Unsupported POMs

Dispersion of POMs onto inert solid supports with high surface areas is very important for catalytic application because the surface areas of unsupported POMs are usually very low (—10 m2g). Another advantage of dispersion of POMs onto inert supports is improvement of the stability. Therefore, immobilization of POMs on a number of supports has been extensively studied. Silica and active carbon are the representative supports [25], Basic supports such as MgO tend to decompose POMs [101-104], Certain kinds of active carbons firmly entrap POMs [105,106], The maximum loading level of POMs on active carbons is 14 wt% [107], Dispersion of POMs onto other supports such as zeolites, mesoporous molecular sieves, and apatites, is of considerable interest because of their high surface areas, unique pore systems, and possibility to modify their compositions, morphologies, and sorption properties. However, a simple impregnation of POM compounds on inert supports often results in leaching of POMs. 

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