The synergistic behavior of polyoxometalates and metal nanoparticles: from synthetic approaches to functional nanohybrid materials

Abstract

The cooperative chemistry of polyoxometalates (POMs) and metal nanoparticles (NPs) still remains a relatively unexplored area of nanoscience despite showing remarkable potential and application in fields as diverse as catalysis and medicine. This Highlight article reviews the principal synthetic approaches used in the preparation of NPs using POMs as the reducing and stabilising agents. It also details various POM/NP composite materials, exploring recent advances in their application, and provides a personal view on the future of research in this area.