AbstractsChemistry

The controlled assembly of large nano-molecular clusters is a great challenge since the reliable assembly of new architectures is significantly important for not only exploring the fundamentals of structures but also extending the range of new materials, properties and devices. It suggests that the reliable organic and inorganic synthesis of gigantic molecules may define a new age in nano-science. In our group, we utilize Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS) and Polyoxometalates (POMs) to construct the giant molecules. On one hand, POSS are of conformational rigidity with the approximate size of 1 nm, which possess a good thermal stability and versatile surface chemical functionalities. On the other hand, POMs are the discrete metal-oxygen (also some hetero-atoms) anionic clusters that are formed by some early-transition metals (e.g. Vanadium (V), Molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W)) in their high oxidation state. The surface charge property of POM clusters is quite so intriguing for researchers that a large library of POMs-based hybrid materials could be imagined. In my project, POMs and POSS connected by a series of covalent bonds are carried out to study its structure both in bulk and thin film.