Counterion distribution around hydrophilic molecular macroanions: The source of the attractive force in self-assembly

Abstract

Growing blackberries: The association of counterions around {Mo 72V30} polyoxometalate macroanions increases with increasing macroion concentration and decreasing solvent polarity. The counterion distribution extends about 2-9 Å from the macroion surface with the highest probability at 2-3 Å from the macroion surface. A close connection between counterion association and the self-assembly of {Mo 72V30} into "blackberry" structures is observed. © 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KCaA.