Two novel strategies towards individualized, periodically organized pseudo 3D polyoxometalate self-assemblies

Polyoxometalates (POMs) are metallic oxo-clusters renowned for their remarkable redox, photoredox and magnetic properties, positioning them as promising candidates for applications in molecular electronics. However, due to their tendency to aggregate, a significant challenge in their utilization has been the absence of chemical methods to organize them on surfaces.[1,2] This work explores novel 2D supramolecular assembly approaches to address this challenge. which led to their periodic arrangement on HOPG surface. Advanced characterization techniques allowed to confirm the formation of a homogeneous sub-molecular film of POMs spaced approximately 1 nm apart. This organization ensures the POMs are isolated from each other, making them ready for a potential further addressing. To sum-up, our findings provide pioneering chemical strategies for the precise surface organization of molecular clusters, with broad implications for the development of next-generation materials and devices in nanotechnology and materials science.