One-step solid-state reaction at room temperature for the synthesis of polyoxometalate nanoparticles and nanorods

A novel and simple one-step solid-state reaction in the presence of a suitable surfactant (PEG-400) has been developed to synthesize uniform polyoxometalate nanorods with an average diameter of ca. 20 nm and a length of up to 400 nm. Polyoxometalate nanoparticles were also prepared by one-step solid-state reaction at room temperature. The polyoxometalate nanorods and nanoparticles were characterized by IR, elemental analyses, XRD and TEM. The uniform nanoparticles have an average size of 8 similar to 10 nm. The possible formation mechanism of these polyoxometalate nanomaterials was speculated.