Scanning tunneling microscopy and tunneling spectroscopy of nano-structured H6P2MoxW(18-x)O62 (x = 0, 3, 9, 15, 18) Wells-Dawson heteropolyacids

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2011 Jul;11(7):6533-8. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2011.4372.

Abstract

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and tunneling spectroscopy studies of nano-structured H6P2MoxW(18-x)O62 (x = 0, 3, 9, 15, 18) Wells-Dawson heteropolyacids (HPAs) were carried out to examine redox properties of the HPAs. STM images of H6P2MoxW(18-x)O62 HPAs clearly showed self-assembled and well-ordered 2-dimensional arrays on graphite surface. Tunneling spectroscopy measurements revealed that all H6P2MoxW(18-x)O62 HPAs exhibited a negative differential resistance (NDR) behavior in their tunneling spectra. NDR peak voltage of H6P2MoxW(18-x)O62 HPAs appeared at less negative applied voltage with increasing molybdenum substitution. Reduction potential of H6P2MoxW(18-x)O62 HPAs measured by an electrochemical method increased and absorption edge energy determined by UV-visible spectroscopy shifted to lower value with increasing molybdenum substitution. In other words, NDR peak voltage of H6P2MoxW(18-x)O62 HPAs appeared at less negative applied voltage with increasing reduction potential and with decreasing absorption edge energy of the HPAs; more reducible H6P2MoxW(18-x)O62 HPAs showed NDR behavior at less negative applied voltage. These results indicate that NDR peak voltage of nano-structured HPAs measured by STM could be utilized as a correlating parameter for the redox properties of bulk HPAs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anions / chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molybdenum / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Phosphoric Acids / chemistry*
  • Phosphotungstic Acid / chemistry*
  • Spectrum Analysis

Substances

  • Anions
  • Phosphoric Acids
  • Phosphotungstic Acid
  • Molybdenum
  • phosphomolybdic acid