectively. This follows the trend observed in the electrochemical properties of POMs in solution, the polyoxomolybdates being easier to reduce than the polyoxotungstates, in agreement with lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) of lower energy. The molecular signature of the POMs is thus clearly identifiable in the solid-state electrical properties and the unmatched diversity of POM molecular and electronic structures should offer a great modularity.

Uniform trend in layer-by-layer deposition of heteropolytungstates

HYPOTHESIS

The layer-by-layer deposition of films including polyoxometalates (POMs) results in a very interesting range of applications in various fields such as electrochemical devices and as photochromic coatings. However, the fundamental knowledge of the parameters responsible for tuning the properties of the film (i.e. relation between the structure and composition of the POM and the properties of the final film) is still lacking.

EXPERIMENTS

The current work establishes the relationship between the film thickness, the quantity of POM incorporated in each layer and the electrochemical response of the (PAH-POM)_x coatings, where PAH is poly(allylamine hydrochloride).

FINDINGS

The results presented in this work show that the film thickness, composition and electrochemical activity scale proportionally with the number of W atoms in a series of heteropolytungstates ranging from 5 to 48 (P₂W₅, PW₁₂, P₂V₃W₁₅, P₂W₁₈, P₅W₃₀, P₈W₄₈). The obtained results allow us to establish a method to predict the behavior as well as the properties of the film based on the nature of the POM used.

Effect of protonation, composition and isomerism on the redox properties and electron (de)localization of classical polyoxometalates

This publication reviews some relevant features related with the redox activity of two inorganic compounds: [XM12O40]q- (Keggin structure) and [X2M18O62]q- (Wells-Dawson structure). These are two well-known specimens of the vast Polyoxometalate (POM) family, which has been the subject of extensive experimental and theoretical research owing to their unmatched properties. In particular, their redox activity focus a great deal of attention from scientists due to their prospective related applications. POMs are habitually seen as ‘electron sponges’ since many of them accept several electrons without losing their chemical identity. This makes them excellent models to study mechanisms of electrochemical nature. Their redox properties depend on: (i) the type and number of transition metal atoms in the structure, (ii) the basicity of the first reduced species and, occasionally, of the fully oxidized species; (iii) the size of the molecule, (iv) the overall negative charge of the POM, and (v) the size of the central heteroatom. In the last years, important collaboration between the experimental and theoretical areas has been usual on the development of POM science. In the present chapter three of these synergies are highlighted: the influence of the internal heteroatom upon the redox potentials of Keggin anions; the dependence of the redox waves of Fe-substituted Wells-Dawson compounds with pH; and the role of electron delocalization and pairing in mixed-metal Mo/W Wells-Dawson compounds in their ability to accept electrons. In these three cases, a complete understanding of the problem would not have been possible without the mutual benefit of experimental and computational data.

Ionic Complexes of Metal Oxide Clusters for Versatile Self-Assemblies

The combination of rational design of building components and suitable utilization of driving force affords spontaneous molecular assemblies with well-defined nanostructure and morphology over multiple length scales. The serious challenges in constructing assemblies with structural advantages for the realization of functions programmed into the building components usually lie ahead since the process that occurs does not always follow the expected roadmap in the absence of external intervention. Thus, prefabricated intermediates that help in governing the target self-assemblies are developed into a type of unique building blocks. Metal oxide cluster polyanions are considered as a type of molecular nanoclusters with size scale and structural morphology similar to those of many known inorganic particles and clusters but possess distinctive characteristics. Following the understanding of these clusters in self-assembly and the rationalization of their most efficient design strategy and approach, the obtained fundamental principles can also be applied in common nanoparticle- and cluster-based systems. On the other hand, the deliberate synergy offered by organic countercations that support the self-assembly of these clusters greatly expands the opportunity for the functionalization of complex building units via control of multiple interactions. The ionic combination of the inorganic clusters with hydrophilicity and the cationic organic component with hydrophobicity leads to discrete properties of the complexes. Significantly, the core-shell structure with rigid-flexible features and amphiphilicity will pave the way for hierarchical self-assemblies of the obtained complexes, while the intrinsic characteristics of the metal oxide clusters can be modulated through external physicochemical stimuli. Within this context, over the past decade we have extensively explored the ionic combination of inorganic polyanionic clusters with cationic organic amphiphiles and devoted our efforts to establishing the general rules and structure-property relationships of the formed complexes for constructing self-assemblies at the interface, in solution, and in solid matrixes. Specific interest has been focused on the functional synergy deriving from the incompatible components in highly organized self-assemblies. In this Account, we describe the recent progress on the ionic complexation of polyoxometalate clusters with cationic amphiphiles and the construction of diverse self-assembled nanostructures. First, the fundamental structural characteristics and molecular geometries of the prepared complexes are analyzed. The construction principle and diversity of the self-assembly based on the complexes and the smart stimuli response are then discussed, subject to the adjustment of various non-covalent interactions occurring in the assemblies. Subsequently, we enumerate the functional applications of the ionic complexes assembling into organic, inorganic, and even biological matrixes. The inspiration from the construction of ionic complexation and self-assembly in this Account provides vivid profiles for the design of hybrid materials involving nanoclusters and/or nanoparticles with rich potentials in addition to polyoxometalate chemistry.

