Synthesis and catalytic properties of novel POM@TiO2 composite materials

•For the first time, D–π–A type POMs were combined with TiO2;•The composite materials were synthesized through layer-by-layer method.•The POM@TiO2 showed excellent catalytic ability in treating organic pollutants.

Donor–π-bridge–acceptor (D–π–A) type polyoxometalates (POMs) were self-assembled for the first time on the surface of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles through the layer-by-layer (LBL) method. The obtained composite materials POM@TiO2 were characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectrum and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Catalytic properties of POM@TiO2 were also investigated by treating organic pollutants (typically, removal of 40 mL 20 mg L− 1 methylene blue (MB) by 10 mg POM@TiO2 was up to 99.5% within 3 min under ambient conditions and the photodegradation efficiency was obviously higher than bare TiO2 nanoparticles under irradiation).

Graphical abstractNovel composite materials based on D–π–A type polyoxometalates and TiO2 with excellent catalytic ability in treating organic pollutantsFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide