Van der Waals Integrated Hybrid POM-Zirconia Flexible Belt-Like Superstructures

Adv Mater. 2020 Jan;32(2):e1906794. doi: 10.1002/adma.201906794. Epub 2019 Nov 27.

Abstract

A facile one-step solvothermal approach to engineer a van der Waals integrated heteromaterial self-assembled superstructure composed of two structurally distinct species that is polyoxomolybdate and zirconia (POM-ZrO2 ) is reported. Nonclassical aggregation-based self-assembly process grows the superstructure. The introduced POM not only behaves as a catalytically active component of the hybrid structure but also imparts flexibility to the developed POM-ZrO2 superstructures. The material shows high performance toward oxygenation of thioethers as a result of its morphology, composition, and structure. This growing strategy may introduce a viable pathway to the rational design of Van der Waals integrated complex hybrid, catalytically active assemblies with potential applications in different fields.

Keywords: Van der Waals; hybrid materials; polyoxometalates; superstructures; thioether oxidation.