Redox switching of polyoxometalate-methylene blue-based layer-by-layer films

Synthesis, Physical Properties and Application of a Series of New Polyoxometalate-Based Ionic Liquids

This paper deals with the preparation and the characterization of four new ionic liquids resulting from the pairing of various polyoxotungstates or polyoxomolybdates with the cation trihexyltetradecylphosphonium. The physical properties measured by different techniques evidence that the viscosity and the rheological behaviors of such POM-based ionic liquids, POM-ILs, strongly depend on the nature of the POM, especially its charge. Playing on the nature of the POM, we can indeed obtain Newtonian liquids or some much more viscous materials exhibiting characteristics of resins or pseudo-plastics. In a second part of this study, the potentialities of using such materials both as solvent and catalyst for the oxidation of a series of alcohols are presented as proof of concept. This part highlights great differences in strength and selectivity as a function of the POM-IL used. Furthermore, a very simple way to recycle the catalyst is also presented.

Reversible Transformation of a Supramolecular Hydrogel by Redox Switching of Methylene Blue-A Noncovalent Chain Stopper

The simple and reversible control of the degree of polymerization, and thereby the bulk material properties, of a supramolecular polymer is reported. Noncovalent capping agents (chain stoppers) modulate the length of supramolecular polymers by stacking on the surfaces of the polymer's ends. Methylene blue (MB) is a positively charged, planar polycyclic dye that acts as a chain stopper. It can be reversibly switched between its colored, planar, cationic state and a colorless, nonplanar, neutral state (leucomethylene blue, LMB) by reduction with ascorbic acid and then reoxidized to MB by O₂. LMB does not act as a chain stopper. This behavior was utilized to reversibly trigger the gel to sol transformation of supramolecular polymers formed by the self-assembly of hexameric rosettes comprising 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine and a hexanoic acid-substituted cyanuric acid (CyCo6) in aqueous media. The results of our experiments highlight the ability of this approach to reversibly switch between the gel and solution states of materials formed from supramolecular polymers and thereby control their bulk properties.

Transition Metal-Substituted Krebs-Type Polyoxometalate-Doped PEDOT Films

The transition metal-substituted Krebs-type polyoxometalates (POMs) [Sb₂W₂₀M₂O₇₀(H₂O)₆]^n-, M = Fe(III), Co(II), or Cu(II), were surface immobilized within the conducting polymer 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) on glassy carbon electrode surfaces. The immobilized films of different thicknesses were characterized by electrochemical and surface-based techniques. The inherent redox activity for the Krebs-type POMs, [Sb₂W₂₀M₂O₇₀(H₂O)₆]^n-, M = Fe(III), Co(II), or Cu(II), that were observed in the solution phase were maintained in the polymeric PEDOT matrix. The resulting films were found to be extremely stable toward redox switching between the various POM-based redox states. The films exhibited pH-dependent redox activity and thin layer behavior up to 100 mV s^-1. The films were found to be highly conductive through the employment of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Surface characterization of the films was carried out by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy graph.

A chitosan–Pt nanoparticles/carbon nanotubes-doped phosphomolybdate nanocomposite as a platform for the sensitive detection of nitrite in tap water

A polyoxometalate-based composite film decorated with CNTs and Pt–CHIT NPs was constructed on an electrode using the LBL self-assembly method. It acted as an electrochemical nitrite sensor with greatly enhanced electron transfer ability and sensing performance.

Enhancement of nitrite and nitrate electrocatalytic reduction through the employment of self-assembled layers of nickel- and copper-substituted crown-type heteropolyanions

Multilayer assemblies of two crown-type type heteropolyanions (HPA), [Cu20Cl(OH)24(H2O)12(P8W48O184)](25-) and Ni4(P8W48O148)(WO2)](28-), have been immobilized onto glassy carbon electrode surfaces via the layer-by-layer (LBL) technique employing polycathion-stabilized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) as the cationic layer within the resulting thin films characterized by electrochemical and physical methods. The redox behaviors of both HPA monitored during LBL assembly with cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy revealed significant changes by immobilization. The presence of AgNPs led to the retention of film porosity and electronic conductivity, which has been shown with impedance and voltammeric studies of film permeabilities toward reversible redox probes. The resulting films have been characterized by physical methods. Finally, the electrocatalytic performance of obtained films with respect to nitrite and nitrate electrocatalytic reduction has been comparatively studied for both catalysts. Nickel atoms trapped inside HPA exhibited a higher specific activity for reduction.

Multielectrocatalysis by layer-by-layer films based on pararosaniline and vanadium-substituted phosphomolybdate

Hybrid multilayer films based on the two molecular species pararosaniline (PR) and Keggin-type polyoxometalate K5[PMo11VO40)] (PMo11V) were prepared on different substrates using the electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly method. The film buildup, monitored by electronic spectroscopy, showed a regular stepwise growth, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data confirmed the presence of both molecular components within the LbL films. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed a completely covered surface with a nonuniform distribution of film components, and atomic force microscopy images confirmed a rough surface. The film electrochemical responses and permeability were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Films revealed three Mo-based redox processes (Mo(VI) → Mo(V)) and one V-based redox process (V(V) → V(IV)) in the potential range between 0.8 and -0.4 V vs Ag/AgCl. Studies with the redox probes [Fe(CN)6](3-/4-) and [Ru(NH3)6](3+/2+) showed that the films maintain the permeability even after six bilayers. Furthermore, the {PR/PMo11V}n multilayer films exhibit excellent Mo-based electrocatalytic activity toward reduction of iodate and V-based electrocatalytic activity toward ascorbic acid oxidation, thus acting as a versatile multielectrocatalyst.

Investigations into the electrochemical, surface, and electrocatalytic properties of the surface-immobilized polyoxometalate, TBA3K[SiW10O36(PhPO)2]

Surface anchoring of an organic functionalized POM, TBA3K[SiW10O36(PhPO)2] was carried out by two methods, the layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly technique by employing a pentaerythritol-based ruthenium(II) metallodendrimer as a cationic moiety and also by entrapping the POM in a conducting polypyrrole film. The redox behavior of the constructed films was studied by using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The surface morphologies of the constructed multilayers were examined by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was conducted to confirm the elements present within the fabricated films. The multilayer assembly was also investigated for its catalytic efficiency towards the reduction of nitrite.

Surface immobilization of a tetra-ruthenium substituted polyoxometalate water oxidation catalyst through the employment of conducting polypyrrole and the layer-by-layer (LBL) technique

A tetra Ru-substituted polyoxometalate Na10[{Ru4O4(OH)2(H2O)4}(γ-SiW10O36)2] (Ru4POM) has been successfully immobilised onto glassy carbon electrodes and indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass slides through the employment of a conducting polypyrrole matrix and the layer-by-layer (LBL) technique. The resulting Ru4POM doped polypyrrole films showed stable redox behavior associated with the Ru centres within the Ru4POM, whereas, the POM's tungsten-oxo redox centres were not accessible. The films showed pH dependent redox behavior within the pH range 2-5 whilst exhibiting excellent stability towards redox cycling. The layer-by-layer assembly was constructed onto poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) modified carbon electrodes by alternate depositions of Ru4POM and a Ru(II) metallodendrimer. The resulting Ru4POM assemblies showed stable redox behavior for the redox processes associated with Ru4POM in the pH range 2-5. The charge transfer resistance of the LBL films was calculated through AC-Impedance. Surface characterization of both the polymer and LBL Ru4POM films was carried out using atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Initial investigations into the ability of the Ru4POM LBL films to electrocatalytically oxidise water at pH 7 have also been conducted.