Lipophilic polyoxomolybdate nanocapsules in constitutional dynamic hybrid materials

Dynamic hybrid materials based on Muller's porous Keplerate type molybdenum-oxide based nanocapsules are described. The present efforts involve the preparation and properties of hybrid materials formed between lipophilic MCM41-mesoporous or octadecyldimethylsilica with Keplerate type molybdenum-oxide based Mo132 nanocapsules - designed by encapsulation into DODA - dimethyldioctadecylammonium cationic surfactants (DODA)(40)Mo132. In particular, the use of a dynamic reversible hydrophobic interface between (DODA)(40)Mo132 and lipophilic silica can render the emerging hybrid mesophases self-adaptive. The reversible hydrophobic interactions allow to both capsule and inorganic silica components to mutually (synergistically) adapt their spatial constitution during simultaneous (collective) formation of self-organized hybrid domains. This might provide new insights into the features that control the design of novel complex materials. (C) 2010 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.