Polyoxometalate Cluster Sensitized with Copper-Viologen Framework for Efficient Degradation of Organic Dye in Ultraviolet, Visible, and Near-Infrared Light.

An efficient photocatalyst based on the broadband solar response molecular system was designed and constructed for pollutant degradation in near-neutral conditions via utilizing guest polyoxometalate cluster sensitized with electron deficient host network. Photoelectrochemical analysis reveals electron-hole pairs are generated efficiently upon both visible and NIR light excitation. Its photocatalytic activity in the visible and NIR light regions is enhanced because of the contribution from the broad absorption of copper-viologen framework and the strong host-guest interactions. This stable heterogeneous catalyst is easily recollected and regenerated without the loss of activity for the next cycle.