Syntheses, crystal structure and properties of two chalcogenidoantimonates Mn(en)3Sb2S4 and Co(en)3Sb2Se4

Two chalcogenidoantimonates Mn(en)3Sb2S4 (1) and Co(en)3Sb2Se4 (2) have been synthesized in solvothermal conditions. 1 and 2 are consist of transition metal complex cations and [Sb2Q4]2- (Q = S, Se) anions. They have band gaps of 2.20 eV and 2.25 eV, respectively, indicating that they can be used as semiconductor materials. The photocurrent responses of 1 and 2 were also investigated. Photocatalytic experiments showed that both 1 and 2 could degrade methylene blue (MB) upon visible light irradiation, reaching 47 % for 1 and 30 % for 2, indicating that both compounds are good photocatalytic materials. Therefore, they present a promising potential for the photoelectric research chalcogenides.