Entrapment of metastable nanocrystals by polyoxometalates

Entirely inorganic polyoxometalate cluster-anion ligands are herein used to entrap and impart heat resistance to metastable metal-oxide based NCs. This is demonstrated by trapping 6-line ferrihydrite NCs that form as intermediates in the spontaneous conversion of beta-FeOOH to hematite (alpha-Fe2O3). The results suggest that polyoxometalate ligation may prove to be a general method for stabilizing metastable phases as the cores of entirely inorganic macro-anion like complexes.

Automated summary

In this study, entirely inorganic polyoxometalate cluster-anion ligands are used to trap and impart heat resistance to metastable metal-oxide based NCs. This is demonstrated by trapping 6-line ferrihydrite NCs, which are intermediates in the spontaneous conversion of beta-FeOOH to hematite (alpha-Fe2O3). The results suggest that polyoxometalate ligation may be a general method for stabilizing metastable phases as the cores of entirely inorganic macro-anion like complexes.