One-dimensional (1D) subnanomaterials (SNMs), including subnanowires (SNWs) and subnanobelts (SNBs), have diameters or thicknesses comparable to the unit cell size and exhibit polymer-like properties, such as rheology, gelling, and adhesion, owing to their dimensional similarity to polymer chains. Originally, single-component 1D SNMs were dominant, but the development of the cluster-nuclei coassembly (CNCA) strategy has enabled the fabrication of various polyoxometalate (POM)-based 1D SNMs with precisely controlled compositions and structures. In this review, a variety of SNWs and SNBs, including POM, metal cluster-POM, metal cation-POM, metal oxide-POM, metal sulfide-POM, and high-entropy oxide-POM materials, are discussed, paying particular attention to their synthesis, programmable structures, polymer‐like properties, and excellent performance in gelling, adhesion, catalysis, polarization, and photothermal conversion applications. Moreover, the outstanding processability of 1D SNMs, which enables the construction of macroscale assemblies with expanded applicability, such as fibers, films, and gels, is described. Finally, challenges and future directions are discussed, providing new viewpoints on the development and applications of POM-based 1D SNMs.

Information encrypting and anti-counterfeiting have attracted increasing attention in the fields of information communications and Internet of Things. It is of great significance to construct advanced stimuli-responsive materials with simple encryption/decryption procedures and high reliability. Herein, the subnanowire (SNW)-liquid crystal (LC) ink was prepared with Bi₂O₃-PMoO SNWs and commercial LCs 4’-pentyl-[1,1’-biphenyl]-4-carbonitrile (5CB), which can be used for preparing films and patterning through blade coating or writing/printing. Through combining photothermal conversion performance of SNWs with thermotropic phase transition of LCs and smart design and patterning, different forms of SNW-LC materials with photoresponsive performance can be applied in multiple-mode information encryption and anti-counterfeiting effectively, exhibiting fast response rate (within 10 s), high sensitivity (even flashlight of mobile phone), and great stability (over 100 cycles). Considering the versatility and easy processability of SNW-LC ink and the good responsiveness and high reliability of SNW-LC materials, combination of SNWs and LCs may be a potential candidate for effective encryption and anti-counterfeiting.