Hybrid material based on a coordination-complex-modified polyoxometalate nanorod (CC/POMNR) and PPy: a new visible light activated and highly efficient photocatalyst

To improve the photocatalytic activity of a coordination-complex-modified polyoxometalate (CC/POM), a new type of hybrid material (abbreviated as PPy/CC/POMNR) was fabricated by the combination of its nanorod (CC/POMNR) and polypyrrole (PPy) via a facile in situ chemical oxidation polymerization process under the initiation of ammonium persulfate (APS). Under the irradiation of visible light, PPy/CC/POMNR exhibited higher photocatalytic activity compared to CC/POMNR, PPy, and their mechanically blended products formed on the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). Optical and electrochemical tests showed that the enhancement of photocatalytic performance can be attributed to the high separation efficiency of the photogenerated electrons and holes on the interface of CC/POMNBs and PPy, which results from the synergistic effect between them. Furthermore, the influence of the concentration ratio between pyrrole (Py) and APS on the morphology, conductivity, and photocatalytic properties of the PPy/CC/POMNR is discussed and the optimal condition to fabricate a hybrid material with high efficiency was determined. These results suggest that the hybrid of CC/POMNR and PPy would be a feasible strategy to enhance the photocatalytic activity of CC/POMNR.