(NH4)4[NiMo6O24H6].5H2O / g-C3N4 materials for selective photo-oxidation of CO and CC bonds

[Display omitted] •Composite (NH4)4[NiMo6O24H6].5H2O Anderson – g-C3N4 catalyst.•Outstanding UV, visible and Sunlight activity measured through the quantum efficiency.•Selective transformation of CO and CC bonds.•Charge carrier fate analyzed with Photoluminescence and EPR.•Activity and Selectivity connected with interface sites with redox capability. Novel composite photo-catalysts having (NH4)4[NiMo6O24H6]·5H2O Polyoxometalate (POM) species deposited over g-C3N4 are synthesized. Materials were characterized through a multitechnique approach showing the stability of the carbon nitride component both through the synthesis process and under reaction. Contrarily, the POM component evolves under reaction conditions to maximize the interaction with the support. Such a behavior renders, as measured by the quantum efficiency, highly active photo-catalysts in the photo-oxidation of 2-propanol and styrene both under UV and sunlight illumination, setting up the basis for a green catalytic process. The material having a 4 wt. % POM showed improved activity with respect to both parent constituents but also higher selectivity to the partial oxidation of the alcohol and the aromatic hydrocarbon to generate added value chemical compounds. A multitechnique approach investigating charge carrier fate demonstrates the key role played by the interaction between components to promote activity and selectivity in selective oxidation reactions.