Keggin Polyoxometalate Research Articles

PH-Dependent Assembly of Three POM-Based Host–Guest Compounds Constituted by Keggin Polyoxoanions and 4,4′-Bipyridines

Three POM-based host–guest compounds constituted by Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs): (4,4′-Hbpy)3 [PMo12O40]·2H2O (1); (4,4′-H2bpy)3[PMo12O40]2·3H2O (2) and (4,4′-H2bpy) (4,4′-Hbpy)·[PW12O40]·4H2O (3) (bpy = 4,4′-bpyridine) have been synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, XPS spectra, powder XRD analyses, cyclic voltammetric measurements and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The three compounds all consist of Keggin-type POMs and 4,4′-bpy ligand, which are [PMo12O40]3− for 1–2 and [PW12O40]3− for 3. Through O···O interactions, Keggin POMs each other give rise to three different 3-D Supermolecular host structures, 4,4′-bpy and water molecules as guests accommodate different channels with H-bonding interactions. Discuss the pH role for the build POM based-hybrids contained 4,4′-bpy ligand. The photocatalytic properties of 1–3 have been investigated in the solid state.

Direct observation of the ZrIV interaction with the carboxamide bond in a noncovalent complex between Hen Egg White Lysozyme and a Zr-substituted Keggin polyoxometalate.

The successful cocrystallization of the noncovalent complex formed between (Et2NH2)8[{α-PW11O39Zr-(μ-OH)(H2O)}2]·7H2O Keggin polyoxometalate (2) and Hen Egg White Lysozyme (HEWL) protein is reported. The resulting structural model revealed interaction between monomeric [Zr(PW11O39)]4-(1), which is a postulated catalytically active species, and the protein in two positions in the asymmetric unit. The first position (occupancy 36%) confirms the previously observed binding sites on the protein surface, whereas the second position (occupancy 14%) provides novel insights into the hydrolytic mechanisms of ZrIV-substituted polyoxometalates. The new interaction site occurs at the Asn65 residue, which is directly next to the Asp66-Gly67 peptide bond that was identified recently as a cleavage site in the polyoxometalate-catalysed hydrolysis of HEWL. Furthermore, in this newly discovered binding site, the monomeric polyoxometalate 1 is observed to bind directly to the side chain of the Asn65 residue. This binding of ZrIV as a Lewis-acid metal to the carbonyl O atom of the Asn65 side chain is very similar to the intermediate state proposed in density functional theory (DFT) studies in which ZrIV activates the peptide bond via interaction with its carbonyl O atom, and can be thus regarded as a model for interaction between ZrIV and a peptide bond.

Effect of [Zr(α-PW11O39)2]10− Polyoxometalate on the Self-Assembly of Surfactant Molecules in Water Studied by Fluorescence and DOSY NMR Spectroscopy

The catalytic fragmentation of hydrophobic proteins by polyoxometalates (POMs) requires the presence of surfactants in order to increase the solubility of the protein. Depending on the nature of the surfactant, different effects on the kinetics of protein hydrolysis are observed. As the molecular interactions between the POMs and surfactants in solutions have been scarcely explored, in this study, the interaction between the catalytically active Keggin polyoxometalate [Zr(α-PW11O39)2]10− and four different surfactants—sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), dodecyldimethyl(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium (Zw3-12), dodecyldimethyl(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium (CHAPS), and polyethylene glycol tert-octylphenyl ether (TX-100)—have been studied in aqueous media. The effect of polyoxometalate on the self-assembly of surfactant molecules into micelles and on the critical micellar concentration (CMC) has been examined by fluorescence spectroscopy and diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY).

