Self-assembly of molecular metal oxide nanoclusters

Vila-Nadal, L. and Cronin, L. (2017) Self-assembly of molecular metal oxide nanoclusters. In: Dronskowski, R., Kikkawa, S. and Stein, A. (eds.) Handbook of Solid State Chemistry. Wiley: Weinheim. ISBN 9783527325870 (doi: 10.1002/9783527691036.hsscvol4003)

Abstract

The aim to both understand and control molecular self-assembly from the molecule up to the material has been an important goal. This is because the ability to manipulate the formation of building blocks at small scales lies at the very foundations of nanotechnology and is vital if we are to access the room available at the bottom. Molecular metal oxides or polyoxometalates (POMs) offer a route to achieve this control at a molecular level. In fact, POMs are an archetypal family of self-assembled molecular clusters that display a vast range of physical properties, structural features, and sizes. Over the last twenty years, the community of researchers in the area of polyoxometalate cluster science has developed synthetic methodologies, theoretical approaches, and analytical techniques allowing understanding their complex self-assembly mechanisms and reactions. In the present chapter, we will introduce the basic principles that rule POM self-assembly, discussing their building blocks and recent advances toward the understanding of their complex chemical transformations, leading to the design of reactivity by structural control. Finally, we discuss how the flow of material and energy, coupled with control of local rules, allows control of intricate assemblies via manipulation of the dissipative dynamics leading to the self-organization of architectures formed far from equilibrium.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Additional Information: Part 4. Nano and Hybrid Materials.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Vila-Nadal, Dr Laia and Cronin, Professor Lee
• Authors: Vila-Nadal, L., and Cronin, L.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Handbook of Solid State Chemistry
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISBN: 9783527325870

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