Synthesis and catalytic properties of novel POM@TiO2 composite materials

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).