Transition metal-substituted polyoxometalate-ionic liquids with remarkable flame retardancy performance.

The development of effective and novel flame retardants has been attracting considerable attention in extenuating the fire threat of flammable polymer materials including the widely-used epoxy resins. In this work, we pioneeringly report the construction of transition-metal-substituted polyoxometalate-ionic liquids (tmsPOM-ILs) as effective flame retardants, which consist of tetra-metal-containing POMs ([M4(H2O)2(PW9O34)2]10-, M4P2, M = Ni, Cu) anions and tetra-n-heptylammonium [(n-C7H15)4N+, THPA] cations. The resulting tmsPOM-ILs exhibited remarkably improved fire-safety of the epoxy resin (EP) matrix and even at a loading amount of as low as 3 wt%, the flame retardancy efficiency was even higher than that of commercial flame retardants (aluminum hydroxide (ATH), triphenyl phosphate (TPP), and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE)). Physicochemical and mechanistic studies revealed that the remarkable flame retardancy performance of the tmsPOM-ILs reported is due to their excellent epoxy matrix compatibility and remarkable catalytic charring ability. This work opens up a brand-new research direction of developing next-generation compatible and effective tmsPOM-based molecular flame retardants at the molecular level.

Two structurally new Lindqvist hexaniobate-templated silver thiolate clusters.

Two structurally new Lindqvist hexaniobate-templated silver thiolate clusters, [Nb6O19@Ag45(iPrS)23(CH3COO)14] (Ag45) and (H3O)4[Nb6O19@Ag41KS2.5O2(H2O)7.5(iPrS)24(CH3COO)5] (Ag41), were synthesized using a facile one-pot solvothermal approach. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed the presence of a classical Lindqvist-type [Nb6O19]8- anion template, with iPrS- and CH3COO- surface-protecting ligands in both silver clusters, which can further form two-dimensional Ag45 assembly and one-dimensional Ag41 chain packing structures. Both Ag45 and Ag41 clusters exhibited intriguing photothermal conversion properties and temperature-dependent emission behavior.

Identification of Crucial Photosensitizing Factors to Promote CO2 -to-CO Conversion.

The sensitizing ability of a catalytic system is closely related to the visible-light absorption ability, excited-state lifetime, redox potential, and electron-transfer rate of photosensitizers (PSs), however it remains a great challenge to concurrently mediate these factors to boost CO2 photoreduction. Herein, a series of Ir(III)-based PSs (Ir-1-Ir-6) were prepared as molecular platforms to understand the interplay of these factors and identify the primary factors for efficient CO2 photoreduction. Among them, less efficient visible-light absorption capacity results in lower CO yields of Ir-1, Ir-2 or Ir-4. Ir-3 shows the most efficient photocatalytic activity among these mononuclear PSs due to some comprehensive parameters. Although the Kobs of Ir-3 is ≈10 times higher than that of Ir-5, the CO yield of Ir-3 is slightly higher than that of Ir-5 due to the compensation of Ir-5's strong visible-light-absorbing ability. Ir-6 exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance due to the strong visible-light absorption ability, comparable thermodynamic driving force, and electron transfer rate among these PSs. Remarkably, the CO2 photoreduction to CO with Ir-6 can achieve 91.5 µmol, over 54 times higher than Ir-1, and the optimized TONC-1 can reach up to 28160. Various photophysical properties of the PSs were concurrently adjusted by fine ligand modification to promote CO2 photoreduction.

Atomically Precise Silver Clusters Stabilized by Lacunary Polyoxometalates with Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Activity.