Polyoxometalates/Active Carbon Thin Separator for Improving Cycle Performance of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have great potential for the next generation of energy-storage devices owing to their high theoretical energy density. However, the polysulfides' shuttling effect seriously degraded the cycle stability and capacity and hindered their commercial applications. Here, we design and fabricate a bifunctional composite separator including a polypropylene (PP) matrix layer and Keggin polyoxometalate [PW12O40]3-/Super P composite retarding layer by utilizing the Coulombic repulsion between polyanion and polysulfides. Such a binary composite separator shows the effects in enhancing the Coulombic efficiency and cycling stability. Compared with the polypropylene (PP) matrix separator, the capacity is improved by 41% after 120 cycles when using the PW12/Super P separator. It is the first time that the polyoxometalate (POM) matrix is used as a bifunctional separator for lithium-sulfur batteries, demonstrating the promise of POM-based separators in reducing the shuttling effect of Li-S battery.

New perspective to catalytic epoxidation of olefins by Keplerate containing Keggin polyoxometalates

Different Keggin encapsulated in Keplerate polyoxometalates (Mo72Fe30, PMo12 ⊂ Mo72Fe30, SiMo12 ⊂ Mo72Fe30 and BW12 ⊂ Mo72Fe30) have been synthesized and their catalytic efficiency in the epoxidation of olefins with hydrogen peroxide investigated. Results were confirmed that Keggin encapsulated in Keplerates could show higher catalytic activity than parent ones. These POM catalysts lead to heterogeneous epoxidation of alkenes by hydrogen peroxide with green features of convenient recovery, steady reuse, high conversion and selectivity, and simple preparation.

In Situ Infrared Spectroelectrochemistry for Understanding Structural Transformations of Precisely Defined Ions at Electrochemical Interfaces.

Understanding the intrinsic properties of electroactive species at electrode-electrolyte interfaces (EEIs) is essential to the rational design of high-performance solid-state energy conversion and storage systems. In situ spectroscopy combined with cyclic voltammetry (CV) provides insights into structural changes of electroactive species at functioning EEIs. Ion soft landing enables precisely controlled deposition of mass- and charge-selected ions onto electrode surfaces thereby avoiding the contamination inherent with conventional electrode preparation techniques. In this contribution, we describe a new approach for the simultaneous electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of soft-landed ions at operating solid-state EEIs. The technique exploits a specially fabricated three-electrode cell that is compatible with in situ infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) characterization of the soft-landed ions. Keggin polyoxometalate (POM) anions, PW12O403-, were selected as a model system for these experiments due to their multielectron redox activity, structural stability, and well-characterized IRRAS spectrum. In situ CV measurements indicated continuous multielectron transfer processes of the soft-landed PW12O403- anions over a large potential range of -2.1 to -0.3 V. A distinct shift in the wavenumber of the terminal W═Ot stretching vibration in the IRRAS spectra was observed during the multielectron reduction process. The results demonstrate the capabilities of the in situ spectroelectrochemical approach for examining structural changes of well-defined electroactive species during electron-transfer processes at operating solid-state EEIs.

Novel catalyst based on mono- and di-vanadium substituted Keggin polyoxometalate incorporated in poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) polymer for the oxidation of sulfides

Composite materials based on [PVxW12-xO40](3+x)− with x = 1 or 2 (PVW and PV2W respectively), included in poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) gel (PAACA), were synthesized. The samples were characterized by different techniques such as FT-IR, 31P MAS-NMR, 51V-NMR, XRD, DTA-TGA, UV–vis DRS, and the acidic properties were estimated by means of potentiometric titration with n-butylamine. Samples containing 10, 20 and 30% (w/w) of polyoxotungstovanadate (POTV) were prepared by inclusion of the POTV in the polymer during its synthesis. According to Fourier transform infra-red and magic angle spinning-nuclear magnetic resonance studies, the predominat anion present in the samples is [PVxW12-xO40](3+x)−, and there is no evidence of its decomposition during the synthesis of hybrid materials and the drying step. According to XRD results, these anions are greatly dispersed in the PAACA or present as amorphous phases.UV–vis DRS data reveal that the samples synthesized using POTV with two vanadium atoms (PAACA-PV2W) exhibit lower values of absorption edge energy than those prepared using PVW (PAACA-PVW), which correlates with a higher oxidizing capacity.The potentiometric titration shows strong acid sites of the hybrid materials, and their number increases with the number of vanadium atoms and with the amount of POTV incorporated in the PAACA grid.The hybrid materials prepared by inclusion of POTV during the polymer synthesis exhibit appropriate physicochemical features to catalyze the oxidation of diphenyl sulfide (DPS) to its sulfone employing acetonitrile as solvent H2O2 as a green oxidant. The samples with 30% w/w of POVT, which show higher catalytic performance, are suitable for the DPS oxidation and can be reused without remarkable drop of their catalytic activity. Furthermore, they show high activity as a catalyst in the oxidation reaction of 4,4´-diamino diphenyl sulfide to the corresponding sulfone (dapsone) used for malaria treatment.

