Abstract
A polyoxometalate-based metal-organic complex with the ability to treat pollutants in water was obtained under hydrothermal conditions, namely [Ni(H(2)L)(HL)(2)](PMo(12)O(40))·3H(3)O·4H(2)O (1) (H(2)L = 4,4'-(1H,1'H-[2,2'-biimidazole]-1,1'-diyl)dibenzoicacid). Structural analysis reveals that the [Ni(H(2)L)(HL)(2)] units are interconnected into a 2D layer via hydrogen bonds between adjacent carboxyl groups and water molecules of crystallization. [PMo(12)O(40)](3-) anions are embedded within the larger pores of the layer and are connected to the adjacent layers through hydrogen bonds, ultimately expanding the structure into a 3D supramolecular architecture. The intermolecular interactions were studied via Hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis. Electrochemical performance tests reveal that 1 exhibits electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation and reduction of diverse pollutants in water, including NO(2)(-), Cr(VI), BrO(3)(-), Fe(III), and ascorbic acid (AA). Additionally, it can also serve as an amperometric sensor for the detection of BrO(3)(-) and Cr(VI). Photocatalytic studies reveal that compound 1 functions as a bifunctional photocatalyst, which not only achieves efficient degradation of organic dyes but also demonstrates remarkable reduction efficiency for toxic Cr(VI). Compound 1 demonstrates significant potential for practical water remediation applications.