Photocatalytic processes are fundamentally governed by interfacial charge separation and transfer dynamics. Herein, we investigate the role of polyoxometalate (POM) (H3PMo12O40·xH2O, PMo12) as an interfacial electron acceptor when coupled with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). By integration of PMo12 with g-C3N4 in controlled ratios, a series of PMo12@g-C3N4 composites were constructed to elucidate interfacial electronic interactions and charge-transfer behavior. As a consequence of the enhanced interfacial charge dynamics, the optimized composite containing 5 wt % PMo12 exhibits a visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution rate of 3.38 mmol g-1 h-1, corresponding to a 2.56-fold enhancement compared to that of pristine g-C3N4. This study highlights a POM-driven interfacial charge separation strategy and provides mechanistic insights into the design of semiconductor-cluster hybrid photocatalysts.
Liu et al. (Tue,) studied this question.