In this work, a new metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) heterogeneous catalyst (Nb–O–Mo) was synthesized by a chemical grafting method under an inert atmosphere. The activity of the covalently anchored oxo-bridged Nb–O–Mo catalyst was estimated for decolorization of Rh B, congo red, and crystal violet dyes in an aqueous solution under fluorescent light. The catalyst was characterized via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, Fourier-transform infrared, and FT-Raman. The catalytic decolorization was evaluated from the UV spectra of dyes in aqueous solution by changing different factors, including dye concentration, temperature, and catalyst loading. Decolorization percentages were 83%–89%, 86%–95%, 97%–99% for Rh B, Congo Red and Crystal Violet in 1 min at 298 K, showing the best performance among other catalysts. Decolorization efficiency for 50 ppm of Rh B was improved from 92% to 98%, with a temperature increase to 318 K.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released from various sources and are unsafe for human health. Porous materials are promising candidates for the adsorption of VOCs owing to their increased ratio of surface area to volume. In this study, activated carbon (AC) impregnated cellulose acetate (CA) electrospun mats were synthesized using electrospinning for the removal of VOCs from the air mixture of ACs, and CA solution was electrospun at different proportions (5%, 10%, and 15%) in a single nozzle system. The different AC amounts in the electrospun mats were distributed within the AC fibers. The adsorption capacities were measured for acetone, benzene, and dichloromethane, using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The results elicited an increasing adsorption capacity trend as a function of the impregnation of ACs in the electrospun mats, while their capacities increased as a function of the AC concentration. Dichloromethane resulted in a faster adsorption process than acetone and benzene owing to its smaller molecular size. VOCs were desorbed with the N 2 gas purging, while VOCs were adsorbed at higher temperatures owing to the increased vapor pressures. The adsorption analysis using Dubinin-Astakhov equation showed that dichloromethane is more strongly adsorbed on mats.