A heterogeneous polyoxometalate photocatalyst, SiW₁₂O₄₀^4-/Resin (SWR), was obtained by loading SiW₁₂O₄₀^4- on an anionic exchange resin and used to activate H₂O₂ for the efficient degradation of dyes under visible light irradiation. Rhodamine B (RhB) was employed as a model compound for the kinetic study in the photoreaction. The variations of the UV-vis spectra of RhB and the total organic carbon changes of the system indicated that the aromatic structure of RhB dye was decomposed, with a mineralization content of 24.2%. Similarly, dyes such as malachite green and acridine orange could also be degraded and mineralized. The recycle experiment suggested the excellent stability and reusability of the heterogeneous SWR photocatalyst.

Key words: polyoxometalate, resin, photocatalyst, degradation, total organic carbon, mineralization