The syntheses of atomically precise silver (Ag) clusters stabilized by multidentate lacunary polyoxometalate (POM) ligands have been emerging as a promising but challenging research direction, the combination of redox-active POM ligands and silver clusters will render them unexpected geometric structures and catalytic properties. Herein, we report the successful construction of two structurally-new lacunary POM-stabilized Ag clusters, TBA6 H14 Ag14 (DPPB)4 (CH3 CN)9 [Ag24 (Si2 W18 O66 )3 ] ⋅ 10CH3 CN ⋅ 9H2 O ({Ag24 (Si2 W18 O66 )3 }, TBA=tetra-n-butylammonium, DPPB=1,4-Bis(diphenylphosphino)butane) and TBA14 H6 Ag9 Na2 (H2 O)9 [Ag27 (Si2 W18 O66 )3 ] ⋅ 8CH3 CN ⋅ 10H2 O ({Ag27 (Si2 W18 O66 )3 }), using a facile one-pot solvothermal approach. Under otherwise identical synthetic conditions, the molecular structures of two POM-stabilized Ag clusters could be readily tuned by the addition of different organic ligands. In both compounds, the central trefoil-propeller-shaped {Ag24 }14+ and {Ag27 }17+ clusters bearing 10 delocalized valence electrons are stabilized by three C-shaped {Si2 W18 O66 } units. The femtosecond/nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy revealed the rapid charge transfer between {Ag24 }14+ core and {Si2 W18 O66 } ligands. Both compounds have been pioneeringly investigated as catalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction to HCOOH with a high selectivity.

A Hexadecanuclear Cobalt-Added Tungstogermanate Containing Counter Cobalt Hydrates: Synthesis, Structure and Photocatalytic Properties.

The synthesis and exploration of the properties of structurally-new polyoxometalates (POMs) has been attracting considerable research interest. In this work, a hexadecanuclear cobalt-added tungstogermanate, H31(NH4)5Na16{CoⅢ(H2O)6}4{[CoⅡ4(µ3-OH)3(PO4)]4(A-α-GeW9O34)4}2·23-H2O (1), was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by various techniques. Compound 1 can effectively drive the heterogeneous photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction in the presence of [Ir(ppy)2(dtbbpy)][PF6] as the photosensitizer, with triethanolamine (TEOA) and N-Hydroxy succinimide (NHS) used as the dual sacrificial reagents. Control experiments revealed the important role of NHS in enhancing the hydrogen-evolution activities. Under optimal catalytic conditions, a hydrogen yield of 54.21 µmol was achieved after 10-h photocatalysis, corresponding to a hydrogen evolution rate of 1807.07 µmol·g-1·h-1. Stability studies demonstrated that catalyst 1 can be isolated and reused for three successive photocatalytic cycles with negligible decline of the H2 yield, indicating the stability and recycling robustness of catalyst 1.

40Ni-Added Poly(polyoxometalate) Assembled by {Ni6GeW9} and {Ni8(GeW9)2} Units: Structure, Magnetic, and Heterogeneous Catalysis Properties.

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-O═W 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.

Structurally-New Hexadecanuclear Ni-Containing Silicotungstate with Catalytic Hydrogen Generation Activity.

A structurally-new, carbon-free hexadecanuclear Ni-containing silicotungstate, [Ni16(H2O)15(OH)9(PO4)4(SiW9O34)3]19-, has been facilely synthesized using a one-pot, solution-based synthetic method systematically characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and several other techniques. The resulting complex works as a noble-metal-free catalyst for visible-light-driven catalytic generation of hydrogen, by coupling with a [Ir(coumarin)2(dtbbpy)][PF6] photosensitizer and a triethanolamine (TEOA) sacrificial electron donor. Under minimally optimized conditions, a turnover number (TON) of 842 was achieved for TBA-Ni16P4(SiW9)3-catalyzed hydrogen evolution system. The structural stability of TBA-Ni16P4(SiW9)3 catalyst under photocatalytic conditions was evaluated by the mercury-poisoning test, FT-IR, and DLS measurements. The photocatalytic mechanism was elucidated by both time-solved luminescence decay and static emission quenching measurements.

Recent Advances of Ti/Zr-Substituted Polyoxometalates: From Structural Diversity to Functional Applications.

