Covalently Linked Polyoxometalate–Polypyrrole Hybrids: Electropolymer Materials with Dual-Mode Enhanced Capacitive Energy Storage

Polyoxometalate Integrated with Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites for Supercapacitor and Biological Sensor Applications

Nanostructured redox-active composite electrode materials have been developed for energy storage applications to address conventional carbon-based supercapacitor's limited electrochemical performance. Polyoxometalates (POMs) and conducting polymers (CP) have significantly enhanced the pseudocapacitive activity of these electrode materials. In this study, we synthesized H4[PVW11O40]·xH2O (PVW11) and combined it with polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PAni) separately to improve energy performance and conduct electrochemical analysis. The PVW11-PPy outperformed the PVW11-PAni composite, achieving an energy density of 49.07 W h kg-1 and a specific capacitance of 405.16 F g-1. The supercapacitor cells showed a cyclic retention of 85.13% and 99.99% Coulombic efficiency after 6000 galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) cycles. The PVW11-PPy composite was fabricated into a supercapacitor device that powered a set of 10 LED bulbs for 2 min using an active mass of 76 mg. Additionally, the PVW11-PPy composite material was employed to sense glucose solutions with concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 0.4 mM, providing a sensitivity of 0.325 mA mM-1 cm-2, with limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 0.381 mM and 1.270 mM, respectively.

A polyoxotungstate/W18O49 nanocomposite with a bird-nest-like network supports high-performance electrochromic supercapacitors

Electrochromic supercapacitors (ECSCs) offer real-time visual monitoring of the energy storage status, highlighting their applicability in cutting-edge electronic devices. Herein, we employed a layer-by-layer self-assembly approach to fabricate a W18O49/[PEI/P2W18]20 nanocomposite via depositing the Dawson-type polyoxometalate (POM) K6[P2W18O62]·14H2O (P2W18) onto W18O49 nanofibers. The distinctive bird-nest-like network structure of the nanocomposite, featuring a 3D conductive pathway and unobstructed ion diffusion channels, significantly enhanced the kinetics of ion/electron transfer and facilitated its excellent electrochemical performance. Compared to the pure W18O49 film, this W18O49/[PEI/P2W18]20 film exhibited superior electrochromic (EC) and energy storage capabilities, with a significantly higher areal capacitance of 30.45 mF cm-2 at a current density of 0.05 mA cm-2 and an excellent coloration efficiency of 224.15 cm2 C-1. These enhancements can be attributed to the unique bird-nest-like microstructure and the synergistic effect resulting from the combination of two cathode EC components in this hybrid material. An asymmetric ECSC was successfully fabricated using W18O49/[PEI/P2W18]20 and NiO as the cathode and anode, respectively. The ECSC exhibited a high retention rate of 84.76% after undergoing 1000 continuous charge/discharge cycles and an excellent areal capacitance of 4.38 mF cm-2 at a current density of 0.35 mA cm-2. Moreover, this ECSC demonstrated the ability to seamlessly transition between the transparent and dark blue states throughout the charge/discharge process. Upon a charging period of 2 min, the resulting ECSC exhibited the capability to power an LED load for 3 min, while its color variations served as a convenient visual indicator of the energy storage level.

Synthesis and Optical and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Linear and Two-Dimensional Charge Transfer Chromophores Based on Polyoxometalates

We present the first study of arylimido-polyoxometalate nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores with two-dimensional (2D) structures, and a comparison with one-dimensional analogues, through the synthesis of a family of arylimido-hexamolybdate derivatives where one or two polyoxometalate (POM) acceptors are connected to a tolyl-amino donor through phenyl bridges. Electronic absorption spectra and TD-DFT calculations reveal significant red-shifts in ligand-to-polyoxometalate charge transfer (LPCT) absorption bands for the 2D species compared to linear, dipolar analogues, consistent with the involvement of a larger conjugated (bridge + POM) system in the transitions. Electrochemical measurements indicate reversible, one-electron processes for the POM acceptors with class II mixed valence behavior observed where the POMs are connected to the same aryl ring and electronic isolation of the acceptors when they are on separate rings. Molecular first hyperpolarizabilities β have been determined using hyper-Rayleigh scattering at 1064 and 1200 nm: for the most active compound, the HRS measurements and depolarization studies reveal a strongly 2D, off-diagonal response (β0,zzz = 190 × 10-30 esu; β0,zyy = -56.5 × 10-30 esu), consistent with the wide A-D-A angle and TD-DFT computed electronic transitions, which show both phenyl bridges and POMs equally involved in the acceptor orbitals.