Tailor-made Covalent Organic-Inorganic Polyoxometalate Hybrids: Versatile Platforms for the Elaboration of Functional Molecular Architectures

Post-functionalization of organically modified polyoxometalates (POMs) is a powerful synthetic tool to devise functional building blocks for the rational elaboration of POM-based molecular materials. In this personal account we focus on iodoaryl-terminated POM platforms, describe reliable routes to the synthesis of covalent organic-inorganic POM-based hybrids and their integration into advanced molecular architectures or multi-scale assemblies as well as their immobilization onto surfaces. Valorisation of the remarkable redox properties of POMs in the fields of artificial synthesis and molecular electronic is especially considered.

Heteropoly acids triggered self-assembly of cationic peptides into photo- and electro-chromic gels

A series of cationic peptides with alternating lysines and hydrophobic residues were designed and synthesized. These kinds of short peptides with protonated lysines can complex with anionic heteropoly acids (HPAs) to form a stable gel in water/ethanol mixed solution. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that the short peptides adopted a mixed conformation (β-sheet and random-coil) within the gel matrix. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the heteropoly acids, acting as nanosized cross-linkers, first initiated the self-assembly of the cationic peptides into spherical nanostructures. Then these nanospheres accumulated with each other through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions to form large sheet-like assemblies, which further interconnected with each other forming continuous 3D network structures. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the structural integrity of the HPAs was maintained during the gelation process. The resultant hybrid gels showed reversible photo- and elecrtro-chromic properties. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the hybrid gels, capable of persistent and reversible changes of their colour, are attributed to the intervalence charge-transfer transition of the HPAs. Reversible information writing and erasing were demonstrated through a repeated photo-lithograph or electric stimuli without significant loss of the gel performance.

First Orange Fluorescence Composite Film Based on Sm-Substituted Tungstophosphate and Its Electrofluorochromic Performance

We chose a Sm-containing sandwich-type tungstophosphate K3Cs8[Sm(PW11O39)2]·10H2O (SmPW11) as a molecular dyad, which contains photoluminescence and electrochromism components in a skeletal structure, and investigated its electrofluorochromic performance both in solution and in composite films. First, the electrochemical activity and luminescence property of SmPW11 were studied in different pH solutions to determine the optimal pH solution medium; and then, the electrofluorochromic performance of SmPW11 was investigated under the optimized pH solution medium. Subsequently, the composite films containing SmPW11 were prepared on quartz substrates and conductive ITO substrates through a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly method, using PDDA and PEI as molecular linkers. Characterization methods of the composite films include UV-vis spectra, fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV), bulk electrolysis with coulometry, chronoamperometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Finally, in situ UV-vis and fluorescence spectroelectrochemical systems were used to research electrofluorochromic properties for the composite films under electrochemical modulation. The results indicate that the composite films display not only orange luminescence emission but also reversible orange luminescence switching behaviors manipulated by the redox process of tungstophosphate species PW11 via the energy transfer between the orange luminescence component Sm and electroreduced species of tungstophosphate PW11.

