Encapsulation and stabilization of polyoxometalates in self-assembled supramolecular hydrogels.

We have encapsulated the polyoxoanions [P2W18O62](6-) and [P2W15V3O62](9-) in a self-assembled carboxy-methyl-chitosan (CMC) hydrogel, exhibiting a regular superstructure in water at physiological pH. We performed stability studies as a function of temperature and polyoxometalate (POM) loading, and observed exceptional Tgel properties. This work is a step forward towards developing biologically active polyoxometalate-based materials.