Tunable Ordered Nanostructured Phases by Co-assembly of Amphiphilic Polyoxometalates and Pluronic Block Copolymers

• The assembly of polyoxometalate (POM) metal–oxygen clusters into ordered nanostructures is attracting a growing interest for catalytic and sensing applications. However, assembly of ordered nanostructured POMs from solution can be impaired by aggregation, and the structural diversity is poorly understood. Here, we present a time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) study of the co-assembly in aqueous solutions of amphiphilic organo-functionalized Wells-Dawson-type POMs with a Pluronic block copolymer over a wide concentration range in levitating droplets. SAXS analysis revealed the formation and subsequent transformation with increasing concentration of large vesicles, a lamellar phase, a mixture of two cubic phases that evolved into one dominating cubic phase, and eventually a hexagonal phase formed at concentrations above 110 mM. The structural versatility of co-assembled amphiphilic POMs and Pluronic block copolymers was supported by dissipative particle dynamics simulations and cryo-TEM. 

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Fysikalisk kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Physical Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Amphiphilic polyoxometalate

Co-assembly

Ordered nanostructure

Catalysis

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