Polyoxometalates (POMs), a large family of anionic polynuclear metal-oxo clusters, have received considerable research attention due to their structural versatility and diverse physicochemical properties. Lacunary POMs are key building blocks for the syntheses of functional POMs due to their highly active multidentate O-donor sites. In this review, we have addressed the structural diversities of Ti/Zr-substituted POMs based on the polymerization number of POM building blocks and the number of Ti and Zr centers. The synthetic strategies and relevant catalytic applications of some representative Ti/Zr-substituted POMs have been discussed in detail. Finally, the outlook on the future development of this area is also prospected.

Robust Enantiomeric Two-Dimensional Assembly of Atomically Precise Silver Clusters.

The facile syntheses of enantiomeric atomically precise silver clusters starting from achiral ligands remain a substantial challenge to explore. In this work, a pair of atomically precise enantiomers of R/S-[Ag17Cl(iPrS)9S(CH3COO)5H2O] (R/S-Ag17, iPrS = isopropanethiolate) clusters have been synthesized using a viable solvothermal approach. The chirality of the resulting enantiomeric R/S-Ag17 clusters is attributed to the asymmetric arrangement of surface achiral ligands. Both R/S-Ag17 enantiomers could form the two-dimensional (2D) assemblies via intercluster interactions of basic building blocks containing Ag16S8 moieties, iPrS-Ag motifs, and S2- linkers. Such a small ligand-induced 2D assembly greatly contributes to the enhancement of thermal stability and photocatalytic activity of R/S-Ag17 clusters, providing possibilities for exploring robust coinage cluster-based assembly with attractive catalytic properties.

All-Inorganic Bis-Sb3O3-Functionalized A-Type Anderson-Evans Polyoxometalate for Visible-Light-Driven Hydrogen Production.

An all-inorganic, novel bis-Sb3O3-functionalized A-type Anderson-Evans polyoxometalate, [Ni(H2O)6]KH[NiMo6O24(Sb3O3)2]·5H2O (1), has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The chemical composition, molecular structure, and elemental oxidation states of the resulting compound have been systematically characterized by various techniques, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The title complex 1 has been investigated for the first time as a catalyst for visible-light-driven hydrogen production by coupling with a [Ir(coumarin)2(dtbbpy)][PF6] photosensitizer and a triethanolamine (TEOA) sacrificial electron donor. Under minimally optimized conditions, a H2 generation rate of as high as 10 358 µmol g-1 h-1 is achieved during a 6 h photocatalysis. Additional control experiments and spectroscopic analyses have demonstrated that complex 1 will undergo the in situ photoreduction during photocatalysis and its specific geometric structure is essential to efficient photocatalysis for H2 production.

Chiral {Ni6PW9} Cluster-Organic Framework: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties.

A chiral three-dimensional polyoxometalate cluster-organic framework (POMCOF) H3[(btc)Ni6(µ3-OH)3(H2O)5(B-α-PW9O34)]·17H2O (1, btc = 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylate) has been made under hydrothermal conditions in the absence of amine or chiral starting reagents. 1 shows high stability in CH3CN/DMF (1:3), acidic, and basic solutions with the pH ranging from 2 to 12 for 5 days. The UV-vis reflectance spectra and Mott-Schottky measurements reveal that 1 could be a suitable catalyst for photocatalysis. Visible-light-driven H2 evolution studies have demonstrated that 1 is an ecofriendly, efficient, and recyclable catalyst with a H2 evolution rate of 1058.24 µmol h-1g-1. Nonlinear optical (NLO) measurement reveals that 1 exhibits a second-harmonic generation (SHG) response of about 1.4 times that of KH2PO4 (KDP), indicating that 1 is a potential NLO material as well.

Metal-Organic Cages with {SiW9 Ni4 } Polyoxotungstate Nodes.

