Five new TM-Sn-Q (TM = transition metals;Q = S,Se) photoelectrocatalytic materials

With the solvothermal method, we synthesized five compounds that have cluster structure; [Co(dien)2]2Sn2Se6 (1), [Co(dien)2]2Sn2S6 (2), [Ni(dien)2]2Sn2S6 (3) (dien=diethylenetriamine), [(Ni0.4Zn0.6)(en)6]Sn2Se6 (4), [(Mn1.67Zn0.33)(en)6]Sn2Se6 (5) (en=ethylenediamine). Among them, The 1 showed the excellent photocurrent density (ca. 50 μA/cm2) and 51.4 % degradation of methylene blue (MB). [Display omitted] The chalcogenidostannates [Co(dien)2]2Sn2Se6 (1), [Co(dien)2]2Sn2S6 (2), [Ni(dien)2]2Sn2S6 (3) (dien = diethylenetriamine), [(Ni0.4Zn0.6)(en)6]Sn2Se6 (4), [(Mn1.67Zn0.33)(en)6]Sn2Se6 (5) (en = ethylenediamine) were prepared under solvothermal conditions. 1–5 are isostructural and composed of the transition metal (TM) complex cations and [Sn2Q6]4− anions. As far as we know, 4 and 5 are the first examples of two transition metals occupy the same position. TM complexes can integrate the electronic, and optical properties with the inorganic framework, which extends the properties of the TM complexes. Accordingly, the photocurrent response and photodegradation were investigated. There are impressive photocurrent densities for the compounds, especially 1 with a density of 50 μA/cm2, which is superior than most chalcogenidostannates. In this work, the degradation of methylene blue (MB) by cobalt-containing chalcogenidostannates was studied for the first time, and a degradation rate of 51.4 % was achieved by [Co(dien)2]2Sn2Se6 (1) and 41.5 % by [Co(dien)2]2Sn2S6 (2). This work provides a good prospect for the photoelectric of chalcogenides.