Investigating Polyoxometalate-Protein Interactions at Chemically Distinct Binding Sites.

In this study, a combined molecular docking (rigid and flexible) and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations technique have been employed to investigate interactions of 1:1 Zr-containing Keggin polyoxometalate (ZrK) with four chemically distinct cleavage sites [Arg114-Leu115 (site 1), Ala257-Asp258 (site 2), Lys313-Asp314 (site 3), and Cys392-Glu393 (site 4)] of human serum albumin (HSA). The ZrK-HSA complexations were analyzed using electrostatic potentials, the chemical nature of amino acid residues, binding free energies, and secondary structures as parameters. They suggested that ZrK binds in a rather distinct manner to different cleavage sites, and its association was dominated by hydrogen bonding, both direct and solvent mediated, and electrostatic interactions, as suggested experimentally. The computed binding free interaction energies (-57.5, -24.2, -50.8, and -91.2 kJ/mol for sites 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively) predicted the existence of one major binding site (site 4) and three minor binding sites (site 1, site 2, and site 3). The strong exothermicity of the binding was also supported by isothermal calorimetry experiments. Additionally, the binding of ZrK did not alter the overall α-helical secondary structure of HSA, which was in line with experimental observation. Furthermore, hydrolysis of the peptide bonds of the substrate was found to retain its overall structure. These results have provided a deeper understanding of the complex ZrK interactions with proteins, and they will lead to the design of the next generation of catalytically active polyoxometalates with improved hydrolytic activities.

Keggin polyoxometalates based hybrid compounds containing helix/nanocages for colorimetric biosensing

Two Keggin polyoxometalate (POMs) based hybrid compounds containing helix/nanocages as peroxidase-like mimics have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that compound 1 exhibits a POM-pillared framework with open nanotube channels (ca. 5.6 × 5.8 Å2), in which SiW12 polyanions are sandwiched between the adjacent Cu-fkz sheets with meso-helix. And an unprecedented twisted octahedral hexamer nanocage (ca. 10 × 10 Å2) is observed in compound 2. Compared with the other POMs involved peroxidase-like mimics, both compounds 1 and 2 exhibit higher peroxidase-like catalytic activities, broader applications range, faster respond time and lower detection limit, which maybe attribute to the maximized synergistic effects of SiW12 clusters, fkz molecules, metal ions and the distinct structure. Based on the facts, compounds 1 and 2 as enzyme mimics might expand their application around physiological pH conditions, and can be used as one kind of effective probe to detect H2O2 in live organism.

The Cooperativity of Fe3 O4 and Metal-Organic Framework as Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Laser Desorption Ionization Process.

A novel and facile strategy in developing a water stable magnetic metal-organic framework nanocomposite (Fe3 O4 @MOF) is herein reported, in which a Keggin polyoxometalate, phosphotungstic acid (HPW), was encapsulated within the MOF framework via one-pot synthesis method. The combination of HPW-embedded MOF and Fe3 O4 endowed the composite with high surface area, strong UV absorption, good hydrophilicity, and enhanced water stability. With these unique properties, the Fe3 O4 @MOF embedded HPW served as adsorbent as well as matrix for SALDI-MS (surface-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry) analysis of polar and non-polar compounds. The synergistic effect of Fe3 O4 and MOF showed an interference-free background at low mass region than the pristine MOF or Fe3 O4 counterparts. This simple approach can be used as new platform in developing magnetic MOF composites without the time consuming and labor-intensive preparation.

Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Entry by a Keggin Polyoxometalate.

Here, we report the anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) potency and underlying mechanisms of a Keggin polyoxometalate (PT-1, K6HPTi2W10O40). Our findings showed that PT-1 exhibited highly potent effects against a diverse group of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) strains and displayed low cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The time-addition assay revealed that PT-1 acted at an early stage of infection, and these findings were supported by the observation that PT-1 had more potency against Env-pseudotyped virus than vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSVG) pseudotyped virus. Surface plasmon resonance binding assays and flow cytometry analysis showed that PT-1 blocked the gp120 binding site in the CD4 receptor. Moreover, PT-1 bound directly to gp41 NHR (N36 peptide), thereby interrupting the core bundle formation of gp41. In conclusion, our data suggested that PT-1 may be developed as a new anti-HIV-1 agent through its effects on entry inhibition.

Electrochemical Hydroxylation of Arenes Catalyzed by a Keggin Polyoxometalate with a Cobalt(IV) Heteroatom.

The sustainable, selective direct hydroxylation of arenes, such as benzene to phenol, is an important research challenge. An electrocatalytic transformation using formic acid to oxidize benzene and its halogenated derivatives to selectively yield aryl formates, which are easily hydrolyzed by water to yield the corresponding phenols, is presented. The formylation reaction occurs on a Pt anode in the presence of [CoIII W12 O40 ]5- as a catalyst and lithium formate as an electrolyte via formation of a formyloxyl radical as the reactive species, which was trapped by a BMPO spin trap and identified by EPR. Hydrogen was formed at the Pt cathode. The sum transformation is ArH+H2 O→ArOH+H2 . Non-optimized reaction conditions showed a Faradaic efficiency of 75 % and selective formation of the mono-oxidized product in a 35 % yield. Decomposition of formic acid into CO2 and H2 is a side-reaction.

Electrochemical Hydroxylation of Arenes Catalyzed by a Keggin Polyoxometalate with a Cobalt(IV) Heteroatom

AbstractThe sustainable, selective direct hydroxylation of arenes, such as benzene to phenol, is an important research challenge. An electrocatalytic transformation using formic acid to oxidize benzene and its halogenated derivatives to selectively yield aryl formates, which are easily hydrolyzed by water to yield the corresponding phenols, is presented. The formylation reaction occurs on a Pt anode in the presence of [CoIIIW12O40]5− as a catalyst and lithium formate as an electrolyte via formation of a formyloxyl radical as the reactive species, which was trapped by a BMPO spin trap and identified by EPR. Hydrogen was formed at the Pt cathode. The sum transformation is ArH+H2O→ArOH+H2. Non‐optimized reaction conditions showed a Faradaic efficiency of 75 % and selective formation of the mono‐oxidized product in a 35 % yield. Decomposition of formic acid into CO2 and H2 is a side‐reaction.

Ratio-Controlled Precursors of Anderson-Evans Polyoxometalates: Synthesis, Structural Transformation, and Magnetic and Catalytic Properties of a Series of Triol Ligand-Decorated {M2Mo6} Clusters (M = Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+).

A series of triol ligand [CH3C(CH2OH)3] covalently decorated polyoxometalates (POMs), which could be ascribed to the primary complexes with structural formulas {M2[Mo2O4(CH3C(CH2O)3)2]3}2- (M = Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+), have been synthesized in organic solvents. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis reveals that the synthesized polyanionic clusters are comprised of three {Mo2} units and two divalent transition-metal ions connecting to each other in an alternating style, where all {Mo2} blocks were covalently decorated by two triol ligands in the trans conformation. The 1/3 molar ratio of M/Mo in the prepared complexes was higher than those ratios in typical Anderson-Evans, Wells-Dawson, and Keggin POMs. With a decrease in the M/Mo molar ratio of a Mo-contained reactant to 1/6 and/or the addition of acetic acid to the reaction solution, the primary complexes acting as precursors transformed continuously into the corresponding triol-ligand-decorated Anderson-Evans POMs. Detailed investigations were conducted by using different isopolymolybdates in various solvent environments, and several Anderson-Evans POMs in different triol-ligand-decorated fashions were obtained from the primary complexes. In addition, we also realized the transformation between the Anderson-Evans clusters in different decoration fashions by simply controlling the acidity in solution. Magnetic measurement showed a general property, but the catalytic experiments demonstrated that CoII- and Zn II-containing POMs displayed a higher efficiency for the selective oxidation of thioanisole to sulfoxide.

Synthesis, Structural and Electrochemical Properties of the [SbIII 2SiMo12O40]4- anion, a Bicapped Keggin Polyoxometalate

Synthesis, Structural and Electrochemical Properties of the [SbIII 2SiMo12O40]4- anion, a Bicapped Keggin Polyoxometalate

Understanding bond formation and its impact on the capacitive properties of SiW12 polyoxometalates adsorbed on functionalized carbon nanotubes

Recently, a large number of studies at the experimental level in electrochemical systems for energy storage devices have been performed. However, theoretical approaches are highly desirable to understand the physicochemical properties giving rise to energy storage phenomena. This work was intended to provide insights into the insilico design of novel nanocomposite materials formed by the Keggin polyoxometalate SiW12 anchored to an organic functional group φ−X (where φ corresponds to the phenyl group and X=−NH2,−OH,−COH and −COOH) linked to a carbon nanotube. In these systems, the Density of States around the Fermi level is enhanced, giving the composite material the capacity of facile electron transport that may be determinant at the charge/discharge cycling performed in energy storage devices. Charge transfer at the composite materials under study is greatest for the φ−COOH functional group, yielding an enhanced attraction similar to a covalent-type bonding with the SiW12 cluster. The rest of the functional groups induce weak interactions, mediated by van der Waals attractions. Our proposed methodology may represent a tool to develop novel electrode materials based on the composite, that may improve the performance on energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors or Li-ion batteries.

Study about the highest connected twin Keggin POMs based hybrid compound: Synthesis, PPy loading, physical absorption and visible-light photogradation for organic pollutant

A new high-connected twin Keggin polyoxometalates (POM) based metal organic complex (POM@MOC), [Ag28(trz)18][HPWV3WVI9O40]2·2H2O (Ag28P2W24) (trz = 1,2,3-triazole), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveals that the new compound contains two unprecedented [10,10] connected Keggin POMs, which represents the highest connection number of POMs to any mixed-connected POM@MOCs to date. Another fascinating structural feature is that the twin Keggin POMs respectively dominates and fabricates two kinds of helices in the POM@MOCs. In addition, to improve the photocatalytic activity of the new compound Ag28P2W24, its polypyrrole (PPy) composite (PPy/Ag28P2W24) has been prepared and exhibits good uptake capacities and photocatalytic degradation for Rhodamine B dye under the visible light.

Are Keggin's POMs Charged Nanocolloids or Multicharged Anions?

Owing to their multiple charges and their nanometric size, polyoxometalates (POMs) are at the frontier between ions and charged colloids. We investigated here the effect of POM-POM electrostatics repulsions on their self-diffusion in water by varying POM and supporting salt concentrations. The self-diffusion coefficients of two Keggin's POMs [silicotungstate (SiW12O404-) and phosphotungstate (PW12O403-)] were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and 1H/31P DOSY NMR, whereas POM-POM electrostatic repulsions were investigated by the determination of the static structure factors using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The self-diffusion coefficients for the two POMs and for different POM/background salt concentrations were collected in a master curve by comparing the averaged POM-POM distance in solution to the Debye length. As for classical charged colloids, we show that the POM's counterions should not be considered in the calculation of the ionic strength that governs POM-POM electrostatic repulsions. This result was confirmed by fitting the POM-POM structure factor by considering a pair potential of spherical charged particles using the well-known Hayter mean spherical approximation (MSA). These Keggin POMs also behave as (super)chaotropic anions (i.e., they have a strong propensity to adsorb on (neutral polar) surfaces, which was also investigated) here on the surface of octyl-β-glucoside (C8G1) micelles. The variations of (i) the chemical shift of 1H/31P NMR signals and (ii) the self-diffusion coefficients obtained by DOSY 1H/31P NMR of PW3- and of C8G1 were in good agreement, confirming the strong adsorption of POMs on the micelle polar surface from static and dynamic points of view. We concluded that Keggin's POMs behave (i) as anions because they adsorb on surfaces as chaotropic anions and (ii) as colloids because they can be described by a classical colloidal approach by dynamic and static scattering techniques (i.e., by the investigation of their interparticle electrostatic structure factor and self-diffusion without considering the POM's counterions in the ionic strength calculation). This work highlights the dynamic properties of POMs at soft interfaces compared to bulk aqueous solution, which is essential in the understanding of functional properties of POMs, such as (photo)catalysis and the rational design of POM-based hybrid nanomaterials from soft templating routes (i.e., in aqueous solutions at room temperature).

