With increasing demand for novel nanomaterials for clean energy catalysis, there has been some recent focus on development and application of complicated coordination compounds like polyoxometalates due to their unique optoelectronic properties arising from the multiple polyatomic metal non-metal bonds in their chemical frameworks. To address the wide scope of the applicability of polyoxometalates as energy materials, this work discusses the development of a novel Ferric phosphotungstate (FePW12O40) compound for applications in photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. A simple hydrothermal development has led to the development of FePW12O40 microflowers constituting of layers of clustered nanoflakes. Various spectroscopic analyses have been performed to establish their visible light active band gap and the numerous atomic level defects which have acted as electron traps thereby suppressing electron hole recombination and enhancing charge generation for robust catalytic activity. The photocatalytic activity has been demonstrated by degradation of a complex neurotoxic drug amphetamine in visible light, which underwent around 96% degradation in 90 minutes. The samples also exhibited robust electrocatalytic activity, achieving oxygen evolution at a low overpotential of 200 mV with a low Tafel slope value of 49 mV/dec. Thus the novel FePW12O40 compound revealed excellent properties for clean energy catalysis and this should inspire further research on polyoxometalates as sustainable energy materials.

With increasing demand for novel nanomaterials for clean energy catalysis, there has been some recent focus on development and application of complicated coordination compounds like polyoxometalates due to their unique optoelectronic properties arising from the multiple polyatomic metal non-metal bonds in their chemical frameworks. To address the wide scope of the applicability of polyoxometalates as energy materials, this work discusses the development of a novel Ferric phosphotungstate (FePW~12~O~40~) compound for applications in photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. A simple hydrothermal development has led to the development of FePW~12~O~40~ microflowers constituting of layers of clustered nanoflakes. Various spectroscopic analyses have been performed to establish their visible light active band gap and the numerous atomic level defects which have acted as electron traps thereby suppressing electron hole recombination and enhancing charge generation for robust catalytic activity. The photocatalytic activity has been demonstrated by degradation of a complex neurotoxic drug amphetamine in visible light, which underwent around 96% degradation in 90 minutes. The samples also exhibited robust electrocatalytic activity, achieving oxygen evolution at a low overpotential of 200 mV with a low Tafel slope value of 49 mV/dec. Thus the novel FePW~12~O~40~ compound revealed excellent properties for clean energy catalysis and this should inspire further research on polyoxometalates as sustainable energy materials.

Facile development of novel ferric phosphotungstate microflowers with optimum optoelectronic properties for clean energy catalysis : Photocatalysis and electrocatalytic oxygen evolution

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.