Single polyoxometalate-based nanoclusters characterized by infrared absorption nanospectroscopy

Bottom-up engineering is a very attractive field. However, the periodic organization of molecules on a solid substrate is challenging, particularly in the selection of the appropriate characterization technique which is suitable for both large area and accurate analysis at the nanoscale. Here, this study demonstrates the unambiguous identification of complex molecular layers by infrared absorption microscopy at the nanometric scale. This technique allowed for the direct observation of the presence of isolated polyoxometalate-based nanoclusters dispersed all over a substrate. The periodic organization of molecules on a solid substrate is attractive for a range of applications, but selecting the appropriate characterization technique that is suitable for both large area and accurate analysis at the nanoscale remains challenging. Here, the authors showcase the utility of infrared absorption microscopy in the unambiguous identification of complex molecular layers, directly observing isolated polyoxometalate-based nanoclusters dispersed on a substrate.