Electrochemistry assisted laser ablation in liquid: A general strategy for fabricating polyoxometalate nanostructures

Polyoxometalate nanostructures have attracted extensive interests due to the significant technical demands such as catalysts, sensors and smart windows. For this issue, in here, a general strategy for fabricating polyoxometalate nanostructures is proposed: electrochemistry assisted laser ablation in liquid (ECLAL). This is a green, simple, and catalyst-free approach under the ambient environment. Besides these merits, this novel technique allows researchers to choose and design interesting solid target and electrochemistry approach to fabricate nanostructures of polyoxometalate compounds for purpose of fundamental research and potential applications. Taking the synthesis of Cu₃Mo₂O₉ nanorods as an example, the validity of the proposed strategy above is substantiated. Aiming at the fabrication of Cu₃Mo₂O₉ nanostructure, molybdenum was chosen as a solid target of laser ablation in liquid and copper as electrodes of electrochemical reaction in ECLAL, and successfully fabricate Cu₃(OH)₂(MoO₄)₂ nanorods with magnetic properties. Interestingly, well defined Cu₃Mo₂O₉ nanorods were obtained by annealing of those Cu₃(OH)₂(MoO₄)₂ nanostructures at 500 °C. Additionally, the basic physics and chemistry involved in the ECLAL fabrication of nanostructures are discussed.