Switchable Materials for Smart Windows

This article reviews the basic principles of and recent developments in electrochromic, photochromic, and thermochromic materials for applications in smart windows. Compared with current static windows, smart windows can dynamically modulate the transmittance of solar irradiation based on weather conditions and personal preferences, thus simultaneously improving building energy efficiency and indoor human comfort. Although some smart windows are commercially available, their widespread implementation has not yet been realized. Recent advances in nanostructured materials provide new opportunities for next-generation smart window technology owing to their unique structure-property relations. Nanomaterials can provide enhanced coloration efficiency, faster switching kinetics, and longer lifetime. In addition, their compatibility with solution processing enables low-cost and high-throughput fabrication. This review also discusses the importance of dual-band modulation of visible and near-infrared (NIR) light, as nearly 50% of solar energy lies in the NIR region. Some latest results show that solution-processable nanostructured systems can selectively modulate the NIR light without affecting the visible transmittance, thus reducing energy consumption by air conditioning, heating, and artificial lighting.

Light responsive multilayer surfaces with controlled spatial extinction capability

Multilayer systems obtained using the Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technology have been proposed for a variety of biomedical applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. LbL assembly is a simple and highly versatile method to modify surfaces and fabricate robust and highly-ordered nanostructured coatings over almost any type of substrates and with a wide range of substances. The incorporation of polyoxometalate (POM) inorganic salts as constituents of the layers presents a possibility of promoting light-stimuli responses in LbL substrates. We propose the design of a biocompatible photo-responsive multilayer system based on a Preyssler-type POM ([NaP₅W₃₀O₁₁₀]^14-) and a natural origin polymer, chitosan, using the LbL methodology. The photo-reduction properties of the POM allow the spatially controlled disruption of the assembled layers due to the weakening of the electrostatic interactions between the layers. This system has found applicability in detaching devices, such as the cell sheet technology, which may solve the drawbacks actually found in other cell treatment proposals.

The main progress over the past decade and future outlook on high-nuclear transition-metal substituted polyoxotungstates: from synthetic strategies, structural features to functional properties

In this article, we discuss the synthetic methodologies, structural diversities and relevant properties of the high-nuclear TMSPTs reported in the past decade.

Synthesis and structural characterization of BINOL-modified chiral polyoxometalates

Chiral ligand-modified polyoxometalates (POMs) R-I and S-I were successfully synthesized by the introduction of BINOL into the dititanium-substituted POM.

Hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in starch oxidation using molybdovanadophosphate for producing a high carboxylic content

Molybdovanadophosphate has been used for producing a high carboxyl content from starch by hydrogen peroxide.

Thermochromic and solvatochromic properties of Lindqvist polyoxometalates

The thermochromic and solvatochromic properties of a family of Lindqvist polyoxometalates are rationalized by experimental and computational methods.

Aerobic oxidation of starch catalyzed by isopolyoxovanadate Na4Co(H2O)6V10O28

The partial oxidation of starch was achieved in the presence of oxygen with Na4Co(H2O)6V10O28·18H2O (abbreviated as CoV10) as catalyst. The oxidation degree of starch was determined by FT-IR, XRD and SEM measurements, which indicated that the aerobic oxidation of starch was promoted by oxidative catalyst CoV10. The application of CoV10 could give a high oxidation degree (DO) of 1.35 COOH/100 GU and 2.07 CO/100 GU with 86 wt.% yield of solid starch under mild reaction conditions (pH=6; reaction time, 8 h; temperature, 50 °C; catalyst amount, 8 mg, when 1.5 g starch was used as substrate; atmospheric pressure). Among some vanadium compounds, CoV10 exhibited 4-fold activity higher than orthovanadate due to its coordination effect of cobalt and V10O28. Meanwhile, CoV10 could be recycled for six times with only a slight decrease in activity. Thus, CoV10/O2 is one of the most efficient systems for partial oxidation of starch reported so far.

