Directed synthesis of a novel decamolybdate-encapsulated nanocage framework by mixed-ligands for light-driven hydrogen generation

Abstract

A new compound [CuICuII2(bpy)(pzta)2][HMo10O34] {CuICuII2-Mo10, pzta = 3-(pyrid-4-yl) pyrazole and bpy = 4,4’-bipyridine} was obtained by a hydrothermal reaction method and characterized by various tests including XPS, IR, UV, PXRD, luminescent spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The CuICuII2-Mo10 shows an unusual decamolybdate-encapsulated nanocage framework structure. Beside the novel structure, the CuICuII2-Mo10 was father used for photocatalytic hydrogen generation and it possesses an improved catalytic H2 productivity compared with its parent POM (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O (Mo7) under identical experimental conditions. Namely, the CuICuII2-Mo10 can reach 99.5 µmol− 1 g− 1 h− 1, which is obviously higher than 42.35 µmol g− 1 h− 1 of Mo7.