Stable photochromism and controllable reduction properties of surfactant-encapsulated polyoxometalate/silica hybrid films

In this paper, we present a novel strategy for fabricating polyoxometalate (POM)-based photochromic silica hybrid films. To combine metal nanoparticles (NPs) into the POMs embedded silica matrix, furthermore, we realized the controllable in situ synthesis of metal NPs in the film by utilizing the reduction property of POMs existing in the reduced state. Through electrostatic encapsulation with hydroxyl-terminated surfactants, the POMs with good redox property can be covalently grafted onto a silica matrix by means of a sol-gel approach, and stable silica sol-gel thin films containing surfactant-encapsulated POMs can be obtained. The functional hybrid film exhibits both the transparent and easily processible properties of silica matrix and the stable and reversible photochromism of POMs. In addition, well-dispersed POMs in a hydrophobic microenvironment within the hybrid film can be used as reductants for the in situ synthesis of metal NPs. More significantly, the size and location of NPs can be tuned by controlling the adsorption time of metal ions and mask blocking the surface. The hybrid film containing both POMs and metal NPs with patterned morphology can be obtained, which has potential applications in optical display, memory, catalysis, microelectronic devices and antibacterial materials.     

Lindqvist型多酸亚胺衍生物的理论研究及设计

多金属氧酸盐的修饰化学是近年发展起来的一个热点研究领域,其中多酸的亚胺化是一种非常有效的使多酸有机官能化的方法.有机胺能够将其π电子扩展到无机框架,产生较强的d-π相互作用,从而多金属氧酸盐有机胺衍生物和远程有机官能团可以作为构筑单元构建更为复杂的多金属氧酸盐-有机杂化材料.本文综述了作者研究小组运用密度泛函理论方法研究系列Lindqvist型多酸亚胺衍生物的稳定性、成键特征和非线性光学性质,深入探讨该类有机-无机杂化衍生物非线性光学性质的起源.     

近红外发光稀土配合物及杂化材料研究进展

稀土因其特殊的物理和化学性质,在信息技术、能源技术、生物技术等高科技领域及国防建设等方面都起着非常重要的作用,中国作为稀土大国,十分重视对稀土材料的研究和开发。稀土离子近红外发光(750～1700 nm)在激光和光纤通讯、医学诊断、免疫分析等热门领域的潜在应用,受到了科研人员的极大关注。稀土离子本身发光极弱,通过分子内传能有机配体可以敏化稀土离子发光,但稀土配合物常受外界干扰,其稳定性较差,若将其与凝胶、介孔材料、离子液体等无机基质复合,得到具有良好光、热稳定性和化学稳定性的有机/无机杂化材料。总结了近些年来近红外发光稀土配合物及近红外发光稀土杂化材料的研究进展,并对其发展前景进行了展望。     

Seeded growth of titania colloids with refractive index tunability and fluorophore-free luminescence

Titania is an important material in modern materials science, chemistry, and physics because of its special catalytic, electric, and optical properties. Here, we describe a novel method to synthesize colloidal particles with a crystalline titania, anatase core and an amorphous titania-shell structure. We demonstrate seeded growth of titania onto titania particles with accurate particle size tunability. The monodispersity is improved to such an extent so that colloidal crystallization of the grown microspheres becomes feasible. Furthermore, seeded growth provides separate manipulation of the core and shell. We tuned the refractive index of the amorphous shell between 1.55 and 2.3. In addition, the particles show luminescence when trace amounts of aminopropyl-triethoxysilane are incorporated into the titania matrix and are calcined at 450 °C. Our novel colloids may be useful for optical materials and technologies such as photonic crystals and optical trapping.     

Insight into the Structural Variation and Sodium Storage Behavior of Polyoxometalates Encapsulated within Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The host–guest interaction can remarkably alter the physiochemical properties of composite materials. It is crucial to clarify the mechanism by revealing the influence of the host on the electronic structure of the guest molecules. Herein, we study the structural variation of polyoxometalates (POMs) after being confined in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). What we found is that in addition to the reported charge transfer from SWNT to POM, an intramolecular electron transfer within a single POM cluster can be observed in the POM@SWNT composites. Moreover, the charge density on the bridged oxygen of POMs is prominently enhanced. The structural change and electron reconfiguration of POMs upon encapsulation in SWNT significantly speed up electron and ion transport, leading to the improved electrochemical performance for sodium ions storage.     

