Polyoxometalate-Induced Interfacial Charge Transfer in g-C ₃ N ₄ toward Visible-Light Photocatalysis

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.