Encapsulation and stabilization of polyoxometalates in self-assembled supramolecular hydrogels†
Abstract
We have encapsulated the polyoxoanions [P2W18O62]6− and [P2W15V3O62]9− in a self-assembled carboxy-methyl-chitosan (CMC) hydrogel, exhibiting a regular superstructure in water at physiological pH. We performed stability studies as a function of temperature and polyoxometalate (POM) loading, and observed exceptional Tgel properties. This work is a step forward towards developing biologically active polyoxometalate-based materials.