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Mesoporous framework materials comprising lacunary [SiW11O39](8-) polyoxometalate clusters covalently connected by ethane-bridged silsesquioxane linkers were synthesized through a block copolymer-templated cross-linking polymerization of 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane in acid solution. These new hybrid materials, which exhibit a high density of catalytic sites, large pore surface and ordered pore structure, are shown to be highly effective in the photocatalytic oxidation of aryl alcohols with molecular oxygen.

Increasing global environmental pollution due to heavy metal ions raises the importance of research on new multifunctional materials for simultaneous detection and removal of these contaminants from water resources. In this study, we report a microporous 8-connected Zr4+ metal–organic framework (MOF) based on a terephthalate ligand decorated with a chelating 2-picolylamine side group (dMOR-2), which shows highly efficient fluorescence sensing and sorption of heavy metal cations. We demonstrate by detailed fluorescence studies the ability of a water-dispersible composite of dMOR-2 with polyvinylpyrrolidone for real-time detection of Cu2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+ in aqueous media. The limits of detection were found to be below 2 ppb for these species, while the system’s performance is not affected by the presence of other potentially competitive ions. In addition, sorption studies showed that a composite of dMOR-2 with calcium alginate (dMOR-2@CaA) is an excellent sorbent for Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions with capacities of 376 ± 15 and 117 ± 4 mg per gram of dMOR-2@CaA, respectively, while displaying the capability for simultaneous removal of various heavy metal ions in low initial concentrations and in the presence of large excesses of other cationic species. Structural and spectroscopic studies with model ligands analogous to our material’s receptor unit showed chelation to the 2-picolylamine moiety to be the main binding mode of metal ions to dMOR-2. Overall, dMOR-2 is shown to represent a rare example of a MOF, which combines sensitive fluorescence detection and high sorption capacity for heavy metal ions.

Understanding of photochemical charge transfer processes at nanoscale heterojunctions is essential in developing effective catalysts. Here, we utilize a controllable synthesis method and a combination of optical absorption, photoluminescence, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies to investigate the effect of MoS2 nanosheet lateral dimension and edge length size on the photochemical behavior of MoS2‐modified graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) heterojunctions. These nano‐heterostructures, which comprise interlayer junctions with variable area (i. e., MoS2 lateral size ranges from 18 nm to 52 nm), provide a size‐tunable interfacial charge transfer through the MoS2/g‐C3N4 contacts, while exposing a large fraction of surface MoS2 edge sites available for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Importantly, modification of g‐C3N4 with MoS2 layers of 39±5 nm lateral size (20 wt % loading) creates interfacial contacts with relatively large number of MoS2 edge sites and efficient electronic transport phenomena, yielding a high photocatalytic H2‐production activity of 1497 μmol h−1 gcat−1 and an apparent QY of 3.3 % at 410 nm light irradiation. This study thus offers a design strategy to improve light energy conversion efficiency of catalysts by engineering interfaces at the nanoscale in 2D‐layered heterojunction materials.

Polyoxometalate clusters have been recently established as promising nanomaterials for photocatalytic water splitting. Here, the synthesis is reported of mesoporous polymers composed of a 3D porous network of lacunary [XM11O39]q− (XM11; X=P, Si; M=W, Mo) polyoxometalate units connected by ethano‐bridged silsesquioxane linkers through a block copolymer‐templated crosslinking polymerization of 1,2‐bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane in acidic solution. The resulting materials feature an ordered mesostructured ethane–silica (MES) framework that hosts a high density of accessible polyoxometalate clusters, which allows for efficient catalytic reactions. XM11/MES hybrid polymers have a relatively high activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction with remarkable cycle stability under UV/Vis light irradiation (λ>360 nm), without the need for co‐catalysts or additional photosensitizers. It is also shown that the photocatalytic efficiency of these materials arises from the nanoscale pore structure, high surface area and chemical manipulation of the electronic band structure of constituting heteropolyoxo clusters.

Targeting heterostructures with modulated electronic structures and efficient charge carrier separation and mobility is an effective strategy to improve photocatalytic performance. In this study, we report the synthesis of 2D/3D hybrid heterostructures comprising P-doped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets (ca. 50–60 nm in lateral size) and small-sized Ni2P nanoparticles (ca. 10–12 nm in diameter) and demonstrate their prominent activity in the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI). Utilizing a combination of spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization techniques, we unveil the reasons behind the distinct photochemical performance of these materials. We show that Ni2P modification and P doping of the g-C3N4 effectively improve the charge-carrier transportation and spatial separation through the interface of Ni2P/P-doped g-C3N4 junctions. As a result, the catalyst containing 15 wt.% Ni2P exhibits superior photocatalytic activity in the detoxification of Cr(VI)-contaminated effluents under UV-visible light illumination, presenting an apparent quantum yield (QY) of 12.5% at 410 nm, notably without the use of sacrificial additives. This study marks a forward step in understanding and fabricating cost-effective photocatalysts for photochemical applications.

Modulating the heterojunction interfaces at the nanoscale is paramount to developing effective photocatalysts. Nanodimensional heterostructures, essentially, expose a large fraction of active edge sites, which, along with excellent electronic communication,...

Dedicated to the memory and achievements of Dr. Ioannis TamiolakisThis work reports the synthesis and catalytic application of mesoporous Au-loaded Mn 3 O 4 nanoparticle assemblies (MNAs) with different Au contents, i. e., 0.2, 0.5 and 1 wt %, towards the selective oxidation of anilines into the corresponding nitroarenes. Among common oxidants, as well as several supported gold nanoparticle platforms, Au/Mn 3 O 4 MNAs containing 0.5 wt % Au with an average particle size of 3-4 nm show the best catalytic performance in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as a mild oxidant. In all cases, the corresponding nitroarenes were isolated in high to excellent yields (85-97 %) and selectivity (> 98 %) from acetonitrile or greener solvents, such as ethyl acetate, after simple flash chromatography purification. The 0.5 % Au/Mn 3 O 4 catalyst can be isolated and reused four times without a significant loss of its activity and can be applied successfully to a lab-scale reaction of ptoluidine (1 mmol) leading to the p-nitrotulene in 83 % yield. The presence of AuNPs on the Mn 3 O 4 surface enhances the catalytic activity for the formation of the desired nitroarene. A reasonable mechanism was proposed including the plausible formation of two intermediates, the corresponding N-aryl hydroxylamine and the nitrosoarene.