Convenient and Green Synthesis of POM-coated Gold Nanostructures and Photocatalytic Activity under Visible Light

Abstract

Synthesizing efficient and environment-friendly visible-light photocatalyst with simple methods is becoming attractive in these years in the field of photocatalysis. We report the preparation of Au@SbW9Co3 nanostructures, an environment-friendly visible-light catalyst, by coating Au0 with Polyoxometalate (POM) in a green and convenient way, the photocatalytic activities of which were investigated under visible light. The prepared Au@POM nanostructures showed the photocatalytic active in visible light region, which indicates a synergistic effect between POM and Au0. In addition, the morphology of Au@POM nanostructures, species of POM, the proportion of POM in catalyst and the concentration of Au@POM all affect the photocatalytic effect of catalysts. When the used POM was SbW9Co3, the molar ratio of Au3+:SbW9Co3 was 2:1.0 and the catalyst concentration was 0.15 mM, the highest photocatalytic effect was obtained, and the removal efficiency for EY reached 99% after catalyzing 60 min in visible light.