Nanoscaled Molybdenum-Oxide Clusters: Syntheses, Tuning Surface Properties and Counterion Effects

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Achim Müller (†)
• Subject Area: Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis
• Term: from 2010 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 182069677

The proposal represents an important effort of enriching the specific area of metal-oxide based materials and nanoscience. New types of Keplerate capsules should be synthesized in the sense to modify the hydrophilic, spherical nanocapsules ({Mo132}, {Mo72W60} and their derivatives such as {Mo72Fe30}, {Mo72Cr30}, {Mo72V30}, {W72Fe30} and {W72V30}) in order to change their charge densities and to control the properties of the nanopores. Solution physical chemistry studies will be performed on such unique systems by the American PI, in order to understand the cation distribution around the nanocapsules and its change in response to the changes of the environment, the cation replacement and sequesterization around capsules, the transportation of cations through self-assembled porous “membranes”, and the nature of the molecular recognition among the anionic nanocapsules forming thereby vesicles. Related properties of the other mentioned molybdenum oxide nanoobjects should be also investigated. The project can only be successfully accomplished by close collaborations between the German PI (specialized in the present context in the syntheses of inorganic clusters) and the American PI (specialized in solution physical chemistry, especially POM solutions).

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: USA
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Tianbo Liu