A Transient Template in the Self Assembly of a Molybdenum Blue Nano-Wheel

What is it about?

The use of a non-equilibrium continuous flow reactor system enabled us to unravel the self-assembly formation mechanism of a metal-oxide based nanowheel containing 150 metal centres, by trapping the transient template, and this knowledge allows its accelerated synthesis with increased yield.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The crystallization of an intermediate structure showed a central {Mo36} cluster to template the assembly of the {Mo150} nano-wheel. The transient nature of the template is demonstrated by its ejection after the wheel is formed.