Giant iron polyoxometalate that works as a catalyst for water oxidation†
Abstract
A polyoxometalate (POM) cluster [Mo72Fe30O252(CH3COO)12{Mo2O7(H2O)}2{H2Mo2O8(H2O)}(H2O)91] ca. 150 H2O (catalyst I) has been explored as an efficient light-driven water oxidation catalyst. The photocatalytic experiments were performed with photosensitizer [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and blue light ∼420 nm. The oxygen evolution process was observed at pH 9.0. Catalyst I was recovered after the catalytic cycle. FT-IR and XPS experiments confirmed the stability of the recovered catalyst. The oxygen evolution was detected immediately after the light was switched ON. It was also established that the stable catalyst I could be reused/recycled several times.