Photochromic hybrid organic-inorganic liquid-crystalline materials built from nonionic surfactants and polyoxometalates: elaboration and structural study

This work reports the elaboration and structural study of new hybrid organic-inorganic materials constructed via the coupling of liquid-crystalline nonionic surfactants and polyoxometalates (POMs). X-ray scattering and polarized light microscopy demonstrate that these hybrid materials, highly loaded with POMs (up to 18 wt %), are nanocomposites of liquid-crystalline lamellar structure (Lalpha), with viscoelastic properties close to those of gels. The interpretation of X-ray scattering data strongly suggests that the POMs are located close to the terminal -OH groups of the nonionic surfactants, within the aqueous sublayers. Moreover, these materials exhibit a reversible photochromism associated to the photoreduction of the polyanion. The photoinduced mixed-valence behavior has been characterized through ESR and UV-visible-near-IR spectroscopies that demonstrate the presence of W(V) metal cations and of the characteristic intervalence charge transfer band in the near-IR region, respectively. These hybrid nanocomposites exhibit optical properties that may be useful for applications involving UV-light-sensitive coatings or liquid-crystal-based photochromic switches. From a more fundamental point of view, these hybrid materials should be very helpful models for the study of both the static and dynamic properties of nano-objects confined within soft lamellar structures.     

Exploiting Interactions between Polyoxometalates and Proteins for Applications in (Bio)chemistry and Medicine

The specific interactions of anionic metal-oxo clusters, known as polyoxometalates (POMs), with proteins can be leveraged for a wide range of analytical and biomedical applications. For example, POMs have been developed as selective catalysts that can induce protein modifications and have also been shown to facilitate protein crystallization, both of which are instrumental in the structural characterization of proteins. POMs can also be used for selective protein separation and enzyme inhibition, which makes them promising therapeutic agents. Hence, understanding POM-protein interactions is essential for the development of POM-based materials and their implementation in several fields. In this Review we summarize in detail the key insights that have been gained so far on POM-protein interactions. Emphasis is also given to hybrid POMs functionalized with organic ligands to prompt further research in this direction owing to the promising recent results on tuning POM-protein interactions through POM functionalization.     

The Two‐Step Assemblies of Basic‐Amino‐Acid‐Rich Peptide with a Highly Charged Polyoxometalate

Two‐step assembly of a peptide from HPV16 L1 with a highly charged europium‐substituted polyoxometalate (POM) cluster, accompanying a great luminescence enhancement of the inorganic polyanions, is reported. The mechanism is discussed in detail by analyzing the thermodynamic parameters from isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), time‐resolved fluorescent and NMR spectra. By comparing the actions of the peptide analogues, a binding process and model are proposed accordingly. The driving forces in each binding step are clarified, and the initial POM aggregation, basic‐sequence and hydrophobic C termini of peptide are revealed to contribute essentially to the two‐step assembly. The present study demonstrates both a meaningful preparation for bioinorganic materials and a strategy using POMs to modulate the assembly of peptides and even proteins, which could be extended to other proteins and/or viruses by using peptides and POMs with similar properties.     

Rare-earth quinolinates: infrared-emitting molecular materials with a rich structural chemistry

Near-infrared-emitting rare-earth chelates based on 8-hydroxyquinoline have appeared frequently in recent literature, because they are promising candidates for active components in near-infrared-luminescent optical devices, such as optical amplifiers, organic light-emitting diodes, .... Unfortunately, the absence of a full structural investigation of these rare-earth quinolinates is hampering the further development of rare-earth quinolinate based materials, because the luminescence output cannot be related to the structural properties. After an elaborate structural elucidation of the rare-earth quinolinate chemistry we can conclude that basically three types of structures can be formed, depending on the reaction conditions: tris complexes, corresponding to a 1:3 metal-to-ligand ratio, tetrakis complexes, corresponding to a 1:4 metal-to-ligand ratio, and trimeric complexes, with a 3:8 metal-to-ligand ratio. The intensity of the emitted near-infrared luminescence of the erbium(III) complexes is highest for the tetrakis complexes of the dihalogenated 8-hydroxyquinolinates.     

Incorporation of Polyoxometalates Into Polystyrene Latex by Supramolecular Encapsulation and Miniemulsion Polymerization

Submicrometer polystyrene (PS) latex doped with functional polyoxometalates (POMs) has been elaborated via two steps. The first step is the electrostatic encapsulation of POMs by polymerizable surfactants through the replacement of counterions, forming the supramolecular complexes which are organic compatible. And the second step is the incorporation of the complexes into PS latex chemically by miniemulsion polymerization. TEM images indicate that POMs are evenly dispersed in the hybrid latex, and spectral characterizations demonstrate that the properties of POMs are well retained, leading to the functional features of polymer latex, such as luminescence and coloration. Furthermore, the supramolecular encapsulation and the hydrophobic latex matrix provide an effective protection to POMs, which greatly enhances their stability against the ambient acid or basic environment.

     

Sol–Gel Encapsulation of Molecules to Generate Functional Optical Materials: A Molecular Programming Approach

The extraordinary opportunities offered by integrating solution chemistry of molecular entities with the solid-state nature of the gel provide the basis for designing a number of novel molecular materials. Herein, we present a strategy based on encapsulation of suitable response active species to impart useful optical properties to sol–gel glasses. The basic concept of this molecular programming approach is based on deliberate incorporation of response-active species in the silica gel framework to elicit specific optical responses. Design of molecular materials for device applications depends on selection of molecules which exhibit well-defined electronic or optical response, and assembly of these molecular components into a geometric structure that retains the rigidity, addressability, and stability necessary for practical applications. The approach is based on using molecules as active species and sol–gel glass as structural matrix in which the molecules are selectively integrated. A designer approach that employs specific molecules for generating optical signals is described. As such the properties of these silica-based glasses can be tuned by varying the composition of encapsulated species. These modified glasses exhibit substantially altered optical properties as compared to pristine silica sol–gels. The optical response of these materials provide initial examples toward designing novel materials whose optical and/or photonic responses can be modulated by structural integration of specific dopant entities.     

稀土铕、铽配合物在温度发光传感领域的研究进展

稀土发光配合物材料基于其独特的4f-4f电子跃迁表现出优异的发光性能,特别是铕和铽配合物材料,发光波长在可见光区范围内,发射谱带狭窄且尖锐(半峰宽通常小于10 nm),非常适合应用于显示设备和传感装置.同时,具备温度依赖发光性能的铕和铽配合物能够实现高灵敏度、高效的温度传感过程,使其有望用于流体动力学、航空航天、环境工...     

稀土红色长余辉发光材料研究进展

综述了稀土元素掺杂红色长余辉发光材料的研究进展，总结了硫化物、钛酸盐、硫氧化物、硅酸盐、氧化物和磷酸盐等基质体系的红色长余辉发光，并指出硫氧化物和磷酸盐等基质是最具有发展前景的红色长余辉发光体系，讨论了Eu^2 在硫化物、Pr^3 在钛酸盐以及Eu^3 和Sm^3 等稀土离子在硫氧化物和硅酸盐等体系中的红色长余辉发光机制。介绍了传统的高温固相法以及溶胶．凝胶法、微波合成法等稀土红色长余辉材料的制备技术。提出了从基质材料、制备技术和稀土离子发光机制入手是稀土红色长余辉发光材料今后研究与开发的发展方向。     

Soft Matter Approaches for Enhancing the Catalytic Capabilities of Polyoxometalate Clusters

In this minireview, we discuss the recent efforts on expanding the catalytic capabilities of polyoxometalates (POM) through emulsion catalysis approaches with novel catalytic-active POM–organic hybrid clusters as emulsifiers. The hybrid emulsifiers include surfactant encapsulated POM complexes, molecular POMs–organic hybrids, and POM-based solid nanoparticles. With such novel approaches the catalytic efficiency of the POMs can be significantly improved by enhancing the compatibility of the POMs with organic media, providing catalytic interface for biphasic reactions, as well as easier preparation, and better recyclability. Particularly, a simple, green chemistry method to prepare metal nanoparticle materials with POMs as both reducing and capping agents in aqueous is reviewed.     

Y(P,V)O4:Dy phosphors for white light generation: Emission dynamics and host effect

The structural characteristics and optical spectra of Y(P,V)O₄:Dy³⁺phosphors obtained by solid state reaction, sol-gel and hydrothermal routes have been investigated and compared. The luminescence features of these materials show a complicate dependence on the composition, synthetic method and excitation conditions. The emission performance depends on different effects: host luminescence, energy transfer to the doping ions and host dependence of the Dy³⁺ emission properties. These effects have been rationalized in order to provide useful information for the development of a suitable material for the white light emitting phosphors technology.     

Layer-by-layer assembly of polyoxometalates into microcapsules

The polyoxometalate (POM) chemistry world has been experiencing an unparalleled development of rapid synthesis of new compounds and slow development of POM-based functional materials and devices. Meanwhile, researchers in the microcapsule world, encouraged by the introduction of the layer-by-layer method, are pursuing good components for constructing functional capsule devices. Here, in view of the versatile properties that POM-based microcapsules may possess, various types of POM-polyelectrolyte composite microcapsules were constructed using the layer-by-layer method. Microscopy reveals that polyoxometalates form nanoparticles on the shell in the presence of cationic polyelectrolytes. These nanoparticles connected with polyelectrolytes constitute the shell and support the microcapsule from collapse after drying, and this is an interesting characteristic different from those of common composite and polyelectrolyte capsules. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV-vis absorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to examine the properties of the POMs in the microcapsules. The obtained microcapsules exhibit higher thermal stability than polyelectrolyte microcapsules. Furthermore, the functions of POMs were maintained when they were assembled into microcapsules. It is proved that microcapsules bearing POMs with redox activity can provide a reduction environment, which can lead to the realization of in situ synthesis of materials, and that microcapsules with photoluminescent POMs as a component can also have a photoluminescent property, providing a way to develop functional capsule devices. This work may provide an opportunity to enrich both the polyoxometalate chemistry and the capsule field.     

