A novel 40Ni-added germanotungstate, Cs8K14Na3H3{[Ni6(OH)3(H2O)6(B-α-GeW9O34)]2[Ni8(μ6–O)(μ2–OH)2 (μ3–OH)2(H2O)B2O3(OH)2(B-α-GeW9O34)2]}2·84H2O (1), was made by the reaction
of the trivacant [A-α-GeW9O34]10– ({GeW9}) precursor with Ni2+ cations and B5O8
–, and systematically investigated
by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric
analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction. Single crystal X-ray analysis
indicates that the polyoxoanion of 1 is a novel octamer
constructed by {Ni6GeW9} and {Ni8(GeW9)2} structural building units via Ni–OW
linkages. The magnetic behavior shows the existence of overall ferromagnetic
interactions among the Ni2+ centers in compound 1. Photocatalytic H2 production studies have implied that 1 can work as a heterogeneous catalyst for hydrogen production
with decent robustness and recyclability.