Ultrathin inorganic molecular nanowire based on polyoxometalates

Abstract

The development of metal oxide-based molecular wires is important for fundamental research and potential practical applications. However, examples of these materials are rare. Here we report an all-inorganic transition metal oxide molecular wire prepared by disassembly of larger crystals. The wires are comprised of molybdenum(VI) with either tellurium(IV) or selenium(IV): {(NH4)2[XMo6O21]}n (X=tellurium(IV) or selenium(IV)). The ultrathin molecular nanowires with widths of 1.2 nm grow to micrometre-scale crystals and are characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis, Rietveld analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, thermal analysis and elemental analysis. The crystals can be disassembled into individual molecular wires through cation exchange and subsequent ultrasound treatment, as visualized by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The ultrathin molecular wire-based material exhibits high activity as an acid catalyst, and the band gap of the molecular wire-based crystal is tunable by heat treatment.

Acidic Ultrafine Tungsten Oxide Molecular Wires for Cellulosic Biomass Conversion

“…[1] However,i norganic molecular wires are rare and difficult to obtain. [4] Therefore,t his new field, although full of challenges,i sr eceiving intense investigation. [3] Recent progress indicates that inorganic molecular wires can be obtained using a"top-down" approach, resulting in anew class of metal oxide molecular wires.…”

“…Thep article size of the materials was estimated by Scherrers equation, showing ca. [4] Therefore,t he molecular structures of the materials were basically the same. 9nmindiameter across the a-b plane (Supporting Information, Figure S4).…”

“…X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS;Supporting Information, Figure S5) showed that the Wi ons in both materials were W VI ,and the Te and Se ions were Te IV and Se IV , respectively,for the W-Te oxide and W-Se oxide,respectively. [12] Thechemical formulae for W-Te oxide and W-Se oxide were estimated to be (NH 4 [12] Thechemical formulae for W-Te oxide and W-Se oxide were estimated to be (NH 4 …”

Acidic Ultrafine Tungsten Oxide Molecular Wires for Cellulosic Biomass Conversion

“…[3] Recent progress indicates that inorganic molecular wires can be obtained using a"top-down" approach, resulting in anew class of metal oxide molecular wires. [4] Therefore,t his new field, although full of challenges,i sr eceiving intense investigation.…”

One-dimensional nanowires of pseudoboehmite (aluminum oxyhydroxide γ-AlOOH)

“…1D material | nanowire | TEM | aluminum oxyhydroxide | pseudoboehmite L ow-dimensional materials such as quantum dots (1), nanowires (2,3), and nanosheets (4) have attracted interest in academia and industry. Carbon nanotubes (5), a typical 1D inorganic material, have been investigated widely, but new 1D inorganic materials prepared by a simple and reliable method have rarely been reported.…”