Polyoxometalate-based one-dimensional subnanomaterials

One-dimensional (1D) subnanomaterials (SNMs), including subnanowires (SNWs) and subnanobelts (SNBs), have diameters or thicknesses comparable to the unit cell size, endowed with polymer-like properties such as rheology, gelling and adhesion due to the dimensional similarity to polymer chains. Originally, the single-component 1D SNMs are dominant; later, based on the cluster-nuclei co-assembly (CNCA) strategy, various POM-based 1D SNMs have been developed, enabling the precise regulation of compositions and structures. In this review, a variety of subnanowires (SNWs) and subnanobelts (SNBs), including POMs, metal clusters–POMs (M–POMs), metal cations–POMs (Mn+–POMs), metal oxides–POMs (MxOy–POMs), metal sulfides–POMs (MxSy–POMs) and high-entropy oxides–POMs (HEO–POMs) types, have been discussed with focus on their synthesis, programmable structures, polymer‐analogue properties and excellent performance in gelling, adhesion, catalysis, polarization and photothermal conversion applications. Moreover, the outstanding processability of 1D SNMs further enables macroscale assemblies such as fibers, films and gels, significantly expanding their practicability. Furthermore, challenges and future directions are also discussed, offering new viewpoints on the development and applications of POM-based 1D SNMs.