Polyoxometalates (POMs), being one kind of molecular metal oxides, have structural variety and special physicochemical properties. They have showed broad applications in catalysis, molecule-based functional materials and molecular magnetism. In recent years, POMs can be used as electron acceptor to capture the photogenerated electrons from semiconductors. This facilitates charge separation and restrains electron-hole recombination. Thus the light-to-electricity conversion efficiency is obviously improved, which demonstrates the potential applications in both semiconductor devices and solar cells. In this review, based on our studies and recent literature, we summarize the advance of improving light-to-electricity conversion efficiency by POMs and their application in solar cells, and then make a prospect of future development in this area.

Contents
1 Introduction
2 The promotion to the light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of inorganic semiconductors by POM
3 The promotion to the light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of organic semiconductors by POM
4 The application in solar cells of POM
5 Conclusion