Single molecule-mediated assembly of polyoxometalate single-cluster rings and their three-dimensional superstructures.

Liu, Qingda; He, Peilei; Yu, Hongde; Gu, Lin; Ni, Bing; Wang, Dong; Wang, Xun · Sci Adv · 2019

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The assembly of atomically precise clusters into superstructures has tremendous potential in structural tunability and applications. Here, we report a series of single-cluster nanowires, single-cluster nanorings, and three-dimensional superstructure assemblies built by POM clusters. By stepwise tuning of interactions at molecular levels, the configurations can be varied from single-cluster nanowires to nanorings. A series of single-cluster nanostructures in different configurations can be achieved with up to 15 kinds of POM clusters. The single-cluster nanowires and three-dimensional superstructures perform enhanced activity in the catalytic and electrochemical sensing fields, illustrating the universal functionality of single-cluster assemblies.