Polyoxometalate-based hybrid organogels prepared from a triblock copolymer via charge-driven assembly

Abstract

We report a novel approach for the preparation of polyoxometalate-based hybrid organogels from a triblock copolymer via charge-induced assembly. The triblock copolymer used is poly(4-vinyl pyridine)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (4VP_m-EG_n-4VP_m), and polyoxometalate (POM) is phosphotungstic acid (HPW). The ionic interaction between the pyridine groups of the 4VP_m-EG_n-4VP_m and HPW drives the assembly of the triblock copolymer to form solvophobic cores. The PEG middle blocks connect and stabilize the different cores to form hybrid organogels. The structures of POM remain unchanged in these hybrid organogels, and the properties of POMs can be preserved, which has been confirmed by the existence of photo-reduction properties of POM in the hybrid organogels.