The research on improving the photocatalytic activity
of polyoxometalates
(POMs) has attracted considerable attention. In this work, a functionalized
calix[4]resorcinarene ligand with four terpyridine groups (TPYR4A)
was rationally designed, and then a POM-calix[4]resorcinarene based
inorganic–organic complex [Cu4Cl4(TPYR4A)]2[PWVI
10WV
2O40][PWVI
12O40]·6DMA·8H2O (DMA= N,N′-dimethylacetamide)
(1) was achieved by a self-assembly process. Strikingly,
POM clusters were successfully encapsulated in noncovalent dimeric
calix[4]resorcinarene-copper(II) based nanocapsules with a size of
3 nm. Markedly, 1 features a visible light absorption
response with an optical band gap of 2.3 eV. More importantly, 1 exhibits obviously enhanced photocatalytic activity for
oxidation of benzaldehyde upon simulated solar light excitation.
Particularly, the photocatalytic performance of 1 is
better than that of pure H3PW12O40 or a mixture of TPYR4A and H3PW12O40. This work offers a feasible strategy for designing POM-based hybrid
materials with enhanced photocatalytic activity.