Polyoxometalate-Assisted, One-Pot Synthesis of a Pentakis[(triphenylphosphane)gold]ammonium(2+) Cation Containing Regular Trigonal-Bipyramidal Geometries of Five Bonds to Nitrogen.

Novel intercluster compounds consisting of pentakis[(triphenylphosphane)gold]ammonium(2+) cation (1) and Keggin polyoxometalate (POM) anions, i.e., {[Au(PPh3)]5(μ5-N)}3[α-PM12O40]2 (1-PW for M = W; 1-PMo for M = Mo), were synthesized in 30-36% yield by one-pot reaction of the protonic acid form of the Keggin POMs, H3[α-PM12O40]·nH2O (n = 13 for M = W; n = 15 for M = Mo) with monomeric (triphenylphosphane)gold(I) carboxylate [Au(RS-pyrrld)(PPh3)] [RS-Hpyrrld = (RS)-2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid] in the presence of aqueous NH3 at a molar ratio of 2:15:x (x = 3 for 1-PW; x = 7.5 for 1-PMo). These compounds resulted from the nitrogen-centered phosphanegold(I) clusterization of in situ generated monomeric phosphanegold(I) units, [Au(PPh3)]+ or [Au(L)(PPh3)]+ (L = NH3 or solvent), during the carboxylate elimination of [Au(RS-pyrrld)(PPh3)] in the presence of the Keggin POMs and aqueous NH3. The products 1-PW and 1-PMo were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TGA/DTA), X-ray crystallography, and solid-state cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning (CPMAS) (31P and 15N) and solution (31P{1H} and 1H) NMR spectroscopy. The lattice contained three independent {[Au(PPh3)]5(μ5-N)}2+ cations, of which two took regular trigonal-bipyramidal (TBP) geometries and the third took a distorted, square-pyramidal (SP) geometry. These geometries are in contrast to those reported by Schmidbaur's group for {[Au(PPh3)]5(μ5-N)}2+ cations as BF4 salts. Density functional theory and ONIOM calculations for {[(L3P)Au]nN}(n-3)+ (L = H or Ph; n = 4-6) showed that the pentacoordinate cluster is energetically most stable and its TBP structure is only 1.6 kcal mol-1 more stable than its SP structure, in accordance with the experimental facts.

Synthesis and polypyrrole-loading study of antifungal medicine fluconazole functionalized Keggin polyoxotungstates

To rich the coordination polymer and polyoxometalate (POM) chemistry, two new hybrid compounds based on Keggin POMs with antifungal medicine fluconazole (Hfkz = [1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-bis [(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-methyl]methanol]), [Ag4(Hfkz)2][PW12O40] (AgFkzPW12) and [Ag4(Hfkz)2][SiW12O40] (AgFkzSiW12), have been successfully synthesized and structurally characterized. Moreover, to improve the photogenerated electron-hole pair separation properties, the surface of hybrid compounds was loaded by polypyrrole (PPy) through a chemical oxidation polymerization process in situ fabricating hybrid nanocomposites AgFkzPW12@PPy and AgFkzSiW12@PPy. As a result, the Hfkz molecules were successfully grafted onto the surface of the Keggin polyoxoanions, and their nanocomposites exhibit better photocatalytic activity than the respective matrix compounds under the irradiation of visible light.