A tri-vanadium-capped Keggin phosphomolybdate: synthesis, characterization, photocatalytic and bifunctional electrocatalytic properties

A purely inorganic tri-vanadium-capped Keggin phosphomolybdate [Na3PMo12V3O43]·4H2O (compound 1) has been synthesized by hydrothermal means and characterized via powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectrum, thermogravimetric analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflection spectra as well as electrochemical cyclic voltammetry tests. The structure analysis displays that compound 1 is a symmetric tri-vanadium-capped cluster through six half occupancy {VO5} units. Compound 1 remains a purely inorganic Keggin phosphomolybdate, which presents electrocatalytic properties for the oxidization of ascorbic acid and reduction of H2O2. At the same time, it possesses high-efficiency degradation capability for typical methylene blue, Rhodamine B and methyl orange dyes under ultraviolet light.