Rare-earth-doped transparent glass ceramics

Glass ceramics are a known class of polycrystalline ceramic materials, where, depending on the glass matrix and the particular crystalline phases, one can obtain materials with improved mechanical, thermal, electrical or optical properties. The characteristics and applications of optical glass ceramics are reviewed, with particular emphasis on rare-earth-doped transparent glass ceramics for photonics, including the search for new transparent glass ceramic compositions and the development of suitable methods to process such materials into functional devices.     

基于介孔纳米粒子模板合成兼有荧光和近红外发光的稀土核-壳结构纳米材料

利用单分散性良好介孔SiO2纳米粒子为模板,选择Y2O3为基底,同时掺杂可见区红光中心Eu3+和近红外区Er3+(1.54 μm)发光中心,成功制备特殊结构的核壳多功能发光纳米材料. 光谱测试表明这种核壳材料同时具有可见区发光和近红外发光的双重性质. 表明Y2O3可作为红光Eu和近红外发光Er的良好基底材料. 该方法可以大大降低纳米发光材料中稀土元素的使用量,降低发光材料的成本,并且该核壳结构材料密度相对较低,易于分散在有机溶剂或者水中,在药物释放和多功能生物标记等方面有着潜在的应用价值.     

Long-Persistent Circularly Polarized Luminescence from a Host-Guest System Regulated by the Multiple Roles of a Gold(I)-Carbene Motif

The promotion of intersystem crossing (ISC) is critical for achieving a high-efficiency long-persistent luminescence (LPL) from organic materials. However, the use of a transition-metal complex for LPL materials has not been explored because it can also shorten the emission lifetime by accelerating the phosphorescence decay. Here, we report a new class of LPL materials by doping a monovalent Au-carbene complex into a boron-embedded molecular host. The donor-acceptor systems exhibit photoluminescence with both high efficiencies (>57 %) and long lifetimes (ca. 40 ms) at room temperature. It is revealed that the Au atom promotes the population of low-lying triplet excited states of the host aggregate (T₁*) which can be converted into the charge-transfer (CT) state, thereby resulting in afterglow luminescence. Moreover, the use of a chirality unit on the guest molecule results in the LPL being circularly polarized. This work illustrates that transition-metal complexes can be used for developing organic afterglow systems by exquisite control over the excited state mechanism.     

多酸基光敏剂在染料敏化太阳能电池中的应用

染料敏化太阳能电池(dye-sensitized solar cells,简写为DSSCs)是由Michael Gr覿tzel等开发的第三代光伏电池,它具有低成本、制作简单、光学性能可调、光电转换效率高等优势。其中光敏剂是DSSCs的重要组成部分,通过吸收可见光将电子传递到半导体导带,对整个电池的电子循环至关重要。广泛采用的光敏剂为N719等贵金属配合物,但其价格非常昂贵,很难实现大规模产业化。因此寻找低成本的非贵金属光敏剂是该领域的一项挑战。多金属氧酸盐(简称多酸,Polyoxometalates,简写为POMs)是一类具有纳米尺寸的分子基纳米材料,是分子型无机类半导体材料。多酸的富氧表面可以被活化和修饰,吸收光谱可以覆盖可见区甚至近红外区,具有合适的氧化还原电势,良好的热稳定性和溶解性。近年来,一系列研究表明多酸可以作为光敏剂应用在DSSCs中。本文中,我们以课题组多年来在POMs和太阳能电池领域的研究工作积累以及国内外同行专家的研究工作为基础,对多酸基光敏剂在DSSCs中的应用进行了详细综述。首先我们阐述了DSSCs的研究意义、多酸的简介、多酸的能级测量及调控。之后我们重点综述了多酸作为DSSCs中的光敏剂和共敏剂的研究。最后,我们对多酸基光敏剂在DSSCs领域的发展前景进行了总结和展望。本文有望引起多酸化学、材料化学及新兴交叉学科领域研究者的广泛研究兴趣,并为太阳能电池光敏剂的研究提供新的思路。