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.sub.5PV.sub.2Mo.sub.10O.sub.40;
K.sub.5Si(H.sub.2O)Mn.sup.IIIW.sub.11O.sub.39;
K.sub.4Si(H.sub.2O)Mn.sup.IVW.sub.11O.sub.39; or
K.sub.5Co.sup.IIIW.sub.12O.sub.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.
