A representative polyoxometalate, alpha-12-tungstophosphatic acid (PW12(3-), POM), is loaded on the surface of TiO2 particles used as a cocatalyst to gain further insights into the underlying reaction mechanism and to estimate the feasibility of using the new POM/TiO2 cocatalyst in the photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) in aqueous media. Loading the PW12(3-) species on the surface of TiO2 enhances charge separation in the UV-illuminated TiO2, thereby accelerating the hydroxylation of the initial DCP substrate but not the mineralization of DCP, which is somewhat suppressed in the presence of the polyoxometalate. An increase in the load of POM increases the concentration of aromatic intermediates, and more toxic intermediates, such as 2,6-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, are detected in the PW12(3-)/TiO2 system. By contrast, cleavage of the whole conjugated structure of DCP predominates in TiO2 only dispersions. Strong ESR signals for the superoxide radical anionic species, O2*- (HO2* radicals in acidic media; pH < 5), are detected in TiO2 only dispersions; signals of O2*- are much weaker in the TiO2/ POM composite system under otherwise identical conditions. Experimental results infers that enhancement of charge separation in TiO2 photocatalysis does not always result in improvement of the efficiency of mineralization of organic substrates, and the reaction between organic radical cations and the formed superoxide radical anions may be responsible forthe mineralization of the chlorophenol.

This article examines the photoxidation of a dye (rhodamine‐B, RhB) by visible‐light irradiation in the presence of a polyoxometalate (12‐tungstosilicic acid, H4SiW12O40), and compares it with the analogous process in the presence of TiO2. The photoreaction processes were examined by UV‐visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography/mass spectral techniques (LC‐MS), and total organic carbon (TOC) assays in order to identify the intermediates produced. Formation of oxygen species, such as H2O2 and O2.−, was also investigated to clarify the details of the reaction pathway. With the use of SiW12O404− ions as the photocatalyst, the photoreaction leads mainly to N‐dealkylation of the chromophore skeleton. In contrast, cleavage of the whole conjugated chromophore structure predominates in the presence of TiO2. Strong O2.−/HO2.− ESR signals were detected in the TiO2 dispersions, whereas only weak ESR signals for the O2.− radical ion were seen in the SiW12O404− solutions during the irradiation period. Experimental results imply that reduction of O2 occurs by different pathways in the two photocatalytic systems.

The dinuclear RuII-PdII complex shows efficient H2 production in the presence of triethylamine as a sacrificial electron and proton donor under visible light irradiation. XPS and TEM analyses reveal that photoreduction of PdII to Pd0 causes dissociation of Pd from the complex to form colloids that are suggested to be the actual catalyst for H2 production.