Process for the reductive deposition of polyoxometallates

A process for the reductive deposition of polyoxometallate complexes on supports comprising the steps of:

• forming a solution of at least one polyoxometallate compound in a solvent, said compound having the formula
• A.sub.a (L.sub.l M.sub.m J.sub.z O.sub.y)
• wherein
• A is at least one ion selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, one or more of the Group IA to VIIIA or Group IB to VIIB metals, one or more of the rare earth metals or actinides, ammonium, alkyl ammonium, alkyl phosphonium and alkyl arsonium, or a mixture of two or more thereof;
• L is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and one or more of the Group IIIB to VIIB elements;
• M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of one or more of the Group IA to IVA and VIIA to IIB metals, the rare earths and actinides;
• J is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of one or more of the Group VA and VIA metals;
• a is a number which when multiplied by the valence of A will result in balancing the charge on the complex within the parentheses;
• l is a number ranging from zero to about 20;
• m is a number ranging from zero to about 20;
• z is a number ranging from about 1 to about 50;
• and
• y is a number ranging from about 7 to about 150;
• adding a quantity of a support material to said solution;
• charging said solution containing said support material to an electrolytic cell in contact with the cathode thereof said cell having a separate compartment for the anode;
• passing a current of from about 0.1 to about 500 mA/cm.sup.2 of electrode area through said cell whereby said support material receives a deposit of a polyoxometallate wherein the average oxidation state of the metals therein has been reduced to a valence greater than zero;
• and
• thereafter separating and recovering said support material carrying said reduced metallate complex.