A tritopic, Ni-substituted Keggin cluster, {SiW9 Ni4 }, assembles with rigid dicarboxylate linkers to give rise to a set of discrete, POM2n L3n -type structures (POM={SiW9 Ni4 }) with defined interior voids. The outcome of coordination-driven self-assemblies of these polyhedral cages-from fused dimers to trigonal prisms-was found to be sensitive to bend angles of the ditopic ligands, which vary from 122° to 180°. These polyoxotungstate-based metal-organic polyhedra, when coupled with [Ru(bpy)3 ]Cl2 as a photosensitizer and triethanolamine as the electron donor, serve as highly effective catalysts for CO2 reduction, with turnover numbers up to 328 and CO selectivity as high as 96.2 %. The inner cavities of such cage structures, if functionalized or of sufficient size to encapsulate targeted guest molecules, could present a new strategy towards functional materials for potential applications.

Pentadecanuclear Fe-Containing Polyoxometalate Catalyst for Visible-Light-Driven Generation of Hydrogen.

The structurally new, carbon-free pentadecanuclear Fe-containing polyoxometalate, Na21[NaFe15(OH)12(PO4)4(A-α-SiW9O34)4]·85H2O (Na21-Fe15P4(SiW9)4), was synthesized using a facile one-pot, solution-based synthetic approach and systematically characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that the title complex is composed of two [Fe4(A-α-SiW9O34)] fragments and two [Fe3.5(A-α-SiW9O34)] fragments stabilized by four PO4 linkers in a tetrameric style with idealized Td point group symmetry. When coupling with (4,4'-ditert-butyl-2,2'-dipyridyl)-bis(coumarin)-iridium(III) hexafluorophosphate ([Ir(coumarin)2(dtbbpy)][PF6]) photosensitizer and triethanolamine (TEOA) sacrificial electron donor, polyoxoanion Fe15P4(SiW9)4 effectively catalyzed hydrogen production with a minimally optimized TON of 986, which represents, to our knowledge, one of the highest values among known Fe-substituted POM-catalyzed hydrogen production systems. Both a mercury-poisoning test and FT-IR characterizations proved the structural stability of Fe15P4(SiW9)4 catalyst under photocatalytic conditions. The photocatalytic mechanism of the present hydrogen-evolving system was investigated by time-solved luminescence and static emission quenching measurements.

Two new Cu-based borate catalysts with cubic supramolecular cages for efficient catalytic hydrogen evolution.

Focusing on renewable energy, we are devoted to developping efficient, robust and low cost water reduction catalysts (WRCs). Two new Cu-based borate catalysts, namely H2Na2K2[(µ4-O)Cu4@B20O32(OH)8]·21H2O (1) and H2Rb1.6K2.4[(µ4-O)Cu4@B20O32 (OH)8]·15H2O (2), with cubic supramolecular cages were synthesized under a hydrothermal condition. Moreover, new copper complexes were applied as water reduction catalysts (WRCs) in the presence of [Ir(ppy)2(dtbbpy)][PF6] as photosensitizer and triethanolamine (TEOA) as the sacrificial electron donor. Nevertheless, the main active place is attributed to the centre of Borates [(µ4-O)Cu4@B20O32(OH)8], and the atomic radius of the counter cation would be the critical factor of the photocatalytic activity. Increasing the atomic radius from the Na atom to the Rb atom, causes the photocatalytic activity to decrease efficiently. The experimental results match well with the density functional theory (DFT) conclusion. It is noteworthy to mention that our research not only enriches the Cu-based borate chemistry, but also investigates the photocatalytic activity of Cu-based borates. This would guide us through the borate synthesis and to develop their applications toward energy and the environment.

Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 -Production Activity of CdS Quantum Dots Using Sn2+ as Cocatalyst under Visible Light Irradiation.

