New polyoxometalate-functionalized cellulosic fibre/silica hybrids for environmental applications

Cellulosic fibre/silica hybrid materials functionalized with Keggin-type polyoxometalates ([PV2Mo10O40]5−, [PVMo11O40]4−, ([PMo12O40]3− or [PW12O40]3−) were prepared by a sol–gel method at room temperature. The novel materials are composed of ca. 56 wt% of polysaccharides, ca. 37 wt% of propylamine-modified silica, 2 wt% of polyoxometalate, and 5% of hydration water. The silica network of these hybrids exhibits relatively high degree of condensation being distributed mainly on the surface of the cellulosic fibres as a dense film. The functionalization of silica with polyoxometalates via electrostatic interactions with protonated propylamino groups of modified silica was unambiguously confirmed. Despite their high silica content cellulose/silica hybrids retained basic cellulosic pulp properties—supramolecular and fibrous structure, porosity, relatively low density, etc. The novel bio-based material functionalized with 2% of [PVMo11O40]4− shows particularly high activity towards the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in urban air thus anticipating future environmental applications.