Polyoxometalate materials, metal-containing materials, and methods of use thereof

The invention relates to a polyoxometalate topical composition for removing a contaminant from an environment, comprising a topical carrier and at least one polyoxometalate, with the proviso that the polyoxometalate is not H 5 PV 2 Mo 10 O 40 ; K 5 Si(H 2 O)Mn III W 11 O 39 ; K 4 Si(H 2 O)Mn IV W 11 O 39 ; or K 5 Co III W 12 O 40 . The invention further relates to a method for removing a contaminant from an environment, comprising contacting the polyoxometalate topical composition of the present invention with the environment containing the contaminant for a sufficient time to remove the contaminant from the environment. The invention further relates to a method for removing a contaminant from an environment, comprising contacting a polyoxometalate powder or a polyoxometalate coating with the environment containing the contaminant for a sufficient time to remove the contaminant from the environment. The invention further relates to a modified polyoxometalate, wherein the modified polyoxometalate comprises the admixture of (1) a polyoxometalate and (2) a cerium compound, a silver compound, a gold compound, a platinum compound, or a combination thereof. The invention further relates to a method for removing a contaminant from an environment, comprising contacting a modified material with the environment containing the contaminant for a sufficient time to remove the contaminant from the environment, wherein the modified material comprises (1) a material and (2) a metal compound comprising a transition metal compound, an actinide compound, a lanthanide compound, or a combination thereof, wherein the metal compound is not a polyoxometalate. The invention further relates to a modified material for removing a contaminant from an environment, wherein the modified material comprises (1) a material comprising a topical carrier, a powder, a coating, or a fabric, and (2) a metal compound comprising a transition metal compound, an actinide compound, a lanthanide compound, or a combination thereof, wherein the metal compound is not a polyoxometalate. The invention further relates to an article comprising the modified material of the present invention.