Herein, oil-soluble CdS quantum dots (QDs) are first prepared through a solvent-thermal process. Then, oil-soluble CdS QDs are changed into water-soluble QDs via ligand exchange using mercaptopropionic acid as capping agent at pH 13. The photocatalytic performance is investigated under the visible light irradiation using glycerol as sacrificial agent and Sn2+ as cocatalyst. No H2 -production activity is observed for oil-soluble CdS QDs. Water-soluble CdS QDs exhibit significantly enhanced hydrogen evolution rate. When the concentration of cocatalyst Sn2+ increases to 0.2 × 10-3 m, the rate of hydrogen evolution reaches 1.61 mmol g-1 h-1 , which is 24 times higher than that of the pristine water-soluble CdS QDs. The enhanced H2 -production efficiency is attributed to the adsorption of Sn2+ ions on the surface of CdS QDs that are further reduced to Sn atoms by photogenerated electrons. The in situ generated Sn atoms serve as photocatalytic cocatalyst for efficient hydrogen generation.

A Versatile Self-Detoxifying Material Based on Immobilized Polyoxoniobate for Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agent Simulants.

A decontaminating composite, Mg3 Al-LDH-Nb6 , has been successfully prepared by immobilizing Lindqvist [H3 Nb6 O19 ]5- (Nb6 ) into a Mg3 Al-based layered double hydroxide (Mg3 Al-LDH). To our knowledge, this represents the first successful approach to the immobilization of polyoxoniobate. As a versatile catalyst, Mg3 Al-LDH-Nb6 can effectively catalyze the degradation of both vesicant and nerve agent simulants by multiple pathways under mild conditions. Specifically, the sulfur mustard simulant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), is converted into the corresponding nontoxic 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfoxide (CEESO) by selective oxidation, whereas the Tabun (G-type nerve agent) simulant, diethyl cyanophosphonate (DECP), and the VX (V-type nerve agent) simulant, O,S-diethyl methylphosphonothioate (OSDEMP), are detoxified through hydrolysis and perhydrolysis, respectively. A possible mechanism is proposed on the basis of control experiments and spectroscopic studies. The Mg3 Al-LDH-Nb6 composite exhibits remarkable robustness and can be readily reused for up to ten cycles with negligible loss of its catalytic activity. More importantly, a protective "self-detoxifying" material has easily been constructed by integrating Mg3 Al-LDH-Nb6 into textiles. In this way, the flexible and permeable properties of textiles have been combined with the catalytic activity of polyoxoniobate to remove 94 % of CEES in 1 h by using nearly stoichiometric dilute H2 O2 (3 %) as oxidant with 96 % selectivity.

Rhodamine-Platinum Diimine Dithiolate Complex Dyads as Efficient and Robust Photosensitizers for Light-Driven Aqueous Proton Reduction to Hydrogen.

Three new dyads consisting of a rhodamine (RDM) dye linked covalently to a Pt diimine dithiolate (PtN2S2) charge transfer complex were synthesized and used as photosensitizers for the generation of H2 from aqueous protons. The three dyads differ only in the substituents on the rhodamine amino groups, and are denoted as Pt-RDM1, Pt-RDM2, and Pt-RDM3. In acetonitrile, the three dyads show a strong absorption in the visible region corresponding to the rhodamine π-π* absorption as well as a mixed metal-dithiolate-to-diimine charge transfer band characteristic of PtN2S2 complexes. The shift of the rhodamine π-π* absorption maxima in going from Pt-RDM1 to Pt-RDM3 correlates well with the HOMO-LUMO energy gap measured in electrochemical experiments. Under white light irradiation, the dyads display both high and robust activity for H2 generation when attached to platinized TiO2 nanoparticles (Pt-TiO2). After 40 h of irradiation, systems containing Pt-RDM1, Pt-RDM2, and Pt-RDM3 exhibit turnover numbers (TONs) of 33600, 42800, and 70700, respectively. Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy reveals that energy transfer from the rhodamine 1π-π* state to the singlet charge transfer (1CT) state of the PtN2S2 chromophore occurs within 1 ps for all three dyads. Another fast charge transfer process from the rhodamine 1π-π* state to a charge separated (CS) RDM(0•)-Pt(+•) state is also observed. Differences in the relative activity of systems using the RDM-PtN2S2 dyads for H2 generation correlate well with the relative energies of the CS state and the PtN2S23CT state used for H2 production. These findings show how one can finely tune the excited state energy levels to direct excited state population to the photochemically productive states, and highlight the importance of judicious design of a photosensitizer dyad for light absorption and photoinduced electron transfer for the photogeneration of H2 from aqueous protons.