Synthesis of Polypyrrole and Its Derivatives as a Liquid Marble Stabilizer via a Solvent-Free Chemical Oxidative Polymerization Protocol

Solvent-free chemical oxidative polymerizations of pyrrole and its derivatives, namely N-methylpyrrole and N-ethylpyrrole, were conducted by mechanical mixing of monomer and solid FeCl₃ oxidant under nitrogen atmosphere. Polymerizations occurred at the surface of the oxidant, and optical and scanning electron microscopy studies confirmed production of atypical grains with diameters of a few tens of micrometers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies indicated the presence of hydroxy and carbonyl groups which were introduced during the polymerization due to overoxidation. The polymer grains were doped with chloride ions, and the chloride ion dopant could be removed by dedoping using an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, which was confirmed by elemental microanalysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies. Water contact angle measurements confirmed that the larger the alkyl group on the nitrogen of pyrrole ring the higher the hydrophobicity and that the contact angles increased after dedoping in all cases. The grains before and after dedoping exhibited photothermal properties: the near-infrared laser irradiation induced a rapid temperature increase to greater than 430 °C. Furthermore, dedoped poly(N-ethylpyrrole) grains adsorbed to the air-water interface and could work as an effective liquid marble stabilizer. The resulting liquid marble could move on a planar water surface due to near-infrared laser-induced Marangoni flow and could disintegrate by exposure to acid vapor via redoping of the poly(N-ethylpyrrole) grains.

Insights into organic-inorganic hybrid molecular materials: organoimido functionalized polyoxomolybdates

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are polyatomic anions that comprise transition metal group 5 (V, Nb, Ta) or group 6 (Mo, W) oxyanions connected together by shared oxygen atoms. POMs are fascinating because of their exclusive and remarkable characteristics. One of the most interesting features of POMs is their capability to function as an electron relay by performing stepwise multi-electron redox reactions while maintaining their structural integrity. Functionalization of POMs with amino organic compounds results in organoimido derivatives of polyoxometalates, which have aroused interest due to augmentation of their properties. Comprehensive study has shown that the synthesis methodologies to obtain desired organoimido derivatives of POMs by employing various imido-releasing reagents have progressed drastically in recent decades, particularly the innovative DCC-dehydrating technique. These organoimido functionalized POMs have been used as major building blocks to develop unique nanostructured organic-inorganic hybrid molecular materials. Many conventional organic synthesis processes such as Pd-catalyzed carbon-carbon coupling and esterification reactions have been performed with organoimido functionalized POMs where the presence of POM triggered the reaction process. Thus, investigation of the reactivity of organoimido derivatives of POMs foreshadows the intriguing future of POMs chemistry.

Polypyrrole-Bentonite composite as a highly efficient and low cost anionic adsorbent for removing hexavalent molybdenum from wastewater

The aim of current study was to develop a new material for the fast and efficient removal of hexavalent molybdenum (Mo(VI)) from contaminated water. In this work, a novel adsorbent was synthesized through the polypyrrole intercalation modification of bentonite (PPy-BT) via in-situ chemical polymerization method for effectively removal of Mo(VI) from aqueous solution. The surface morphology and chemical composition of PPy-BT composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy techniques and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. PPy and BT could well resist the aggregation of each other, and therefore resulted in a loose-packed structure and good exposure of active sites. Using materials for the adsorption of Mo(VI) revealed has a maximum adsorption capacity of 100.17 mg/g at 25 °C and pH 4.0 by the Langmuir model. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm data are found to be well elucidated through pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. Moreover, high regeneration ability (>89.3%) of PPy-BT was noted for five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles. These findings highlight the potential of PPy-BT for practical water treatment applications. The intercalation material of PPy-BT could provide a new strategy to develop cost-effective clay-based nanomaterials for wastewater treatment.

Impact of mesoporous SiO2 support for Ni/polypyrrole nanocomposite particles on their capacitive performance

The inclusion of mesoporous H2N-SiO2 support in H2N-SiO2/Ni/PPy nanocomposite particles improved their electrochemical performance, suitable for energy storage devices.