A review on functional nanoarchitectonics nanocomposites based on octahedral metal atom clusters (Nb6, Mo6, Ta6, W6, Re6): inorganic 0D and 2D powders and films.

This review is dedicated to various functional nanoarchitectonic nanocomposites based on molecular octahedral metal atom clusters (Nb6, Mo6, Ta6, W6, Re6). Powder and film nanocomposites with two-dimensional, one-dimensional and zero-dimensional morphologies are presented, as well as film matrices from organic polymers to inorganic layered oxides. The high potential and synergetic effects of these nanocomposites for biotechnology applications, photovoltaic, solar control, catalytic, photonic and sensor applications are demonstrated. This review also provides a basic level of understanding how nanocomposites are characterized and processed using different techniques and methods. The main objective of this review would be to provide guiding significance for the design of new high-performance nanocomposites based on transition metal atom clusters.

High performance {Nb5TaX12}@PVP (X = Cl, Br) cluster-based nanocomposites coatings for solar glazing applications.

The development of highly ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) absorbent transparent coatings is an important enabling technology and area of research for environmental sustainability and energy conservation. Different amounts of K4[{Nb5TaXi 12}Xa 6] cluster compounds (X = Cl, Br) dispersed into polyvinylpyrrolidone matrices were prepared by a simple, nontoxic and low-cost wet chemical method. The resulting solutions were used to fabricate visibly transparent, highly UV and NIR absorbent coatings by drop casting. The properties of the solution and films were investigated by complementary techniques (optical absorption, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy). The UV and NIR absorption of such samples strongly depended on the concentration, dispersion and oxidation state of the [{Nb5TaXi 12}Xa 6] nanocluster-based units. By varying and controlling these parameters, a remarkable improvement of the figures of merit TL/TE and SNIR for solar-glazing applications was achieved compared to the previous results on nanocomposite coatings based on metal atom clusters.

Controlling the Deposition Process of Nanoarchitectonic Nanocomposites Based on {Nb6-xTaxXi12}n+ Octahedral Cluster-Based Building Blocks (Xi = Cl, Br; 0 ≤ x ≤ 6, n = 2, 3, 4) for UV-NIR Blockers Coating Applications.

The antagonism between global energy needs and the obligation to slow global warming is a current challenge. In order to ensure sufficient thermal comfort, the automotive, housing and agricultural building sectors are major energy consumers. Solar control materials and more particularly, selective glazing are part of the solutions proposed to reduce global energy consumption and tackle global warming. In this context, these works are focused on developing new highly ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) absorbent nanocomposite coatings based on K4[{Nb6-xTaxXi12}Xa6]. (X = Cl, Br, 0 ≤ x ≤ 6) transition metal cluster compounds. These compounds contain cluster-based active species that are characterized by their strong absorption of UV and NIR radiations as well as their good transparency in the visible range, which makes them particularly attractive for window applications. Their integration, by solution processes, into a silica-polyethylene glycol or polyvinylpyrrolidone matrices is discussed. Of particular interest is the control and the tuning of their optical properties during the integration and shaping processes. The properties of the solutions and films were investigated by complementary techniques (UV-Vis-NIR spectrometry, ESI-MS, SEM, HRTEM, etc.). Results of these works have led to the development of versatile solar control coatings whose optical properties are competitive with commercialized material.