Controlling the dispersion of supported polyoxometalate heterogeneous catalysts: impact of hybridization and the role of hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity balance and supramolecularity

The hybridization of polyoxometalates (POMs) through an organic-inorganic association offers several processing advantages in the design of heterogeneous catalysts. A clear understanding of the organization of these hybrid materials on solid surfaces is necessary to optimise their properties. Herein, we report for the first time the organization of Keggin phosphotungstic [PW12O40](3-) and Wells-Dawson (WD) phosphomolybdic [P2Mo18O62](6-) anions deposited on mica (hydrophilic), and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) (hydrophobic) surfaces. Next, the supramolecular organization of the organic-inorganic hybrid materials formed from the association of POM anions and dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DODA) is investigated as a function of the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of the surfaces. The height of the Keggin-POM anions, measured with tapping mode (TM-AFM) is always in good agreement with the molecular dimension of symmetric Keggin-POM anions (ca. 1 nm). However, the asymmetric WD-POM anions form monolayer assemblies on the surfaces with the orientation of their long molecular axis (ca. 1.6 nm) depending on the hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of the substrate. Namely, the long axis is parallel on mica, and perpendicular on HOPG. When hybridized with DODA, the organization of the hybrid material is dictated by the interaction of the alkyl side chains of DODA with the substrate surface. On HOPG, the DODA-POM hybrid forms small domains of epitaxially arranged straight nanorod structures with their orientation parallel to each other. Conversely, randomly distributed nanospheres are formed when the hybrid material is deposited on freshly cleaved mica. Finally, a UV-ozone treatment of the hybrid material allows one to obtain highly dispersed isolated POM entities on both hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. The hybridization strategy to prevent the clustering of POMs on various supports would enable to develop highly dispersed POM-based heterogeneous catalysts with enhanced functionalities.

Electron transfer to covalently immobilized Keggin polyoxotungstates on gold

Spontaneously adsorbed monolayers have been formed on gold electrodes using a Keggin polyoxotungstate with covalently attached alkanethiol linkers of two different lengths. Films of both polyoxotungstates show two well-defined reduction processes associated with the polyoxotungstate centers where the ionic liquid, [BMIM][BF4], acts as supporting electrolyte. The surface coverages are both less than that expected for a close-packed monolayer. For the short and long linkers, the voltammetric response can be described in terms of the Butler-Volmer response involving a surface confined species using standard heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants of 170 and 140 s(-1) for the first reduction and 150 and 100 s(-1) for the second reduction processes, respectively. The rate of electron transfer to a solution phase redox probe, ferrocyanide, is significantly more sensitive to the length of the linker than the rate of electron transfer to the tungstate centers. This behavior probably arises due to potential-induced changes in the film structure.

Supramolecular organization in organic-inorganic heterogeneous hybrid catalysts formed from polyoxometalate and poly(ampholyte) polymer

Hybridization of polyoxometalates (POMs) via the formation of an organic-inorganic association constitutes a new route to develop a heterogeneous POM catalyst with tunable functionality imparted through supramolecular assembly. Herein, we report on strategies to obtain tunable well-defined supramolecular architectures of an organic-inorganic heterogeneous hybrid catalyst formed by the association of a hydrophobically substituted polyampholyte copolymer (poly N, N-diallyl-N-hexylamine-alt-maleic acid) and phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40) POMs. The self-assembling property of the initial polyampholyte copolymer matrix is modulated by controlling the pH of the hybridization solution. When deposited on a mica surface, isolated, long and extended polymer chains are formed under basic conditions (pH 7.9), while globular or coiled structures are formed under acidic conditions (pH 2). The supramolecular assembly of the POM-polymer hybrid is found to be directed by the type and quantities of charges present on the polyampholyte copolymer, which themselves depend on the pH conditions. The hypothesis is that the Keggin type [PW12O40](3-) anions, which have a size of ~1 nm, electrostatically bind to the positive charge sites of the polymer backbone. The hybrid material stabilized at pH 5.3 consists of POM-decorated polymer chains. Statistical analysis of distances between pairs of POM entities show narrow density distributions, suggesting that POM entities are attached to the polymer chains with a high level of order. Conversely, under acidic conditions (pH 2), the hybrid shows the formation of a core-shell type of structure. The strategies reported here, to tune the supramolecular assembly of organic-inorganic hybrid materials, are highly valuable for the design and a more rational utilization of POM heterogeneous catalysts in several chemical transformations.