International Network on Polyoxometalate Science for Advanced Functional Energy Materials

Metal oxides are ubiquitous in advanced technologies, but control over structure, composition and redox state can be problematic and often requires sophisticated processing. By comparison, polyoxometalates (POMs) are molecular oxides that enable nanoscale engineering of advanced metal oxide and hybrid materials from solution. This has resulted in a new era for POM chemistry and a remarkable expansion of POM-based materials research.

Energy sustainability is one of the major global challenges and new materials hold the key to success. By gaining detailed knowledge of POM behaviour, the goal is to make POM-based materials that enable us to engineer electron-transfer, charge storage and chemical changes at the heart of energy conversion and storage. Consolidating activities in this field through the EPSRC-JSPS Core-to-Core Collaboration will accelerate developments towards this outcome, with potential for substantial societal and economic impact.


This collaborative network, coordinated jointly by Newcastle and Hiroshima Universities and involving research groups from Germany, France and China, provides a dynamic UK-Japan axis for new research into POM-based advanced functional materials for energy applications. It includes, and will promote the emergence of, a new generation of researchers and will stimulate the interdisciplinary uptake of POM chemistry for the wider benefit of the materials community. The EPSRC-JSPS Core-to-Core scheme will place the UK at the heart of this important initiative and the momentum already generated during preparation of this expression of interest is a testament to the international enthusiasm for such a network. Collaborative projects will address fundamental electron transfer, charge separation and reactivity at interfaces in POM-based materials, providing the understanding required for better synthesis and design leading to improved material performance and new disruptive technologies.

The outcomes from the collaborative research programme will lead to scientific advancement of polyoxometalate chemistry beyond the state of the art by consolidating activities and focusing on research questions which would not be possible to solve by single research groups in isolation. The network will provide a platform to share knowledge but also to raise the profile of POM research, a field which is growing in Asia, and recruit new expertise, particularly in the context of renewable energy.

Scientific impact will arise from applying new methodologies to studying the structure and reactivity of polyoxometalates, particularly in operational environments, such as in electrolyte solutions in batteries or water for artificial photosynthesis. The outcomes of successful research collaborations will be published in leading scientific journals, such as Nature Materials/Energy, Advanced Materials, Energy and Environmental Science. The exchange of ideas and results will be disseminated within the network through oral and poster presentations at the annual network symposia (alternating between UK and Japan). Engagement with the UK community will be achieved through participation in workshops and conferences as part of the Advanced Materials for Energy Network (through the North East Centre for Energy Materials). The international profile of POM research will be raised through engagement with the wider international community by presenting the highlights of the research at international conferences such as ICCC, Pacifichem and FMOCS and by attracting internationally leading scientific visitors to engage with the network and inviting them to present at the annual symposia.

People: The Network will increase the UK skills pool by training highly skilled researchers with experience of collaboration and teamwork. The early career researchers will expand their own global professional network and learn about other cultures. Newcastle University is part of the Inclusion Matters consortium funded by EPSRC to boost the reputation of under-represented groups in engineering and physical sciences and increase the diversity of the talent pool. Through engagement with the collaboration and mentoring initiatives in Inclusion Matters this Network will promote and inclusive culture beyond the North East of England.

Economic impact will arise through the increased research capacity and the new science will be of interest to chemical companies (catalysis, porous materials, solid state ionics, dielectrics), energy technology (batteries, solar cells, biofuels etc. short term, long term solar fuels). Many of the applications are at the proof of concept stage. By interacting with local and international industry through the Japanese partners Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and Nippon Inorganic Colour and Chemical Co. Ltd., the industrial partners of NECEM and interactions with the NE Local Enterprise Partnership, by consolidating UK research through the Network, the investigators will leverage more investment from business to ensure that our research successes are translated from the lab to a commercial technology. This would generate new products, jobs, and companies.

Society: Providing sustainable solutions to generating electricity or fuel from waste or sunlight will enhance the health and wellbeing of the population. A carbon-free fuel addresses the intermittency of renewable energy and is necessary for sustainable transport and connecting people and ensuring energy security in the UK. The international partners in the EU and Asia, increase the global reach of our research. Forming a critical mass of researchers will enable us to effectively interact with policy makers. The UK investigators have a vibrant outreach programme to communicate benefits of science to the public, for example by working with Newcastle University's Hancock museum to increase public awareness of functional materials and their application in renewable energy.