Semiconductor quantum dot-sensitized rainbow photocathode for effective photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation.

The present study reports the fabrication of CdSe quantum dot (QD)-sensitized photocathodes on NiO-coated indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes and their H2-generating ability upon light irradiation. A well-established spin-coating method was used to deposit CdSe QD stock solution onto the surface of NiO/ITO electrodes, thereby leading to the construction of various CdSe QD-sensitized photocathodes. The present report includes the construction of rainbow photocathodes by spin-coating different-sized QDs in a sequentially layered manner, thereby creating an energetically favorable gradient for charge separation. The resulting rainbow photocathodes with forward energetic gradient for charge separation and subsequent electron transfer to a solution-based hydrogen-evolving catalyst (HEC) exhibit good light-harvesting ability and enhanced photoresponses compared with the reverse rainbow photocathodes under white LED light illumination. Under minimally optimized conditions, a photocurrent density of as high as 115 µA⋅cm-2 and a Faradaic efficiency of 99.5% are achieved, which is among the most effective QD-based photocathode water-splitting systems.

Catalytic Light-Driven Generation of Hydrogen from Water by Iron Dithiolene Complexes.

The development of active, robust systems for light-driven hydrogen production from aqueous protons based on catalysts and light absorbers composed solely of earth abundant elements remains a challenge in the development of an artificial photosynthetic system for water splitting. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of four closely related Fe bis(benzenedithiolate) complexes that exhibit catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution when employed in systems with water-soluble CdSe QDs as photosensitizer and ascorbic acid as a sacrificial electron source under visible light irradiation (520 nm). The complex with the most electron-donating dithiolene ligand exhibits the highest activity, the overall order of activity correlating with the reduction potential of the formally Fe(III) dimeric dianions. Detailed studies of the effect of different capping agents and the extent of surface coverage of these capping agents on the CdSe QD surfaces reveal that they affect system activity and provide insight into the continued development of such systems containing QD light absorbers and molecular catalysts for H2 formation.

Cu-based Polyoxometalate Catalyst for Efficient Catalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

Copper-based complexes have been largely neglected as potential water reduction catalysts. This article reports the synthesis and characterization of a tetra-copper-containing polyoxotungstate, Na3K7[Cu4(H2O)2(B-α-PW9O34)2]·30H2O (Na3K7-Cu4P2). Cu4P2 is a water-compatible catalyst for efficient visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution when coupled to (4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-dipyridyl)-bis(2-phenylpyridine(1H))-iridium(III) hexafluorophosphate ([Ir(ppy)2(dtbbpy)][PF6]) as a light absorber and triethanolamine (TEOA) as sacrificial electron donor. Under minimally optimized conditions, a turnover number (TON) of ∼1270 per Cu4P2 catalyst is obtained after 5 h of irradiation (light-emitting diode; λ = 455 nm; 20 mW); a photochemical quantum efficiency of as high as 15.9% is achieved. Both oxidative and reductive quenching pathways are observed by measuring the luminescence intensity of excited state [Ir(ppy)2(dtbbpy)](+*) in the presence of Cu4P2 or TEOA, respectively. Many stability studies (e.g., UV-vis absorption, FT-IR, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) show that catalyst Cu4P2 undergoes slow decomposition under turnover conditions; however, both the starting Cu4P2 as well as its molecular decomposition products are the dominant catalytically active species for H2 evolution not Cu or CuOx particles. Considering the high abundance and low cost of copper, the present work provides considerations for the design and synthesis of efficient, molecular, water-compatible Cu-based water reduction catalysts.